Tag Archives: Gay history

Trans History in YYC

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

In June 1978, a national Trans publication was began in Calgary. Called Gender Review: A FACTual Journal, it was the publication of the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Transsexuals (FACT), which began in January of the same year. The non-profit organization focussed on public education of gender dysphoria.

Gender Review‘s premier issue had an article on “Transsexual Oppression” about Montrealer Inge Stephens; information about transsexual resources; news items such as trans woman Canary Conn’s appearance on the Phil Donahue show; and a listing of books and articles by and about trans people.

The founding president of FACT was Rupert Raj, who moved the organization and publication to Toronto in July 1979. Raj has gone on to be a leading Trans activist and educator in Ontario and Canada and in 2013 was inducted into the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (CLGA) National Portrait Collection. His personal records are also housed at the CLGA as the Rupert Raj Trans* Collection.

The University of Victoria’s Moving Trans History Forward 2016 conference’s concluding event is a Founders Panel, on Sunday March 20th from 9:30 AM – noon. Raj will be one of five panellists. Unlike other conference events the Founders Panel is free and open to the public – we hope to see you there.

{KA}

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, CLGA, gay, Gay history, Gender Review, lesbian, queer, Rupert Raj, transgender, Transgender Archives, University of Victoria

Coming Out YYC & Heading Out YYJ

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Next week, the Coming Out Monologues touch down in Calgary. The 7th iteration of this popular event will be held at the downtown John Dutton library theatre March 16, 17, & 18. Doors open at 7:30 pm, and the shows begin at 8:00.

The Coming Out Monologues celebrates diverse local stories from our queer community. Most people who perform have little to no performance experience, and are generously coached and supported to become stage ready. Tickets and info can be found: here.

Next week also, the Calgary Gay History project heads to the University of Victoria, to take part in Moving Trans History Forward 2016 conference. We look forward to immersing ourselves in trans history and trans activism connecting Calgary to these larger conversations. We will be in Vancouver for a few days post conference. If you know any former Calgarians who we should interview while we are present, please let us know – we would love to meet them.

And if that is not enough happening next week, Friday, March 18th, we have the final instalment of It’s Getting Drafty in Here, and the development of the play: 69 Legislating Love and the Everett Klippert story at Loft 112 at 5 PM. So you have lots of opportunities for queer culture and history next week. See you out there.

{KA}

Klippert back in the news 50 years later

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

This has been quite a week in gay history. The Prime Minister’s Office promised a posthumous pardon for approximately 6000 men who were arrested and charged with gross indecency or buggery for consensual sexual acts between men in prior decades.

This was initiated by John Ibbitson’s in-depth review of Everett Klippert’s famous court cases published in the Globe and Mail last weekend, including the first ever published photos of Everett. The Calgary Gay History Project was proud to have supported that article through research findings and interviews.

The news set off a mini-storm of media interview requests locally. Calgary Gay History Project representatives Kevin Allen and Jonathan Brower, also of Third Street Theatre, were kept busy for days.