Tag Archives: Gay history

The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in Toronto

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

OK, Calgary Gay History fans – I am back in the research saddle, so to speak, but strangely not in Cowtown – rather, Hogtown!

After taking a break in March, I planned a trip to Toronto to visit the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives – the largest queer archives in the country. However, arriving here I was told by archivist and volunteer Don McLeod, that in fact, it is the largest queer archive in the world. The research facility is located in a historical house on Isabella Street; the archives main storage (which includes the bulk of their holdings) is held in an office building located on the famous Church and Wellesley intersection just a few blocks away.

Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives

The archives are predominantly volunteer run and exists almost entirely on private donations (for which they issue tax receipts). Don said that he has been with the archives for 29 years, but that makes him only 4th in seniority with respect to years served! 2013 marks the CLGA’s 40th anniversary.

And there are treasures here. Specific to my Calgary research, I have found early gay publications from our city such as Carousel Capers, Club Carousel’s monthly newsletter from 1973-1975, as well as more biographical information and research files relating to Everett Klippert (although he grew up in Calgary, he was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan).

So the next time you are in Toronto, visit the archives (check their website for visiting hours), they have a gallery with new exhibitions changing regularly and the archive volunteers are both helpful and kind.

Thank you Calgary & New Gay History Developments

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Wow. Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s public presentation at CommunityWise (the Old Y). I have never seen the Common Room so full – we even ran out of chairs – very humbling…

Two big topics in the presentation were the Klippert case (which you can read more about: here), and Club Carousel, Calgary’s first gay and lesbian owned and operated chartered club (which will be the subject of a future post). Special thanks to Lois Szabo, one of the club’s founders, who attended the public presentation and added her first person recollections to the evening.

Here are some recent developments that were announced at the public presentation last night:

1) The Calgary Heritage Authority has requested another public presentation. This one is scheduled for Friday, May 3rd, 2013 at the Castell Central Public Library from 5:30 – 7:00 PM.

2) The Calgary Foundation is interested in a gay historical Jane’s Walk, which I am keen to do. This has yet to be scheduled but will likely happen in the morning of Saturday, May 4th, 2013 – stay tuned…

3) The Glenbow Museum has expressed interest in developing a gay and lesbian archive, which this project will help coordinate. If you, or someone you know has documents or artifacts which might be of historical value, please contact me. In addition, tax receipts can be issued by the Glenbow for donations to the archives (if appropriate).

Thank you again Calgary! I am off now on holidays and am taking a break from the website for the month of March. Please look for new posts in April.

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Posted in Gay history

Tagged Calgary, Club Carousel, gay, Gay history, human-rights, Old Y, queer

Public Presentation – Wednesday February 27th, 7:30 PM

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

The time has come to wrap the first phase of the Calgary queer history project and make a presentation to the community about the findings to date. Calgary does have a secret gay history that we need to cherish and share! To that end, please join me for a public presentation and reception at CommunityWise (the Old Y), 223 12 Ave. SW from 7:30 – 9:00 PM next Wednesday.

Special thanks go to Calgary Outlink, my historian in residency host, and Calgary 2012 who gave us start-up funding for this project. Also I need to thank Del Rath, who stepped up to be a volunteer scribe, chauffeur, researcher and cheerleader. Finally, thank you calgaryqueerhistory.ca readers! The website has had 3000 views to date, with lots of positive comments and feedback.

See you Wednesday!