Tag Archives: gross indecency

May Gay, May Gay

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

The Calgary Gay History Project is connected to a fulsome month of historical happenings. We hope to see you out!

May 3, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Downtown Gay History Walk. We are leading a Jane’s Walk again this year. Meet up at CommunityWise, 223 12 Ave. SW for a stroll through Calgary’s LGBTQ2 history.

Spontaneous sidewalk photo with previous walk participants during Pride. Photo: Gary Evans, Full Frame Fotography.

May 9, 6:00 -10:00 PM – Adults Only Night @ Telus Spark: Beyond the Binary: What does a Drag Monarch, the bell curve and the universe have in common? Explore the answers to these headline questions through selected partners, programs and social experiments at Spark. The Calgary Gay History Project will be hosting an information table with artifacts from Calgary’s LGBTQ2 past.

May 14, 6:00 -7:30 PM – Decriminalization at 50. Join Calgary Gay History Project’s Tereasa Maillie, Kevin Allen, and special guests, as we explore the significance of May 14, 1969, and the life of Calgary bus driver Everett Klippert. The event will take place at the BMO room of the New Central Library, 800 3 Street SE. {Bonus: there is an exhibition titled Decriminalization at 50 on the 4th floor of the library during the month of May.}

May 14, 8:30 PM until late – After the library presentation, meet us for drinks and a screening of our award-winning short film, Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story. The Calgary Gay History Project is hosting this decriminalization salon at Civic Tavern, 213 12 Avenue SW (the former Hop & Brew).

May 8 – June 9, the Lougheed House exhibits Outliers: Queer History in Calgary with a smorgasbord of events including notably a tribute to Club Carousel on May 17 and Parkside Pride on May 30.

Also at the library this month, the 21st Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, runs May 24 – June 2. We’re told there will be some queer history in the festival line-up being announced later this week.

Phew.

Finally, Our Past Matters had a number of media close-ups recently: on CBC Radio, in Avenue Magazine, and on The Calgarian Podcast. Thank you, everyone, who has been interested in the book and saying such heart-warming things. We’re truly grateful.

{KA}

News from YYC Gay History

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Parkside Love was a great success last week. Thanks to Shelf Life Books, and all the Calgarians who came out to share memories of the former Parkside Continental bar. It was a special place for many and formative for Calgary’s LGBTQ2 community.

Kevin Allen standing in front of the original window/artifact from the Parkside Continental – 1302 4 St. SW.

Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story has garnered a nomination at the Canadian Screen Awards for director Laura O’Grady. We were so thrilled to be part of this film and think Laura is a most deserving nominee. Keep your fingers crossed when the Academy votes next month.

Laura O’Grady – Canadian Screen Award Nominee

Speaking of Everett, we are working with the New Central Library on an exhibition in May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. If you have any thoughts on what should be included in that exhibition write to us at calgarygayhistory@gmail.com.

Excerpt from Everett Klippert’s diary in jail

{KA}

Launched @calgarylibrary

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Our Past Matters book launch last night at the New Central Library. It was quite a full house and quite an evening. The library’s Rosemary Griebel, before she introduced me, advised me to savour every moment: “you only have your first book launch once.” It was good advice, and I felt so proud and honoured to present my work.

Calgarians come out for history! Photo: Noel Begin

We also screened Laura O’Grady’s Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story, to large applause. Afterward, we floated the idea of a gay history feature film – stay tuned!

Book signing fatigue? No, it was a delight. Photo: Laura O’Grady

People have been asking where to buy the book now that it is out. Shelf Life Books, one of Calgary’s finest independent bookstores, has it. As we add more booksellers we will let you know. Next week, you will also be able to buy it online through the Calgary Gay History Project Website.

Thank you, Calgary for coming out yesterday!

{KA}