Tag Archives: history

At the Glenbow today

At the Glenbow Museum Archives going through their paper archives and the Doug Young fonds (files).

Doug Young, 1950-1994, was born near Taber, Alberta and raised there and in Medicine Hat. He attended Medicine Hat College and the University of Calgary. Young worked with the Alberta Service Corps for five years and Canada Customs for three. He was active in the Gay rights movement in Calgary and served as the president of Gay Information and Resources Calgary (GIRC) from 1977 to 1979, and as a board member from 1977 to 1981. He was active in many other organizations including the Alberta Lesbian and Gay Rights Association, AIDS Calgary, Gay and Lesbian Legal Advocates Calgary (GALLAC), Right to Privacy Committee, and the Gay and Lesbian Community Police Liaison Committee.

There was widespread discrimination of the queer community in Calgary in the 1970s, that included the police, politicians and the public at large: documented quite clearly in the fonds.  Also noteworthy, was the contributions of the courage queers who stood up to society in face of that discrimination and demanded change.

I am attaching an article by Len Girivitz, that recounts a sort of local Stonewall moment, that catalyzed forming a queer activist group.

Media Release: August 28, 2012

For immediate release

August 28, 2012

Local historian initiates queer history project in Calgary

Project postcard. Five shirtless men sunbathe in Calgary, Alberta.

Participation Postcard. Image from the Glenbow Archives PD-329-50.

CALGARY – Did you ever wonder about the secret gay history of Calgary?
Local historian, Kevin Allen, is launching an investigation into the lives of queer Calgarians in the 1950s and 1960s. Through archival research and interviews with gay seniors, Kevin will document a relatively unknown aspect of the city’s past.

Following Pride Week (August 29 – September 3, 2012), Kevin will be historian-
in-residence at Calgary Outlink: Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity in the
Old Y Centre for Community Organizations, 303 – 223, 12 Ave SW, is conducting
research and receiving interested members of the community.

Throughout the fall, a website will be created documenting research findings,
and the project will culminate in a public presentation in early 2013. The Secret
History of Gay Calgary Research Project has gratefully received support through
Calgary 2012’s Artist/Historian in Residence Program and Calgary Outlink.

To book an appointment or for more information, please contact:

Kevin Allen, Historian
or
Calgary Outlink
calgarygayhistory@gmail.com
http://www.calgaryoutlink.ca

Calgary 2012 LogoCalgary Outlink Logo