Tag Archives: human-rights

The LGBT Purge: The True Story

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Montreal-based journalist Shawn Dearn has released the second season of his award-winning podcast, Queer Legends: The True Story of Canada’s LGBT Purge. Impeccably researched, it tells the story of the LGBT Purge in Canada from World War I until today. “The Purge” was the Government of Canada’s effort to eliminate queers from the military and public service, which the Government apologized for in 2017. The story of the purge is significant queer history in its own right, but it also parallels the community’s ongoing struggle to achieve equality.

Kevin Allen from the Calgary Gay History Project is featured in episode 3. He discusses Calgary bus driver Everett Klippert and his pivotal role in Canadian history.

Queer Legends was sponsored by the LGBT Purge Fund, which notably has also commissioned Thunderhead a national queer history monument in Ottawa. The Purge Fund is programming events across the country. Rumour has it that there will be a pop-up event in Calgary sometime in August. We’ll keep you posted when we find out more.

{KA}

1 Comment

Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, Everett Klippert, gay, Gay history, human-rights, lesbian, LGBT Purge, LGBT Purge Fund, Ottawa, queer, Queer Legends, Shawn Dearn, Thunderhead, transgender

Our Past Matters—Five Years Later

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Kevin Allen launched his book Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary as the first historian in residence at the Central Library on November 22, 2018. Five years on, Kevin returns to the library to share stories of queer history he learned after the book was published. This special event, celebrating the book’s success, is happening at the Memorial Park Library on November 22, 2023, from 6-7 PM. Tickets are free (but limited); register here.

*Kevin Allen in 2023: photo Kelly Hofer*

Discover new stories of AIDS activists, enterprising community choirs, and the surprising queer history of the Memorial Park Library. Learn how infamous Calgary bus driver Everett Klippert, who spent most of the 1960s in jail for being gay, retroactively had his criminal charges reversed.

Queer history is more important than ever as we face contemporary challenges to our human rights victories. Kevin’s rallying cry is our past matters!

Bonus: A limited edition hard-cover copy of Our Past Matters will be given away as a door prize!

{KA}

1 Comment

Posted in Gay history

Tagged bisexual, Calgary, Central Library, Everett Klippert, gay, Gay history, human-rights, lesbian, Memorial Park Library, Our Past Matters, queer, transgender

Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

The Pride Movement has been a mighty agent of social change. But how did Pride impact Calgary specifically? Join us Tuesday, October 24th, from 6:00-7:30 PM, at the Central Library, where we delve into that question with a history panel of former and current Calgary Pride leaders.

Calgary Pride has come a long way since its inception rally in 1990. The Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen will lead discussions with panelists about the evolution of Calgary Pride. We will begin by revisiting the humble beginnings of Calgary Pride, tracing its roots back to the early activists who paved the way. Discover how their courage and resilience shaped the movement we know today.

Learn about the impactful initiatives and events organized by Calgary Pride that continue to make a positive difference in our city. Our panelists will share their experiences and discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities for social justice in Calgary. Looking ahead, we will explore the exciting prospects for Calgary Pride as it continues to evolve.

Panelists will offer insights into the strategies and goals of Calgary Pride as they work towards a future where everyone can live authentically. Take advantage of this thought-provoking evening that honours the past, celebrates the present, and embraces the future of Calgary Pride as a catalyst for social change in our city.

Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change is presented in collaboration with the Calgary Public Library and Calgary Pride. Spaces are limited—reserve a spot here.