As a warm-up for Calgary Pride, on Wednesday, August 26 at 7:00 PM, join us at Shelf Life Books for a conversation with Tom Symington, author of Not So Normal: Memoirs of a Gay Boomer, hosted by the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen.
Tom grew up in post-World War II Calgary in a loving home and, as a child, didn’t think of himself as “different.” But as he got older, he found himself navigating a world where being gay came with social pressures, discrimination, and very real legal consequences.
In Not So Normal, Tom looks back on that journey with honesty and warmth. His story takes him from Alberta to Sierra Leone, France, and beyond, while tracing the enormous changes in gay life and gay rights that took place around him. It’s a deeply personal coming-of-age story, but also one that captures a remarkable period of Canadian history—and reminds us that progress can never be taken for granted.
There’s a personal connection behind this event, too. Kevin met Tom while researching the Kootenay Gay History Project. Their conversations about Tom’s life and experiences helped reveal some of the queer history of Invermere and the Columbia Valley.
Expect an engaging conversation about growing up, finding your place in the world, the changes Tom has witnessed over his lifetime, and why sharing these stories still matters.
There will also be a Q&A, so bring questions and join the conversation.
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Calgary Gay History 