Tag Archives: Laura O’Grady

Klippert Case Officially Recognized as Historic Event in Canada

Posted on November 27, 2025 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

We are happy to report that our application to the National Program of Historical Commemoration was rewarded. The Klippert Case recently got an official nod from the Government of Canada. It is now designated a historic event of national significance. Parks Canada, which administers the program, has an intensive screening and deliberation process—they conducted extensive research before reaching their decision.

Parks Canada wrote a detailed backgrounder on the designation, explaining, “The Klippert Case of 1967 was a pivotal moment in the fight for 2SLGBTQI+ rights in Canada.”

One of the goals of the Calgary Gay History Project is to make our history more visible in the City. With this designation, we will get a bronze plaque in Calgary (in a public location) to finalize the commemoration.

Learn more about the Klippert Case—watch our award-winning short film, directed by Laura O’Grady!

We would like to sincerely thank Mount Royal University history professor Joe Anderson for informing us about the application process to the National Program of Historical Commemoration.

Anyone can submit a nomination to this program!

We believe that there was no queer history represented in the Directory of Federal Heritage Designations before this, but we changed that! Now we need more…

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Posted in Gay history, Press Release

Tagged bisexual, Calgary, Everett Klippert, gay, Gay history, Government of Canada, gross indecency, human-rights, Klippert Case, Laura O'Grady, lesbian, National Program of Historical Commemoration, Parks Canada, queer, transgender

World AIDS Day in #YYC

Posted on November 28, 2024 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Sunday, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. Safe Link Alberta (formerly known as AIDS Calgary) Calgary Queer Arts Society and Contemporary Calgary have come together to present an afternoon called ARTS and HIV. Reflections, Joy & Hope.

Hosted by drag performer Misty Meadows, the celebration will feature a recorded interview with Joe Average, an acclaimed Vancouver HIV-positive artist, a screening of award-winning filmmaker Laura O’Grady’s Undetectable and a Q&A panel moderated by James Demers. ARTS and HIV begins at noon and runs until 4:30 at Contemporary Calgary.

There will be inspiring drag performances by Misty Meadows, Argintina, and Shane OnYou. The event will also offer attendees a chance to bid on an online silent auction featuring Joe Average’s original piece Thinking Cap.

In lieu of admission, the organizers suggest leaving a donation in remembrance of someone lost to HIV/AIDS.

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Gross Indecency (the film): 5 Years Later

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

Our film Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story premiered in 2018. That year, it won the Best of Alberta award at the Calgary International Film Festival and since has had an active online presence (YouTube).

Historian Kevin Allen is grateful that the short film helped elevate Everett’s story into public consciousness, particularly the role his court case played in the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada. Since the film launched, there has been a steady stream of people reaching out to the Calgary Gay History Project (particularly educators), who have brought the film into their high school classes and university conferences.

The film’s director, Laura O’Grady from Snapshot Studios, remarked: “What struck me when we were filming Gross Indecency was the power of allies. It became clear that it was Everett’s cis Christian sister who fought for her brother. If it wasn’t for her courage and perseverance the case would probably never have made the Supreme Court, and Everett would have spent his entire adult life in prison. Human rights are hard earned and easily lost. As Canadians who value our way of life, we must always be vigilant and protect those who cannot stand or advocate for themselves.”

Many people who see the film comment on the touching human story at the film’s heart. Furthermore, Calgarians resonate with a tale that takes place in their city. Curiously, distant relatives of Everett have discovered the film and felt a strange connection to that gentle man from across the generations.

One of the most powerful outcomes of the research and the film was meeting Ottawa-based lawyer Brian Crane, who defended Everett at the Supreme Court in 1967. Amazingly, he is still practicing law today (in his 90s).

In early 2020, the Klippert family applied to the Parole Board of Canada for an expungement of their uncle’s criminal record. Mr. Crane assisted the family with the application pro bono. It’s remarkable that Mr. Crane’s career spanned these two ends of Everett’s story.

The expungement order was granted on November 18, 2020, which means Everett was deemed never to have been a criminal. His family is deeply satisfied with the outcome.

*Kevin Allen and Brian Crane in conversation as part of Calgary Pride’s 2020 History Program*

We are thankful we got to participate in the making of Gross Indecency. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Laura O’Grady, the driving force behind this beautiful film.

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