Tag Archives: Lois Szabo

Reflections on Lois’s 90th!

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

{This photo essay is by Marlene Patricia, a photographer and friend of the History Project. Thanks, Marlene, for these words and images! – Kevin}

When Calgary’s LGBTQ icon, Lois Szabo, celebrated her 90th birthday, the vibe of Club Carousel was felt throughout the evening. Partiers enjoyed a sharing community atmosphere, entertainment, dancing, and great food, all without the fear of being raided by the cops.

The venue was bursting with over 200 of Lois’ people, including her children, grandchildren, older sister Ina, longtime friends, and community members from the Rainbow Elders, to the Women in the Wind Motorcycle Club that Lois rode with.

After an endless buffet supper organized by her daughter Karen, tributes were made by Kevin Allen, Lois’ sister, Ina, and Donna from the Rainbow Elders. Folks were treated with performances by Drag Royalty, choirs and singers, all expertly emceed by the pink-tuxedoed James Demers.

After singing Happy Birthday to Lois, 90 candles were blown out, and the cakes were cut. Chairs were cleared away and then the DJs spun a variety of classic Gay bar tunes that had youth, and the young at heart, smiling and grooving like the good old days. Even Lois got up to sway for a bit. A slideshow rotated photos of Lois’ life throughout the dance. A great time was had by all!

Donations and proceeds from the bar were donated to Camp Fyrefly and Stepping Stones.

Enjoy these photos from the event.

—Marlene

The lovely bartenders dressed in Circa 1936 outfits

Lois’ sister Ina, who turned 93 a few days earlier

Two of Lois’ grandchildren, Christy and Sean welcomed the guests

Lois’ friends – they sure put on a hilarious skit

The candles are lit – Happy Birthday Lois!

YYCGayHistory has a stamp!

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

Today, Canada Post launched its Places of Pride stamp series—and Calgary has been included!

The first stamp in the series features Club Carousel. Canada Post created a video, featuring founder Lois Szabo, to tell the story of Calgary’s groundbreaking gay club. Next week, they will install stamp art across the facade of Home & Away, a restaurant and bar at 1207 1 St. SW that occupies the original location of Club Carousel.

*2025 Places of Pride: Club Carousel – Official First Day Cover*

The second stamp in the series features Montreal’s Truxx, also with a video and a mural in Montreal’s Gay Village.

The third stamp features Hanlan’s Point Beach. A billboard featuring the stamp illustration will be installed at Toronto’s famous Church and Wellesley intersection.

The fourth and final stamp in the series features the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering. A mural will be installed at the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.

*Canada Post’s Places of Pride Stamp Series*

The stamp issue is designed by Kelly Small of Intents & Purposes Inc., illustrated by Tim Singleton, and printed by Colour Innovations. It includes a booklet of eight Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and four Official First Day Covers.

The stamps and collectibles will be available at canadapost.ca and at select postal outlets across Canada beginning on May 30.

#OurPastMatters!

{KA}

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Posted in Gay history, Press Release

Tagged 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering, bisexual, Canada Post, Club Carousel, gay, Hanlan's Point Beach, lesbian, Lois Szabo, queer, transgender, Truxx, Two-Spirit

YYC Pride Roundup

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Phew. Queer history was popular during Calgary Pride 2024!

The Calgary Gay History Project was featured in The Scene (twice) and on CityTV. A couple of podcasts dropped featuring interviews with Kevin Allen: Late in ’88 and Passing Time With Craig.

To round things out, we hosted gay history walks, a book signing at the Pride Festival, and Pride at Shelf Life Books, which featured history, poetry, and drag.

*Pride at Shelf Life Books: Kevin Allen, Dogiichow, Osmo Cis, Skylar Kay and Bret Crowle on Sept 4, 2024.*

If you missed the sold-out Involve: Stonewall & Carousel event last year, Lawrence Interior Design, just released a video which documents the conversation between Jason Brooks, Martin Boyce and Lois Szabo.

*Martin Boyce and Lois Szabo in conversation at Involve: Stonewall & Carousel*

Finally, until September 23rd, catch the pop-up exhibition about the LGBT Purge at the Central Library. The Canadian government investigated thousands of 2SLGBTQI+ employees, military personnel, and members of the RCMP during the Cold War. Many of these employees and personnel were forced to resign, ruining lives and careers. But they fought back, and survivors won a major class action lawsuit against the government in 2018. The exhibition “Love in a Dangerous Time” is an appetizer for the Canadian Museum of Human Rights’s large-scale museum show in Winnipeg next year.