Tag Archives: news

Meet Lois in Lois Szabo Commons!

On Monday, July 29th at 7:00 pm, step into history with Lois Szabo, a 2SLGBTQ+ community builder, as she engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Kevin Allen of the Calgary Gay History Project. Please join us at Lois Szabo Commons: 936 16 Avenue SW and enjoy complimentary pizza and soda, sponsored by Calgary Pride. Bring a folding chair if you have one.

In 2021, the City of Calgary unveiled Lois Szabo Commons, a park in the Beltline, as a testament to Lois’ instrumental role in the creation and development of the groundbreaking gay bar, Club Carousel, in 1970.

Lois with politicians, friends and family at the Park’s dedication ceremony. Photo: Marlene Hielema.

This free event is part of Historic Calgary Week 2024. There are 88 events to take in during the fascinating 11-day history festival. The theme this year, Community Builders, will focus on the people and organizations that have made Calgary and surrounding area a desirable and vibrant place to live. 

Bonus queer history event on the same day, July 29, at the Central Library:

3:30 – 4:30 pm — Generations United: Connecting Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Join Historian in Residence, Tess McNaughton, in an exploration of Calgary’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history. In this presentation, Tess will share their research so far and explore queer stories of Calgary, proving that resilience and strength are timeless qualities. From overcoming adversity to celebrating triumphs, dive into the diverse history of this city. Through this presentation, you will gain insight and respect for the vibrant queer community members who have called Calgary home. 

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Queer Legends Podcast

Happy New Year, Calgary Gay History Project readers!

Shawn Dearn, a Montreal-based investigative journalist and historian, is the creative force behind Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast. The series just won the Outstanding Documentary award at the annual Canadian Podcast Awards.

Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast

Shawn was interested in the story of Everett Klippert and recently interviewed Kevin Allen from the Calgary Gay History Project for the pod—check out their conversation: here.

Queer Legends is about the people who built the rainbow, created space and held their own! The series has featured: Margaret Cho, Jane Rule, former MP Svend Robinson, queer historian Sarah Worthman and many more. One reviewer calls Queer Legends “binge-worthy.”

We at the Calgary Gay History Project hope you discover even more queer history in 2024!

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