Thrilled to be a part of the Calgary Gay History Project, Dr. William Bridel brings a sociological lens to queer history, with a particular interest in sport, physical activity, and health. William completed his PhD at Queen’s University in 2011, accepted a postdoctoral research position at the University of Alberta from 2011-2012, and then moved to Ohio to teach at a liberal arts college named Miami University of Ohio. He moved to our city in the summer of 2014 to begin work at the University of Calgary. He is currently the Senior Associate Dean, Academic Programs, and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology.
Having been involved in sport and physical activity most of his life and experiencing both the benefits of and barriers to participation, William and his research team have, over the years, explored 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in various sports historically and in contemporary times. Of particular interest to us is his ongoing research project on the role of sport in Calgary’s queer history.
In October 2025, we posted some of his writing on Calgary’s queer hockey history. To coincide with the 2026 Olympic Winter Games (OWG), which run from Friday, February 6 to February 22, William will be sharing a series of posts featuring queer Calgarians who have competed in past Olympic Winter Games—as well as one that will focus on the 1988 OWG, held here in Calgary.
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Calgary Gay History 