Tag Archives: Pride

Be your own queer historian!

October is queer history month in Canada. We want to highlight some local and digital queer history resources that are public and accessible. Curious historians take note!

The new Calgary Gay History Project Collection at the University of Calgary launched during Pride and are already being used by researchers. We’re planning a launch party on October 22 at 5 PM, details TBA.

Dr. William Bridel, Archivist Kim Geraldi, and the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen exploring the collection. Image by Andy Nichols, 2024, University of Calgary Archives Photographs, Libraries and Cultural Resources.

Our colleagues at the Edmonton Queer History Project launched an online digitized queer Alberta magazine collection. Of particular interest to Calgarians are Outlooks, Modern Pink, and A.G.L.P. They’ve kindly pledged to add more Calgary publications in the near future.

The Central Library has hard copies of queer publications Outlook, Clue! and QC Magazine in their fourth-floor Local History collection (as well as circulating copies of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary).

Gay Calgary and Edmonton magazine has their back catalogue digitized and online (2003-2019).

Cover August 2006 of GayCalgary Magazine

Many significant queer archives are digitizing some of their holdings and creating online exhibits—notably the ArQuives in Toronto and the Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria.

When you are travelling, seek out the queer histories of the places you are visiting. We just went to Spokane, Washington, last week and discovered Spokane Pride’s queer history project online—fascinating!

1950’s newspaper advert from the Spokane Pride History Project

Finally, when you have discovered something interesting, share it! You can use the social media tags @2SQHMCan and #2SQHMCan to link up with a national conversation about queer history.

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Late in ’88

Do you want to explore Calgary’s Queer History from an autobiographical grade school perspective? (I think you do…)

Late in ‘88 is a limited-series podcast created by Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda. The grade school classmates share their experiences of growing up queer and gender non-conforming in Calgary in 1988, at a time when there wasn’t language to describe identities that were fringe and undefinable. Shining a light on their middle childhood, Bronwin and Elinor explore the impact of historical context and the gift of contemporary language that allows more freedom of self-expression. The Calgary Winter Olympics acts as a backdrop to these conversations.

Elinor Svoboda and Bronwin Parks: creators of Late in ’88

Late in ’88 welcomes special guests and experts. The Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen makes an appearance in episode two, recounting his own queer history from 1988 as well as the story of Mark Perry Schaub, a Winter Olympics volunteer dying of AIDS.

Calgary is a different city than it was in the 80s. Late in ’88 explores how life has changed for queer people (and how it hasn’t) and the gravity of human connection which can make us whole. Recommended listening!

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June Pride Month Highlights

Happy Pride Month, Calgary! If you want to learn why we celebrate Pride twice—in June and on the Labour Day Weekend, read this!

Many queer organizations are hosting events this month—check out Calgary Pride’s community calendar to find one to attend. We want to highlight some impactful events you should consider.

Thursday, June 13th: Chinook Fund Cabaret from 6-9 PM

The successful Chinook Fund is hosting its second fundraising cabaret. The evening will include drag, male burlesque, singing, and dance performances. 

Every year, the Chinook Fund donates more than $50,000 (and growing) to local queer community organizations.

Sunday, June 23rd: Jane Perry Commemorative Concert, 3 PM

Earlier this year, we lost the inspiring and talented queer choir director Jane Perry to cancer—far too young. The Calgary Gay History Project worked with Jane on creative history/choral pairings that were wonderfully memorable.

One Voice Chorus’ Club Carousel Cabaret in 2015. Gavin Caldwell (Piano), Kevin Allen (Historian), Lois Szabo (Club Founder), and Jane Perry (Former Artistic Director, One Voice Chorus).

You are invited to a commemorative concert, celebrating the musical spirit of Jane Perry.  The Calgary Unitarians are proud to present this collaborative tribute to her legacy, with the ensembles she directed and helped build, and many special guest performers she worked with and shared musical connection. We’ll have music inspired by Jane’s joy, her musical taste, her world-class skill, and her kindness. Featuring the wonderful Melissa Ko on piano and Tonia Bates, emcee. Participating are One Voice Chorus, the Calgary Renaissance Singers and Players, UUphonia, and many more. We are happy to lift our voices in song together in two mass choir sing-along pieces.”

The concert is at Temple B’nai Tikvah (900 – 47 Ave SW). Tickets are $25 general, $20 student/senior, free under age 14, and a pay-what-you-can option at the door. Reception to follow the performance. 

June 27-30: The 26th annual Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival

“Attention film buffs, arts fans, and creative kin across the Treaty 7 area: Early Bird tickets for the 26th annual Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival are available now! Discover 33 short films, 15 artists, 10 makers, 7 feature films and 2 DJs spanning all genres, media and runtimes at the storied Grand.

Come together and celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ lived experiences and narratives YOUR WAY! For the first time, discover a makers’ market and arts exhibition, featuring over a dozen of the finest creative talents from all disciplines and mediums.”

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