Tag Archives: Pride Week

Gay History is important.  We would like to give a shout out to Rich Hawkins, HuffPost Gay Voices, for his recent editorial, The Gay Community is Dying, Here’s Why it Needs to Live: a compelling explanation for why our past matters.

Calgarians understand this and came out in huge numbers for our history walking tour at Pride 2014 – but it created some logistical complications for us. Consequently, we did a rethink about our presentation and working with Pride Calgary have created an online ticketing system.  You can sign up now, on a first-come, first-served basis, for the two scheduled history walks on offer. Tickets are free (donations are welcomed), and if we fill up these walks we will consider adding more to the Pride Week schedule.

Thursday, Sept. 3rd

7:00-8:30 pm Beltline Gay History Walking Tour

Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen on a walk through the Beltline.  We will travel to significant historical gathering spots for the gay community in this inner city neighbourhood, including Calgary’s first gay bar, from 1968, Club Carousel.  Everyone welcome. Tickets: here.

Meet:  CommunityWise (The Former Old Y) 223 12 Avenue SW

Saturday, Sept. 5th

2:00-3:30 pm Downtown Gay History Walking Tour

Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen on a walk through the city centre.  We will highlight significant political and social events that affected the gay community.  On the way we will pass by several historical watering holes where gays and lesbians gathered.  Everyone welcome. Tickets: here.

Meet:  CommunityWise (The Former Old Y) 223 12 Avenue SW

We hope you join us walking in September!

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I just got back from Victoria and Vancouver and had excellent interviews with half a dozen former Calgarians, about our community’s history.  Thank you everyone who participated and gave their time to the project.

The Calgary Gay History Project met recently with Pride Calgary to talk about what history offerings will be happening for this year’s Pride Festival: August 28th – September 7th.  We are considering a public panel discussion honouring Pride Calgary’s 25th anniversary in 2015.

We are going to be offering the Gay History Walk again, however, with a re-jig.  This year it is going to be a free ticketed event – and we will lead more than one – just to keep the participant numbers reasonable and make for a better history walk experience. Last year’s turnout was phenomenal but a little overwhelming.  Stay tuned to our website, facebook and twitter, for future ticket announcements.

Calgary Gay History Walk 2014 (100+ participants)

Finally, we will have a table at the Pride Festival on September 6th for everyone to come up, ask questions and learn more about our community’s history.

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