same sex marriage | Calgary Gay History

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Calgary Gay History Project for 15 Year Olds

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Earlier this year we were contacted by textbook publisher Nelson Education Ltd. They were working on a Grade 10 history publication, History Uncovered. The textbook, designed for the Ontario public school curriculum wanted to cite our article “Invisible: Queer Immigrants in the 1940s and 1950s” written by Calgary Gay History Project researcher Tereasa Maillie.

We said, “yes please!”

A few weeks ago our copies of the textbooks came in the mail, and we were delighted to learn there was a presence with regard to gay rights throughout the publication. History Uncovered reports on Everett Klippert and the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969, same-sex marriage in 2005, as well as and the Delwin Vriend, Supreme Court verdict in 1998, which ‘read in’ sexual orientation as a protected ground in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I recall a much different Grade 10 Social Studies class in 1985; we had no presence in the textbooks to speak of! How thrilling to see our project become part of school curriculum.

On the subject of gratitude, the Calgary Gay History Project wishes all of our readers and supporters happy holidays. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2015!

Equal marriage, the sea change in 2013, and a song.

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

Although I had planned to post an article today about Calgary’s gay history, I could not help but get caught up in the sweeping changes across the world with respect to same sex marriage. Just yesterday, New Zealand, was the latest country to adopt same sex marriage (the 13th country in the world). The video of the New Zealand Parliament gallery breaking into song moved me incredibly. The bill sponsor, opposition MP, Louisa Wall, an out lesbian, told lawmakers the change was “our road toward healing.”

England, France, U.S. President Obama, even U.S. Republican Senators who had been vocally opposed to same-sex marriage are now changing sides. Despite significant and at times violent opposition, there is a sea change we are loving through – and I am elated. The critics opposed to same-sex marriage are using the same arguments as critics used in 1969 to protest decriminalization of homosexuality: particularly the perceived threat to children. Let us not forget also, that the equal marriage debate in Canada’s Parliament in 2005 – our recent past – was incredibly divisive and caustic, and nearly toppled Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority government.

I anticipate that the number of jurisdictions changing their marriage laws to accommodate same sex marriage will sharply increase in 2013. A shout out to Joseph Atkins and his list of the top 100 marriage equality blogs. Also, thank you to the Human Rights Campaign and their viral use of a red and pink equal sign.