Tagged: Edmonton

The lesbian bar has become a rare gem, as elusive as a white whale. There are only 32 remaining lesbian bars in the United States at time of writing — with 25% located in New York — and according to Radio-Canada data, there are none left in Canada. It’s a shame, given that Edmonton was by all accounts something of a hotbed for vast and varied queer venues. But what did the proverbial fall of lesbian “Rome” actually look like here in Edmonton? For that, we can look to Prism.

The post Edmonton’s Elusive Women’s Spaces: The Prism Story first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

One of the most infamous early examples of persecution of the gay community occurred in 1942 with a series of same-sex trials in Edmonton. The trials were the result of a coordinated effort between the RCMP and Edmonton Police, who conducted a sting operation in response to a personal ad in the Edmonton Journal. Over the course of a few months, ten men were arrested, and nine were convicted for engaging in same-sex activity.

The post A Brief Police History of Queer Edmonton first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

Womonspace emerged as a response to the glaring lack of safe spaces where lesbians could socialize and participate in activities without facing judgment at best and outright discrimination at worst. Two women, Jeanne R. and Ann E., were inundated with complaints from the women they counseled at Gay Alliance Toward Equality (GATE) — concerns about the absence of a lesbian social scene — and decided to do something about it.

The post A Dance-Hall of One’s Own: The Quietly Loud Queerness of Womonspace first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

On June 17, 2023 a new sign was added to the City of Edmonton’s Neon Sign Museum. This marked the first time that a gay-owned business for “gay people and their friends” was acknowledged in such a public and immortal way. A ceremony was held on 104 Street with owner John Reid, dignitaries and friends of Flashback who chanted “Light it up, Light it up” and cheering as the power was turned on bringing the blue glow of the sign to Edmonton’s downtown once again. In the Fall of 2024 a new plaque was added to the building. The…

The post Flashback Neon Sign first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

In Part Two Retired Major John McDougall of the Canadian Armed Forces and soon retired Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission talks with Activist and former Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission about his time with the Canadian Armed Forces and being arrested for being gay.

#edmontonpolice #canadianarmedforces #lgbtpurge #yegqueer #yeggay

The post A Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part Two first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

Retired Major John McDougall of the Canadian Armed Forces and current Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission talks with Activist and former Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission about his time with the Canadian Armed Forces and being arrested for being gay.

The post A Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part One first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

We look at the life and career of Senator Kris Wells, a mainstay in Edmonton’s LGBTQ community. A previous Canada Research Chair and a founding member of the Edmonton Queer History Project at MacEwan University, Dr. Wells has been a fantastic leader and advocate for our community

The post From Scholar to Senator: The Incredible Story of Dr. Kristopher Wells  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

Pierre Cochard first hired two drag queens to perform at Pegasus in 1971, which was “a straight business” located on 106 Street North of Jasper Avenue. Millie (Paul Chisholm) and Chatty Cathy (Duane Shave) performed Edmonton’s first “public drag show.”

Cochard steadfastly defended queer people, believing that Chez Pierre should be a safe space for sexual dissidents. He famously said, “Strippers are God’s children too.” Thanks to Cochard’s “unfaltering acceptance,” Chez Pierre “remains a welcoming home for Edmonton’s drag scene to this day.”

The post Sex and Sin in the City of Champions: The Story of Chez Pierre first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

In this captivating documentary interview, we sit down with Twiggy, an iconic Edmonton drag queen who has been performing for over 40 years. Twiggy shares her journey from the early days of drag to the vibrant queer scene in Edmonton today. Explore the origins of her artistry, the evolution of drag culture, and the changes within the local LGBTQ+ community through her eyes. This is more than a personal story—it’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of drag.

The post Forty Years of Fabulous: The Story of Twiggy and Edmonton’s Drag Evolution  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

One of the single biggest turning points in Edmonton queer history is often forgotten by the rising LGBTQ+ generations. See how a brutal police sting operation allowed Edmonton’s queer community to come together in solidarity.

The post Raid on Pisces Bathhouse — Darkest Before the Dawn  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

A landmark case for the history of anti-discrimination in Edmonton and the province at large, the case of ‘Delwin Vriend vs. Alberta’ is as fascinating as it is important. The story of how one man took on the government and won protections for queer people everywhere!

The post The Facts in the Case of D. Vriend  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

Did you know some of Edmonton’s most beautiful and iconic buildings were designed by lesbians? Aldynne Belmont takes a look at the life and times of Wallbridge and Imrie.

The post Let’s Hear It For The Girls: A Lesbian Architecture Romance  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

In 1984 the Edmonton gay community changed forever when the HIV virus found its first victim. Here from the Director of the Alberta STD Program at that time on how life changed, the impacts it had on the medical community and the challenges faced by her and others in educating the public and gay community on HIV/AIDS.

The post A conversation with Dr. Barbara Romanowski  first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

2024 brings a new level of awareness and celebration of Edmonton Queer History Month. Over the month of October we will bring 9 different stories, perspectives or presentations.

The post 2024 Edmonton Queer History Month first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

A collection of promo posters from 1984-1991 All artwork by Gloria, Twiggy, with occasional help from Iris. Archives digitized by Kevin Hendricks & Jim Bilodeau. Spread the word! Share this story now

The post THE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part Two first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

A collection of promo posters from 1984-1991 All artwork by Gloria, Twiggy, with occasional help from Iris. Archives digitized by Kevin Hendricks & Jim Bilodeau. Spread the word! Share this story now

The post THE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part One first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

A collection of promo posters from 1984-1991 All artwork by Gloria, Twiggy, with occasional help from Iris. Archives digitized by Kevin Hendricks & Jim Bilodeau. Spread the word! Share this story now

The post THE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

A tribute to the many friends who lit up the Flashback stage. We miss you all. Emperor 10 of the ISCCA – Cardinal Sin Mr. Flashback 13 – Zola Sadie Yoda Empress 12 of the ISCWR – Ora Fice Tinoir Reena Sabrina Empress 9 of the ISCCA – Flora Tron Emperor 7 of the ISCWR – Sam Empress 1 of the ISCWR – Millie Joolz Prince 12 of the ISCWR – Perry Karen K. Empress 11 of the ISCWR – Beverly Crest Mz . Flashback 12 – Kim Burley Mz Flashback 4 – Bianca Bang Bang/Janie Marie/Lee Denning Mz.…

The post The Flashback Files: Gone But Not Forgotten first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

One of the most memorable and enduring Flashback personalities – larger than life!
Edmonton’s only Divine Approved Divine Impersonator – Sister Neon (Terrie Grieve)

Footage captured by John Reid or whoever was free to run camera.

VHS videos digitized by Jim Bilodeau.

The post The Flashback Files: Sister Neon first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.

Archival footage from the legendary Flashback nightclub. Video from 1981-1983 recorded by Patrick Monaghan. All other footage 1983-1992 recorded by John Reid or whoever else was available to run the camera. VHS Files digitized by Jim Bilodeau. Thanks to Darrin Hagen and Chris Fassbender with the support of the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton – Local Government here is a video that captures a few moments of the fun. Spread the word! Share this story now

The post The Flashback Files: Dance Marathon! first appeared on Rainbow Story Hub.