Rainbow Story Hub
Gaywire Archives: Kristy Harcourt and Dan Savage

In this Gaywire Fundrive Special from 1999, Kristy Harcourt interviews Dan Savage about his work – his sex ed advice column, then-recently published book, Savage Love, and how one can stretch Canadian radio profanity guidelines– all while having a tea party, live on air, in HUB Mall on the North Campus of the University of Alberta. Listen to this piece of Edmonton Queer History today! Thanks to CJSR FM88 for allowing us to bring this unique audio episode out of the vaults.

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  • CJSR RadioCJSR Radio
  • March 11, 2025
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  • 2 minutes Read
Edmonton Pride 2003: Adamant Eve Streeters

This is a collection of street interviews, or streeters, that were done by the CJSR Radio Adamant Eve team at the Edmonton Pride Parade, June 15th, 2003. While these were done to be cut and used in a show, they are presented in their original recorded formats, in order to better showcase the parade environment. They were recorded with a portable MiniDisc recorder.

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A Brief Police History of Queer Edmonton

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.

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Flashback Neon Sign

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…

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The Facts in the Case of D. Vriend 

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!

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The Flashback Files: Masters of Ceremonies

From the stage of the legendary Flashback nightclub we present a montage of various live unscripted moments of hilarity and confusion from some of the outstanding Flashback event hosts ever to grace the stages. From Gloria Hole (Darrin Hagen) to Rhoda B. (Ron Byers) then the icon and face of Flashback John Reid. There is even Millie (Paul Chisholm), Neon (Terrie Grieve), Trash (Terry Robison) plus many more that you will be sure to remember. Thankfully this video is not rated NSFW!! Patrick Monaghan – a consulting producer on the Flashback Documentary Film – decided to start filming drag…

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The Flashback Files: Drag Races

One of the most fun events put on by Flashback was held on the May Long Weekend. Annually the Mz Flashback Contest was held and part of the weekend fun was the Drag Races – invented long before RuPaul came along. In fact it was Mz. Flashback 4 Bianca Bang Bang (Lee Denning) and Mr. Flashback 4 Mr. Vera (Daryl Broyles) that came up with the idea after they saw a video from the US. way back in 1979. According to Mr. Vera “it was an actual drag race on like wild world of sports and some old drag…

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  • Baker ParkBaker Park
  • January 4, 2024
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  • 1 minute Read
ISCWR Turnabout 2010

For years one of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose’s annual events was Turnabout, the rare opportunity to catch traditionally male-presenting performers do female-presenting numbers, and traditionally female-presenting performers do male-presenting.

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  • Baker ParkBaker Park
  • December 13, 2023
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  • 1 minute Read
May Long Drag Marathon (2011)

May Long Weekend has been the home of a drag marathon for many years and at many venues: Boots, Junction and Evolution. Started originally by Rob Browatzke as a way of celebrating his birthday. Typically, these shows have been linked to a charity which in recent years has been mental health causes. This is a video montage of short clips of the performances and is from the Baker Park collection.

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  • Baker ParkBaker Park
  • December 13, 2023
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  • 1 minute Read
ISCWR Grease (2014)

We have another Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Production Show from the Baker-Park archives. This February 2014 production wasn’t the only time the ISCWR brought Grease to the stage; a 2002 production starring Miss Bianca and Rob Browatzke ran at The Roost, Boots, and Secrets. This 2014 version ran at Evolution Wonderlounge and in partnership with Womonspace at Bellevue Hall in a dinner theatre style and starring Tequila Mockingbird as Sandy and Stiffy Steele as Danny

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