Edmonton Queer History
Edmonton Queer History
Rainbow Story HubWe welcome your story of Coming Out in a short story format of 300 – 700 words. You can submit your story using the Expression of Interest form on our Contribute Your Story page. You can also attach one or two photos using the form which will be added to your story. These do not qualify for any honorariums at this time.
Stories must be about your Coming Out Experience in the Greater Edmonton Region.
Rainbow Story HubVernon’s Podcast Episode 16 Edmonton’s Queer History is now streaming on all major platforms! For easy access go to vernonspodcast.com Rainbow Story Hub Foundation and Edmonton Queer History Project‘s ROB BROWATZKE stops by to share a few things! Author of Through the Mirrorball and owner of Evolution Wonderlounge. His knowledge of Queer history in Edmonton Alberta is immense. Too much for just one session, but listen to us try. We talk about the #gaybars, #gayrights, #pride, #devision, #unity, #comingout, #sobriety and so much more.
Ron ByersSeeing Tina Turner that night at the Edmonton Gardens in 1976 still remains one of the biggest highlights of my lifetime. I was a young 21 year old when I had a chance to “run away with the circus”. I was asked to join a traveling drag show called the Fantasy Follies as their sound and lighting technician. What a chance to go way past my shyness and fears and live in hotel rooms travelling across Canada with a group of amazing Drag performers. We often played in Edmonton at the Corona Hotel but travelled from Prince George, B.C…
Matthew HaysIn 1972 independent film maker John Waters released a film called Pink Flamingos. The film featured a three hundred pound star, then virtually unknown. The character was ‘Divine — the most disgusting person in the world’. The film played repertory cinemas across North America and eventually Europe and Waters and Divine both gained notoriety for their work. The final scene was particularly noteworthy: in order to prove his title as the most disgusting person in the world, Divine picks up still steaming dog feces and eats it. A star is born.
Ian BrownMy ‘gender journey’ has not been very linear. First I found out what transgender was, and then I went into denial. Then I figured out that being a girl was not going to work, so I said ‘okay, what if I say I’m genderfluid?’ because committing to being 100% a boy was too much commitment.
Dustin ScottIn this audio podcast Episode Dustin talks with Rainbow Story Hub founder Ron Byers in Part Two. Topics featured in this episode are:
The origins of the Pride Festival in Edmonton and the impacts of the Stonewall riots. What is was like to be a gay man in the 80’s when the HIV virus first came on the scene. The origins of the AIDS Network of Edmonton and its transition to HIV Edmonton. His own struggles as a long term AIDS Survivor and the health challenges he faces. How drag queens and the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose stepped up to the challenges of raising money for AIDS research and patient care at a time when government funding was non-existent.
Dustin ScottThis podcast will discuss several sites on Edmonton’s Queer History Map with Rainbow Story Hub co-founder Ron Byers. Ron shares his perspective as both someone that lived it and as a historian.
