RAINBOW STORY HUB FOUNDATION is looking for stories that tell our 2SLGBTQ+ history in the Edmonton and surrounding areas of Alberta. Stories that share memories of people who helped shape the freedoms and rights we enjoy today, events that marked oppression or celebration, places and businesses where we gathered to shop, work or play that furthered the path from persecution to equality.
Call For Story Tellers – Organizations and Businesses
RAINBOW STORY HUB FOUNDATION is looking for stories or videos that share the beginnings of Edmonton’s many 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and businesses that were the foundations of transformative change and acceptance in our community.
Our new project “Roots of the Rainbow: Documenting Edmonton 2SLGBTQ+ Community Organizations” will document, and publicly share the histories of 10 to 15 such organizations. We are now looking for project researchers, video storytellers and podcast producers to help us create new stories for 2026/2027.
Check out a description of this new project here:
Roots of the Rainbow: Documenting Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ Community Organizations
Call For Story Tellers – Spotlighting Queer Community Leaders
Spotlighting Queer Community Leaders focuses on bringing the stories of Edmonton’s leaders within the 2SLGBTQ+ community or the pivotal events they were part of that enacted change or the experiences and/or struggles that have lead to increased acceptance and tolerance and helped to combat negative stereotypes and prejudice.
Our first slate of stories was sponsored by the Edmonton Heritage Council. We now have a private donation from Stephen M.L. Anderson – Philanthropy that allows us to expand our stories on People for 2026/2027.
PLACES We Gathered in Edmonton and Area
The Strand Theatre, Pig N’ Whistle, Jack’s Grill, Coffee Cup Inn, Bus Depot Bathrooms, The “Hill”, Club 70, Flashback, The Roost, Pisces Spa, Down Under Bathhouse, Steamworks Bathhouse, Buddy’s and Woody’s, Victoria Park, Evolution Wonderlounge. Just a small sampling of a long list where the Edmonton LGBTQ2S+ community hung out, cruised, socialized and met friends.
EVENTS that shaped our community
The Pride Festival has gone through 3 different organizations and has a story that runs from a small gathering, finally having a parade, community divisiveness and a relaunch. Many other community events happened in our history that are worthy of having their stories told.
THINGS that were a part of our history
The things or documents or legislations that were paths to today. So many items, documents, figurines or statues can grow to be significant to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Is there one that stands out to you?
EXPERIENCES had in the Edmonton Area
The many experiences in our history shared by those who lived them and that made our community unique and special. Share your favorite story about Flashback, The Roost, Boots and more. Share your experience as a Queer worker, nanny, politician, activist, advocate, observer, philanthropist, student and more.
COMING OUT Short Stories
Share with us your Coming Out experience in a short story of 300 – 700 words. These will be published on our Coming Out page. If you want to include a picture or two then we will add them to your story.
You can directly submit your Coming Out Short Story using the form below without submitting it as an idea first.
HIV/AIDS Short Stories
Share with us your HIV/AIDS experience in a short story of 300 – 700 words. These will be published on our HIV/AIDS Short Stories page. If you want to include a picture or two then we will add them to your story.
You can directly submit your HIV/AIDS Short Story using the form below without submitting it as an idea first.
Use the form below to submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI) to let us know your idea for a story, video or podcast that you would be interested in developing. Provide a brief outline only and then we will be in touch. Please do not submit the story using this form. Make sure you click the Content Creator Guidelines link below for insight on what we are looking for.
We are also interested in working with GSA’s/QSA’s and school or University programs who may be interested in working with some of our legacy folks to develop their story.
If you are a student who are looking to do a story we can help you with ideas that fit your interests and facilitate connections to folks.
Click here for our -> Content Creator Guidelines