Rainbow Story Hub
Mon. Oct 19th, 2026
Trending Stories: Loud & Queer: The Authorized VersionQueen Kash Bae: A RaricaNow Archival Narrative of Love, Loss, and LiberationaltView: A Brief HistoryMore Than a Game: The 25-Year History of Edmonton’s Curling with PrideThe First Executive Director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S): A Collective Story Rooted in Identity, Ceremony, and CommunityEdmonton Pride Parade and Trans March 20262026 Edmonton Queer History MonthHelp Secure a Home for Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ HistoryHIV/AIDS Short StoriesThe Vik Gallery: Knut Vik, Frank Calder & Their Edmonton LegacyEdmonton Queer Pop-Ups: A Starter CourseRob Browatzke – Part TwoRob Browatzke – Part OneRon Byers – Part TwoRon Byers – Part OneScott Bryen – Part TwoScott Bryen – Part OneDuane ShaveMarni Panas2025 Edmonton Queer History MonthEdmonton Pride Parade 2025The Gay Straight Jacket – Film ScreeningGaywire Archives: Kristy Harcourt and Dan SavageTrevor Schmidt: Edmonton’s Risk-Taker in TheatreEdmonton and Beyond: The Ongoing Legacy of Theodore (ted) KerrStories That Heal: Ruth DyckFehderau’s Activist and Literary LegacyMichael Phair – Found In, Advocate, Politician, Community Leader – PART TWOMichael Phair – Found In, Advocate, Politician, Community Leader – PART ONEEdmonton Pride 2003: Adamant Eve StreetersEdmonton’s Elusive Women’s Spaces: The Prism StoryA Brief Police History of Queer EdmontonA Dance-Hall of One’s Own: The Quietly Loud Queerness of WomonspaceFlashback Neon SignA Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part TwoA Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part OneFrom Scholar to Senator: The Incredible Story of Dr. Kristopher Wells Sex and Sin in the City of Champions: The Story of Chez PierreForty Years of Fabulous: The Story of Twiggy and Edmonton’s Drag Evolution Raid on Pisces Bathhouse — Darkest Before the Dawn The Facts in the Case of D. Vriend Coming Out Short StoriesLet’s Hear It For The Girls: A Lesbian Architecture Romance A conversation with Dr. Barbara Romanowski 2024 Edmonton Queer History MonthTHE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part TwoTHE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part OneThe Flashback Files: Gone But Not ForgottenThe Flashback Files: Sister NeonThe Flashback Files: Dance Marathon!The Flashback Files: TwiggyLoading Dock to Farm Pasture: The Annual Flashback to Tofield MigrationThe Flashback Files: B-52’s Beach Party 1990The Flashback Files: Gloria HoleThe Flashback Files: Masters of CeremoniesThe Flashback Files: Drag RacesLiz Massiah – Edmonton’s Lesbian Community Leader ExtraordinaireDeaf, Kink, LesbianBig Joey – Another LookISCWR Turnabout 2010May Long Drag Marathon (2011)ISCWR Grease (2014)ISCWR’s Nightmare Before ChristmasISCWR Rocky Horror Picture Show 2011ISCWR Lion King ProductionYou can stay at the YMCA: Edmonton’s Village PeopleISCWR’s Beauty and the Beast Slide ShowLittle Shop Of Horrors ShowVernon’s Podcast talks to Rob BrowatzkePride On The Square Montage – 2009Kylie 2008FAB – The Early YearsPride Parades Video CollectionsISCWR Website From 1998Edmonton Pride Parade 2018Edmonton Pride Parade 2017Edmonton Pride Parade 2016Edmonton Pride Parade 2015Edmonton Pride Parade 2014Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2003Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2004Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2006Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2009May Long Weekend Drag Show – 2009Hello Dolly Production 1979Remembering Deborah ChymyshynThe Wizard of Oz Production September 2002Reminiscing Gay Pride Edmonton while walking along Jasper Avenue with Millie#TBT: Vanity FairA STUDY OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATIONThe Individual’s Rights Protection Act and the LGBTQ CommunityRelight The NeonPartying with Ike & Tina in 1976A Flashback to FlashbackCruising at The PigISCWR Ball Program ArchiveMaking weird waves: on a crestDivine Memories: The Day I Met The Superstar EntertainerDr. Charles BidwellIt may be hard for many of you to imagine…Murray Billett
Greater Edmonton Region, Alberta
Mon. Oct 19th, 2026
Trending Stories: Loud & Queer: The Authorized VersionQueen Kash Bae: A RaricaNow Archival Narrative of Love, Loss, and LiberationaltView: A Brief HistoryMore Than a Game: The 25-Year History of Edmonton’s Curling with PrideThe First Executive Director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S): A Collective Story Rooted in Identity, Ceremony, and CommunityEdmonton Pride Parade and Trans March 20262026 Edmonton Queer History MonthHelp Secure a Home for Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ HistoryHIV/AIDS Short StoriesThe Vik Gallery: Knut Vik, Frank Calder & Their Edmonton LegacyEdmonton Queer Pop-Ups: A Starter CourseRob Browatzke – Part TwoRob Browatzke – Part OneRon Byers – Part TwoRon Byers – Part OneScott Bryen – Part TwoScott Bryen – Part OneDuane ShaveMarni Panas2025 Edmonton Queer History MonthEdmonton Pride Parade 2025The Gay Straight Jacket – Film ScreeningGaywire Archives: Kristy Harcourt and Dan SavageTrevor Schmidt: Edmonton’s Risk-Taker in TheatreEdmonton and Beyond: The Ongoing Legacy of Theodore (ted) KerrStories That Heal: Ruth DyckFehderau’s Activist and Literary LegacyMichael Phair – Found In, Advocate, Politician, Community Leader – PART TWOMichael Phair – Found In, Advocate, Politician, Community Leader – PART ONEEdmonton Pride 2003: Adamant Eve StreetersEdmonton’s Elusive Women’s Spaces: The Prism StoryA Brief Police History of Queer EdmontonA Dance-Hall of One’s Own: The Quietly Loud Queerness of WomonspaceFlashback Neon SignA Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part TwoA Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part OneFrom Scholar to Senator: The Incredible Story of Dr. Kristopher Wells Sex and Sin in the City of Champions: The Story of Chez PierreForty Years of Fabulous: The Story of Twiggy and Edmonton’s Drag Evolution Raid on Pisces Bathhouse — Darkest Before the Dawn The Facts in the Case of D. Vriend Coming Out Short StoriesLet’s Hear It For The Girls: A Lesbian Architecture Romance A conversation with Dr. Barbara Romanowski 2024 Edmonton Queer History MonthTHE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part TwoTHE FLASHBACK FILES: Posters, Calendars and Billboards Part OneThe Flashback Files: Gone But Not ForgottenThe Flashback Files: Sister NeonThe Flashback Files: Dance Marathon!The Flashback Files: TwiggyLoading Dock to Farm Pasture: The Annual Flashback to Tofield MigrationThe Flashback Files: B-52’s Beach Party 1990The Flashback Files: Gloria HoleThe Flashback Files: Masters of CeremoniesThe Flashback Files: Drag RacesLiz Massiah – Edmonton’s Lesbian Community Leader ExtraordinaireDeaf, Kink, LesbianBig Joey – Another LookISCWR Turnabout 2010May Long Drag Marathon (2011)ISCWR Grease (2014)ISCWR’s Nightmare Before ChristmasISCWR Rocky Horror Picture Show 2011ISCWR Lion King ProductionYou can stay at the YMCA: Edmonton’s Village PeopleISCWR’s Beauty and the Beast Slide ShowLittle Shop Of Horrors ShowVernon’s Podcast talks to Rob BrowatzkePride On The Square Montage – 2009Kylie 2008FAB – The Early YearsPride Parades Video CollectionsISCWR Website From 1998Edmonton Pride Parade 2018Edmonton Pride Parade 2017Edmonton Pride Parade 2016Edmonton Pride Parade 2015Edmonton Pride Parade 2014Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2003Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2004Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2006Edmonton Pride Parade Video 2009May Long Weekend Drag Show – 2009Hello Dolly Production 1979Remembering Deborah ChymyshynThe Wizard of Oz Production September 2002Reminiscing Gay Pride Edmonton while walking along Jasper Avenue with Millie#TBT: Vanity FairA STUDY OF DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATIONThe Individual’s Rights Protection Act and the LGBTQ CommunityRelight The NeonPartying with Ike & Tina in 1976A Flashback to FlashbackCruising at The PigISCWR Ball Program ArchiveMaking weird waves: on a crestDivine Memories: The Day I Met The Superstar EntertainerDr. Charles BidwellIt may be hard for many of you to imagine…Murray Billett
Greater Edmonton Region, Alberta

Tag Edmonton Queer History

Organizations Events
Loud & Queer: The Authorized Version

The year was 1991 and Darrin Hagen (in those days, just as widely known as Gloria Hole) was vexed.

He had stood up to the new owner of the Edmonton gay bar Flashback and had consequently lost his bartending job. Alberta’s homophobia was getting so much airtime. The Delwin Vriend seven-year saga for sexual orientation as a protected human right had kicked off. The procession of AIDS-related funerals was getting longer. And, to top it off, the provincial government was having conversations around “community standards” and arts funding, conversations that smelled exactly like censorship of all things queer.

What was a young just-fired queen to do?

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Organizations
Queen Kash Bae: A RaricaNow Archival Narrative of Love, Loss, and Liberation

Today, Mama Kash serves as one of RaricaNow’s longest‑standing board members, her enduring love woven into the fabric of the organization. But the story of how she arrived here — and how her daughter, Queen Kash Bae, became part of RaricaNow’s history — is also the story of how RaricaNow itself grew into a lifeline for queer and trans newcomers across continents.

RaricaNow is a non‑profit organization founded in 2017 with a clear and urgent purpose: to promote human rights for LGBTIQ+ refugees and newcomers in Canada, and to raise awareness about the gaps in services and the struggles faced by this unique population. It emerged because queer and trans newcomers were falling through every crack — immigration systems, social services, housing supports, and community networks. RaricaNow stepped in where no one else did, building a space where safety, dignity, and belonging were not luxuries but expectations.

The organization began in a small community center, offering support groups, counseling, and educational workshops. Word spread quickly. People who had never before felt seen found a place where they could breathe. As demand grew, RaricaNow expanded into larger spaces, built more programs, and deepened its commitment to trauma‑informed, culturally grounded care. It became a home — not just in Edmonton, but across borders.

Among the many people whose lives intersected with RaricaNow, few stories illustrate the organization’s impact more powerfully than the story of Queen Kash Bae and her mother, Mama Kash.

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Organizations
  • Rhys PrimusRhys Primus
  • October 5, 2026
  • 0 Comments
  • 7 minutes Read
More Than a Game: The 25-Year History of Edmonton’s Curling with Pride

After moving to Edmonton in 1997, Lance Anderson Croft felt inspired to create a curling league for queer people in the city. Other Canadian cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary had established queer curling leagues, and Edmonton would be next on the list of cities with one. As far as queer sports leagues go, Edmonton only had volleyball and badminton before Lance founded Curling with Pride (CWP).

The nature of curling is team based and Lance could not start the league on his own. To gauge and attract public interest, he created and put up flyers at the Roost (one of the gay bars at the time), the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre of Edmonton (GLCCE), and also had Kristy Harcourt mention it on her CKUA radio show for a couple of weeks.

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Organizations
The First Executive Director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (E2S): A Collective Story Rooted in Identity, Ceremony, and Community

Before E2S existed, there were individuals across the Amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ) region, also known as Edmonton, quietly searching for cultural teachings that affirmed their queerness, their Indigeneity, and their place in the world. Among them was Jeffery Chalifoux (Jeff) who — who identifies as ihkwêw – one of many Cree genders teachings by kêhtêyayah (Elder) Jo-Ann Saddleback as she shared in ceremony — was navigating shame, closeting, and the search for belonging. He lived and volunteered in Edmonton’s inner city, attended recovery meetings, and learned from ceremony and culture. His journey mirrored the journeys of many Indigenous queer people reclaiming teachings that had been interrupted by colonialism.

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Events Places
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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Experiences
Vernon’s Podcast talks to Rob Browatzke

Vernon’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.

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