Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast

This Queer Legends Quickie introduces you to Sarah Worthman, founder of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative. Worthman is investigating the persecution of 2SLGBTQ soldiers during the First World War by the Government of Canada and she has uncovered some amazing things. This story is the about a young, queer Canadian hero from Brandon, Manitoba - Private Frederick Lea Hardy. He enlisted as a teenager, was imprisoned for being caught with another soldier and later made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada at Vimy Ridge. Private Hardy is the only known gay or bisexual soldier to have their name on the Canadian Vimy Memorial. Hardy wasn't the only queer Canadian soldier in the First World War. However, we only know of the heroic sacrifices of Canada's queer soldiers from instances when Canada turned on its own soldiers for simply being themselves. You'll also hear more from Sarah in Season 2 of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast.

In this episode of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast we're looking back at the legendary people and moments of 2022! Featuring queer activists, artists and community historians on what will be remembered about the “queer that was.” My guests include: Public health expert Michael Kwag, journalist Mel Woods, historian and author Hugh Ryan, recently elected Ottawa city councillor Ariel Troster, iconic activist Fae Johnstone, drag queen Uma Gahd and Mufseen Miah of the UKs Queer Talk podcast and UK comedian Joe Lycett.

This self-made black queen has one of the most fascinating origine stories you've ever heard. "Barbada de Barbades" has been exciting drag and comedy show audiences across Quebec for nearly two decades. She co-hosts Call me Mother across Canada on OUTtv, is always booked for drag story hour and is currently popping up in online French advertising on streaming services. Barbada hasn't had to race anyone for her success, she's just had to say "yes." Please enjoy this kitchen table chat with Barbada as much as I loved speaking with her! 

Did you know? After the community protests against the violent 1990 raid of the queer loft party 'Sex Garage' (listen to episode 1 for details), Montreal police continued to harass protesters. Linda Dawn Hammond's photos put police brutality against 2SLGBTQ+ Montrealers in the headlines and that made her a police target afterwards. This episode's story seems lifted from a movie script, but Montreal police did this. It's among the many awful things Montreal police have done to to gay, lesbian, bi and transgender Montrealers - and apologised for in 2017 (listen to the Parc de Lespoir episodes for details).

This episode explores whether Canada already had its first gay Prime Minister, but missed them. In Canada's capital, there's a romantic statue of Sir Galahad on Parliament Hill. It was created in 1905 by then future prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, in memory of a heroic act by his dearest friend. Former MP, Bill Siksay, Canada's first openly gay man elected to parliament, spills some tea about the late prime minister. 

As Montréal, Québec prepares to host the 24th International AIDS Conference this July, it's important to reflect on the fifth international AIDS conference in 1989. In this Queer Legends Quickie, Concordia University professor Karen Herland takes us behind the scenes of pre-internet activism that helped changed everything.

Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, the Government of Canada used to hunt down, harass and fire LGBT members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service. A young military officer named Michelle Douglas challenged the military and helped bring that shameful policy and the “LGBT Purge” to an end with the help of Canada's first openly gay MP, Svend Robinson. This is the story.

Everyone remembers going to their first big Gay Pride event. However, if you're from a small town, Pride plays a more important role in creating safe spaces for Queers to connect and be themselves. In this episode, we explore LGBTQ2S Pride in the BC interior, Northern Saskatchewan, the Arctic and a tiny island off an island in Atlantic Canada.

The conclusion to the Parc de l'espoir (Park of Hope) story. This episode was released on World AIDS Day 2021 and the 30th anniversary of when Montreal AIDS activists seized the park as a memorial to loved ones killed by AIDS. This is the untold story of how Montrealers saved Park de l'espoir from a city "refresh" in 2019-21.

One of North America's oldest HIV/AIDS memorials is located In the heart of Montreal's Gay village. It wouldn't have been possible without the courage of Quebec AIDS activists. In 2019-2020, some of those same activists had to fight for the park all over again. This is the story. 

Introducing the Black American with a flair for fashion who inspired a new kind of Gay activism in Montreal. Blane Charles had already made a name for himself in ACT UP New York by the time he attended the 1989 International AIDS Conference in Montreal. Blane stayed in the city for a few years, co-founded ACT UP MTL with queer human rights legend Michael Hendricks and co-created the World Ball For UNITY. The ‘World Ball' - like ‘Sex Garage' - helped build bridges and allies within Montreal's fractured LGBTQ2S community. This episode showcases a fierce, Black, New York queen who's spirit sparked a revolution for Quebec Queer rights.

Discover how "Black music" transformed the 1990s club scene in Canada's second largest city. Meet Claudy Philius, who created two of the hottest regular club events for Montreal's Black Queer community. Hot Chocolate and the Girls In Da Hood celebrated Black culture and music, when black people were often made to feel unwelcome in the gay village. Philius' events cut through the white privilege and were so successful that hip-hop rooms started popping up in bars all over town (not just the village). Have a listen and find out if a fresh cup of ‘Hot Chocolate' may get served up after the pandemic.

You don't skip English class when you have a professor like Linda Morra, PhD. In this episode, we explore one of the most influential authors and Lesbians in Canadian history - including the discovery of an unimaginable treasure in an old dusty box. Jane Rule wrote honestly and courageously about Lesbian love and relationships at a time when it was still illegal to be a Lesbian in Canada. Rule helped “create a nation” of Queer activists and activism along the west coast of Canada and the United States. She also contributed to the unraveling of Canada Customs censorship of her and other authors' LGBTQ2S work at the Canadian border, as well as the broader acceptance of Queer and Lesbian citizens by Canadian society.

The violent Montreal Police raid of a popular after hours party known as ‘Sex Garage' sparked two days of LGBTQ2S protests and a Queer rights revolution in the province of Québec. We must never forget the police violence, even as we celebrate the courage of Queer Montrealers and the "New York groupies" who helped change everything. This is their story, in their own words.  Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents. Listening Note: Take care of yourself during this episode. It includes graphic descriptions of police brutality and violence aimed at Queer Montrealers. The sounds of protests are real and some clips are of people who are no longer with us, taken from 1990 TV news coverage. 

One of the first openly Gay actors and comedians to appear on Canadian television was Greg Malone. His comedic charm, unforgiving satire of the Catholic Church or politicians made him a star on the CBC. Greg shares what it was like growing up Gay in Newfoundland and Labrador, discussed his TV legacy, AIDS activism, dabbling in politics and how he's now focussed on art and supporting Team Rainbow. Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents Listening Note: Take care of yourself as you listen to this episode. It includes discussion about the abuse of children by Roman Catholic clergy.

Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast honours the Queer people, places and events that shaped how we now live our lives as 2S and LGBTQ people today. It's about the people who built the rainbow, created space and held their own!  Hosted by award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents.