Coming June 1, 2024 | Season 2 of Queer Legends shares The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge in a landmark, eight part documentary series. This is the first documentary to examine the full extent of Canada's anti-homosexual campaigns using newly declassified documents released by the LGBT Purge Fund. From ridiculous to shocking, you'll hear amazing true stories from courageous survivors; academics; researchers; former MPs and cabinet ministers. 

The Calgary Gay History Project's Kevin Allen shares his research into an important and reluctant queer legend - Everett George Klippert. Klippert was the only Canadian ever declared a "dangerous sexual offender" by the Supreme Court of Canada and he was sentenced to life in prison for being incurably gay. Public and political outcry over the Klippert verdict helped lead to changes to Canada's criminal code in 1969 that (among other things) decriminalized homosexual acts, in private,...

The Queer Legends Listener Survey and Giveaway is here!! Hi everyone! The survey is super-short (I promise). Fill it in here: https://forms.gle/o5GL9MxbMD8WkpPS7 One lucky listener will win a fabulous quilted tote made by @QuiltQueerly. Your feedback will help us plan future seasons and episodes of Queer Legends.  Note: This episode will self-destruct on December 18th. Thank you for your help and for subscribing to Queer Legends! Please tell your friends about us and don't forget to give...

Meet Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter, social justice activist and Member of the Order of Canada, Lorraine Segato in episode 17 of Queer Legends. As co-founder of The Parachute Club, Segato and her 1980s bandmates struck a chord with Canadians with their top 10 hit Rise Up, which helped inspire a generation of human rights and other activism during a pivotal time in Canadian history. Enjoy this fun, smart and candid conversation about The Parachute Club's impact and their accidental...

It was an honour to be invited by the Canadian Labour Congress to host a 'fire-side chat' with comedian, actor, writer and human rights activist, Margaret Cho at their #CLC2023 conference! Hear about Margaret's connection to the labour movement, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, her involvement in anti-racism campaigns and the fight for a more equitable future. “Everyone is connected to the queer community, whether they realize it or not," she said. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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 the city's AIDS activists. In 2019-2020, some of those same activists had to fight for it all over again. This is the untold story. (Part 1 of 2)

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. 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 the 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...

You don’t skip English class when you have a professor like Linda Morra, PhD. In this episode, Dr. Morra helps us 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, technically, illegal to be a Lesbian in Canada.

The violent 1990 Police raid of a popular Montreal after hours party known as ‘Sex Garage’ sparked two days of LGBTQ2S protests and a Queer rights revolution in the province of Québec. This is the story, told by some of the people who witnessed it all.  Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Shawn Dearn. 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...

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. Listening Note: This episode includes discussion about the abuse of children by Roman Catholic...

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.

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.