Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast

A Queer Legends × Art Against Empire crossover. Ian Danger Capstick sits down with Cleve Jones, the activist who conceived the AIDS Memorial Quilt on a cold November night in 1985 with a stack of posterboard and Harvey Milk's own bullhorn, given to Cleve after Harvey was assassinated.  They talk about the afternoon Cleve first walked into Castro Camera, the morning Gilbert Baker raised the first rainbow flag, the grandmothers who could not find the words, and Seven Days in June, the new mobilization Cleve is building to mark forty-five years of HIV and AIDS. Close to an hour, close to uncut, and one of the most important conversations either one of our shows has had this year.  We hope you enjoy this crossover episode. And don't worry...season 3 of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast is in the works! 

On 25 January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that launched a new military Purge of America's Transgender servicemen and servicewomen. Trump's Order is based on outdated, bigoted and transphobic tropes that do not hold up to scientific, nor legal scrutiny. In this episode I introduce you to United States Space Force Colonel, Bree Fram, one of the highest-ranking, openly transgender, officers in the United States military. Hear what it's like to defend America from within Donald Trump's Republican-made culture war. NOTE: The opinions expressed by Colonel Fram in this episode are her own and they do not reflect those of her employer.

In this haunting episode, I explore the chilling discovery of a former Canadian Armed Forces interrogation room used during the LGBT Purge, that's now an ordinary office space. Once a site where gay and lesbian soldiers were questioned and persecuted for their sexuality, this room's dark history has been erased, its walls repainted and repurposed while its secrets lay dormant. Join us as we uncover how this space of institutional violence is being remembered many decades later.  Learn more at https://lgbtpurge.ca/ Cover art photo by Aaron Cohen, Canadian Museum For Human Rights Create and hosted by Shawn Dearn. Executive Producer: Ian Capstick

The road to justice for LGBT Purge survivors was not an easy one - even after the Government of Canada's apology. Seeking justice also meant that Purge survivors had to confront and relive some truly terrible memories. The eighth and final episode in our series that tells The True Story Of Canada's LGBT Purge celebrates victory; seeks accountability from Carleton University for the 'Fruit Machine' and more documents from the federal government; explores a 1960s Purge mystery linked to Rideau Hall; introduces the drag queen who is also a CAF pilot; and the queer Thunderhead monument breaks ground in Canada's capital!

Before the Government of Canada's apology and before the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit, there was a small group of dedicated Canadians who were determined to get justice. This network of Purge survivors, academics, researchers and activists was known as the We Demand An Apology Network (WDAN). The WDAN group was the catalyst that led to the landmark class-action lawsuit, settlement, and apology to queer Canadians. Meantime, the lives of queer soldiers and RCMP members were improving, but only slightly. You're going to be surprised/not surprised by a couple of these stories - including the military's first Pride Flag raising ceremony, and how the Government of Canada's apology nearly fell apart at the last minute.

By the early 1990s the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney knew it could not continue the military's anti-homosexuality policies. However, his ministers and military kept looking for loopholes to continue their discrimination against LGB soldiers. Discover the behind-the-scenes legal drama that led to, what many consider to be, the end of the military's ban on gays in the military - including an interview with former diplomat and Chief of Defence Staff, John de Chastelain. Legal challenges to the government's heteronormative views of relationships were also leading to equal employment benefits, which would eventually apply to members of the military and RCMP.

The 1980s were a pivotal decade in Canadian politics and history, including key battles for queer liberation and rights. You'll hear about former MP Svend Robinson's efforts to get homosexuality into the Canadian Human Rights Act and protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the military and RCMP efforts to undermine the Charter rights of their members; and a straight Commanding Officer who defended his top-performing soldier from multiple SIU investigations. A young Queen Elizabeth II also has a few things to say in this episode!

Canadian queer resistance emerges in the 1970s and puts a spotlight on the injustices facing gays and lesbians. This caused further police, military and government crackdowns on queers across Canada - particularly in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa in the lead up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Lesbians in the Canadian Armed Forces were "walking a tightrope" over the perils of sexual violence by servicemen and discovery of their sexual orientation. 

The Government of Canada and RCMP Intelligence Service engaged in unethical human research experiments on homosexual Canadians throughout the 1960s. Queer Legends' research sheds new light on the origins and timeline of Canada's so-called "Fruit Machine" project and its clear links to Carleton University; the CIA's MK Ultra program at McGill; and to other similar human research programs on homosexuals that took place in the United States. Meanwhile, changing social attitudes about homosexuality and a terrible Supreme Court of Canada ruling led Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau to say "the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation." Listen now!

This is a true-crime episode. Gripped with paranoia about Soviet spies using 'human weaknesses' to steal government secrets, Canada and its allies started hunting for and eliminating homosexuals from government employment. Investigative journalist Dean Beeby tells the incredible story about how the RCMP interrogated a retired Canadian ambassador to death for being gay; plus Patrizia Gentile, co-author of The Canadian War On Queers and a professor at Carleton University, gives you context for how the Government of Canada invented an imaginary enemy in "gay people".

Welcome to Season 2 of Queer Legends: The True Story About Canada's LGBT Purge. We begin with amazing new research that has uncovered what life was like for gay and bisexual soldiers during the First World War. From the "gross indecency" laws that imprisoned heroic Canadian queer soldiers, to the military-sanctioned drag shows that made Ross Hamilton's 'Marjorie' a star. This is where Canada's anti-queer campaign and the Cold War began. You'll also hear from someone who knew Ross Hamilton, personally!

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, between two consenting adults.  Despite the change in the law, Everett Klippert remained in prison for another two years and was released in 1971.  ----- WATCH | Gross Indecency: The Everett Klippert Story https://youtu.be/QABY0q7jJfc?feature=shared 

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 queer anthem. Cover photo: LorraineSegato.com

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 enjoyed hearing from one of our community's true queer legends.  If you enjoy Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast please tell your friends about us and go give us a good review/rating wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks! 

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. Cover photo: Todd Ross

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 (or somebody) 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).

Did Canada already have its first gay Prime Minister? 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 Member of Parliament, Bill Siksay, the first openly gay man to be elected to Canada's parliament (but not the first openly gay MP), spills some historical Tea about the late prime minister and a very curious - and likely queer - statue.

Montréal, Québec recenlty hosted the 24th International AIDS Conference. It was more inclusive and 'hopeful' and a lot different than the fifth international AIDS conference in Montréal in 1989. In this episode it was a pleasure to speak with athiest-AIDS-activist turned Concordia University professor, Karen Herland, who takes you behind-the-scenes of the pre-internet activism and organizing that helped changed everything for people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. NOTE: This is one of my favorite interviews. Herland is an inspirational storyteller and educator...and was an influential community leader when the LGBTQ community needed it most. 

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.

This episode was released on World AIDS Day 2021 and the 30th anniversary of Montreal AIDS activists creating Parc de l'espoir.  This is the conclusion to the story about Montreal residents who fought city bureaucrats to save 'Parc de l'espoir' from the bulldozers of a city "refresh" of the park. You'll hear from activists and gay village residents new-and-old, Montreal mayor Valerie Plante and one of the original architects of Parc de l'espoir. Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and communicator, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents.

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 AIDS and community activists. This episode introduces you to some of the folks who fought to create the park against opposition from homophobic City of Montreal officials. It also uncovered something startling - a 2019 city plan to "refresh" (read: erase) the park. It was hard to believe that the same activists were now having to defend their memorial, again. This is the unbelievable story.  Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and communicator, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents.

I bet you didn't know that it was a Black American with a flair for fashion who inspired a new kind of in-your-face 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 Montreal for a few years and co-founded ACT UP MTL with fellow activist Michael Hendricks. Blane went on to co-found the 'Parc de l'espoir' AIDS memorial and co-create the 'World Ball For UNITY.'  The 'World Ball' helped build bridges and allies within Montreal's fractured LGBTQ2S community through ballroom culture. This episode showcases a fierce, Black, New York queen who helped spark a revolution in activism across the province of Quebec.  Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster and communicator, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents.

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.

Jane Rule helped "create a nation" of Queer activists and activism along the west coast of Canada and the United States. She is one of the most influential authors and lesbians in Canadian history. Rule wrote honestly and courageously about Lesbian love and relationships at a time when it was still illegal to be a Lesbian in Canada.  She contributed to the unraveling of Canada Customs censorship of her and other authors' LGBTQ2S works at the Canadian border, as well as the broader acceptance of queer and lesbian citizens by Canadian society. My amazing guest is Bishop's University English professor, Linda Morra, PhD. She is a leading scholar of archival theory and Canadian women's writing, and a multiple award-winning instructor and researcher...and she was super fun to speak with. You'll also hear from Jane Rule herself. Hosted by: Award-winning broadcaster, Shawn Dearn. Cover art by Tim Singleton. Produced by Secret Agents.

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 ACT UP 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 on Canadian television was Greg Malone. His comedic charm and 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, discusses 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 communicator, 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.