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Calgary Queer Arts Society

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Calgary Queer Arts Society
Founded2004, Renamed in 2018
TypeNonprofit organization
Registration no.85777120 8RR0001
FocusQueer arts
Location
Area served
Canada Canada
Websitewww.calgaryqueerartssociety.com

Calgary Queer Arts Society (CQAS) is a Canadian registered nonprofit organization. First established as the Fairy Tales Presentation Society in 2004, the organization rebranded as the Calgary Queer Arts Society in 2018. It seeks to give a voice to queer people through storytelling. Currently, the organization runs the Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, Coming Out Monologues YYC, OUTReels Diversity Education Program, and the Ally Toolkit Conference.

History

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Originally a collaboration between the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers (CSIF) and the Gay & Lesbian Community Services Association (later known as Calgary Outlink),[1][2] the first Fairy Tales International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival was founded by Calgarian LGBT activists and CSIF volunteers and employees Trevor Alberts, Kelly Langgard, and Kevin Allen.[3][4]

In 2004, the film festival separated from the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers to become an independent non-profit known as the Fairy Tales Presentation Society.[5][6] After separating, the organization expanded considerably, stretching the festival from three days to seven days and adding a series of panel discussions.[7]

In 2018, the Fairy Tales Presentation Society rebranded as the Calgary Queer Arts Society. The new brand was largely influenced by the organization's desire to extend beyond the film festival and support all forms of queer art in Calgary.[5]

In 2019, the society received $75,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada to aid tourism in Western Canada.[8]

Programs

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Coming Out Monologues YYC

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The Coming Out Monologues YYC (frequently referred to as TCOM) is an annual stage show featuring LGBT people performing original monologues about their coming out experience.[9] TCOM was founded in 2010 by the Campaign for Positive Space at the University of Calgary.[10] It is based on Rodrigo Hernandez' show of the same name, originally performed in 2007 at the University of California, Riverside.[11]

Early incarnations of the show featured performers reciting pre-scripted monologues which were presented at the original 2007 show in California.[10] As of 2013, all monologues that appear in the show are original and written by the performer.[12] In 2014, TCOM separated from the University of Calgary and became an independent organization that was associated with the Fairy Tales Presentation Society.[13] In 2017, the show was officially acquired by the Fairy Tales Presentation Society.[14]

Throughout its history, TCOM has featured several spin-off series. This includes The Coming Out in Faith Monologues in 2015,[15] 2016,[16] and 2018;[17] Coming Out After Dark in 2015;[18] The Coming Out Monologues: Passionate Kisses in 2016;[19] and Queer Folks Read Things They Wrote Once Upon a Time (in the Closet) in 2016[20] and 2017.[21]

Year Dates Location Ticket Price Organization Helped by Proceeds
2010[10] March 19 Boris Roubakine Recital Hall, University of Calgary $5 Calgary Outlink
2011[22] March 17, 18 Boris Roubakine Recital Hall, University of Calgary $10 Calgary Outlink
2012[23][11] March 15, 16 Boris Roubakine Recital Hall, University of Calgary $10 Camp FYrefly
2013[12] March 13, 14, 15 Boris Roubakine Recital Hall, University of Calgary $10 Calgary Centre for Sexuality (formerly Calgary Sexual Health Centre)
2014[24][25][13] March 19, 20, 21 John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Public Library $15; $12 for students and low-income individuals Calgary Two-Spirit Youth Group (run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada and hosted by Calgary Outlink)
2015[15][26] March 18, 18, 20 John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Public Library $15; $12 for students and seniors
2016[27] March 16, 17, 18 John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Public Library $15; $12 for students and seniors
2017[28] March 22, 23, 24 John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Public Library $15; $12 for students and seniors
2018[29] March 21, 22, 23 John Dutton Theatre, Calgary Public Library $15; $12 for students and seniors
2019[30] March 20, 21, 22 Patricia A. Whelan Presentation Hall, Calgary Central Library $15; $12 for students and seniors
2020 Originally scheduled for March 19–21. Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[31] Patricia A. Whelan Presentation Hall, Calgary Central Library $15; $10 for students, seniors, and members

Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival

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Main article: Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival

OUTReels Diversity Education Program

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The OUTReels Diversity Education Program was originally created in 2009 with the purpose of teaching communities about diversity and inclusion. The program consists of a variety of workshops surrounding subjects such as LGBT history, LGBT terminology, and allyship. As of 2020, the program has hosted over 500 workshops throughout Alberta.[32]

Ally Toolkit Conference

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First held in 2017, The Ally Toolkit Conference is an annual conference presented by the society with the purpose of teaching allies how to better their allyship and bring those skills into their communities. The conference has a strong focus on hosting LGBT speakers and allowing attendees to ask questions in a safe space without judgement.[33] While the conference originally focused on general allyship,[34][35] later incarnations have focused on specific sectors such healthcare.[33]

Controversies

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In November 2020, the CQAS was accused by a former employee of engaging in racist practices.[36][37] In response, the organization released a public statement saying they intended to create an Anti-Racism Committee, add five seats to their committee board specifically for people of colour, hire a person of colour as their Director of Programs, and mandate anti-racist training for their staff.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Partridge, Jennifer (7 June 2002). "Fairy Tales film festival keeps it clean: Don't expect to see over- the-top erotica in this year's feature films". Calgary Herald. Calgary. pp. E13.
  2. ^ Kubik, Jeff (29 May 2003). "Listening to Fairy Tales". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  3. ^ Allen, Kevin (23 May 2014). "Fairy Tales at 16 – Queer Films Saved Us!". Calgary Gay History Project. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  4. ^ Burroughs, Alexandra (5 June 2003). "Fairy Tales appeal to more than gays". Calgary Herald. Calgary. pp. E6.
  5. ^ a b "Our History". Calgary Queer Arts Society. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  6. ^ Allen, Kevin (22 May 2018). "Fairy Tales @ 20". Calgary Gay History Project. Calgary. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  7. ^ Burroughs, Alexandra (27 May 2005). "Gay film festival gambles on growth". Calgary Herald. Calgary. pp. D4.
  8. ^ "Government of Canada invests in Western Canada tourism". Cision. Toronto. 9 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Coming Out Monologues, YYC". Calgary Queer Arts Society. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Barnes, Dallas (March 2010). "Coming Out Monologues: Local Thespians Tell Real Stories". GayCalgary Magazine. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  11. ^ a b Llewellyn, Andrea (15 March 2012). "Coming Out Monologues open closets at U of C for third time". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  12. ^ a b Sullivan, Sean (14 March 2013). "Coming home by coming out: The Coming Out Monologues celebrate Calgary's LGBTQ community". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b "What's On (Calgary): The 5th Annual Coming Out Monologues, YYC". Theatre Alberta. Theatre Alberta. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Our History". Calgary Queer Arts Society. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  15. ^ a b Barnes, Dallas (March 2015). "The Coming Out Monologues Come Into Their Own". GayCalgary Magazine. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  16. ^ Fortier, Dianne (1 November 2016). "Coming Out in Faith Monologue - Hillhurst United Church". Church of the Cross News. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  17. ^ Croteau, Jill (14 February 2018). "'Coming Out in Faith Monologues' set to be performed in a Calgary church". Global News. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Coming Out After Dark". The Coming Out Monologues YYC. April 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-02-22. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  19. ^ "Passionate Kisses". Calgary Queer Arts Society. August 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Queer Folks Read Things They Wrote In The Closest". Calgary Queer Arts Society. May 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Queer Folks Read Things They Wrote Once Upon a Time". Calgary Queer Arts Society. May 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  22. ^ Rutherford, Carey (March 2011). "Coming Out Monologues: Queer students share their experiences". GayCalgary Magazine. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  23. ^ Barnes, Dallas (March 2012). "Real–Life Coming Out Stories: U of C hosts 3rd Annual Coming Out Monologues". GayCalgary Magazine. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  24. ^ Willett, Sean (13 March 2014). "One of U of C's most popular annual events has graduated". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  25. ^ Lunney, Lisa (March 2014). "Coming Out Monologues". GayCalgary Magazine. Calgary. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  26. ^ Sadler, Connor (19 March 2015). "Coming Out Monologues returns to Calgary". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  27. ^ Herring, Jason (8 March 2016). "The Coming Out Monologues embrace Calgary's gender and sexual diversity". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  28. ^ "2017 Show". The Coming Out Monologues YYC. 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-06-10. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  29. ^ Landsburg, Trevor (28 March 2018). "The Coming Out Monologues continue to shine after ninth year". The Gauntlet. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  30. ^ Krause, Darren (4 March 2019). "Calgary refugee newcomers' stories told at 10th anniversary of the Coming Out Monologues YYC". LiveWire Calgary. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  31. ^ Roe, Jon (23 March 2020). "Calgary events postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns". Calgary Herald. Calgary. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  32. ^ Demers, James. "OUTReels Diversity Education Program". Calgary Queer Arts Society. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  33. ^ a b "Ally Toolkit Conference". Calgary Queer Arts Society. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  34. ^ "Ally Toolkit Conference 2017". Calgary Pride. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Ally Toolkit Conference 2018". Calgary Pride. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  36. ^ "Open Letter from the GSA Gender and Sexuality Alliance Subcommittee". University of Calgary's Graduate Students' Association. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Statement Regarding Experiences of Organizational Racism at CQAS and Calgary Pride". Calgary CommunityWise Resource Centre. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  38. ^ @queerartsyyc (1 December 2020). "Update to the Community" – via Instagram.
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