Queer History Is Here
Reading Between the Lines to Tell the True Stories
“Queer History is Here” is a project started by history students passionate about finding and exploring queer history in their own local communities, primarily in BC, Canada,
Too often there is a single story of queer history that starts and ends with Stonewall. While these larger events are important, the over emphasis of them has lead to other forms of queer history to be overshadowed. When we associate queer history so distinctly with 1960s New York, we may look at our own community and think “queer history did not happen here.”
That assumption is the very problem that this project is attempting to fight. By exploring local archives, re-interpreting more traditionally homophobic, cis, and heterosexual sources, and contrasting them with queer archives, we can discover how queer people have lived and made history here too.
Finding this history is not only important to filling gaps in knowledge, but in making our communities safer, more educated, and more proud spaces for queer people today.
Let’s Start Learning:
Sidney and the Peninsula
Understand how to “Read Between the Lines” of this community’s news paper archives to piece together the existence and experiences of queer people.
AIDS in BC: an Overview
Learn how AIDS has been understood and addressed in BC and how queer Canadians and allies had to advocate for their health.
Victoria’s Queer Corner
Re-map your understanding of Victoria with the queer history that made it the inclusive space it is today.
Connect with Us
Do you have an interest in queer history and activism that we could help you with?
Learning Resources
Using Queer History to Impact Queer Present
Creating Museum Exhibits
— By using the history provided here and sources from local and queer archives, you can develop an exhibit for your local museum to go up during Pride month (or better all year because queer people still matter in July). Want advice on where to get started? We’re here to help!
- Sidney Museum – Pride on Display
- Curating Items for Exhibits
- Where are the Queer Museums in Canada?
Sharing with the Community
— Whether you are a politician, a pride collective, a parent of a trans child, an ally, or a queer person wanting to get your voice out there, you can use your local queer history to influence queer joy and safety in your community.
- Queer History at Pride Festivals
- Queer History Effecting Policy
- Grounding a Community
In the Classroom
— As a 2SLGBTQIA+ ally teacher or an instructor for a Pride club, you have the opportunity to teach the youth (or adults) you work with about their own history. Here are some examples of creative projects that can help students engage with the past.
- Black Out Poetry Project
- Graphic History – “Re-Drawing” the Past
- My Queer History Museum Project
Our Favorite Queer History Quotes
“Still F****ing Here!”
Miss Major
“No Pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
Marsha P. Johnson
“My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.”
Audre Lorde
Latest Posts
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Pests: A Micro-History Comic – A Creative Queer Interpretation of the History of Mosquitoes at Island View Beach This is… Read more
Queer History is Here 