Saskatchewan Resources for Sexual Diversity
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Year: 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | Community History
Celebrating a History of Diversity:
Lesbian and Gay Life in Saskatchewan, 1971 - 2006 A Selected Annotated Chronology
The 1970s
1971
April 27 |
Saskatoon |
Doug (later Gens) Hellquist and Dan Nalbach placed an advertisement in Vancouver’s Georgia
Straight newsmagazine proposing the formation of a group titled Saskatoon Gay
Liberation. |
[“Classifieds: Out of Town,” Georgia Straight, (April
27-30 1971) p. 23.] |
August 28 |
Ottawa |
The first public gay demonstration on Parliament Hill demanded changes to laws and policies
affecting homosexuals. |
|
Autumn |
Saskatoon |
Two small activist organizations were launched: The Gay Students Alliance at the University
of Saskatchewan (U of S) and Saskatoon Gay Action (SGA). Organizers included Bruce
Garman, Doug Hellquist, Dan Nalbach, and Erv (later Tom) Warner. |
[“News of the Gay: Saskatoon,” The Body Politic,
no. 5 (1972) p. 16.] |
Autumn |
Saskatoon |
Gens Hellquist wrote that in late 1971 a group of gay men discussed the need to establish
a regular drinking venue for Saskatoon gays. The group’s choice was the Apollo
Room at the downtown Ritz Hotel. Although the Apollo Room (adorned by murals of the
lunar landing) was considered unattractive it was spacious and relatively uncrowded.
The Apollo soon had a sizable and committed gay and lesbian clientele that continued
to patronize ‘the Ritz’ for many years. The management and staff welcomed
the new clientele and dealt quickly and firmly with anyone harassing LG patrons. The
hotel closed in 1985. |
[Gens Hellquist, “Adventures of a prairie fag. Part 2,” Perceptions, v.
19 no. 3 (April 25 2001)] |
October |
Saskatoon |
Respondents to the Georgia Straight ad and others were invited to a meeting to discuss
the establishment a gay social organization. Several fundraising parties were held
at private homes to finance the effort. |
[Gens Hellquist, “Adventures of a prairie fag. Part 2,” Perceptions,
v. 19 no. 3 (April 25 2001)] |
Year: 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | Community History
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