Coinciding with yesterday’s proclamation and flag raising kicking off Pride Week in Vancouver, Forbidden Vancouver has added more dates for its Really Gay History Tour.
Taking place on Sundays, at 10am, throughout the remainder of the year, this week The Really Gay History Tour adds tours on August 3, 4, 5, 7. (no tour Sunday August 6 due to Pride Parade)
The Really Gay History Tour is a really big eye opener even for us locals. Hosted by storyteller extraordinaire, Glenn, the tour delves into some of the dark, forgotten history and herstory of Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQ++ community while also making it light and enjoyable outing.
Glenn has done extensive research, and has interviewed the community pioneers, activists and icons who lived through the periods to colour the tour with facts and personal insights that make it an interesting, educational and inspiring two hours filled with wisdom and wit.
From the YWCA downtown, with its own interesting connection to gay history, the tour began by providing us patrons with background into the indigenous two-spirit (2S) peoples. From then on Glenn reveals that Vancouver’s Gay History is Vancouver’s History.
From post-prohibition beer halls and booze parlours, to pioneering drag personalities, a ground-breaking clergyman, and politicians Vancouver was and is filled with incredible amazing stories.
Feel the dark years of the AIDS crisis and its ensuing gay-panic, countered by the compassion and strength of lesbian friends and chosen family. As the tour, like the community, moves from downtown to Davie Street, stories of violence and censorship, bombs and bravery, celebrations and entertainment follow as we learn what lay behind the festive rainbow facade of the current Village hub.
Wrapping up at the groundbreaking Rainbow Crosswalks, we end The Really Gay History Tour having gained more of an appreciation for those who came before us, what they went through and how they overcame obsticles to get what they wanted and needed. Their tireless work, through adverse conditions, public outcry and hatred gave us the gains that are again today at risk but also these stories give us hope and understanding that everyone has a role in Vancouver’s Really Gay History…all of us
The Really Gay History Tour takes place Sundays at 10am throughout the year, with additonal Vancouver Pride edition tours happening August 3,4,5,7 2023. Tour space is limited and often sells out, book now at forbiddenvancouver.ca/really-gay-history-tour.