Queer in Alberta

GRAB LIFE BY BOTH HORNS AND RIDE IT LIKE THE STAMPEDE BUCKING BRONCO 🐎🌈🔥

Two years ago, Kels (she/her) received a message in her inbox from Michelle (she/they,) an individual from Calgary who wanted to tell her story. Neither of them knew what to expect, or that the conversation they had would lay the ground for everything Queer in Alberta is today.

Kels invites Michelle back onto the show to catch up and the two have a conversation about the overlap in neurodivergent, queer experiences, and the power of authenticity.

TICKETS: QUEER IN ALBERTA S2 SCREENING IN YYC WITH KELS, LAVENDER CLUB, AND LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM FRANCHESKA DYNAMITES

https://www.showpass.com/lavenderclubxqueerinalberta/

FOLLOW MICHELLE

https://trimalkin.blogspot.com/

FOLLOW KELS/QUEER IN ALBERTA

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kels.valendela/⁠

https://www.tiktok.com/@kels.valendela

MY TRUCK KNOCKED MY WIG INTO THE PRAIRIES 🛻🌈✨

Poppy Puffter (she/her) always knew she would leave the 200 population town of Enchant, Alberta. What she didn't know was leaving would take her on a journey of embracing her queerness and discovering a love for the art of drag. Poppy reflects on her journey in the Lethbridge studio with Kels and together, they share in the challenges and joys of small town and queer existence.

FOLLOW POPPY

https://www.instagram.com/poppypuffter?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

FOLLOW BABES & BREWS

https://www.instagram.com/babesnbrewsyql?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

FOLLOW KELS/QUEER IN ALBERTA

https://www.instagram.com/kels.valendela/

What's it like to be Desi and queer? Meet Subiksha Subramani (she/her), a bisexual Desi content creator and advocate based in Mohkinstsis (Calgary). Subiksha introduces Kels to Desi culture and opens up about queerness, acceptance, and some of the ways we can support queer loved ones undergoing challenging relationships with family. Subiksha also talks about Rang de Pride, where she hosts South Asian Queer events in Calgary.

SEE YOU IN TWO WEEKS with FRANCHESKA DYNAMITES 🇵🇭 ✨(YQL)

FOLLOW SUBIKSHA/RANG DE PRIDE:

https://www.instagram.com/queerlysubiksha/

https://www.instagram.com/rangdepride/

https://www.tiktok.com/@queerlysubiksha

FOLLOW KELS/QUEER IN ALBERTA:

https://www.instagram.com/kels.valendela/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kels.valendela

Produced with the support of Telus Storyhive. 💜

Ever wanted to go to a queer art market? Or what about a sapphic film screening featuring a live Q&A with a panel of lesbian elders? These are just a handful of the accessible, sober and sapphic focused events hosted by Lavender Club in Calgary, Alberta. Kels sits down in the Lethbridge studio with founders Amanda, Bellamy, and Jasmine to talk about their work highlighting the creativity and joy of Calgary's Sapphic/Queer community, and how everything is a little better when it's a little more gay.

Produced with the support of Telus Storyhive. 💜

FOLLOW LAVENDER CLUB:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/lavenderclubyyc/⁠

⁠https://www.lavenderclubyyc.com/⁠

FOLLOW KELS/QUEER IN ALBERTA:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kels.valendela/⁠

⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@kels.valendela

This episode of Queer in Alberta was sponsored by Lunchbox Theatre and Chromatic Theatre in YYC. Massive massive thank you to both of these beautifully creative orgs in Calgary, I can't wait for you to hear all about their latest co-production, Kisapmata!

"The Tagalog word “kisapmata” means “blink of an eye.” It’s also the title of a punk banger by Filipino band, Rivermaya. Inspired by this song, this new Canadian play tells the love story of two Filipino women—one living here in Canada and the other, born and raised in the Philippines. Through intimate vignettes, we see the longing, the diving in, and eventually, the letting go." 

Get ready for this conversation with Bianca Miranda (she/they), the playwright behind Kisapmata. We talk all about the play and the numerous intersections that come with our experiences of being pinoy and queer in Alberta. PLUS IT'S REALLY FUNNY, I HOPE YOU LOVE <3

GET TICKETS:

https://tickets.lunchboxtheatre.com/TheatreManager/1/login?event=0

FOLLOW BIANCA/LUNCHBOX/CHROMATIC:

INSTA:

@lunchboxyyc

@chromatictheatre

juliany taveras (they/them/elle) is a storyteller from Ayití Bohio (Dominican Republic) by way of Lenapehoking (New York City). Kels asks them about their new play, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress running with the Children's Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pair talk crafting diverse stories, about the life pathways that influence us, and emphasize why it's so important to uplift queer and trans youth onstage today.

https://childrenstheatre.org/

https://childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/morris-micklewhite/ 

Ending season one with a bang! Kels chats with Shaneen and Paveena to talk about Stonewall Recovery Centre, Canada's first 2SLGBTQIA+ addictions treatment centre that started with a dream in Calgary, Alberta.

Meet Haley (she/they/he), a two-spirit, Cree Filipino who grew up in Calgary, Alberta. Kels hears about Haley's experience growing up disconnected from their cultural identity and the journey of reconnecting while discovering your queerness.

Oki! Kels sits down with Ryan Crosschild (he/they) from the Kainai Nation. Ryan tells Kels about the importance of understanding queerness from a cultural lens for a powerful conversation about diversifying queer spaces today.