Pop-up exhibit on Canada’s LGBT Purge on view July 31 – September 15
West Vancouver Memorial Library will host Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge, a travelling pop-up exhibition from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, from July 31 to September 15.
Developed and produced by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights with the collaboration and support of the LGBT Purge Fund, the exhibition explores one of the longest-running and largest-scale violations of human rights in the workplace in Canadian history. The Library’s presentation of the exhibition and programming is supported by funding from the Province of British Columbia through the Public Libraries Branch.
“As a public library, WVML is committed to inclusion, learning, and openness to different perspectives,” says Andy Krawczyk, Chair of the West Vancouver Memorial Library Board. “Love in a Dangerous Time helps bring awareness to an important chapter in Canadian human rights history and creates space for reflection, dialogue, and understanding.”
About Love in a Dangerous Time
From the 1950s to the 1990s, 2SLGBTQIA+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and federal public service were investigated, harassed, and fired because of their sexual orientation. This period came to be known as the LGBT Purge.
Alongside the exhibition, WVML will present a series of related programs exploring 2SLGBTQIA+ history, human rights, sport, technology, storytelling, and community. Through first-hand accounts, the programs will share the experiences of those affected, highlighting the advocacy and activism that helped expand human rights protections in Canada.
“When queer and trans people seek out their ancestral stories, they often have to look beyond their families of origin. Local queer histories are often hidden and hard to find.” explains WVML Communications Coordinator, Kaschelle Thiessen. “Programming for Love in a Dangerous Time helps illuminate 2SLGBTQAI+ stories of resistance, resilience, and the fight for human rights here at home.
WVML is the first organization to host the exhibition in the Lower Mainland.
Experience the exhibit and more, July 31 – September 15
All are welcome to take free, self-guided tours of Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge and At The Table – The Archiecture of Control during regular Library hours.
On Wednesday, August 5, former Staff Sergeant Wayne Davis Reflects on the LGBT Purge and how an unexpected meeting with his supervisor abruptly ended his 18-year career with the RCMP during the LGBT Purge.
On Sunday, August 9, Olympian Betty Baxter and journalist Daniel Gawthrop will discuss the challenges queer athletes have faced. On Thursday, August 13, researcher Kaschelle Thiessen will explore the history of same-sex decriminalization in Canada. A Tech Talk on 2SLGBTQI+-inclusive AI on Monday, August 17, will examine whether the tech sector is prepapred to build and deploy AI systems responsibly and inclusively, and on Wednesday, August 19, a queer panel of activists, researchers and storytellers will discuss the challenges with documenting and sharing queer history.
Learn more at wvml.ca/love