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C Mag

Public Lecture

Gay Day Picnic, 1971—50 Years On

6pm-7pm ET

Event Details

Date

5 Aug 2021

Location

Harbour Square Park (immediately west of the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal), Toronto


Enjoy a summer evening in the park with Jamie Ross, Cheri DiNovo, C Magazine, and The ArQuives.

In issue 149 “Community” (Summer 2021), Ross reflects on the Gay Day picnic at Hanlan’s Point in 1971, thought by many to be the origin of Pride celebrations in Canada. Intentionally taking place out of step with Pride as we now know it, Ross will give a reading from his text, steeped in the history, culture, and self-determination that permeates the infamous nude beach and cruising spot. Afterwards, he’ll converse with Cheri DiNovo, a queer elder who had a hand in organizing that day almost exactly 50 years ago.

Bring your own blanket, or whatever you prefer to sit on. We’ll have non-alcoholic beverages available, free of charge.

Please submit any accessibility requests to info@cmagazine.com.

Jamie Ross is a visual artist trained outside the university. Street song, protest masks and gay separatisms feature in their current video projects emerging from stories of Queer sexual commons of the 1970s and 1980s.

Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo (Order of Canada) was an active organizer in the 1960s student protest movement. During her 11-year tenure as a member of provincial parliament, she passed into law North America’s first ban on 2SLGBTQ conversion therapy, and Ontario’s Trans Rights as Human Rights bill. She performed Canada’s first legal same-sex marriage and is currently Clergy at Trinity St Paul’s Centre for Faith Justice and the Arts.