Scan of a page from Charles "Charlie" Thompson's scrapbook [ca. 1981 ]- ESPLANADE ARCHIVES PHOTO
June marks Pride Month, which celebrates members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community – Two-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + additional sexual orientations and gender identities.
The Esplanade recognizes the contributions 2SLGBTQIA+ people have made to our community, and their rich personal histories. Sadly, it is often difficult to celebrate these stories in Archives, as finding representation in our collections can be daunting. Many members of the community may feel hesitant to share their histories with us for several reasons: fear of retaliation, shame or misrepresentation. All too often, 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships and stories have been pushed aside through marginalization and erasure. Perhaps we have items which relate to the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience, but again and again important facts and related stories may have been hidden by the passage of time, due to the stigma attached to queerness.
We strive to make the Archives a safe space where we can ensure that the histories and items shared with us remain as a valuable part of our collective story. Pride month also lends the community a time, a place, and a voice to speak their truths; and we do our part to echo that here in the Esplanade.
Searching through our collections recently, I came upon something that had previously not been catalogued. Compiled by Charles “Charlie” Thompson (1940-2012), it is a selection of scrapbooks made during the time of the AIDS crisis. Charlie spent time collecting pamphlets, notes, books and newspaper articles, which speak to the fear and angst during this pivotal moment of history. These scrapbooks are an emotional, difficult and compelling collection, which shows the humanness of the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience in Medicine Hat. One part artistic, and one part historic, I’m happy to say that this collection is now available in the Archives.
As archivists, we’re always looking for ways to grow community understanding. Did you know that people were working toward marriage equality in Medicine Hat in the early 1980s, despite gay marriage only being legalized in 2005? Did you know that there were drag shows and events held here in the German POW camp in the 1940s? Queer and gender-diverse people have always been a part of our community, and queer and gender-diverse people will continue to be a part of our future.
I can leave you with this from the front of Charlie’s scrapbook: “We are the branded ones, but I always say, whatever I do doesn’t harm anyone. I think… it’s beautiful.” [dated 1972].
Jenni Barrientos is Assistant Archivist at the Esplanade
