Community leader, advocate and story teller living life one day at a time
‘We can’t define ourselves in basements’: Popular Edmonton gay bar moving to Jasper Avenue
“This will be the first time that we’ve been so will be so visible in a structure that’s big and prominent and welcoming. We can’t define ourselves in basements or on second floors hidden away because we‘ve had to hide over the years,”
For the first time in nearly a decade, Edmonton will have two gay bars this summer.
Evolution Wonderlounge will open a new location on Jasper Avenue and 115 Street, as its downtown location on 103 Street near 102 Avenue winds down operations.
Ron Byers, director of Rainbow Story Hub, says opening a queer bar on street level is a significant milestone.
“Most of them have been down in the basement or up on the second floor. Very few have been main floor. Part of that is because of the fear of being found out,” Byers said.
Evolution Wonderlounge gearing up for a ‘two gay bar summer’ with new location, owner says.
Edmonton’s only gay bar is going to be out and proud in a new Jasper Avenue location this spring.
The following story shares my experiences where HIV Stigma played a significant role in my medical care by practising family […]
Had a chat with Stacey Brotzel on the Edmonton Gay Games Bid for the 2030 Gay Games. Sadly we did not make it into the top 3 but we will back to rebuilding our Bid for the 2034 Gay Games. You can view the Bid video on Explore Edmonton’s website here….
https://exploreedmonton.com/edmontongaygames
On September 20, 2024 HIV Edmonton and the Canadian AIDS Society nominated Ron Byers to be a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his contributions to the HIV/AIDS movement in Canada.
On November 20, 2024 The Governor General of Canada awarded the medal to Ron Byers.
“Our queer history doesn’t just date back to the 60s when we started becoming more visible; it actually dates back centuries but our opportunities to start telling those stories have only begun recently,” said Ron Byers a queer historian. “Back in the 60s when I came out, it was illegal to be a gay man. I could have been thrown in jail and most of the young folks today don’t understand that,” said Byers.
August 31, 2024 Global News with Jaclyn Kucey Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced two Albertans have been appointed to […]
Every year, Edmonton celebrates the annual Summer Festival Season, which runs from May to the end of September. June is […]
A Full Summer of Pride in Edmonton – A Vibrant & Inclusive Experience for 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks Interview with Stacey Brotzel […]
Ron Byers, promoter for Pride Edmonton, says the Alberta government has a chance to be part of the conversation.
“The UCP government has an opportunity to be a part of our celebrations as a Pride community if they’re wiling to come to the table with open minds for frank, honest, truthful conversations.
Edmonton created the community archivist position in part because queer historian Ron Byers lobbied the city to do so. He […]
We Are Survivors – Backroom Chatter Podcast In this Premiere episode, non-other than Mr. Ron Byers, Rhoda B, long-time host […]
Explore Edmonton presents “SAY MORE”
Immerse yourself in the unique journeys of Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community leaders, storytellers, and business owners. Their voices inspire change and foster inclusivity. Don’t miss this inspiring documentary short created in partnership with Cory Johnn Films.
2023 will see the largest number of Pride events the Edmonton has ever seen for the Summer of Pride! Over 36 organizations have put together more than 75 events in three dozen different venues around the city.
Seeing Tina Turner that night at the Edmonton Gardens in 1976 still remains one of the biggest highlights of my lifetime.
I was a young 21 year old when I had a chance to “run away with the circus”. I was asked to join a traveling drag show called the Fantasy Follies as their sound and lighting technician. What a chance to go way past my shyness and fears and live in hotel rooms travelling across Canada with a group of amazing Drag performers.
This Powerpoint style presentation brings the story of the work that has been done to bring the history of the […]
With many festivals taking a break for the last 2 years, Edmonton is once again ready to host some amazing […]
“ I remember a time when there was no place in this town where I could go and come out as a gay man and have a beer with another gay man.” — A quote from Ron Byers, queer historian and founder of the Rainbow Story Hub
The First 21 years 1980 – 2001 Edmonton’s first recognized Pride event was a Picnic In The Park thought to […]
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/evolution-of-the-edmonton-queer-history-project-hits-the-web-and-city-streets From the audience, Ron Byers said the latest iteration of the project is particularly valuable to future generations who […]
Aging with Pride — January 6, 2022 Ron Byers Ron will talk about local queer history and the clubs in […]
CTV News https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/fire-destroys-downtown-building-that-housed-milla-pub-club-70-1.5650073
To call any of those who did drag as charitable… while in drag… would be stretching the truth. Known for their caustic wit, quick retorts and haughty gestures, raising money for anything charitable was almost non-existent.
Then in 1984 reports that had been surfacing out of San Francisco and New York for the previous few years of a new “gay-related immune deficiency” (GRID), finally named by the CDC in the U.S. as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), attracted the attention of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose in Edmonton.
The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose chats with Tales of the LGBTQ+ on their history. Watch as Empress […]