Edmonton created the community archivist position in part because queer historian Ron Byers lobbied the city to do so. He wanted records donated by Michael Phair, Alberta’s first out, gay politician, to enter the city’s official vault.
Yong said those records include thousands of photos and measure 13 kilometres in width. Around 70% of the photos have been at least partially identified, thanks to “identification parties” Byers helped to organize. These entailed a gathering of 2SLGBTQ+ community members who were around at the time the photos were taken, who combed through photos to name places and the people depicted.
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