Best Shawn Dearn Podcasts (2024)

1
Legacy Of The LGBT Purge and A Queer Mystery - Pt.8 50:06

1M ago50:06

50:06

The road to justice for LGBT Purge survivors was not an easy one - even after the Government of Canada’s apology. Seeking justice also meant that Purge survivors had to confront and relive some truly terrible memories. The eighth and final episode in our series that tells The True Story Of Canada’s LGBT Purge celebrates victory; seeks accountabilit…

1
We Demand An Apology - Pt.7 50:16

2M ago50:16

50:16

Before the Government of Canada’s apology and before the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit, there was a small group of dedicated Canadians who were determined to get justice. This network of Purge survivors, academics, researchers and activists was known as the We Demand An Apology Network (WDAN). The WDAN group was the catalyst that led to the landm…

1
The Ban On Gays In The Military Ends (On Paper) - Pt.6 50:29

2M ago50:29

50:29

By the early 1990s the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney knew it could not continue the military’s anti-homosexuality policies. However, his ministers and military kept looking for loopholes to continue their discrimination against LGB soldiers. Discover the behind-the-scenes legal drama that led to, what many consider to be, the end of the…

1
Towards Equality For Some - Pt.5 53:29

2M ago53:29

53:29

The 1980s were a pivotal decade in Canadian politics and history, including key battles for queer liberation and rights. You’ll hear about former MP Svend Robinson’s efforts to get homosexuality into the Canadian Human Rights Act and protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the military and RCMP efforts to undermine the Charter rights o…

1
We Demand and Lesbians In The Military - Pt.4 53:55

2M ago53:55

53:55

Canadian queer resistance emerges in the 1970s and puts a spotlight on the injustices facing gays and lesbians. This caused further police, military and government crackdowns on queers across Canada - particularly in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa in the lead up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Lesbians in the Canadian Armed Forces were “walking a tigh…

1
The Fruit Machine and Bedrooms of The Nation - Pt.3 44:14

3M ago44:14

44:14

The Government of Canada and RCMP Intelligence Service engaged in unethical human research experiments on homosexual Canadians throughout the 1960s. Queer Legends' research sheds new light on the origins and timeline of Canada’s so-called "Fruit Machine" project and its clear links to Carleton University; the CIA’s MK Ultra program at McGill; and t…

1
How Canada's LGBT Purge Got Started - Pt.2 39:10

3M ago39:10

39:10

This is a true-crime episode. Gripped with paranoia about Soviet spies using ‘human weaknesses’ to steal government secrets, Canada and its allies started hunting for and eliminating homosexuals from government employment. Investigative journalist Dean Beeby tells the incredible story about how the RCMP interrogated a retired Canadian ambassador to…

1
Queers of the First and Second World Wars - Pt.1 39:35

3M ago39:35

39:35

Welcome to Season 2 of Queer Legends: The True Story About Canada's LGBT Purge. We begin with amazing new research that has uncovered what life was like for gay and bisexual soldiers during the First World War. From the “gross indecency” laws that imprisoned heroic Canadian queer soldiers, to the military-sanctioned drag shows that made Ross Hamilt…

1
The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge - TRAILER 1:48

4M ago1:48

1:48

Coming June 1, 2024 | Season 2 of Queer Legends shares The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge in a landmark, eight part documentary series. This is the first documentary to examine the full extent of Canada's anti-homosexual campaigns using newly declassified documents released by the LGBT Purge Fund. From ridiculous to shocking, you'll hear amazing…

1
Everett Klippert: The only Canadian man imprisoned for life for being gay 13:32

8M ago13:32

13:32

The Calgary Gay History Project's Kevin Allen shares his research into an important and reluctant queer legend - Everett George Klippert. Klippert was the only Canadian ever declared a "dangerous sexual offender" by the Supreme Court of Canada and he was sentenced to life in prison for being incurably gay. Public and political outcry over the Klipp…

1
Lorraine Segato and the Unexpected Queer Anthem: Rise Up 19:15

9M ago19:15

19:15

Meet Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter, social justice activist and Member of the Order of Canada, Lorraine Segato in episode 17 of Queer Legends. As co-founder of The Parachute Club, Segato and her 1980s bandmates struck a chord with Canadians with their top 10 hit Rise Up, which helped inspire a generation of human rights and other activism du…

1
Margaret Cho: Comedian, actor, activist and inspiration! 17:42

1y ago17:42

17:42

It was an honour to be invited by the Canadian Labour Congress to host a 'fire-side chat' with comedian, actor, writer and human rights activist, Margaret Cho at their #CLC2023 conference! Hear about Margaret's connection to the labour movement, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, her involvement in anti-racism campaigns and the fight for a more equitable future. “Ev…

1
The Only Known Gay Man on the Vimy Memorial 5:02

1+ y ago5:02

5:02

This Queer Legends Quickie introduces you to Sarah Worthman, founder of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative. Worthman is investigating the persecution of 2SLGBTQ soldiers during the First World War by the Government of Canada and she has uncovered some amazing things. This story is the about a young, queer Canadian hero from Bra…

1
Queer Legends of 2022 51:14

1+ y ago51:14

51:14

In this episode of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast we're looking back at the legendary people and moments of 2022! Featuring queer activists, artists and community historians on what will be remembered about the “queer that was.” My guests include: Public health expert Michael Kwag, journalist Mel Woods, historian and author Hugh Ryan, recen…

1
The amazing Barbada From Barbados drag story! 27:26

2y ago27:26

27:26

This self-made black queen has one of the most fascinating origine stories you've ever heard. "Barbada de Barbades" has been exciting drag and comedy show audiences across Quebec for nearly two decades. She co-hosts Call me Mother across Canada on OUTtv, is always booked for drag story hour and is currently popping up in online French advertising o…

1
Police Revenge After The 'Sex Garage' Protests 9:17

2y ago9:17

9:17

Did you know? After the community protests against the violent 1990 raid of the queer loft party 'Sex Garage' (listen to episode 1 for details), Montreal police continued to harass protesters. Linda Dawn Hammond's photos put police brutality against 2SLGBTQ+ Montrealers in the headlines and that made her a police target afterwards. This episode's s…

1
Canada's First Gay Prime Minister? 10:50

2y ago10:50

10:50

Did Canada already have its first gay Prime Minister? In Canada's capital, there's a romantic statue of Sir Galahad on Parliament Hill. It was created in 1905 by then future prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, in memory of a heroic act by his dearest friend. Former Member of Parliament, Bill Siksay, the first openly gay man to be elected t…

1
Disrupting The 5th International AIDS Conference in 1989 11:26

2+ y ago11:26

11:26

Montréal, Québec recenlty hosted the 24th International AIDS Conference. It was more inclusive and 'hopeful' and a lot different than the fifth international AIDS conference in Montréal in 1989. In this episode it was a pleasure to speak with athiest-AIDS-activist turned Concordia University professor, Karen Herland, who takes you behind-the-scenes…

1
Michelle Douglas defeated Canada's ban on gays in the military 36:15

2+ y ago36:15

36:15

Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, the Government of Canada used to hunt down, harass and fire LGBT members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service. A young military officer named Michelle Douglas challenged the military and helped bring that shameful policy and the “LGBT Purge” to an end with the help of Canada’s first …

1
Small Town Pride's Big Impact 30:48

2+ y ago30:48

30:48

Everyone remembers going to their first big Gay Pride event. However, if you're from a small town, Pride plays a more important role in creating safe spaces for Queers to connect and be themselves. In this episode, we explore LGBTQ2S Pride in the BC interior, Northern Saskatchewan, the Arctic and a tiny island off an island in Atlantic Canada.…

1
Saving 'Parc de l'espoir' From Bulldozers (Part 2) 35:46

2+ y ago35:46

35:46

This episode was released on World AIDS Day 2021 and the 30th anniversary of Montreal AIDS activists creating Parc de l'espoir. This is the conclusion to the story about Montreal residents who fought city bureaucrats to save 'Parc de l'espoir' from the bulldozers of a city "refresh" of the park. You'll hear from activists and gay village residents …

1
The fight for Montreal's 'Parc de l'espoir' AIDS memorial (Part 1) 30:14

3y ago30:14

30:14

One of North America's oldest HIV/AIDS memorials is located In the heart of Montreal's Gay village. It wouldn't have been possible without the courage of AIDS and community activists. This episode introduces you to some of the folks who fought to create the park against opposition from homophobic City of Montreal officials. It also uncovered someth…

1
Blane Charles: The NYC queen behind Quebec's current-day activism 25:31

3y ago25:31

25:31

I bet you didn't know that it was a Black American with a flair for fashion who inspired a new kind of in-your-face gay activism in Montreal. Blane Charles had already made a name for himself in ACT UP New York by the time he attended the 1989 International AIDS Conference in Montreal. Blane stayed in Montreal for a few years and co-founded ACT UP …

1
Claudy Philius' Hot Chocolate: A celebration of Black music 23:08

3y ago23:08

23:08

Discover how "Black music" transformed the 1990s club scene in Canada’s second largest city. Meet Claudy Philius, who created two of the hottest regular club events for Montreal’s Black Queer community. Hot Chocolate and the Girls In Da Hood celebrated Black culture and music, when black people were often made to feel unwelcome in the gay village. …

1
Lesbian author Jane Rule and the treasure inside her old dusty box 29:35

3y ago29:35

29:35

Jane Rule helped “create a nation” of Queer activists and activism along the west coast of Canada and the United States. She is one of the most influential authors and lesbians in Canadian history. Rule wrote honestly and courageously about Lesbian love and relationships at a time when it was still illegal to be a Lesbian in Canada. She contributed…

1
Greg Malone: Canada's first openly gay tv actors 29:59

3y ago29:59

29:59

One of the first openly Gay actors and comedians on Canadian television was Greg Malone. His comedic charm and unforgiving satire - of the Catholic Church or politicians - made him a star on the CBC. Greg shares what it was like growing up "Gay" in Newfoundland and Labrador, discusses his TV legacy, AIDS activism, dabbling in politics and how he’s …

1
Sex Garage: The Montreal police raid that sparked queer revolution 35:41

3y ago35:41

35:41

The violent Montreal Police raid of a popular after hours party known as ‘Sex Garage’ sparked two days of LGBTQ2S protests and a Queer rights revolution in the province of Québec. We must never forget the police violence, even as we celebrate the courage of Queer Montrealers and the ACT UP New York "groupies" who helped change everything. This is t…

1
The Truth About Canadas LGBT - TRAILER 1:48

3y ago1:48

1:48

Coming June 1, 2024 | Season 2 of Queer Legends shares The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge in a landmark, eight part documentary series. This is the first documentary to examine the full extent of Canada's anti-homosexual campaigns using newly declassified documents released by the LGBT Purge Fund. From ridiculous to shocking, you'll hear amazing…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Shawn Dearn Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast

Shawn Dearn

1
Legacy Of The LGBT Purge and A Queer Mystery - Pt.8 50:06

1
We Demand An Apology - Pt.7 50:16

1
The Ban On Gays In The Military Ends (On Paper) - Pt.6 50:29

1
Towards Equality For Some - Pt.5 53:29

1
We Demand and Lesbians In The Military - Pt.4 53:55

1
The Fruit Machine and Bedrooms of The Nation - Pt.3 44:14

1
How Canada's LGBT Purge Got Started - Pt.2 39:10

1
Queers of the First and Second World Wars - Pt.1 39:35

1
The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge - TRAILER 1:48

1
Everett Klippert: The only Canadian man imprisoned for life for being gay 13:32

1
Lorraine Segato and the Unexpected Queer Anthem: Rise Up 19:15

1
Margaret Cho: Comedian, actor, activist and inspiration! 17:42

1
The Only Known Gay Man on the Vimy Memorial 5:02

1
Queer Legends of 2022 51:14

1
The amazing Barbada From Barbados drag story! 27:26

1
Police Revenge After The 'Sex Garage' Protests 9:17

1
Canada's First Gay Prime Minister? 10:50

1
Disrupting The 5th International AIDS Conference in 1989 11:26

1
Michelle Douglas defeated Canada's ban on gays in the military 36:15

1
Small Town Pride's Big Impact 30:48

1
Saving 'Parc de l'espoir' From Bulldozers (Part 2) 35:46

1
The fight for Montreal's 'Parc de l'espoir' AIDS memorial (Part 1) 30:14

1
Blane Charles: The NYC queen behind Quebec's current-day activism 25:31

1
Claudy Philius' Hot Chocolate: A celebration of Black music 23:08

1
Lesbian author Jane Rule and the treasure inside her old dusty box 29:35

1
Greg Malone: Canada's first openly gay tv actors 29:59

1
Sex Garage: The Montreal police raid that sparked queer revolution 35:41

1
The Truth About Canadas LGBT - TRAILER 1:48

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