LGBTQ2S+ Influential Individuals

Everett Klippert was born in Saskatchewan in 1926, the youngest of nine siblings. Two years later, his family migrated to Calgary in the late 1920s. Settling on the city's North Hill amidst a tight housing market, the Klipperts embarked on a series of moves before finding stability just north of downtown.

In the wake of his mother's death in 1933, Klippert's older sister Leah assumed a maternal role, guiding the family's evangelical Baptist faith as they attended services at Crescent Heights Baptist Church. He entered the workforce at the age of 16, initially working at his father's grocery store in Bridgeland, then worked for a time at Union Dairy, and then for eight years as a bus driver for Calgary Transit. In those days, upper-income homosexuals might meet at the bar of the famed Palliser Hotel, and then head back to someone's house, to avoid detection by the police. Mr. Klippert, according to later court testimony, preferred to attend boxing and wrestling matches, and visited local swimming pools. He also allowed young men on his bus for free and even slipped them a $2 bill now and then in exchange for their favours later on.

In 1960, Calgary police discovered his homosexuality, resulting in his arrest and subsequent imprisonment after a swift trial. Following his release in 1964, Klippert wanted to distance himself from Calgary where he thought he disgraced his family. He landed in Pine Point, Northwest Territories, where he found employment as a mechanic's assistant. However, his hopes for a fresh start were shattered when, on August 15, 1965, local RCMP officers interrogated him about an arson case, probing into his personal life. 

Facing pressure, Klippert confessed to consensual homosexual encounters with four individuals, fearing the consequences of refusal.

Subsequently rearrested and charged with gross indecency, Klippert received another three-year prison sentence. His ordeal took a dire turn when, three months into his term, he was labeled a "dangerous sexual offender" and subjected to indefinite preventive detention based on a psychiatric assessment declaring him "incurably homosexual."

Mr. Everett's sister, Leah, who was working as a legal secretary for the Calgary city solicitor, navigated legal channels and appealed unjust verdicts. Using her legal training, she filed leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada on Everett's behalf, and the Court agreed to hear the case. Klippert's appeal was met with a controversial 3-2 decision against him. The Toronto Star called the ruling "a return to the Middle Ages," written by Douglas Sanders. The Winnipeg Free Press editorialized: "It is possible to deplore such activity without treating its practitioners as if they were monsters." Even the Calgary Albertan wrote, "the spectre of a possible life sentence seems to us a little severe."

The public discourse surrounding Klippert's case played a role in shaping Canada's approach to LGBTQ+ rights. In response to the outcry, then Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau famously declared that "there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation," setting the stage for legislative change. However, the societal resistance to this reform, exemplified by figures like Calgary Police Chief Ken McIver, reflected entrenched biases and lingering stigma. He described homosexuality as “a horrible, vicious and terrible thing. We do not need it in this country.”

Decades later, on July 27, 2018, the Calgary Police Service issued a formal apology to Calgary's gender and sexually diverse community, acknowledging their historic opposition to Bill C-150 and expressing regret for their past stance. The apology marked a significant step towards reconciliation and recognition of the systemic injustices faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. 

In later years, when Mr. Klippert was asked to tell his story and to march in Pride parades, he refused. He died of kidney disease in 1996 at the age of 69 and was buried near the small town of Castor, Alberta.

Nancy Miller is a prominent figure in Calgary's LGBTQ2S+ community, known for her relentless advocacy and pioneering efforts in the fight for equality and human rights. Her journey as an activist and community leader is marked by significant milestones and unwavering dedication to the cause.

Nancy's commitment to justice and equality began early in her life. Immediately after high school, she joined the Military Police, a path that would soon intersect with her advocacy for LGBTQ2S+ rights. In 1983, Nancy took a courageous stand by testifying to the Canadian Human Rights Commission during their cross-country hearings on discrimination against homosexuals in the military. Her testimony was a crucial part of the efforts to challenge and change the discriminatory policies of the time.

Nancy's activism continued to gain momentum in the following years. She became a key figure in the Calgary Lesbian and Gay Political Action Guild (CLAGPAG), an organization dedicated to fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ2S+ community. During the early 1990s, Nancy played an instrumental role in organizing Calgary’s first Pride marches. These marches were not just celebrations but acts of resistance and visibility in a time when being openly LGBTQ2S+ was fraught with danger and discrimination.

In recognition of her tireless work and significant contributions to the LGBTQ2S+ community, Nancy was honored with the Chinook Fund LGBTQ Hero Award in 2016. This prestigious award celebrated her role in coordinating key equity-seeking actions and her unwavering commitment to the cause of equality. Her efforts have left a lasting impact on the community, inspiring future generations of activists and advocates.

Nancy Miller's legacy is one of courage, resilience, and profound impact. Her work with the LGBTQ2S+ community in Calgary has not only helped to pave the way for greater acceptance and rights but has also provided a foundation for ongoing advocacy and support. Through her activism, Nancy has demonstrated the power of standing up against injustice and has shown that one person’s dedication can lead to significant societal change.

Nancy continues to be a respected and influential figure in Calgary’s LGBTQ2S+ community, her life's work serving as a testament to the enduring struggle for equality and human rights.

Vivek Shraya is a versatile artist, whose creative journey spans across music, literature, visual art, theatre, TV, film, and fashion. Born and raised in a Hindu family in Edmonton, Alberta, she pursued her academic interests at the University of Alberta, earning a degree in English, and later at the University of Calgary for a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing. 

Vivek Shraya, a three-time Canadian Screen Award winner, has gained international recognition as the creator and writer of the new CBC Gem Original Series How to Fail as a Popstar, which premiered at Cannes. Her collaborations with musical icons Jann Arden, Peaches, and Jully Black and her Polaris Music Prize nomination further underscore her global influence. Her best-selling book I'm Afraid of Men, hailed by Vanity Fair as 'cultural rocket fuel,' and her role as the founder of the award-winning publishing imprint VS. Books, featured on CBC's Canada Reads, demonstrate her impact on a global scale. Vivek has been a brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene and a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation.

Vivek Shraya is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Calgary. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for diverse voices in the arts and continues advocating for LGBTQ2S+ rights and inclusivity. She is also the founder of the Arsenal Pulp Press imprint VS. Books, which aims to support emerging BIPOC writers. Shraya is currently a Tegan and Sara Foundation board director, which works for economic justice, health, and representation for LGBTQ2S+ girls and women.

Shraya's contributions to the arts and her advocacy work have earned her numerous accolades, including:

• Six-time Lambda Literary Award finalist
• Pride Toronto Grand Marshal
• The Writers' Trust of Canada Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers
• The Publishing Triangle's Honorary Membership
• The Canadian Women in Communications and Technology's (WCT) Leadership Excellence Award

Vivek Shraya's openness about her journey as a trans woman and her public discussions about gender identity, race, and their intersections have a profound impact on her audience. Her work catalyzes greater understanding and acceptance of diverse identities, inspiring and challenging her viewers.

Pam Rocker is a prominent figure based in Calgary, a certified DEIB Specialist (AIHR), atypical activist,  public speaker, award-winning writer, and educator, well known for her multifaceted contributions as an artist, activist, and speaker. She has dedicated her career to advocating for LGBTQ2S+ rights, social justice, and inclusion within religious communities. 

Rocker serves as the Director of Affirming Connections, an organization that strengthens and amplifies the affirming voices and actions of fully inclusive faith and spiritual communities and people in Central and Southern Alberta and beyond. She promotes awareness, provides resources, and fosters dialogue to bridge gaps between LGBTQ2S+ communities and religious institutions.

As a writer and performer, Pam Rocker has created and participated in various artistic projects, including [specific examples]. Her storytelling, which often centers on themes of identity, faith, and resilience, offers a powerful voice for marginalized communities, highlighting the strength of her work. In addition to her advocacy and artistic work, Rocker is a sought-after speaker and facilitator. Her engaging and thought-provoking presentations, which she frequently shares at conferences, workshops, and events, stimulate intellectual engagement and inspire new insights on LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, faith, and social justice.

Pam Rocker’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. Her work, recognized through numerous awards and accolades, reflects her significant impact on local and broader communities. Her commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance is a significant force that continues to inspire and influence many.

Anna Murphy is a woman fiercely passionate to call the communities of Calgary her home, she is a community-minded and engaged advocate for LGBTQ2S+ and women’s issues while striving to be a champion for equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility within her community.

In addition to her role as Visitor Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator with Contemporary Calgary, Anna has the profound honour and remarkable privilege of serving a city of trailblazers in a voluntary capacity as a University of Calgary Senator, Chair of the Senate EDI Working Group, Member of the O’Brien Institute of Public Health, Vice-Chair of the Gender Equity Diversity Inclusion Subcommittee of the City of Calgary Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee, Member of the Council Behaviour Working Group, Member of the Community Connections Subcommittee of the Calgary Stampede Agriculture and Western Events Committee, Member of the Calgary Foundation SAM Centre Community Advisory, and Member of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs National 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Council.

Anna was named the 2022 Calgary Stampede Western Trailblazer for her community activism related towards LGBTQ2S+ issues, as well as being a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her ongoing volunteerism and significant contributions to the province of Alberta.

Committed to giving her time to inspire even the smallest of change, Anna gives back in an effort to foster safe and affirming communities where all can see themselves and know their future as being an achievable reality - further, Anna recognizes that community building requires active and ongoing involvement, leading from her lived experience as a transgender woman who continues to navigate the realities which come from adversity and barriers created as a result of ongoing cultural and systemic inequity, along with lack of representation.

Veronika Vixen is a local Calgary-based trans drag performer who advocates for the exploration of gender identity and building supportive communities. As a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, Veronika has consistently championed equity, inclusion, and diversity in all her endeavors.

Born and raised in Calgary, Veronika discovered her passion for the arts at an early age. She pursued this interest rigorously, eventually earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Alberta University of the Arts. Her academic journey was marked by a commitment to exploring themes of identity, gender, and social justice through various artistic mediums. Veronika's artistic work is characterized by its vibrant, thought-provoking nature. She has showcased her art in numerous exhibitions, both locally and nationally, gaining recognition for her unique perspective and ability to challenge societal norms. Her pieces often incorporate mixed media, combining traditional techniques with modern elements to create dynamic, immersive experiences. Veronika highlights her art on a variety of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X, engaging a diverse audience and fostering an inclusive online community.

Beyond her artistic achievements, Veronika is a dedicated advocate for the LGBTQ2S+ community. She has been actively involved in various organizations, working tirelessly to promote acceptance and understanding. Veronika serves on the board of several local non-profits, where she focuses on initiatives that support marginalized groups and foster inclusive environments. In addition to her board roles, Veronika is a sought-after speaker and educator. She regularly conducts workshops and seminars on topics such as gender identity, diversity, and allyship, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to create more inclusive spaces.

Veronika's leadership extends to her role as a community organizer. She has spearheaded numerous events and campaigns that highlight the contributions and challenges of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Her efforts have been instrumental in increasing visibility and support for queer individuals in Calgary. One of her most notable achievements is the establishment of the annual Calgary Queer Arts Festival. This event brings together artists, performers, and activists from across the country to celebrate and showcase the diversity of the queer community. Under Veronika's guidance, the festival has grown into a major cultural event, attracting thousands of attendees each year.

Veronika's contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received several awards for her advocacy and artistic work, including the Calgary Queer Leadership Award and the Alberta Arts Impact Prize. These accolades reflect her dedication to making a positive impact in her community and beyond.