Discover Kootenay Queer History
Explore the rich and vibrant stories of the queer community in the Columbia Basin with the Kootenay Gay History Project. Join us in preserving and sharing these important histories. Get involved and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
What We Do
Historical Research and Documentation
We conduct thorough research to uncover and document the rich history of the queer community in the Columbia Basin. Photo: 1996 Nelson Pride Parade, West Kootenay Queer Archive at Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery.
Community Storytelling and Oral History Collection
We do solo oral history interviews as well as interactive workshops where community members can share their personal stories and contribute to the collective history of the queer community—preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. Photo: 2019, Fernie Pride Society's Tea with Queens.
Exhibitions and Publications
Curated exhibitions and publications showcase historical artifacts, photographs, and narratives to educate and celebrate queer history. Photo: The Castlegar Source, 2012.
Celebrate Pride, Remember Our Stories, Embrace History.
Discover Our Past!
Connect with Kootenay History
About Us
Kevin Allen
Historian
Kevin has been documenting and profiling queer people and events for 30+ years through freelance writing and editing for various queer publications, including Clue! Magazine, QC Magazine, Xtra! West, and Xtra.ca.
He is a career arts administrator who has worked for several non-profit organizations. Kevin was the first Historian in Residence at the new Central Library in Calgary and is a founder and past-president of the Fernie Pride Society. Kevin is the author of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary and The Big Bend: A History of West Fernie.