Late in 88

Alberta has always been known as one of the most conservative provinces in Canada. Imagine growing up as a queer kid in Calgary in the 1980s...there were definitely some challenges. In this episode of Late in 88, hosts Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda explore the impact that Olympic fever had on their friends when the Winter Olympic games came to town in 1988. Olympic tales are told between childhood classmates, sporting events are remembered (looking at you ski ballet), and historian Kevin Allen joins Bronwin and Elinor to add some historical context.  Find out more about Kevin Allen and his work: https://calgarygayhistory.ca/author/calgarygayhistory/ Follow Kevin Allen on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yycgayhistory/ Episode Resources: Sporting Gender: The history, science, and stories of transgender and intersex athletes Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary (book - adult) – Kevin Allen Do we need to rethink gendered sports? (article & video - kids) Calgary Outlink (Organization) Calgary Gay History Project (web resource) Camp Firefly (Alberta 2SLGTBQIA+ youth camp) For a complete list of 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and resources visit: https://latein88.com/resources/

How much can you remember from your childhood? Say, when you were eight years old? It may be a bit fuzzy, but this is where we meet the hosts of Late in 88, Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda. They travel back to grade four; a time when they both identified as tomboys but never really understood where they belonged. Through discussing their shared challenges surrounding gender identity and queerness, they arrive at the question: what if they would have been friends? Would it have made a difference? They take turns recalling the pertinent moments of these formative years and invite old classmates, Kate, Amanda, Shalini, and Dave, to join the conversation.  Episode Resources: My Kid is Gay (organisation) The Gender Creative Child: Pathways for Nurturing and Supporting Children Who Live Outside Gender Boxes (book - adult) Born This Way (book - kids) A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities (book - kids) SOGI Film and Video resources Brené Brown on Empathy (video) For a complete list of 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and resources visit: https://latein88.com/resources/

Introducing Late in ‘88: a new podcast hosted by Bronwin Parks and Elinor Svoboda. The two grade school classmates will share their experiences of growing up queer and gender non-conforming in Calgary, Alberta 1988, at a time when there wasn't language to describe identities that were fringe and undefinable. By shining a light on their middle childhood, Bronwin and Elinor explore the impact of historical context and the gift of contemporary language that allows more freedom of self expression. The series will welcome many special guests and experts including gradeschool classmates, professors, doctors, and experts in their fields. Bronwin Parks is a Calgary city kid who grew up to be a rancher, rodeo cowboi, and the founder of the award-winning Feisty Creative, a top-notch creative agency for the music, film, television, and digital media industries. Through Feisty, Bronwin has worked with brands, award shows, and all of Canada’s major music labels. Since coming out as queer in 1996 at the age of 16 and later in 2020 as non-binary, Bronwin has fought hard to be a much-needed and outspoken champion for diversity and equity. Their dedication in fighting for systemic change has led them to serve on several music and creative industry boards, pushing DEI initiatives, creating inclusive spaces, and bringing more opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Elinor Svoboda is an award-winning filmmaker, sound designer, educator, with over 20 years of experience. Her work has been nominated for both Grammy and Juno Awards, shortlisted for the Berlin Film Festival, and premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival. Notably, her 2012 short Documentary Tegan and Sara: INDIA was broadcast and distributed internationally via Warner Brothers Music. Alongside her directorial and sound work, Elinor works as a dedicated educator, having previously served as a sessional professor at Sheridan College and an instructor at York University. She has also been a faculty member of the Training in Power Academy of Meditation and Healing for the last 20 years. Having spent several years in Toronto, Elinor recently returned to her home province of Alberta, where she is developing several television and feature narrative projects under her company, Ellefire Media.