Before the Parade: A History of Halifax's Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Communities, 1972-1984

by Rebecca Rose (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

In Before the Parade, journalist and activist Rebecca Rose brings her queer femme, feminist perspective to this compelling, and necessary, history of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community in Halifax.

Here are stories of being at the forefront; of founding a group to fight for gay liberation just three years after the Stonewall riots, of initiating the first nationally coordinated gay and lesbian day of action in 1977, and of spearheading a campaign to include sexual orientation in the Human Rights Act. A thoroughly researched, narrative history, this foundational collection includes perspectives and insights from the artists, businesspeople, academics, and organizers who—by way of living their lives, and through their activism—made it possible for so many others to exist, to be out, to be proud, to continue to push for change.

With over 40 black and white images and two colour inserts, Before the Parade shines a brilliant light on LGB Halifax’s compelling—and never before told—history.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, LGBT, Canada, Social Justice, Queer

200 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2019

Reviews

[ALI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too much to say here; I picked this up as research for an essay I’m writing, but would’ve enjoyed reading it outside of an academic setting as well! Since, I’ll admit, I’m not someone who enjoys non-fiction all that much (even if it’s a topic I’m really interested in) the shorter length of Before The Parade definitely helped. The formatting (font, photo placement/use, chapter length, language used) was simple and smart, which was also an asset. I appreciated the information provided around an indigenous perspective of relation with LGBT2S—while far from complete, it is a perspective I rarely see discussed. I also appreciated the focus on queer women’s movements. The only thing I will say I disliked was that in some places it felt Rose was using too many quotes in place of her own words; there were pages made up nearly exclusively of quotes, where Rose might’ve been able to paraphrase for the sake of fluidity. Otherwise, I enjoyed reading Before The Parade, especially living in Halifax myself.

[Kevin Kindred · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to be objective about this book, I know the author and many of the people who appear in the book. But I was delighted at every page to see history coming to life. There is so much to learn about our present and future by listening to the voices of our past. Kudos to Rebecca Rose for giving us those voices.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very specific local history, thoughtfully shared- an interesting and valuable work.

[Brianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Referring to an article written against the KKK that discusses the killings of LGBTQ and Black people by Klansmen and police alike, Rose comments it's eerie how much it sounds like it was written today. Given the recent rise in attacks on LGBTQ rights, particularly against transgender people and the trend of book banning in the states, reading this felt less like a history and more of a prophecy of what's to come. The good news is it also shows the path out: collective action, which Rose details both the inspiring and messy parts of.

I'm really glad this book exists, because knowing this specfic, own-voices history is important to honour those who've done the work, and help those of us doing it now.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful bouquet of stories and histories. Surprisingly intimate and endlessly clear. This isn't definitive (how could it be?) but it is incredible.

[Chris]

An excellent history, a story of activism and making the world a better place, how people went about it, and cleverly funded it to make the efforts to advocate for LGB rights self-sustaining. It's filled with real-life yet larger-than-life characters, evocative of not only a community but a time and place in my city, doggedly researched and beautifully written by Rebecca Rose.

[Margaret Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pile of fun -- LGBTQ++ history of Halifax... characters and places spring to life...

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joy to read! I learned so much about LGBTQ+ History in Canada. This book was impeccably researched and I really enjoyed all the primary source materials referenced. It was also so refreshing to see that the author actually interviewed so many folks to write this book-It really makes the reader emote, and I think it's so crucial (now and always) for us to be able to see history as a more than just a series of events, but as something individuals and communities created and lived. I definitely cried at various points in the book- putting myself in these people's shoes...Which was easy enough to do because of how well written this is, but also, because in some ways, the LGBTQ+ communities are still facing many of the same struggles as they were in the 70's + 80's: housing insecurity, hate crimes and violence, etc.

Can't wait to see what they write next! This has inspired me to dig more deeply into Canadian LGBTQ+ history.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lived in NS and Halifax from 1995 until 99 and thought I would recognize more names. I do remember being confused at there being separate womyn's dances, I was recently out and just thrilled to be at a dance and on the floor amongst everyone having a great time. Then there was friction between lesbians and gays who organized a very successful monthly dance in the country Hortonville Hall in the valley. I found this book to be scattered, one subject admitted to being involved in 15 organizations. So much duplication and unfocused energy. I did attend one dance in the Turret, dj'd by my then bf who was proud to dj in that space that was impressive. Halifax holds some memories but it is not a city that I would consider returning to except to visit.

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an out and proud gay man and author of gay-themed novels, I enjoy reading the history of gay struggles. On a recent trip, I got a copy of Before the Parade, a History of Halifax’s Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Communities, written by Rebecca Rose. The book is totally fascinating, written in a conversational manner, rather than the scholarly tone that many history books often have. Rose, through much research and—most importantly—interviews with those involved in the struggle for gay equality in Nova Scotia in the 1970s and 1980s—has put together a compact book that is filled with heart and history. Her “interviews” were mostly almost social meetings where she not only asked questions but got to know these pioneers. That is invaluable. They, in turn, let her peruse archives of information they were keeping, hoping to pass them on eventually. Rose reports that most of those documents are now safely archived in public collections. The struggle for gay and Lesbian rights, in Halifax and, in fact, in most places I’ve read about, involved similar stories, discrimination, demonstrations, and demands. Rose’s story is mostly about gays and Lesbians, for they were the first to make themselves visible. Even in their own movement and communities, males were sometimes discriminated against by females, and vice versa. During the time she reports, bisexual and transsexual individuals rarely felt welcome in the very communities that should have accepted them. It is good that today those whom she deems 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals have legal rights, are more visible, and are more accepted both inside and outside the gay and Lesbian community. We still don’t live in a perfect world, but conditions are much better than they were thirty to forty years ago when we were expected to refrain from whatever we did in the privacy of our bedrooms and, usually, expected to be invisible.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, its detailed and deliberate and contains a lot of local history. You can really tell a lot of research went in to creating this, and its a really powerful depiction of some of the people who built the queer movement in Halifax.
My father in law is 68 and borrowed this book from me, he said he could remember a lot of the stuff described throughout it.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! A history every Nova Scotian shoul read.

[Maddie Trower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I was gifted it by a friend and I am so greatful that this book exists. I can’t believe that there is so so much queer history in Halifax.

[Daniel Macgregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. An amazing read, excellently written.

[dobbs the dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastic book. A really thorough look at Halifax's LGB communities prior to the parade being established in 1984.

What I really liked is that, while it is obviously a queer history, it also shows how the queer community at the time was involved in all sorts of other activism, which just shows how historically, these communities/movements have been intersectional. It's so important to remember that and it's something that I strive towards in all of my activism.

I recently heard the author speak and it was incredibly powerful, and she spoke about how she wanted to make sure to get this book written while those founding folks were still alive. I think in Nova Scotia we are incredibly lucky to have those queer elders; two of them were even at the reading! It was phenomenal to hear their stories, the ones that didn't quite make it into the book, or their comments on the accounts from the book.

Really excellent read!