John Greyson on incarceration, closet politics and John Baird

Artist/activist talks about why he went into the closet while in prison in Egypt

John Greyson made international headlines when he was imprisoned in Cairo’s infamous Tora Prison in August 2013. A grassroots movement was launched to help free him and his travelling companion, Dr Tarek Loubani.

John Greyson made international headlines when he was imprisoned in Cairo’s infamous Tora Prison in August 2013. A grassroots movement was launched to help free him and his travelling companion, Dr Tarek Loubani.

After his release, Greyson arrived back in Canada in October 2013 to a hero’s welcome. But during his imprisonment, his sexual orientation was kept under the radar. Newspapers referred to his longtime partner, Stephen Andrews, as a friend, and Daily Xtra pulled a clip from a video interview that referenced the fact that he is gay.

In the above interview, Greyson talks about why this decision was made, the politics of the closet and what he thinks about John Baird’s much-discussed sexual orientation.

A selection of Greyson’s videos, dating back to 1984 and including the recent Prison Arabic, are part of the Generations of Queer exhibit, an official WorldPride 2014 event, at OCAD’s Onsite Gallery.

Keep Reading

A pink background with two hands made out of American dollar bills in a handshake; behind the hands are women playing sports

Womens sports is booming. Can it continue ethically?

ANALYSIS: The WNBA and PWHL are thriving, but will problematic partnerships in the interest of profits threaten their success?
Protestors under a silhouette of a singer.

Is it time for Eurovision to face the music over Israel’s participation?

Pressure is mounting for the über-popular song contest to drop its most controversial contestant
Six members of the Rideau Speedeaus hold a sign with the league's name on it in front of a pool

Queer sports leagues offer safety and joy

Recreational sports leagues across Canada are offering LGBTQ2S+ people something essential: the freedom to just show up and play
The cover of 'I Remember Lights'; Ben Ladouceur

‘I Remember Lights’ is a time machine trip to Montreal’s gay past

Ben Ladouceur’s rigorously researched new novel is romantic, harrowing and transportive