Canada Post has released a new series of stamps to celebrate Pride Month and Canada’s LGBTQ2S+ history.
The new issue of Places of Pride features four illustrated postage stamps commemorating places and events from four cities across Canada that are pivotal to the country’s queer history.
One of the stamps highlights Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium. Founded in 1983 by Bruce Smyth, Jim Deva and Barb Thomas in Vancouver, Little Sister’s was targeted by Canada Customs for distributing “obscene” materials—like information about queer sexual health. That led to a lengthy legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled in the bookstore’s favour.
Another stamp depicts the 1978 Metamorphosis festival, which is considered to be Western Canada’s first celebration of queer culture. Organized by the Saskatchewan Gay Coalition, Metamorphosis took place over Thanksgiving weekend in Saskatoon and brought 200 people together for four days of dancing, live music and workshops.
The stamp series also pays tribute to The 519. Founded in 1976, the vital community hub is the first City of Toronto agency run by and for the LGBTQ2S+ community. In addition to being a safe space for Toronto’s queer community, The 519 also provides space and resources for other like-minded organizations.
The last stamp honours the Turret, the queer nightclub in Halifax operated by the Gay Alliance for Equality from 1976 to 1982. The Turret was a dance bar as well as a vital gathering place for LGBTQ2S+ organizing efforts. The Turret frequently hosted meetings and workshops as well as conferences like the 1977 Atlantic Gay Conference.
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