Prairie Fairies

A History of Queer Communities and People in Western Canada, 1930-1985

About the Book

'Prairie Fairies' draws upon a wealth of oral, archival, and cultural histories to recover the experiences of queer urban and rural people in the prairies. Focusing on five major urban centres, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton, and Calgary, 'Prairie Fairies' explores the regional experiences and activism of queer men and women by looking at the community centres, newsletters, magazines, and organizations that they created from 1930 to 1985.  Challenging the preconceived narratives of queer history, Valerie J. Korinek argues that the LGBTTQ community has a long history in the prairie west, and that its history, previously marginalized or omitted, deserves attention. Korinek pays tribute to the prairie activists and actors who were responsible for creating spaces for socializing, politicizing, and organizing this community, both in cities and rural areas. Far from the stereotype of the isolated, insular Canadian prairies of small towns and farming communities populated by faithful farm families, 'Prairie Fairies' historicizes the transformation of prairie cities, and ultimately the region itself, into a predominantly urban and diverse place.

About the Author

Valerie J. Korinek holds a doctorate in cultural history from the University of Toronto. She is Professor of Modern Canadian History at the University of Saskatchewan, and past Department Head. Named the Provost's Outstanding Teacher for the College of Arts and Sciences in 2017, Dr Korinek offers classes in gender, cultural, food and sexualities histories. Her research has been recognized with SSHRC external research funding, and has won awards for research excellence including Best Article Prize from the Committee on the History of Sexuality and Best Feminist Book from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women. She is the author of 'Roughing It in the Suburbs: Reading Chatelaine Magazine in the Fifties and Sixties'. She is the co-editor of 'Edible Histories, Cultural Politics: Towards a Canadian Food History'; and 'Finding a Way to the Heart: Feminist Writings on Aboriginal and Women's History in Canada.'

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