City's new park honours LGBTQ trailblazer
Site named to commemorate an early leader in the city's LGBTQ community
A crowd gathered Wednesday to celebrate the opening of a new park in the Beltline that's been named to commemorate a leader in Calgary's LGBTQ community.
The Lois Szabo Commons, at 936 16th Ave. S.W., is decorated with plants, trees, mint green and wood benches, intricate light posts and a concrete ping-pong table.
The park has been named after Lois Szabo, one of the founders of Calgary's first gay club, Club Carousel, which opened in 1970.
Szabo, who was present at the park's unveiling, was an early leader for the local LGBTQ community.
She publicly signed Club Carousel's incorporation papers, volunteered her time there to organize social events that promoted connection and social change, and her efforts sparked similar organizations in other cities across the country.
“I am very proud and pleased to be chosen as a representative of our city's gay community,” Szabo said Wednesday. “We have overcome many obstacles and now we are very much a part of the mosaic of Calgary.
“Today's dedication is a wonderful milestone and a huge step forward for LGBTQ rights.”
Szabo said she arrived in Calgary with her husband and two children in January 1961 after living in Europe and other Canadian cities. She came out to her husband three years later — at the time, being gay was still illegal and “often life-threatening.”
“There were very few places gay Calgarians could meet, and this resulted in my decision to create a safe haven where we could all be our true selves.
“The result was the formation of
Club Carousel, the first co-operative, membership-owned gay club in Western Canada,” said Szabo.
Club Carousel became a community hub for social activists and political activism, and a space to discuss human rights.
The club was charged for illegal operation of a dance hall by city police on its opening night in March 1970. But it reopened as a private social club under the Alberta Societies Act.
It's important that the names of places in the city represent the real stories of the people — especially the women — who built the city, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said at the park.
“She was courageous during a time when many didn't accept LGBTQ. Lois created a safe space for community and for political activism that would shape the Calgary we are today,” said the mayor.
“I want you to think about what it took, and what kind of courage it took to be able to do that at a time when it was almost unthinkable that people could be their true and real selves in public.”
Coun. Evan Woolley said the park is an incredible monument to a person who has led conversations and advocacy for the local LGBTQ community for decades.
“Though we've come a long way, this work is still before us,” said Woolley.
Szabo was nominated to Calgary Parks by One Voice Chorus, who sang an a capella song for the crowd gathered at the park.
The curved gathering area, flexible seating and ping-pong table were heavily influenced by residents who engaged with the city and offered their opinions on what they'd like to see in their community.
Kyle Ripley, the director of Calgary Parks, noted how vital such a vibrant park is for the Beltline.
“We believe the success of the Beltline as a neighbourhood hinges on initiatives such as this park being created,” said Ripley.
The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.