It is of utmost importance to continue to learn and unlearn. We therefore highly encourage folks to attend the Vancouver Queer History Panel on our YouTube channel. Moderated by Charmaine de Silva, the panel is an excellent opportunity to connect with various queer activists. Join Brandon Yan, Chris Morrissey, Paige Frewer, Karmella Barr and Orene Askew as they share their experiences with us. This is a virtual event you do not want to miss!
Kay also known as Karmella Barr has had an interest in theatre and entertainment starting at a very young age – which led them to the wonderful world of drag! Karmella has been doing drag in Vancouver for 8 years, and is known for the amazing balance of emotion and glamour that they bring to their performances. This amazing balance earned them the title of “Miss Congeniality” in 2016 and then eventually Miss Cobalt 6 in 2017.
Orene Askew, also known as DJ O Show, is a passionate and energetic DJ and inspirational speaker. She is the recipient of an Indigenous Business Award and a Stand Out Award from the Vancouver Pride Society. O Show is a pillar of Vancouver’s LGBT+ community, serving on the boards of the Queer Arts Festival, Out on Screen, and Vancouver Pride Society. O Show is Afro-Indigenous and a proud member of the Squamish Nation, as well as a former member of the Squamish Nation Council. Orene recently received her Squamish Ancestral name, Tumáliya (Tum-All-ee-ya).
Paige Frewer is a co-founder/operator of Eastside Studios, and the host and organizer of the drag show, Man Up. Paige has been producing and facilitating queer cultural events, DIY venue spaces, and community engagement processes around equity and inclusion, since 2008. They have a passion for creating fulfilling, equitable, and inspiring queer community experiences, and centring its most marginalized members in the process. With Paige’s leadership, Man Up and Eastside Studios events have become fertile ground on which to experiment with bold new ideas for inclusion and community safety. In 2013, they helped create the Buddy System in response to an incident of sexual violence outside a Man Up event. The Buddy System has expanded as a decentralized network of harm reduction-trained peer support staff who support queer and non-queer events around the city. Paige is currently serving their second term on the City Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. Photo Credit: Kezia Naithe.
After Chris’ return from Santiago, Chile with her partner Bridget Coll, she began her advocacy work on immigration and refugee issues that impact LGBTQ+ people. In 1992 Chris challenged Canada’s exclusion of same-sex relationships from family sponsorship in federal court. As one of the founding members of LEGIT Canadian Immigration for Same-Sex partners in 1992 and Rainbow Refugee Committee in 2000 she has worked tirelessly for recognition and fairness for LGBTQ+ people seeking refugee protection or family reunification in Canada. As a community development worker in Canada she has worked with women leaving domestic violence and LGBTQ+ elders. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Brandon Yan is the Executive Director of Out On Screen, a B.C. film and education non-profit that produces the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and Out In Schools. Brandon identifies as a queer man of mixed Chinese-White heritage.
July 26, 7PM—8:30PM, Livestream
It is of utmost importance to continue to learn and unlearn. We therefore highly encourage folks to attend the Vancouver Queer History Panel on our YouTube channel. Moderated by Charmaine de Silva, the panel is an excellent opportunity to connect with various queer activists. Join Brandon Yan, Chris Morrissey, Paige Frewer, Karmella Barr and Orene Askew as they share their experiences with us. This is a virtual event you do not want to miss!
On the Panel
Kay also known as Karmella Barr has had an interest in theatre and entertainment starting at a very young age – which led them to the wonderful world of drag! Karmella has been doing drag in Vancouver for 8 years, and is known for the amazing balance of emotion and glamour that they bring to their performances. This amazing balance earned them the title of “Miss Congeniality” in 2016 and then eventually Miss Cobalt 6 in 2017.
Orene Askew, also known as DJ O Show, is a passionate and energetic DJ and inspirational speaker. She is the recipient of an Indigenous Business Award and a Stand Out Award from the Vancouver Pride Society. O Show is a pillar of Vancouver’s LGBT+ community, serving on the boards of the Queer Arts Festival, Out on Screen, and Vancouver Pride Society. O Show is Afro-Indigenous and a proud member of the Squamish Nation, as well as a former member of the Squamish Nation Council. Orene recently received her Squamish Ancestral name, Tumáliya (Tum-All-ee-ya).
Paige Frewer is a co-founder/operator of Eastside Studios, and the host and organizer of the drag show, Man Up. Paige has been producing and facilitating queer cultural events, DIY venue spaces, and community engagement processes around equity and inclusion, since 2008. They have a passion for creating fulfilling, equitable, and inspiring queer community experiences, and centring its most marginalized members in the process. With Paige’s leadership, Man Up and Eastside Studios events have become fertile ground on which to experiment with bold new ideas for inclusion and community safety. In 2013, they helped create the Buddy System in response to an incident of sexual violence outside a Man Up event. The Buddy System has expanded as a decentralized network of harm reduction-trained peer support staff who support queer and non-queer events around the city. Paige is currently serving their second term on the City Arts & Culture Advisory Committee. Photo Credit: Kezia Naithe.
After Chris’ return from Santiago, Chile with her partner Bridget Coll, she began her advocacy work on immigration and refugee issues that impact LGBTQ+ people. In 1992 Chris challenged Canada’s exclusion of same-sex relationships from family sponsorship in federal court. As one of the founding members of LEGIT Canadian Immigration for Same-Sex partners in 1992 and Rainbow Refugee Committee in 2000 she has worked tirelessly for recognition and fairness for LGBTQ+ people seeking refugee protection or family reunification in Canada. As a community development worker in Canada she has worked with women leaving domestic violence and LGBTQ+ elders. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada.
Brandon Yan is the Executive Director of Out On Screen, a B.C. film and education non-profit that produces the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, and Out In Schools. Brandon identifies as a queer man of mixed Chinese-White heritage.