Reading Darrin Hagen’s memoir (this book is so many things, but this is term I’m sticking with) The Edmonton Queen: The Final Voyage was a really eye opening experience, and one that I could not bring myself to put down. This was another one of those instances that made me realize just how out of touch I am with this city that is so multifaceted. Granted that the time of Gloria and her girls was before my time (as I was born in the later bit of ’89), I had no idea that such a scene had existed, and continues to exist in Edmonton. In a big city like New York or Toronto it would not even faze me, but I guess I still downplay the size that Edmonton actually is. I have been completely ignorant to this whole world and that is probably one of the reasons I enjoyed Darrin’s book as much as I did. He let me into his world. I laughed, and I cried. And how I wish I could have seen it.
To no surprise then I was eagerly anticipating Darrin’s visit to class. And he did not disappoint. His writing is so honest you can’t help but become completely engaged in his memories of his larger than life experience. And he is even more engaging in person: full of energy, open, and absolutely unapologetic. I was in need of a good laugh today and Darrin delivered.
However, like many others, I did not realize the full extent that the government and the public had suppressed people in the gay community. I could not even imagine being refused the right to donate blood due to my sexuality. It was interesting hearing him talk about the developments that have come about in the last 30 or so years. Darrin has a line in the book where he says, “There’s nothing like walking in someone else’s shoes for discovering how much they hurt” and in a sense that is what I feel he allowed us all to do. He allowed us to share in moments from his past, which was a truly rewarding experience.
You stated that you "did not realize the full extent that the government and the public had suppressed people in the gay community." This would have been the case in many places (and in many places, it still is the case). Do you feel a sense of disappointment in Edmonton specifically for not accepting minority groups sooner? Or is this a generalized disappointment in any place that has suppressed people in the gay community? If you feel more disappointed in Edmonton, why is that the case?
ReplyDeleteThis was a very engaging treatment of Darrin Hagen's "memoir" and I take solace in your honesty. I, too, share in your ignorance of the multifaceted nature of Edmonton life—especially in terms of the "Drag" community. In this respect, I can also appreciate the strong connection with Darrin's voice that seemingly blossoms from a lack of connection to its true origins. In other words, the foreign nature of this text both estranged and encapsulated me. Darrin's heartfelt words opened my eyes to an unexplored world; a world of beauty, of laughter and of family—a world of drag.
ReplyDelete@Jamie I was really struck by all the things Darrin said to remind us of the history we forget so easily. I sometimes say that the two biggest cultural changes in my lifetime are gay rights and the anti-smoking lobby. It's amazing to think that just ten years ago you could lose your apartment or your job for being gay (in Alberta) - and that you could smoke in airports! Cultures can change really fast, and as you say it's important to remember where we've come from.
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