News & reports
OCTOBER 7, 2025
STORIES OF COURAGE AND CELEBRATION TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE COMING OUT MONOLOGUES 2025
Three nights of true stories, drag performance, and a free Queer Arts Exhibition & Makers Market at Contemporary Calgary.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALGARY, AB — RBC presents The Coming Out Monologues (TCOM), Calgary’s landmark festival of queer storytelling, returns October 10–12, 2025, at Contemporary Calgary. Presented by Calgary Queer Arts Society in collaboration with Reckless Daughter Creative and the generous support of RBC, this year’s program brings together storytellers, musicians, and drag performers for three unforgettable nights during International Coming Out Month.
Each evening features six storytellers sharing first-person accounts of identity, family, and belonging, alongside live music and Drag Sings Live—a performance series pairing drag artists with cabaret mentorship to deliver “one song, two ways,” including a live-sung version. Featured artists this year include Holtasoli, Ashtray Williams, and Mx Jendr.
Beyond the stage, audiences can explore the free Queer Arts Exhibition & Makers Market, showcasing work by local 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and makers all weekend long, from visual art and zines to textiles, ceramics, and jewelry. Festival-goers can also raise a glass of DIVINE: Fruited Hazy Pale Ale, a collaboration with Eighty-Eight Brewing, celebrating International Coming Out Day, featuring label artwork by emerging Calgary artist Contemporary Vice.
“Cabaret and drag have always thrived in times of unrest, offering both refuge and resistance in the face of rising hate,” says Kenna Burima, co-founder and music director of Drag Sings Live. “For us, stepping on stage to sing and share stories is equal parts joy, defiance, and community”.
“Queer and trans Albertans deserve culture, safety, and dignity—not threats that strip away our rights”, adds Shone Thistle, Executive Director of Calgary Queer Arts Society and Calgary Poet Laureate (2024–2026). “When governments target our community, spaces like The Coming Out Monologues become more than performances; they are acts of public record and collective care.”
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: October 10-12, 2025
Location: Contemporary Calgary – 701 11 St SW, Calgary, AB
Accessibility: ASL interpretation provided at every performance; barrier-free tickets available by request.
Tickets & Registration: $25 + GST – Available via Calgary Queer Arts Society and Eventbrite
Makers Market is free and open to the public.
ABOUT
RBC Presents The Coming Out Monologues - A signature program of Calgary Queer Arts Society, The Coming Out Monologues features first-person stories of identity, family, place, faith, and becoming. Each year, the series amplifies voices across Mohkinstsis/Calgary, from Rainbow elders to emerging artists, building connection through moments of revelation, tenderness, humour, and courage.
Calgary Queer Arts Society (CQAS) is a non-profit arts organization amplifying 2SLGBTQIA+ voices through festivals, performances, exhibitions, and year-round community programming, including Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival, The Coming Out Monologues, creative residencies, and intergenerational initiatives that reduce isolation and build belonging.
Reckless Daughter Creative - Founded in 2018, Reckless Daughter Creative cultivates courageous spaces through storytelling and performance. Driven by queer identity and art-making, the company has received multiple awards for new work at the Calgary One Acts Festival and continues to build community at the intersection of queer identity and art.
MEDIA CONTACT
Shone Thistle (She/They)
Executive Director, Calgary Queer Arts Society
E: shone@calgaryqueerartssociety.com
P: (403) 819-5926
MEDIA ASSETS
Full artist biographies & media-approved images are available HERE
we stand with Trans and Queer Albertans
Calgary Queer Arts Society (CQAS) is profoundly concerned by the Alberta government’s stated willingness to invoke the notwithstanding clause (Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) to shield legislation that targets Queer and Trans people—especially children and youth.
Calgary Queer Arts Society unequivocally stands for human dignity, safety, and equality. Using Section 33 to circumvent Charter protections for freedom of expression, security of the person, and equality is a departure from the spirit of a free and democratic society and places our communities at risk.
Why this matters
Health & Safety: Major medical bodies recognize that affirming care and respectful environments reduce harm and improve mental-health outcomes for Trans and gender-diverse people. Policies that restrict identity expression or access to care can lead to isolation, anxiety, and increased risk of self-harm.
Medical Accuracy: Puberty blockers do not cause sterility. They are a reversible, evidence-based medical option that gives young people and their families time to make informed decisions about their health and future. On Saturday, Sep 20, a statement was made by our government to the contrary.
Education & Belonging: Schools and community spaces must be places of trust. Forcing disclosure or limiting self expression undermines psychological safety and learning.
Civic Principles: Section 33 was designed as an exceptional measure—not a routine tool to avoid judicial scrutiny. Relying on it to curtail minority rights erodes democratic norms and social cohesion.
We call on the Government of Alberta to withdraw the threat to invoke Section 33, meaningfully consult 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, families, educators, and health experts, and uphold policies that respect Charter rights and evidence-based standards of care. We urge fellow cultural institutions, educators, health professionals, faith and civic leaders, and neighbours to stand with Queer and Trans Albertans.
CQAS will continue to create safer, inclusive, and creatively vibrant spaces through Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival, The Coming Out Monologues, workshops, and community programs. We will:
1. Centre lived experience of Queer and Trans people across generations;
2. Maintain safer-space protocols across all CQAS events;
3. Share resources and referrals for mental health, legal information, and crisis support;
4. Collaborate with partner organizations to amplify accurate information and practical support.
If you need support, help is available:
Crisis & Mental Health Supports
Distress Centre Calgary (24/7 Crisis line) – 403-266-4357 (HELP), distresscentre.com
Talk Suicide Canada (24/7 National) – 1-833-456-4566, or text 45645, talksuicide.ca
Kids Help Phone (24/7 National) – 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868, kidshelpphone.ca
2SLGBTQIA+ Supports
Skipping Stone Foundation (Calgary) – trans and gender-diverse health, social, and family supports, skippingstone.ca
Centre for Sexuality (Calgary) – counselling, youth groups, parent supports, centreforsexuality.ca
Calgary Outlink – peer support groups, information & referrals, calgaryoutlink.ca
Trans Lifeline – peer support by and for trans people, 1-877-330-6366, translifeline.org
Legal Information & Clinics
Alberta Human Rights Commission – information & complaint process, 1-780-427-7661, albertahumanrights.ab.ca
Calgary Legal Guidance – free legal advice clinics, 403-234-9266, clg.ab.ca
Edmonton Community Legal Centre – free legal help (provincial reach), 780-702-1725, eclc.ca
To our Queer and Trans community members:
You are seen, you are valued, and you belong.
~ Calgary Queer Arts Society