Ian Iqbal Rashid is a poet and writer, and one of the co-founders of Desh Pardesh. In this interview he discusses the conception of Desh, its original visions and its its manifestation into an internationally recognized event. Rashid was not involved…
Heidi McKenzie was the co-coordinator of the Desh Pardesh festival alongside Steve Pereira for a year and a half, beginning in 1994. She discusses in this oral history interview the notion of multiculturalism in Desh discourse, representation in the…
In this oral history, Gita Kolanad talks about performing both in Singapore and in Toronto, as a writer, dancer, and martial artist. She says that what is most distinct about audiences in Toronto is their refusal of essentializing South Asian art.…
In this oral history interview George Hislop, 59 years old, discusses growing up gay in Toronto from the 1930 until the 1980s. He describes his early life, first homosexual experiences, coming out, education, participation in the Toronto gay scene,…
In this oral history interview Frederick Sproule, 88 years old, discusses his life as a gay man in Toronto from the early twentieth century onwards. The interview begins with Sproule describing his coming out experience when he was 18 and lived in…
In this oral history interview Elgin Blair and Richard Brown discuss their lives in Toronto as gay men. The interview begins with Elgin (58 years old) commenting on his coming out experience, his puritanical upbringing, his struggle to accept his…
In this oral history Dunstan Egbert describes how he started volunteering with the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP), and Desh Pardesh. He also worked with Khush, but explains why he identifies more as a ASAAP and Desi participant than…
Interview derived from the celebration of the Pride and Remembrance Run's 25th anniversary. Asked about how the run has changed through the years the interviewee has been involved, what makes the run so special, and about the run's future among other…
In this oral history, Cameron Bailey focuses on the uniqueness of Toronto’s art scene; he says that artists in Toronto can work together despite difference. He is only vaguely aware of the politics within Desh Pardesh. He also speaks about…
Interview derived from the celebration of the Pride and Remembrance Run's 25th anniversary. Asked about how the run has changed through the years the interviewee has been involved, what makes the run so special, and about the run's future among other…