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Halifax’s historic lesbian and gay club, The Turret, is being honoured through Canada Post’s Places of Pride stamp series.
Opened in 1976 within the turret of Barrington Street’s Khyber building, The Turret was one of the few clubs for women in Halifax’s 2SLGBTQ+ community at the time.
Robin Metcalfe, former chairperson of the Gay Alliance for Equality, an organization that ran the club, said it became an inclusive haven.
“It was immediately clear that something had opened up because we had really good attendance for it and people had a wonderful time and the space was really kind of magical,” Metcalfe told CBC’s Information Morning Halifax.
Information Morning – NS7:01Halifax 2SLGBTQ+ historical landmark gets a ‘stamp’ of approval
A Halifax gay bar is the subject of a new stamp from Canada Post this Pride Month. It features “The Turret,” which was one of the first integrated gay and lesbian clubs in the city. It began holding dances at The Khyber building on Barrington Street, back in 1976. Robin Metcalfe tells Preston how it altered the course of local — and national history in the fight for gay rights.
The Turret became Atlantic Canada’s biggest gay club. Metcalfe said its ownership by a 2SLGBTQ+ organization was rare for the time.
“Either we were barely tolerated in the corners of otherwise straight bars, or if their bars were frequented largely by gay people, they were bars that were controlled by straight people or often by organized crime,” said Metcalfe.
The Places of Pride series commemorates pivotal 2SLGBTQ+ locations across Canada, including Saskatoon’s 1978 Metamorphosis Festival, Toronto’s 519 community centre and Halifax’s Turret.
Metcalfe said the club’s proceeds supported various community services and provided safe employment.
“The club was answerable to the community. If people didn’t like how it was run, they’d come to our monthly or bi-monthly meetings and let us know how they felt. It also provided employment in a queer environment for a lot of people from the community,” Metcalfe said.
The club closed in 1982 when its lease expired, later reopening at a new location under the name Rumours.
Metcalfe said the stamp coincides with Take Back the Turret, a community campaign he is involved with. The group is trying to stop Halifax city council from buying back the building from the Turret Arts Space Society.
“We really value the space and want this building to remain answerable for the queer community,” Metcalfe said.
Despite the preservation challenges, Metcalfe is glad the historic venue is being celebrated.
“I’m very pleased to see The Turret recognized. And it’s very celebratory, but it also recognizes that the Turret was part of a community struggle for our empowerment,” Metcalfe said.
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