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We explore the unique lives and work of our community's leaders, professionals, and inspirational members--conversations about the challenges, courage, and dedication that are pillars of this community. We share new perspectives, insights, and knowledge about the rare disease that impacts our daily lives and guides our individual journeys. The National MPS Society exists to cure, support and advocate for MPS and ML.
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Season-2 Coming June 1, 2024 | Discover the true story of Canada's LGBT Purge in a landmark, eight part documentary series. This is the first documentary to examine the full extent of Canada's anti-homosexual campaigns using newly declassified documents released by the LGBT Purge Fund. From ridiculous to shocking, you'll hear amazing true stories from courageous survivors; academics; researchers; former MPs, cabinet ministers and a retired Chief of Defence Staff. Queer Legends is the 2023 Ca ...
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The road to justice for LGBT Purge survivors was not an easy one - even after the Government of Canada’s apology. Seeking justice also meant that Purge survivors had to confront and relive some truly terrible memories. The eighth and final episode in our series that tells The True Story Of Canada’s LGBT Purge celebrates victory; seeks accountabilit…
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Before the Government of Canada’s apology and before the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit, there was a small group of dedicated Canadians who were determined to get justice. This network of Purge survivors, academics, researchers and activists was known as the We Demand An Apology Network (WDAN). The WDAN group was the catalyst that led to the landm…
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By the early 1990s the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney knew it could not continue the military’s anti-homosexuality policies. However, his ministers and military kept looking for loopholes to continue their discrimination against LGB soldiers. Discover the behind-the-scenes legal drama that led to, what many consider to be, the end of the…
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The 1980s were a pivotal decade in Canadian politics and history, including key battles for queer liberation and rights. You’ll hear about former MP Svend Robinson’s efforts to get homosexuality into the Canadian Human Rights Act and protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the military and RCMP efforts to undermine the Charter rights o…
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Canadian queer resistance emerges in the 1970s and puts a spotlight on the injustices facing gays and lesbians. This caused further police, military and government crackdowns on queers across Canada - particularly in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa in the lead up to the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Lesbians in the Canadian Armed Forces were “walking a tigh…
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The Government of Canada and RCMP Intelligence Service engaged in unethical human research experiments on homosexual Canadians throughout the 1960s. Queer Legends' research sheds new light on the origins and timeline of Canada’s so-called "Fruit Machine" project and its clear links to Carleton University; the CIA’s MK Ultra program at McGill; and t…
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This is a true-crime episode. Gripped with paranoia about Soviet spies using ‘human weaknesses’ to steal government secrets, Canada and its allies started hunting for and eliminating homosexuals from government employment. Investigative journalist Dean Beeby tells the incredible story about how the RCMP interrogated a retired Canadian ambassador to…
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Welcome to Season 2 of Queer Legends: The True Story About Canada's LGBT Purge. We begin with amazing new research that has uncovered what life was like for gay and bisexual soldiers during the First World War. From the “gross indecency” laws that imprisoned heroic Canadian queer soldiers, to the military-sanctioned drag shows that made Ross Hamilt…
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Coming June 1, 2024 | Season 2 of Queer Legends shares The True Story of Canada's LGBT Purge in a landmark, eight part documentary series. This is the first documentary to examine the full extent of Canada's anti-homosexual campaigns using newly declassified documents released by the LGBT Purge Fund. From ridiculous to shocking, you'll hear amazing…
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The Calgary Gay History Project's Kevin Allen shares his research into an important and reluctant queer legend - Everett George Klippert. Klippert was the only Canadian ever declared a "dangerous sexual offender" by the Supreme Court of Canada and he was sentenced to life in prison for being incurably gay. Public and political outcry over the Klipp…
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Meet Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter, social justice activist and Member of the Order of Canada, Lorraine Segato in episode 17 of Queer Legends. As co-founder of The Parachute Club, Segato and her 1980s bandmates struck a chord with Canadians with their top 10 hit Rise Up, which helped inspire a generation of human rights and other activism du…
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It was an honour to be invited by the Canadian Labour Congress to host a 'fire-side chat' with comedian, actor, writer and human rights activist, Margaret Cho at their #CLC2023 conference! Hear about Margaret's connection to the labour movement, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, her involvement in anti-racism campaigns and the fight for a more equitable future. “Ev…
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Show Introduction: The host introduces the National MPS Society's Our Voices Podcast for the second season, focusing on unmet needs and areas requiring more MPS and ML community support. Emphasizes the lack of knowledgeable physicians in rare disorders like MPS and ML, leading to dismissive attitudes and missed treatment opportunities. Interview In…
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The focus of the second season: Unmet needs and areas requiring more support in the MPS and ML community Goal: Explore resources, provide guidance, and start conversations about meeting these needs Guest: Dr. Mary Kate LoPiccolo, Medical Biochemical Genetics Fellow. Discussion on the lack of specialized genetic doctors and researchers in regional h…
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Stephanie Cozine introduces Mark Dant as the founder and volunteer executive director of the Ryan Foundation, and former board chair of the Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases, and former president and CEO of the National NPS Society. Mark and his wife founded the Ryan Foundation in 1992 after their son, Ryan, was diagnosed with MPS I. The Ryan…
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This Queer Legends Quickie introduces you to Sarah Worthman, founder of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative. Worthman is investigating the persecution of 2SLGBTQ soldiers during the First World War by the Government of Canada and she has uncovered some amazing things. This story is the about a young, queer Canadian hero from Bra…
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In this episode: We go over what we've learned and experienced during the first season of "Our Voices." We share some behind the scenes info about the pre-interview process and meeting people we've admired in our community. We are fortunate to have many community leaders and pioneers come onto the podcast that has inspired us as parents, friends, a…
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In this episode of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast we're looking back at the legendary people and moments of 2022! Featuring queer activists, artists and community historians on what will be remembered about the “queer that was.” My guests include: Public health expert Michael Kwag, journalist Mel Woods, historian and author Hugh Ryan, recen…
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In this episode: Fanny shares her diagnostic journey to her diagnosis. She is from a large family in Chicago. A large family meant a lot of family gatherings for Fanny, and she refused to let her mobility issues keep her from them. This is an issue that affects a lot of people with mobility issues, especially during the holiday season. With her mot…
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In this episode: At 18 months of age, Olivia was diagnosed with Hurler Syndrome (MPS IH). She has always been an overcoming and has overcome every obstacle in her path, and now at 18 years old, she has the opportunity to go to college. Today we talk about Olivia's first semester at college and her being a trailblazer. And her parents' experience be…
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In this episode: Sheri Wise is a current member of the Society's board of directors. We discuss how great it is that there are more and more diagnoses in newborns and infants, but for us, it was later diagnosis and longer diagnostic journeys. "There wasn't much information about MPS before the internet, which was probably a good thing." ~ Sheri Wis…
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This self-made black queen has one of the most fascinating origine stories you've ever heard. "Barbada de Barbades" has been exciting drag and comedy show audiences across Quebec for nearly two decades. She co-hosts Call me Mother across Canada on OUTtv, is always booked for drag story hour and is currently popping up in online French advertising o…
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In this episode: We are back talking with Mike Hu about Project GUARDIAN. Project GUARDIAN advocates for and supports sequencing based newborn screening to identify pre-symptomatic patients who can either benefit from early intervention using existing treatments or eligible for clinical trials of novel treatments, at a disease stage when treatment …
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In this episode: Two of Mike's sons have been diagnosed with MPS II Hunter Syndrome. Mike paraphrases Steve Jobs, "The dots you cannot connect them looking forward, you can only connect them looking backward," when describing his journey with how his education, research, and career ultimately collide with his family life. Mike was born and raised i…
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In this episode: Kendra was born and raised in a small town in South Dakota, where her community nurtured her with inclusion and support. She has always been fascinated with psychology and sociology, leading her to pursue a degree from Augustana University. When Kendra moved to a larger community and now advocating for herself. She has a deepened d…
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On this episode: Annie, Morgan's daughter, was diagnosed about 10 years ago with MPS IIIA, also known as Sanfilippo IIIA. Children with MPS lack an enzyme that breaks down complex sugar molecules, which leads to progressive disease manifestations. Morgan shares her perspective on her daughter's initial diagnosis, including the initial encounter wit…
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Did you know? After the community protests against the violent 1990 raid of the queer loft party 'Sex Garage' (listen to episode 1 for details), Montreal police continued to harass protesters. Linda Dawn Hammond's photos put police brutality against 2SLGBTQ+ Montrealers in the headlines and that made her a police target afterwards. This episode's s…
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Did Canada already have its first gay Prime Minister? In Canada's capital, there's a romantic statue of Sir Galahad on Parliament Hill. It was created in 1905 by then future prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, in memory of a heroic act by his dearest friend. Former Member of Parliament, Bill Siksay, the first openly gay man to be elected t…
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On this episode: Today's guest, Lisa Todd is the current chair of the National MPS Society. Lisa is a CPA, focusing on work with non-profits. Lisa heard about the National MPS Society in an email from a friend after receiving her son's diagnosis with the subject line H.O.P.E. Her son was diagnosed at 8.5 years old, which is a pretty late diagnosis.…
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Montréal, Québec recenlty hosted the 24th International AIDS Conference. It was more inclusive and 'hopeful' and a lot different than the fifth international AIDS conference in Montréal in 1989. In this episode it was a pleasure to speak with athiest-AIDS-activist turned Concordia University professor, Karen Herland, who takes you behind-the-scenes…
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On this episode: Steve Holland has an extraordinary history with the National MPS Society. He was one of the early leaders who helped guide the society from being focused primarily on family support to now its larger issues of advocacy, research, and finding a cure. Steve shares some of his family's journey, and early diagnosis before treatments we…
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On this episode: Stephanie interviews Dr. Emil Kakkis, MD, PhD and Ryan Dant about the trials and tribulations of bringing a much needed drug to patients in a community desperately hanging on to the hope of one day having treatment and eventually a cure. Dr. Kakkis is a physician and researcher with a relentless work ethic who embarks on one of the…
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Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, the Government of Canada used to hunt down, harass and fire LGBT members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service. A young military officer named Michelle Douglas challenged the military and helped bring that shameful policy and the “LGBT Purge” to an end with the help of Canada’s first …
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On this episode: Jason interviews Isabel Bueso (born Maria Isabel Bueso Barrera), a Guatemalan activist with MPS, living in the United States under deferred action. After receiving an unexpected threat of deportation which meant no longer receiving her life-saving treatment and having to leave the only life she knew, this young woman recognized som…
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On this episode: In this special Bonus Episode, we wanted to introduce the dedicated individuals that will be hosting the official podcast of the National MPS Society: Our Voices. Terri Klein, Maureen Cote, Stephanie Cozine, and Jason Madison are here to talk about "This Mess Called MPS." Terri introduces the National MPS Society and explains what …
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Everyone remembers going to their first big Gay Pride event. However, if you're from a small town, Pride plays a more important role in creating safe spaces for Queers to connect and be themselves. In this episode, we explore LGBTQ2S Pride in the BC interior, Northern Saskatchewan, the Arctic and a tiny island off an island in Atlantic Canada.…
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Welcome to the National MPS Society: Our Voices podcast. This is such an exciting opportunity to bring the voices of community leaders, experts, and inspiring individuals to you. On your time, at your convenience from wherever you may be, whether that's home, in the hospital room, or even your morning commute. We will be taking a deep dive into lif…
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This episode was released on World AIDS Day 2021 and the 30th anniversary of Montreal AIDS activists creating Parc de l'espoir. This is the conclusion to the story about Montreal residents who fought city bureaucrats to save 'Parc de l'espoir' from the bulldozers of a city "refresh" of the park. You'll hear from activists and gay village residents …
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One of North America's oldest HIV/AIDS memorials is located In the heart of Montreal's Gay village. It wouldn't have been possible without the courage of AIDS and community activists. This episode introduces you to some of the folks who fought to create the park against opposition from homophobic City of Montreal officials. It also uncovered someth…
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I bet you didn't know that it was a Black American with a flair for fashion who inspired a new kind of in-your-face gay activism in Montreal. Blane Charles had already made a name for himself in ACT UP New York by the time he attended the 1989 International AIDS Conference in Montreal. Blane stayed in Montreal for a few years and co-founded ACT UP …
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Discover how "Black music" transformed the 1990s club scene in Canada’s second largest city. Meet Claudy Philius, who created two of the hottest regular club events for Montreal’s Black Queer community. Hot Chocolate and the Girls In Da Hood celebrated Black culture and music, when black people were often made to feel unwelcome in the gay village. …
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Jane Rule helped “create a nation” of Queer activists and activism along the west coast of Canada and the United States. She is one of the most influential authors and lesbians in Canadian history. Rule wrote honestly and courageously about Lesbian love and relationships at a time when it was still illegal to be a Lesbian in Canada. She contributed…
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The violent Montreal Police raid of a popular after hours party known as ‘Sex Garage’ sparked two days of LGBTQ2S protests and a Queer rights revolution in the province of Québec. We must never forget the police violence, even as we celebrate the courage of Queer Montrealers and the ACT UP New York "groupies" who helped change everything. This is t…
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One of the first openly Gay actors and comedians on Canadian television was Greg Malone. His comedic charm and unforgiving satire - of the Catholic Church or politicians - made him a star on the CBC. Greg shares what it was like growing up "Gay" in Newfoundland and Labrador, discusses his TV legacy, AIDS activism, dabbling in politics and how he’s …
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