Moose Jaw Pride took part in 2 events in the Friendly City over the weekend.

Executive Director Joe Wickenhauser spoke about the first event held, which was 'Show and Tell with Pride'.

"Show and Tell with Pride was a fun day at the Western Development Museum as they are building their collection of material around gender and sexual diversity...The Western Development Museum is developing this Saskatchewan LGBTQ2 history collection. History within the LGBTQ2 community is sort of interesting because a lot of the time it had to be hidden for the safety of the people involved. Looking back to the 1970s, a lot of that is lost."

The second event was held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw with special guests Michelle Douglas and Wayne Davis. Both Douglas and Davis serve as board members for the non-profit “LGBT Purge Fund” and made a number of stops in Saskatchewan to raise awareness about the upcoming deadline for LGBT Purge survivors to access compensation.

"We had a film screening of 'The Fruit Machine' which is a documentary about the LGBT purge" said Wickenhauser. "LGBT people were fired, persecuted from the RCMP, the Canadian Armed Forces, and Canada's Civil Service."

Michelle Douglas served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Military Police Branch of the Air Force for 3 years before she was fired in 1989 as part of the military’s LGBT purge.

Wayne Davis joined the RCMP in 1967 and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. After a successful career, he was discovered to be gay and was forced out of the RCMP as part of the purge.

"I think this is one time in our history that not a lot of people are aware of, even myself. I think for a discussion like this to happen out at CFB Moose Jaw is particularly meaningful for Michelle [Douglas], who had never been back to a military base since she had been purged or fired for her orientation."

If you or anyone you know was affected by the LGBT purge between 1955-1996, you are entitled to a settlement and can get more information at lgbtpurgesettlement.com, or by calling 1-833-346-6178.

The claim deadline is April 25, 2019.