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Legislating Love: The Everett Klippert Story
Aspiring historian Maxine is researching Canadian social policy when she discovers the story of Everett Klippert—the last Canadian man jailed simply for being gay.
Maxine becomes fascinated with Everett's case and with discovering the man beyond the headlines, a beloved Calgary bus driver on the downtown route who took care to brighten the day of his passengers, who played on the family baseball team and was everyone's favorite uncle, and who, when he was confronted by police about his sexuality, refused to lie.
Inspired and captivated, Maxine interviews people who knew Everett Klippert. She connects with a senior at a local assisted living facility she knows only as Handsome, one of Klippert's lovers and perhaps the only person who can truly illuminate the past. At the same time, Maxine is navigating her own new relationship with Métis comedian Tonya.
Legislating Love is a heartwarming play that weaves together past and present in a multi-generational exploration of queer love. It tells the near-forgotten story of one of Canada's quiet heroes and reminds us all that the past must be remembered as we work together for a better future.
Maxine becomes fascinated with Everett's case and with discovering the man beyond the headlines, a beloved Calgary bus driver on the downtown route who took care to brighten the day of his passengers, who played on the family baseball team and was everyone's favorite uncle, and who, when he was confronted by police about his sexuality, refused to lie.
Inspired and captivated, Maxine interviews people who knew Everett Klippert. She connects with a senior at a local assisted living facility she knows only as Handsome, one of Klippert's lovers and perhaps the only person who can truly illuminate the past. At the same time, Maxine is navigating her own new relationship with Métis comedian Tonya.
Legislating Love is a heartwarming play that weaves together past and present in a multi-generational exploration of queer love. It tells the near-forgotten story of one of Canada's quiet heroes and reminds us all that the past must be remembered as we work together for a better future.
153 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2019
About the author
Natalie Meisner
10 books8 followersNatalie Meisner is a writer from Lockeport, Nova Scotia. Her plays have been produced across the country, won numerous awards, been collected in book from and appear in numerous Canadian Anthologies. She is also a wife and the mother of two great boys, and divides her time between Lockeport, Nova Scotia, Den Haag, Holland, and Calgary, Alberta. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at Mount Royal University where she teaches creative writing and drama.
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April 29, 2021Enlightening and beautifully written one of my fav reads of 2020
April 27, 2020
A fantastic read. Natalie Meisner is a compelling author. There is a lot of research and love put into this book and it jumps out on every page.
February 10, 2023
A fantastic, compelling, and tear-jerking experience. Meisner takes research from the past and gives it real life. The work done in this play takes the reader through the grief ridden and hidden experience of our community, while turning that grief to power and celebration in the community and love we have today. A stellar read for anyone who wants to know more, knows the story, or just wants to be inspired!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews