Q Hall of Fame Canada 2011 inductees: k.d. lang, former Straight scribe Kevin Dale McKeown, and more

Internationally renowned singer k.d. lang is among the best and bravest of Canadian LGBT community members who will be honoured in the 2011 Q Hall of Fame Canada.

The Q Hall of Fame Canada was created in Vancouver last year, with five inaugural inductees:
Ӣ Little Sister's Janine Fuller;
Ӣ entertainer Robert Kaiser (aka Joan-E);
Ӣ Imperial Empire of Vancouver founder ted northe;
Ӣ Olympian Mark Tewksbury;
Ӣ former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who helped to decriminalize homosexuality.

The national resource was created to celebrate the accomplishments of LGBT community member and allies who have fought for LGBT rights.

This year, there are 12 inductees from across Canada. Eleven of the inductees are individuals. Among the nominees is local publicist Kevin Dale McKeown.

McKeown, who has worked as a freelance writer and editor for various publications, was a theatre and arts critics for the Straight and also wrote a gay column in the paper from 1970 to 1975 (under the pseudonym Q.Q.). He has also worked in media relations and marketing for a variety of arts and cultural organizations, including the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, the Vancouver International Writers Festival, the Vancouver International Children's Festival, and the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. He currently works as the communications and special events director for the Alliance For Arts and Culture.

This year's inductees are:

”¢Rick Bébout: long-time journalist and member of the Body Politic;
ӢKaren Busby: law professor, solicitor, and human-rights advocate;
”¢Jeremy Diaz: founder of Jer’s Vision and national advocate for youth and equality in the education system;
ӢGens Hellquist: founder of the first gay/lesbian organization in Saskatoon in 1971;
ӢNiQ Lavergne: activist and founder of the Victoria Lesbian Buddy Program;
Ӣk.d. lang: internationally acclaimed musician, singer, philanthropist, and human rights activist;
ӢKevin Dale McKeown: journalist, author, and pioneer gay-community columnist;
ӢCynthia Petersen: a partner with the Toronto firm of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell, Petersen has argued a number of prominent cases on behalf of gay men and lesbians;
ӢMirha-Soleil Ross: artist, performer, entertainer, and activist;
ӢDelwin Vriend: Canadian who was at the center of a landmark provincial and federal legal case, Vriend v. Alberta, concerning gay rights in Canada;
ӢGarth Weins: entertainer, activist, and founder of many social programs in northern British Columbia.

The twelfth inductee is the Dogwood Monarchy Society (formerly the Imperial Empire of Vancouver), in the societies, charities, and organizations category. Founded in Vancouver by ted northe (who was inducted into the Q Hall of Fame last year), the organization has raised over 10 million dollars for Vancouver over the past 40 years.

An independent committee selects inductees from nominations received from LGBT communities.

On July 30, the red-carpet fundraiser gala and ceremony called Q Ball will be held at the Sheraton Wall Centre to officially honour the inductees.

The gala will be held at the end of the International Human Rights Conference. The Q Hall of Fame is teaming up with GLISA's North American OutGames and the International Human Rights Conference to host a symposium on Canadian hate crimes legislation.

Prior to Q Ball, the Q Hall of Fame is also holding the Tee Off to Fight Bullying fundraising golf tournament to benefit the Safe Online Outreach Society on June 24 at the University Golf Club.