VIVO and Daily Xtra team up to save historic Vancouver LGBT TV series Gayblevision

Did you know Canada's first TV program made by gay people for gay people was from Vancouver?

Gayblevision (1980 to 1984), and its sister series Pacific Wave (1984 to 1986), made history by doing just that, producing over 80 hours of video to cover issues and events in the local LGBT communities, ranging from sports and entertainment to political and social developments.

VIVO Media Arts Centre is trying to restore and digitize all of these videos for archival storage, in the hopes of creating a free online archive as well.

VIVO is teaming up with Daily Xtra to hold a fundraiser for the digitization effort on Sunday (May 15) at the Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie Street) from 6 to 8 p.m.

Newly digitzed clips from Gayblevision will be shown at the event. One dollar from the sale of all Absolut Vodka drinks and Red Truck IPA pints will go towards funding the digitization and archival project.

Daily Xtra will also match all donations received, up to a total of $1,500.

The event is free but an RSVP is encouraged.

And if you still want to help save history but can't make the event, donations can also be made through Canada Helps.