The Shaun Proulx Show - June 28, 2025

Trigger Warning: Host tears up on this episode.

Happy Summer to you! Watch this space for my annual #SummerOfYes series - find out what it is, and how YOU can let magic into your life just saying YES all summer long.

We concluded our June Pride Month series of shows with this episode, honouring queer youth making a mark: later in the show you’ll meet lovely gay rapper Alex Di Brita, who performed at Toronto Pride, and hear what he has to say about being young and queer in 2025.

We also revisit some queer history that is completely under-honoured. Over 50 years ago, four lesbians were arrested and then attacked in jail by Toronto Police after they took to the stage during Talent Night at the Brunswick House tavern. They had sung the song I Enjoy Being A Girl, from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, Flower Drum Song, changing the lyrics to “I Enjoy Being A Dyke.”

Once released, The Brunswick Four, as they would become known, returned to the bar to look for witnesses, and were immediately re-arrested and further brutally physically assaulted by police. And that’s just the beginning of a harrowing story in Canadian queer history, one that made national news headlines and united a community. On this episode, Adrienne Rosen, surviving member of The Brunswick Four is our special guest, and our conversation is a must listen, starting at the 15:40 mark.

With the fierce dyke known as Adrienne Rosen, of The Brunswick Four.

A commemorative coin Adrienne gave me that marked the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Stonewall.

But before all that: What are you reading this summer? New York Times bestselling author Christopher Rice, yes, THAT Christopher Rice - son of Anne Interview With The Vampire Rice - has another sun drenched queer romance novel for your beach reading: Party of Three - and he joins us first.

Enjoy the listen.