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Host, co-host and producer of The Word Is Out, CKDU Campus Radio 1990 to July, 1994
I was recruited by the amazing BrendaBarnes of CKDU to be a volunteer at the station. I dabbled in a few ventures from an evening news reader and a couple music shows... but my great joy was working on the LGBTQ radio show called The Word Is Out. I started assisting Brenda with the show but eventually took it over myself. Not long after, We then decided the show needed a female co-host and we found that person in JaneKansas. I knew immediately she was perfect! Incredible energy, intelligent, creative and super funny. Her brand of humour with her quick sharp wit was gold. She quickly became very popular on the show and I was more than happy to take a back seat and have her take “center stage.”
We also added a few other guests to the show and we all had a blast putting everything together. At least I did anyway. 🤗😁Without a doubt that 4 year experience was the highlight of my late 20’s.
In 1994 I made the decision to move across country to Vancouver BC. Before I left , I wanted to end my time at CKDU with a bang and created a 24 hour broadcast called All Day, All Gay. It aired on Canada Day.
We had loads of variety and topics, music and hosts to do individual segments. It was a day to remember. Bittersweet, for me , but on a personal level my time at CKDU it was one of my proudest achievements.
At the Pride Parade Rally in the days shortly after our broadcast, I was presented with the Halifax Queer Of The Year 1994 award for my work, presented by Jane Kansas. It was a fitting end for my life in Halifax at that time.
Fast forward to 2024 with Yesterday being Canada Day: I remembered and quietly honoured the 30th Anniversary of that All Day All Gay broadcast, thinking about Jane, (may she rest in peace and power) and all the other wonderful talented people involved at the station.
I shared that award with everyone there in spirit as it really does take a village to put something like that show together.
In loving memory of The Word is Out 1990-1994. I hope it’s continued and evolved.
Dan Smith, Vancouver BC, July 2, 2024