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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

seek understanding instead of hate

Province, Central Alberta Pride recognize annual Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 17, 2021 | 1:45 PM

Monday marks the 17th annual International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Leela Aheer, Alberta’s Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, shared comments this morning, acknowledging that discrimination against LGBTQ2S+ people happens in Alberta, and that Albertans must stand united against it.

“It has taken decades of work by members of LGBTQ2S + communities and their allies to create safe and welcoming spaces in this province. We need to ensure that Alberta continues to be a place where people can openly, safely and freely express their sexual orientation, gender identity and love. Love is love: there are as many ways to love as there are lovers,” said Aheer.

“Today, let’s celebrate the progress we’ve made in ensuring equal rights for all, and let’s focus on ways we can improve ourselves and work together with our friends, families and communities to to fight against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. Simple actions like learning and respecting other people’s pronouns and having serious conversations necessary to fight prejudice are great ways to join forces with the cause.”

Shannon Humphrey, Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS) board member, says their experience with homophobia and transphobia has gone from being more blatant and in your face to systemic.

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“It’s simple things we don’t talk about like dress codes, or going into a workplace and if someone is looking at your resumé that doesn’t have your pronouns on it, your gender is assumed. That’s what needs addressing,” Humphrey says.

“The outright hate speech comes from a place of seeded hatred or loathing, or completely not understanding what certain things actually mean.”

Not being willfully ignorant is easier than most people realize, according to Humphrey.

“If you really want to know something, honestly just Google it. We have to be aware it’s not a lesbian person’s or a trans person’s job to be the person to do the educating. There’s lots of value in asking questions and having open dialogue if you have that type of relationship with someone,” they say.

“If you don’t, that’s why organizations like CAPS, Trans and Non-Binary Aid Society (TANAS), Trans Equality Society of Alberta (TESA), Youth HQ and many others exist; to have that knowledge base and people who can answer questions. Send us a Facebook message, tweet or an email.”

CAPS receives emails regularly, Humphrey says, from people seeking understanding, often the result of someone close to them coming out.

“We’ve had events where people came in saying they don’t identify as an ally, but they left saying they now had information to consider being one.”

CAPS will soon be updating its website to include a terminology library.

Other resources include the Togetherall service by Alberta Health Services, which includes a platform for anonymous conversations about gender- and sexual-diverse topics.

Kids Help Phone, affirming local churches like Sunnybrook, Gaetz United, and St. Andrews in Lacombe, as well as LGBTQ2S+ podcasts are great ways to become more knowledgeable, Humphrey says.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how we learn,” says Humphrey. “If you have good intentions, that’s what matters. When there are bad intentions, that’s what perpetuates transphobia, biphobia or homophobia.”