A drag performer on-stage at Pride in the Park, part of the 10th annual Central Alberta Pride Week, on Aug. 13, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

10th annual Central Alberta Pride Week

Minister Fir visits Central Alberta Pride celebrations, vows to listen to 2SLGBTQ+ community

Aug 13, 2023 | 4:38 PM

Alberta’s Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women says she’s prepared to listen closer to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Minister Tanya Fir, who confirmed her attendance on Friday, showed up at Pride in the Park in Red Deer on Sunday; the event serving as the conclusion to the 10th annual Central Alberta Pride Week, put on by Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS).

Fir initially gave brief remarks, telling the crowd she felt honoured to be there, and lucky to have the portfolio she does. Out NDP MLAs from Edmonton, Janis Irwin and Brooks Arcand-Paul, followed her up with lengthy, impassioned speeches about Pride.

What ensued after the opening ceremony was a half-hour private conversation between Fir and CAPS’ President Lenny Gallant, the opening of a door, seemingly, for a candid conversation about how the UCP can do better, and how they wish to do better.

Lenny Gallant, executive director, Central Alberta Pride Society. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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Gallant, speaking to rdnewsNOW, noted Pride Week 2023 has gone off without a hitch, and been a very positive experience for all who attended various events.

Fir’s attendance Sunday was a, “pleasant surprise,” to Gallant, who shares that local MLAs Adriana LaGrange and Jason Stephan have always responded to past years’ invites saying that they’re busy. This year, they didn’t respond at all, he says, hence the happiness with Fir’s attendance.

“The UCP are feeling they’ve been pushed away by the 2SLGBTQ+ community, so it sounds like they’re going to give us some support,” Gallant said optimistically. “They’ve been asked to not participate in the Calgary Pride Parade while others get to, and that speaks volumes. We invited all the parties to our event, but heard nothing, until last minute, except from the NDP.”

As far as the UCP feeling excluded, it’s hard to argue that wound hasn’t been largely self-inflicted.

Gallant points to legislative changes impacting GSAs and QSAs in schools, the nomination of Jennifer Johnson as an election candidate in Lacombe-Ponoka, and Premier Danielle Smith’s recent Calgary Stampede photo-op with a man wearing a ‘Straight Pride” t-shirt.

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Fir, speaking to media at the event, said she shares Gallant’s optimism and is excited to be working on diversity, inclusion and cooperation.

‘Love wins,’ a sign says at Pride in the Park 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Lenny talked a little about concerns around protests and the movement against them (the 2SLGBTQ+ community), and that we have to rise up against that to focus on what’s important, like inclusivity, love and what we have in common,” Fir said.

“It was disappointing to get the news that our application to march in the Calgary parade was declined, but it doesn’t change our efforts or our government’s desire to build community and relationships.”

Fir declined to speak for other MLAs like LaGrange and Stephan, but claimed there are many allies among the UCP caucus.

“The focus is working with this community, proving to and showing them that we genuinely care,” she added, then asked how they’ll prove it. “We can listen. I’ve reached out to Lenny and other cities and towns to make myself personally available to have candid conversations. He knows he can trust me, and I know I can trust him to teach and show me how we can support them beyond showing up at events.”

Legislatively, Fir says they first need input from 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and organizations.

“Let’s talk and see what the possibilities are,” she remarked.

READ MORE: Alberta premier didn’t read ‘straight pride’ shirt before photo, says spokesperson

Arts, Culture and Status of Women MInister Tanya Fir is seen here speaking at Pride celebrations in Red Deer on Aug. 13, 2023. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Meanwhile, MLAs Irwin and Arcand-Paul released a statement Sunday, in addition to their on-stage remarks.

“It’s a time to recommit ourselves to a province where everyone can be themselves in safety, respect and joy,” said Arcand-Paul, who this spring became Alberta’s first out Two-Spirit MLA.

“Our message of love and community will always be stronger. My message to any Albertan struggling with their own circumstances or the state of anti-2SLGBTQ+ activism in this province is that you’re not alone. We love you, you matter and we’d really like to meet you over the next couple of weeks at the many joyful pride celebrations happening across the province.”

The two also called attention, in their statement, to cancelled library Drag events, and a rise in hateful threats and incidents.

READ MORE: Ponoka church has rainbow steps vandalized with eggs and tar

On Fir, Gallant wishes she’d said more on-stage because as minister, her words carry much value.

“They’re making changes to be more supportive, it sounds like, but it’s going to take baby steps,” he stated. “They’ve got work to do, and there are bridges which need repairing, but she’s aware of that and it sounds like she’s up for the challenge.”

Gallant said Fir expressed to him that she had advocated to the premier for the portfolio which includes 2SLGBTQ+ issues.

Although her ministry in name does not include the 2SLGBTQ+ community, her mandate letter from Premier Smith indicates she’s to “Continue to support and engage with members of Alberta’s Francophone and LGBTQ+ communities.”

“I know our community will want a big change upfront, so I don’t know how accepting they’ll be of what I heard from her,” Gallant concluded. “Like I said, it’s baby steps. We cant change what has happened, but we can change how we move forward, and I hope she’s there with us to move us all in the right direction.”

Central Alberta Pride Week will return in 2024. To learn more, visit centralalbertapride.ca.