Though the Supreme Court’s ruling on Vriend v. Alberta helped pave the way for equality for Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities, maintaining the road to dignity for all has been tumultuous.
There have been many setbacks, followed by advances, followed by setbacks in the subsequent years.
It took the Government of Alberta (GOA) 11 years to officially add the words “sexual orientation” to its human rights legislation.
It also amended its education act to prohibit teachers from mentioning sexual orientation in schools without advising parents first. This was Alberta’s equivalent to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.
And it rolled back equality rights by removing privacy protection for 2SLGBTQI+ youth who were involved in Gay/Straight Alliances at their schools.
But there have also been administrations, regardless of their political leanings, that have worked to repair and advance the path forward including Allison Redford, David Hancock and Rachel Notley.
In this episode, we will explore the importance of individual activism, as the pivotal movers in our story reflect back on what was one of the more memorable experiences in their lives.
And we’ll hear their advice for changemakers who are looking to carry the torch.
Welcome to the final episode of Vriend Versus Alberta.
*NOTE: The terms “Queer and Trans” and “sexual and gender minorities” are used in this series to refer to the 2SLGBTQI+ community as a whole. We acknowledge the great diversity within this community, and you can find more information about this here.
Archival audio of Delwin Vriend, et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, et al was used with permission from the Supreme Court of Canada.
Links: Read the Supreme Court’s ruling on Vriend v. Alberta.
Listen to the From Here to Queer podcast’s episode with Allison Redford.
Watch Senator Paula Simon’s speech in the Red Chamber about Vriend v. Alberta.
Learn more about Vriend v. Alberta from the Alberta Labour History Institute.
Learn more about Vriend v. Alberta on the University of Alberta’s Bridging Connections podcast.
Learn more about Vriend v. Alberta on the Edmonton Heritage Council’s Edmonton City as Museum Project podcast produced with Alberta Labour History Institute.
EPISODE IMAGE: Dr. Kristopher Wells speaks about the “vast disparities” within the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and how intersectionality needs to be recognized as the pursuit for equality evolves. CREDIT: Edmonton Community Foundation
