Pride

Generally Pride festivals are fun and celebratory of sexual and gender diversity with a dash of activism but too many of us seem to be completely forgetting our roots of activism and social justice. The Alberta CONservative majority government is making this painfully aware to me and many others. The recent passing of Bill 44 and the de-listing of gender reassignment surgery have slightly changed the atmosphere of this year's Pride in Edmonton (June 13, 2009). I am proud to say I was one of those contributing to this change.

Myself and a small group of other concerned citizens organized a bit of a protest during the celebration on the square. Celebration on the square features drag performances, speakers, and other entertainment. This year Heather Klimchuk, CONservative MLA and Minister of Service Alberta, was invited to speak at our event. The Pride Week Society most likely invited her to be inclusive, after all the queer community knows all about exclusion; however, they must have expected some protest to her presence.

Our group organizing the protest got a hold of a couple megaphones, made some tee shirts, and made some signs. We focused on repealing bill 44 and re-listing GRS, not directly targeting Heather, just her party. We planned to hold up our signs and begin some chants as she spoke. "Don't teach my kids about heterosexuality" was my sign, although I don't have kids, it's the idea that counts lol.

The protest could have been better if we could have had got more people involved but we had to keep it on the down low as to keep Heather from finding out, wouldn't want her to chicken out now would we? I feel it was a success, we still managed to be visibly against her government and, to some extent, her presence at our event.

Being an activist is not only fulfilling as I actively and publicly stand up for my values, but it also gives me the right to complain about policies and government actions I disagree with. I've never missed voting in an election since I was first able to at the age of 18, which is very rare here in Canada. If we all stood up for equality and human rights it would be a reality easier to achieve. However, apathy, both political and social, remains a huge problem in our society.

One of my biggest peeves is when people complain about how they're treated or what the government is doing and don't vote or do anything about it. I know so many GLBTQ people who are like this, it saddens me. Just 40 years ago homosexuality was illegal in this country. Countless numbers of people have devoted their lives to the fight for equal rights and acceptance, yet so many young people are now taking it all for granted. This fight will not resolve in our lifetimes, bill 44 has made it obvious.

Here is a video of the photos I took of the parade and celebration on the square.