Pride Cancelled 2019
Shades of Colour Community YEG
It is with profound disappointment that we express our appallment at the actions carried out by the Edmonton Pride Festival Society, which culminated in their decision to cancel the 2019 Pride Festival.
We are calling this decision for what it is: namely, a disavowal of deep systematic problems in the framework of EPFS as well as an attempt to dismiss, target, and put out of play the efforts put on the part of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour in the LGBTQ2S+ to point towards alternatives on how this organization carries out its activities.
Time and again, EPFS has taken advantage of some of the most vulnerable members in its community - as we may remember on April 4th 2019, EPFS was uncaringly willing to deploy the very policing institution that they are still under fire for defending at the expense of racialized and colonized members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Edmonton Pride Festival Society has repeatedly taken multiple steps backwards in reassessing and reasserting its commitments in the community---whatever was called progress last year is but an empty statement when they are willing to put communities into further vulnerable positions time and again. Here we are talking about immigrants and refugees that have already been persecuted, policed, and incarcerated as well as 2SLGBTQ+ folks, it takes a certain lack of tact to do this.
We believe this announcement is an attempt to redirect the discontent arising from the cancellation of the Pride Festival onto communities that have done nothing but speak their truth. We will see blanket statements such as “letting the haters win”, but the problem is much more profound than that. In the decisions carried out by the EPFS, no one won, except some lost systematically more deeply than others.
With the awareness that the Executive Directors of multiple 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and institutions are meeting on April 10th, we stress that systematic restructuring of these organizations is in order. With consistent failures to rise to occasions of accountability, we plead for taking a look at what these organizations have become of themselves under its current frameworks.
- Shades of Color YEG
Kae Cathy Palmer
@[886350264:2048:Eric James] 😢😢😢😢
Eric James
@[100011702390568:2048:Kae Cathy Palmer] don’t you worry we still gon hoe around the ave 🏳️🌈
Alexis Hillyard
effffff
Molly Ezzard
@[588843353:2048:Tayler Bothwell] heres some info on the thing
Tami Bui
Cisgender, white, abled, settler PRIDE INC has been a farce for far too long. Fake meaningless non existent solidarity with members of the lgBT2IQ communities. Cancelling maybe a stop gap. Better than “business as usual”. As the Toronto and Vancouver - both colonial names - continues to sputter and fail on many levels, we hope for the day when no cops/no military/no corporations happen. That so called pride is about organizing on the front edge of social justice / equity issues!
https://facebook.com/CoalitionAgainstTransAntagonism/
https://facebook.com/CoalitionAgainstTransAntagonism/
Karla V. Oteiza
@[100000360218164:2048:Josie Hamilton]
Winnie Chen
@[556774387:2048:Cam Mark] @[100009600510917:2048:Matthew Polishak] shortened
Zoso Birss
Please help signal boost our qtibpoc comrades.
Kashmala Fida Mohatarem
Hello, I'm a reporter with Star, Edmonton. I was wondering if someone is comfortable speaking to us about this? I sent you a pm as well. Please let me know. I would really appreciate it.
Freeman Willerton
First of all, and regardless of absolutely anything else being discussed right now, I need to say that I am sorry that POC are being targeted as being responsible for the cancellation of Pride. It’s wrong in every way. If there is any way I can use my privilege to help, please let me know. I’ve already put some public opinion posts chastising the blame in a couple known community groups with a strong base of white members. Please let me know if I can do more.
From the perspective that the Pride Festival is the organization that represents the entirety of the LGBTQ population in the Edmonton region, yes, I would agree absolutely agree that the interpreted actions of the festival have perpetuated systemic marginalization. Hands down.
I was at the membership meeting the other night and I when I saw the cops show up my heart sank. I don’t know if it was the board who called them or not, but that was 100% the wrong decision and undoubtedly it was made based out of a completely unnecessary fear. Those of you “protesting” (though I don’t like to use that word for this circumstance because that isn't what I saw) were vocal, but everyone was very peaceful, even during the period you forced yourselves inside. There was absolutely no reason to call the police. Honestly, the situation could have been managed far better by the board.
That said, I feel that it is in everyone's best interests to remember the human equation to the organization we call The Edmonton Pride Festival Society.
The Pride Festival Board of Directors (completely separate than the Pride Centre btw) currently consists of 8 volunteers. Those 8 volunteers are tasked with putting on a half million-dollar festival that hosts 50 thousand people. That festival has a ton of moving parts like working with the city to manage road closures, traffic re-routing, transit management, safety management, etc. And were you aware that the directors themselves are actually legally liable for what happens at pride? Even to the point of criminal liability if someone is hurt due to negligence? Then you add in that they are always trying to keep up to and even lead newer, more inclusive ways of being. This is all happening in a hot political climate and in a divided (often unsupportive) community. And to add even more on their plates, a few months ago the key staff member who had been integral in planning and executing the festival for the past 7 years left for another position.
I’m not saying that how Pride handled all this was right, but I am asking everyone involved to recognize not just the limitations of the board, but the humanity of the board members themselves. They are a volunteer board doing their best to represent our entire community without the support of the community. Why are there only 50 members when Pride is serving thousands?
You want to know the reality of what happened? Why pride was really canceled? The 8 volunteer humans broke. They didn’t decide to run away from the issues. They just broke. There are 8 people sharing (in their own ways) the weight of the entire community with you all.
For clarity, there were a few very strong allies among that board and the board itself wanted to do the right thing. They were simply ill-equipped for all this and in turn made a few poor decisions in how they handled things. And by “all this” I don’t mean specifically navigating these recent demands. I mean the structure of the Pride Society has been crumbling for years due to lack of community involvement and support. These recent events just happened to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Its a shitty situation for everyone, most especially the POC groups who are being blamed.
That all said, maybe this will be a good thing (not the hate messages part of course). Maybe now we can all work together and build a structure that everyone has input and confidence in? I thought I could help lead that a few years ago when I was the board chair, but that obviously wasn't the right time. Maybe this is the right time? Maybe this can unite us all? I hope so anyway.
From the perspective that the Pride Festival is the organization that represents the entirety of the LGBTQ population in the Edmonton region, yes, I would agree absolutely agree that the interpreted actions of the festival have perpetuated systemic marginalization. Hands down.
I was at the membership meeting the other night and I when I saw the cops show up my heart sank. I don’t know if it was the board who called them or not, but that was 100% the wrong decision and undoubtedly it was made based out of a completely unnecessary fear. Those of you “protesting” (though I don’t like to use that word for this circumstance because that isn't what I saw) were vocal, but everyone was very peaceful, even during the period you forced yourselves inside. There was absolutely no reason to call the police. Honestly, the situation could have been managed far better by the board.
That said, I feel that it is in everyone's best interests to remember the human equation to the organization we call The Edmonton Pride Festival Society.
The Pride Festival Board of Directors (completely separate than the Pride Centre btw) currently consists of 8 volunteers. Those 8 volunteers are tasked with putting on a half million-dollar festival that hosts 50 thousand people. That festival has a ton of moving parts like working with the city to manage road closures, traffic re-routing, transit management, safety management, etc. And were you aware that the directors themselves are actually legally liable for what happens at pride? Even to the point of criminal liability if someone is hurt due to negligence? Then you add in that they are always trying to keep up to and even lead newer, more inclusive ways of being. This is all happening in a hot political climate and in a divided (often unsupportive) community. And to add even more on their plates, a few months ago the key staff member who had been integral in planning and executing the festival for the past 7 years left for another position.
I’m not saying that how Pride handled all this was right, but I am asking everyone involved to recognize not just the limitations of the board, but the humanity of the board members themselves. They are a volunteer board doing their best to represent our entire community without the support of the community. Why are there only 50 members when Pride is serving thousands?
You want to know the reality of what happened? Why pride was really canceled? The 8 volunteer humans broke. They didn’t decide to run away from the issues. They just broke. There are 8 people sharing (in their own ways) the weight of the entire community with you all.
For clarity, there were a few very strong allies among that board and the board itself wanted to do the right thing. They were simply ill-equipped for all this and in turn made a few poor decisions in how they handled things. And by “all this” I don’t mean specifically navigating these recent demands. I mean the structure of the Pride Society has been crumbling for years due to lack of community involvement and support. These recent events just happened to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Its a shitty situation for everyone, most especially the POC groups who are being blamed.
That all said, maybe this will be a good thing (not the hate messages part of course). Maybe now we can all work together and build a structure that everyone has input and confidence in? I thought I could help lead that a few years ago when I was the board chair, but that obviously wasn't the right time. Maybe this is the right time? Maybe this can unite us all? I hope so anyway.
Alexis Hillyard
absolutely - yes, this is so important - to remember compassion and humanity!!!
Justin McAllister
What events took place on April 4th?
Aly Sildra
Thank you for this Freeman, a very articulate and compassionate response. I truly hope that our QTIBPOC friends can be better supported and heard.
Freeman Willerton
@[548618124:2048:Aly Sildra] they need to be. Its up to us who hold privilege to temper ourselves, to listen, and to be patient first. Its up to us to take the first steps in creating a safe space for safe communication. Its important to receive that in return of course also, but we absolutely need to do it first.
(and thank you for the compliment btw)
(and thank you for the compliment btw)
Sandra Anderson
@[624896647:2048:Freeman Willerton] thank you for posting this helpful & non-blaming description of what went down. It’s been hard to get any facts as there is so much mudslinging going on.
Freeman Willerton
@[727330146:2048:Sandra Anderson] You're welcome.
Gordon M Hardy
I'm outraged and disappointed to see that the Directors of the Pride group have turned their backs on the QTIBPOC communities. What good is Pride if it only serves cis gay white men? The Directors should immediately resign and turn over all the org's cash to the QTIBPOC communities.
Gordon M Hardy
I mean all their cash, company credit cards, petty change, and bus tickets, all to deserving members of the QTIBPOC communities, plus 25% of future earnings.
Freeman Willerton
Nope. The police shouldn't have been called at all. I was there. The group did force their way in but it was completely non-violent. There was zero need for police presence.
Freeman Willerton
We can mince word definition and connotation as much as you like, but the fact remains that calling the police was unnecessary and in turn caused far, far more harm to the entirety of the situation.
Alexis Hillyard
@[624896647:2048:Freeman Willerton] absolutely.
Roopa Somayaji
@[863655092:2048:Michelle Gagnon]
Ryan Ro
There is some brutal stuff going around totally misrepresenting the "demands" bipoc made of pride and trying to sweep any harm done to bitpoc under the rug. Sigh. :/
Ryan Ro
"what good is pride if it only serves cis gay white men?"
Should have stopped there.
Should have stopped there.
Alex Hollander
Wow, so disgusting - and somehow not shocked or disappointed!
Alex Hollander
“I’m straight white and cis I want more rights than anyone else!”
