In this installment, we will be screening Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story (2024):

Delwin Vriend never wanted to be a human rights activist, but in challenging his firing for being gay, he set in motion a chain of events that impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ people — not just in Alberta, not just in Canada, but around the globe (dir. Darrin Hagen).

Senator Kristopher Wells (Canada Research Chair for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth, MacEwan University) will provide a special introduction to the film.

Immediately following the screening, there will be a special discussion on: "The history of the queer rights movement in Edmonton as reflected on film". 

Moderated by Senator Paula Simons, panelists will include:

Michael Phair (founder of the AIDS Network of Edmonton, Past Chair of the Board of Governors, University of Alberta, and the first openly gay elected politician in Alberta

The Honourable Justice J.C. Lloyd (Alberta Court of Justice, Edmonton Family and Youth; and one of the first openly LGBTQ2S+ judges in the Alberta Court of Justice)

Murray Billett (Diversity Advisor for the RCMP, LGBTQ2S+ advocate and human rights activist)

This event is presented in partnership with the Edmonton Queer History Project, Edmonton Community Foundation and the Alberta Human Rights Commission.