Pride feels different this year. While our community and allies continue to show up and build their businesses, side hustles, and creative projects, it has felt like the world is less understanding and accepting of Queer and Trans people. The Alberta Government’s continued attack on our community— whether it’s efforts to remove our stories from libraries, active efforts to prevent Queer and Trans kids from being their authentic selves, or removing 2SLGBTQI+ symbols from public institutions — has been draining to endure. Like many of you, I’ve had days where my grief, cynicism and anger felt overwhelming. In those moments, I felt relieved to have this community and the broader Queer and allied community to lean on for support.
Last fall, I hosted a panel with Adrienne Rosen (The Brunswick Four), Libby Davies (Former Liberal MP and member of the Order of Canada) and Kevin Allen (Calgary Queer History Project). I was fortunate enough to spend time with them before and after these events. To be honest, I was heading into the day feeling a bit depressed about the state of Queer and Trans rights in Alberta but minutes into conversations in the pre-show room, I was reminded that have we been here before but that the work we’re doing — building community, uplifting and supporting each other, finding ways to keep telling stories of Queer and Trans thriving — offers a path to progress.
We’ve been through this before and, together, we’ll get through this again.
It’s been one year since I took on the role of Executive Director of the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce. It’s a job I felt honoured to accept. We experimented early and often to see what sort of events, experiences and supports were most useful, re-focusing our specific role within the broader Queer biz ecosystem. We grew our membership base by 70% since September (now ~150 strong), built strategic partnerships with Calgary Pride, Bow Valley Pride, the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Canada, Queer Tech, and others (see full list here). We told stories of Queer and Trans thriving through entrepreneurship, leadership within established organizations and in community.
We re-launched our webinar series, hosted drop-in networking events and planned a summer of Pride events in both Edmonton and Calgary. If you’re in Edmonton next Thursday, be sure to drop by Arcadia Brewing Company between 5 and 8 pm to celebrate the launch of our partnered beer “Pride and Joy”, a blood orange pale ale. You can add the invite directly to your calendar here.
We’re also bringing events to Calgary, hosting a ticketed Cybersecurity workshop and networking event at the Marriott downtown on June 24th! Reach out if you’re interested in sponsorship or want to support in other ways!
Finally, in partnership with Calgary Pride, we will also be hosting a Queer Pride Market and Social at Calgary Marriott downtown (on the patio). If you’re interested in sponsoring this event (in-kind, cash or other creative ways) or would like more information about being a vendor, send me an email at elli.mcdine@ab-lgbt.com.
Snapshot of geospatial research showing anonymized Queer, Trans and allied businesses across the province completed in partnership with Chamber member, RWI Synthetics
One of the things I’m most excited about right now is the research program we’re building. We’re mapping queer, trans, and allied businesses across Alberta to understand where our community actually is, proving the economic and social impact those businesses generate, and identifying the real barriers people face when they start something new. The goal is simple: build the evidence base that unlocks more funding to keep hosting events, workshops and allows us to build more opportunities for our community.
In partnership with Community Futures Alberta, we’ll be hosting a webinar that will include an overview of the different research projects we’ve taken on this year and what we’ve found. If you’re interested in registering, you can do so for free here.
We’re also about to launch a way for our members to connect more directly with each other and learn about events (both ours and partnered organizations). We’re working with the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce to ensure the Queer, Trans and allied businesses in Alberta have greater visibility and more opportunities to connect.
This Pride month, i’m focused on all the people in our network this year who have showed up for Queer, Trans and allied people and businesses across Alberta. I’m focused on building these relationships, sharing our stories and advocating for Queer and Trans thriving right here in Alberta.
Here’s to the builders, the connectors, those showing up as their authentic selves, those getting it wrong and trying again, those creating more opportunities on their teams and making space for diverse voices around the table, those extending understanding to those who are clumsy but curious, those who love Alberta even when it sometimes feels difficult.
Happy Pride to all of you! I look forward to seeing you at one of our events this June (and throughout the summer!)
Sincerely,
Elli McDine
Executive Director, Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
