Month: January 2023

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Kelowna Mayor Speaks Out on Anti-Trans and Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ Hate

Kelowna, BC — In response to a recent community statement on the rising Anti-Trans and Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate in the Okanagan, Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and the City of Kelowna issued the following statement:

The City of Kelowna believes in an inclusive and diverse community where everyone is safe. We will not tolerate hate, intimidation or violence for any reason including against trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

“We feel this is a very positive message to our community and the public, and it is important to note the statement includes the words hate, intimidation, and violence as these are the tactics being used against us. This leads to an unsafe environment for all citizens,” says Wilbur Turner of Advocacy Canada. He adds, “Having this statement from the Mayor and The City sends a clear message these actions are not acceptable in a society that values diversity and inclusion. This stand adds to the growing solidarity denouncing hate that is being demonstrated by allies who are leaders in local businesses, community organizations, elected officials, and concerned individuals.”

The statement Standing Together Against Anti-Trans and Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ Hate may be viewed online here which includes instructions on how to have your name or organization added as well as other actions of solidarity that are welcomed.

About Advocacy Canada

Advocacy-Canada.lgbt is a Kelowna based non-profit organization with a mission to unite and amplify queer voices in support of creating positive change on important issues.

Media Contact

For media inquiries please contact Wilbur Turner:

Email: [email protected]

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It’s Not Therapy, It’s Abuse

The powerful short film is the result of a collective of 21 LGBTQA+ charities, coordinated by Stonewall, coming together to depict the abuse of a young trans person undergoing so-called ‘conversion therapy’ more accurately described as sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGIECE). The abuse seen in the 2.5-minute-long film is currently completely legal in the United Kingdom.

Directed by Zhang + Knight through Academy, the film, titled It’s Not Therapy, It’s Abuse, sensitively depicts heartbreaking scenes showing the abuse, coercion, and psychological harm inflicted on a young trans person forced into conversion therapy.

Accompanied by Douglas Dare’s rendition of the Pet Shop Boy’s It’s a Sin, the film shines a light on the various abusive methods that are used to attempt to ‘cure’ LGBTQA+ people and serves to raise awareness of the harm that continues to be inflicted on people in the United Kingdom while the practice remains legal.

This film is based on first-hand United Kingdom survivor testimonies and the campaign supports the introduction of legislation for a full ban on conversion therapy that includes trans people and protects the whole LGBTQA+ community.

Toby Allen, Executive Creative Director at The&Partnership said: “At The &Partnership, we champion belonging, diversity, and inclusion as a company and across society. We believe no one should be forced to change who they are, and our film makes clear that ‘conversion therapy’ is not therapy, it’s abuse. We’re proud of all our LGBTQA+ people, and proud to work on this campaign to promote a full ban.”

The campaign makes a clear distinction between valid forms of therapy intended to support LGBTQA+ individuals and so-called ‘conversion therapy’ intended to cure, change, or suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Statement on Rising Anti-Trans and Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ Hate in the Okanagan

Over the past year, trans and broader 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Kelowna and the Central Okanagan have noted a deeply concerning trend: increased mobilizations by anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ actors. This has affected our ability to carry out events safely, free from harassment and abuse. It has also led to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for trans and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities looking to organize and hold community events.

We think it is crucial to come together now and stand as a community against this wave of hatred. We also believe it is important to educate the public and our political representatives so that they may stand with us as allies.

Kelowna Pride Society along with Advocacy Canada, community members, and allies have put together a statement of solidarity and call to action to address this hate. We believe it is important to come together to educate the public and political representatives so that they may stand with us as allies.

Please read the full statement here. We request that you share this important information.

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Advocacy Canada Chair Appointed to Community Advisory Board on Homelessness

Kelowna, BC, January 10, 2023 — Wilbur Turner, Founder, and Chair of Advocacy Canada has been appointed as the 2SLGBTQIA+ sector representative to Kelowna’s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness (CAB-H).

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.

Reaching Home supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy, in particular, to support the most vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable, and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by the fiscal year 2027 to 2028.

The CAB-H is comprised of community stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of Reaching Home in Kelowna and to engage stakeholders and funding partners to work together to prevent and reduce homelessness.

The Central Okanagan Foundation, in the role of the Community Entity, is responsible for managing the Reaching Home Strategy funds under the Government of Canada and plays a leadership role in the implementation of Housing First in Kelowna. The Community Entity provides support and guidance to the Community Advisory Board on Homelessness to assist with the approval of sub-project agreements.