Happy May friends!
In preparation for this month’s newsletter, I stumbled upon a word that perfectly describes how I feel right now: muck-struck! It’s that feeling of being utterly astonished—and in this case, utterly amazed by our community. I’m a bit muck-struck realizing that I missed April’s newsletter (whoops!). I am also, and more importantly, muck-struck that I missed the opportunity to give a heartfelt shout-out, via our newsletter, to all of you—our community, partners, and sponsors—for making Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) such a beautiful and meaningful event. Thanks to all of you, TDOV was an unforgettable celebration of the strength and beauty of our trans and non-binary community.
There’s a lot to catch up on in this newsletter, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it! Keep reading below to stay current on all things Advocacy Canada.
- Our participation in the Design Day for Good initiative
- Len Pierre’s insightful Indigenous Allyship & Two-Eyed Seeing Workshop
- Highlights from Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV)
- Celebrating Asian History Month
- The exciting kickoff to Kelowna Pride
- A call for board members to help guide our mission forward
- And updates from our partners that you’ll want to know about!
If you’re not a member of Advocacy Canada, join now! Every dollar goes directly to our advocacy efforts.
Until next time, stay muck-struck,
Amber Hall – Director of Communications – Advocacy Canada
President Wilbur Turner Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
UBC grants honorary degrees each year to individuals who have made significant contributions to society. At UBC Okanagan’s spring ceremony, Wilbur Turner will receive an Honorary Doctor of Law for his dedicated advocacy as a national 2SLGBTQIA+ rights leader and founder of Advocacy Canada.
Let’s all extend a warm congratulations to Wilbur for his remarkable work. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make the world a better place.
Trans Day of Visibility
On March 31st, our community and allies gathered at the Laurel Packinghouse for a powerful Trans Day of Visibility event: “Together in Celebration: United in Solidarity.” Keynote speaker Marni Panas delivered an inspiring message of hope and courage, fostering a welcoming space where younger attendees felt comfortable asking questions.
Thanks to the generous support of our community partners and sponsors, we were able to offer entry by donation, ensuring accessibility and addressing food insecurity. We also proudly provided honorariums to our sy’lix knowledge keeper for the land welcome and to our talented performers. A huge thank you goes to:
Community Partners –The Bridge Youth and Family Services, Health Initiative for Men, Kelowna Pride, Free Parent Hugs and The City of Kelowna
Gold Sponsors –UBC Okanagan Equity and Inclusion Office, Okanagan College, Beem Credit Union & Rebellious Unicorns
Media Sponsor – Virgin Radio 99.9
Food & Beverage Sponsors – Naked Cafe, Sysco, Vic & Jo Tea Co and Dominos
Print Sponsor & Unicorn Sponsor – Signcraft
Unicorn Sponsors – Mosaic Books, Galleon Immigration & Citizenship Services, Raymond James Aura Wealth Management, & Okanagan Thrift
Remember to support our sponsors the next time you’re looking for a service or product they supply.
5th Annual Design Day for Good
Chris Bingham, owner of Cyan Bold Design, and volunteers came together to help local nonprofits amplify their visual voice on Saturday, April 5, 2025! Wilbur Turner (President) and Amber Hall (Director of Communications) spent the day with a creative team that included Jeremey from Evolve and Michelle from Maverick examining our website functionality, re-vamping our You Belong merchandise and creating some social media templates to be used to help amplify our refresh.
We are working with our merch company to get new items and will have our newly branded mugs and stickers for sale at Kelowna Pride Festival. We still have lots of items in our store available for purchase. Get your “vintage” You Belong items before they are all gone! Our You Belong trucker cap is the perfect item to keep the sun out of your eyes this summer!
Indigenous Allyship & Two-Eyed Seeing Workshop with Len Pierre
On March 19th, our President and Director of Communications had the privilege of attending the Indigenous Allyship & Two-Eyed Seeing Workshop, hosted by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Facilitated by the insightful Len Pierre, the workshop was a powerful opportunity for participants to reflect on the importance of allyship with Indigenous communities.
Through thoughtful discussions and shared wisdom, the workshop highlighted ways to integrate anti-racism and Indigenous knowledge into both personal lives and professional practices. We were encouraged to examine our roles in fostering inclusivity and to deepen our understanding of Indigenous perspectives, particularly through the lens of Two-Eyed Seeing — a holistic approach that blends Western and Indigenous knowledge systems.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage in this essential learning and encourage you to explore the presentation materials, which are available on Len Pierre’s website here.
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month 2025: Unity in Diversity
The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2025 is “Unity in Diversity: The Impact of Asian Communities in Shaping Canadian Identity.” This powerful theme recognizes the vibrant diversity within Asian Canadian communities and celebrates how this richness has played a vital role in shaping the fabric of Canadian identity. Just as our nation’s identity is strengthened by its diversity, so too are the Asian communities in Canada, whose contributions are integral to our shared history and future.
As we celebrate Asian Heritage Month, we invite you to stay connected with us on social media, where we will spotlight trailblazers in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Their stories of resilience, courage, and leadership are inspiring, and we are excited to amplify their voices in celebration of both Asian and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Our Board of Directors is Looking for You!
Why Join Our Board?
Joining our board is an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic, evolving organization that’s laying the foundation for lasting impact. As we transition from a working board to a governance board, we’re focused on building a robust fund development plan and applying for charitable status, setting the stage for even greater things to come.
As a board member, your voice, experience, and leadership will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of Advocacy Canada. Your involvement will directly contribute to the success of initiatives that support and uplift queer and trans communities in our region — and beyond.
If you’re passionate about making a tangible difference and helping drive meaningful change, we’d love to have you on board!
Click here to learn more.
#weareallies
We’re thrilled to share that our partners at Transcare BC have launched a bilingual version of their resources and website, making vital information on gender-affirming care more accessible than ever. This is a huge step forward in supporting trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary youth in our communities.
#weareallies, believes in amplifying voices and sharing experiences to provide meaningful resources for those navigating gender identity and affirmation. By visiting Transcare BC’s newly updated website, you’ll have access to valuable information, personal stories, and the tools to equip yourself and other allies with the knowledge needed to better support the trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary communities.
Pride Month Countdown Begins!
Our friends at Kelowna Pride Society are gearing up to kick off Pride Month with Kelowna’s Annual Pride March and celebration on May 31st, 2025. It’s going to be an unforgettable day of joy, unity, and advocacy — and we’d love for you to be part of it!
We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help with the setup, staffing, and tear-down of the Advocacy Canada booth. If you’re interested in lending a hand, you can sign up to volunteer here. Your support will make a huge difference in ensuring our booth runs smoothly and serves our community to the fullest!
We’re also holding our annual 50+ Pride event on June 22…A TEA DANCE! We’re looking for sponsors, volunteers and donors to help make this a success! Contact us for more information on how to get involved.
Kelowna Pride is also seeking sponsors, vendors, and volunteers to help make this event a huge success. If you’d like to get involved, don’t hesitate to reach out to them directly through the Kelowna Pride website.
This Space Presents…
We’re thrilled to announce that This Space is opening a new community hub in downtown Kelowna! This vibrant space will be a safe, welcoming environment for IBPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-24, offering a variety of programs and services tailored to their unique needs.
This new hub marks a significant step forward in their ongoing mission to create safer, more inclusive spaces where young people can connect, grow, and thrive. This Space is committed to providing the tools and community necessary for young people to feel empowered and valued.
Learn more about this exciting initiative and the important work happening here.
IN Magazine
In case you missed the latest issue from our media partner, IN Magazine, you still have time to catch up on the latest issue.
Don’t miss this edition, which features:
- An in-depth interview with queer choreographer Jonte’ Moaning
- A profile on author Eddy Boudel Tan’s latest thriller
- A look back at queer history
- And more!
IN Magazine is our national 2SLGBTQI+ media partner.
