October is a funny time of year, especially in the Okanagan. The seasons are shifting, and we are filled with optimism of change.
One thing I am especially excited about is our Celebration of Trans and Queer Joy on October 26th! We’re bringing you an afternoon of a human rights discussion, food, a glam station, and performances by the Okanagan’s most beloved drag performers.
Grab your tickets now, before they are gone, to secure your entrance. (Tickets are by donation, with no one turned away for lack of funds.) RSVP here.
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 including:
- Board of Directors Updates
- Advocacy Efforts…we’ve been BUSY!
- Celebration of Trans & Queer Joy
- Call for Sponsors and Volunteers
- Community partner updates
Until next time,
Amber Hall
Director of Communications – Advocacy Canada
A New Addition to our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is voted in yearly at our AGM. This year’s AGM is on October 28th. Register here.
We want to extend a warm welcome to our newest Director and Interim Secretary, Sophi Chiasson (she/her.)
Sophi is a proud advocate and member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As a Red River Métis and Mi’kmaw Woman, Sophi is passionate about advocacy for the queer and BIPOC communities.
Having grown up in both the Kootneys and the Okanagan, Sophi now calls West Kelowna home and is dedicated to nourishing the community she’s grown to love.
Sophi has eagerly studied many subjects, from anthropology to training to be a paramedic, and although she is still figuring out where exactly life is going to take her, she knows that she wants to make a difference and do something that helps people. She cares deeply about justice and equality, and looks forward to bringing her knowledge about queer and Indigenous issues to her position with Advocacy Canada, as well as continuing to learn and grow as an advocate, activist, and person.
A lifelong creative, Sophi is also the proud owner of Wrapped In Ribbon, a small business making Indigenous ribbon skirts.
Advocacy Efforts
Hate Has No Place on City Property
A scheduled event on public property in West Kelowna on August 23rd raised a serious question:
Why is the City allowing a MAGA-aligned figure with a history of hate speech to rent city property?
While we acknowledge the positive role churches and religion often play in communities, some groups use religion as a platform to spread harmful rhetoric.
This “artist,” known for violating U.S. criminal codes, promotes hate toward identifiable groups, specifically targeting gay, lesbian, bisexual, nonbinary, and transgender Canadians.
We did not ask for censorship.
We asked the City of West Kelowna to cancel the rental of public space due to the threat to public safety and the strong likelihood that this venue—paid for by taxpayers—would be used to promote hate.
Following an Advocacy Canada led letter writing campaign, the City cited safety concerns and revoked the event permit.
Thank you to everyone who wrote to City Hall. Your voices helped ensure that city owned spaces remain inclusive for all.
Hate Has No Place in Our Legislature, Either
In October, we learned of an upcoming “gender ideology” talk by Chris Elston ,to be held in the Hall of Honour.
Our President, Wilbur Turner, learned of this event and initiated a letter writing campaign and call out to the Speaker of the Legislature to draw attention to the invitation.
In response, we were advised that the “talk” had been moved to the Ned Le Beck Lounge, an area that is not publicly accessible. Furthermore, we were assured that a policy review would take place to ensure that the legislative buildings are not a venue that platforms speech that is against BC’s human rights laws..
Trans & Enby March & Celebration
Kelowna Pride’s Trans & Enby March and Celebration originally scheduled during Pride Month, but Mother Nature had other plans.
On September 26th, Advocacy Canada joined our community and allies to march and celebrate our trans and enby community.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30th, we honoured the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
At Advocacy Canada , we are committed to acknowledging our role in truth and reconciliation. We promise to continue educating ourselves, support Indigenous-led initiatives and urging everyone to move beyond performative gestures.
Please:
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.
Learn whose land you live on.
Speak up when someone denies the truth or distorts history
There is no reconciliation without truth. And there is no justice without courage.
We stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and recommit to walking the long road of truth, accountability, and healing — together.
Strategic Planning Workshop
On September 26th, our Board of Directors gathered for a day of reflection and strategy.
The day was filled with meaningful conversation, challenges, and renewed commitment. We’re excited to move forward with initiatives rooted in equity and equal rights for all.
Upcoming Focus Groups & Event Committees
Are you trans or queer identifying?
Do you love a good event?
Are you looking to volunteer to make your community more inclusive?
We need your support.
Our past events have had some amazing feedback so far. We want to continue to create community, to grow and to celebrate and honour each of you.
We need leaders from the trans and Queer committees to join our event planning committee for TDOV, and TDOR.
Our team will be with you every step of the way .BUT, we need YOU to help us identify what you want to see at events.
Fill out an expression of interest here.
Celebration of Trans & Queer Joy
The Celebration of Trans and Queer Joy is an uplifting gathering that honors the vibrancy, resilience, and brilliance of trans and queer communities. This event is about more than celebration—it’s about fostering belonging, protecting human rights, creating visibility, and inspiring ongoing advocacy and education for equity and inclusion.
The theme for 2025 is Trans Rights, Bright Futures.
The event features:
- Human Rights Discussion
- Entertainment
- Styling Booth: Hair and makeup professionals providing mini-makeovers
- Partner Booths
- Food and beverages
Advocacy Canada is proud to host this annual event, bringing together community members, allies, and organizations in a space of joy, solidarity, and empowerment.
Admission will be by donation, with no one turned away for lack of funds. RSVP here.
Interested in assisting us with? Drop us a note via our volunteer form.
Like Numbers and Balanced Books?
Our Board of Directors is looking for you!
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a dynamic, evolving organization. As we move from a working board to a governance board, we’re building a solid foundation for long-term impact — including a robust fund development plan.
Your voice, experience, and leadership will help us chart the course for Advocacy Canada and support initiatives that uplift queer and trans communities in our region and beyond.
Click here to learn more.
IN Magazine’s Newest Issue is LIVE!
We are excited to share that the September/October 2025 issue of IN Magazine is live!
Inside this issue you will find:
-An intimate conversation with Sarah McLachlan on the legacy of Lilith, allyship, and what comes next
-In celebration of disco’s 55th year we sat down with seven legendary divas who survived, shone, and soundtracked our liberation
-Finnish goalkeeper Sofia Manner finds safe haven in Canada
-Inside the groundbreaking work of the Community-Based Research Centre
-The legacy of Noah’s Arc
-Pinning over hot (and, sadly, dead) Victorian men
-Ziyad Saadi’s debut novel is definitely not an instruction manual for coming out
-A look at queer-owned Little Ghosts Book, Canada’s first horror bookstore
And, much more!
Download a FREE copy of the September/October issue here!
IN Magazine is our national 2SLGBTQI+ media partner.
Support Advocacy Canada’s Mission
As a nonprofit run by volunteers, we appreciate all your support.
You can continue to support the movement by becoming a member, volunteering with us or making a monetary donation.
Simply click below to be directed to the webpage!
Become a Member If you don’t yet have a membership to Advocacy Canada, you can purchase one on our website for only $35, (Less than a $0.01 a day). We need your support to help us continue to do the work that is so desperately needed in our world.
See you next month!
