Fyrefly Institute

The Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity (Formerly the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services; iSMSS) is a non-profit organization and research institute housed in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.

The Fyrefly Institute provides programs and services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies. Our work also involves partnerships with various organizations such the Calgary Centre for Sexuality, Boyle Street Community Services, and the Pride Centre of Edmonton to provide direct services, including crisis intervention, mental health supports, and 2SLGBTQ+ education.

Our programs focus on community outreach, creating affirming spaces, and educational advancement specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community through our educational programs, research, advocacy and scholarship opportunities. The Fyrefly Institute works to create a society where all queer and trans people are free of discrimination.

We strive to:

Empower the 2SLGBTQ+ community to thrive.
Build leaders, particularly among youth.
Build public awareness and allyship.
Advance sexual and gender diversity studies to the forefront.
Create hope

We are unique in that we utilize research to inform our services, and our services drive the direction of our research.

We believe:

All queer and trans people deserve to be free of discrimination.
Through nurturance and resiliency practices, all 2SLGBTQ+ people have potential to thrive.
In the continued pursuit of knowledge as a tool to empower and build capacity.
In grounding our practices in evidence-based research.
We cannot achieve our goals alone but through collaboration

Our reports provide an overview of our yearly activities and any new initiatives and major activities we have added within the specified year.

2014-2015

Our programs and services would not be possible without your generous support. All donations are eligible for a charitable tax deduction receipt from the University of Alberta.

Give to Fyrefly

Show your pride and brighten up your wardrobe with the U of A Pride Collection, which supports the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity.

UA Pride Collection

Events and Opportunities

Share your awesome ideas for UAlberta Pride Week 2024

Share your ideas

TRC Event: Stop by the Education North Main Hallway on September 29 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM to help us build a collage of our campus’s collective commitments to reconciliation.

If your graduate program or research focuses on the 2SLGBTQ+ community, apply for our scholarships!

Scholarships

Fyrefly in the Media

Protests planned across Canada to counter anti-2SLGBTQ+ protests

September 20, 2023

Chelsea on CHED's episode features the Fyrefly Insitute's Program Manager, Evan Westfal.
What effect can gender identity education protests have on youth?

September 20, 2023

Statistics show one in four 2SLGBTQ+ youth are subject to online bullying. So how is online hate and protests against sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) being taught in Alberta schools affecting children and teenagers?
From the President's Desk: Join us at U of A Pride Week 2023

March 08, 2023

"The Bookstore is selling merchandise featuring a new rainbow UA design, with all proceeds from the Pride collection benefiting the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity. I will be proudly wearing my new UA Pride T-shirt in the parade." - UAlberta's President, Bill Flanagan
Verna’s Vlog: Pride Week with Dr. Glynnis Lieb

March 02, 2023

Dr. Glynnis Lieb is the Executive Director of the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity. In this episode, Verna and Glynnis talk about Pride Week at the University of Alberta: the events on campus, the importance of Pride, and why we celebrate it in March.
Fyrefly Institute a bright light of support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth

January 31, 2023

Newly renamed non-profit serves more than 10,000 people across Alberta through evidence-based programs and expanding community partnerships.
UCP’s Resolution 17 endangers 2SLGBTQ+ kids, their families, and their futures

January 30, 2023

2SLGBTQ+ kids need support, recognition, and affirmation of their gender and sexuality. Without those, their futures and lives are at risk (Partnership between the Fyrefly Institute and The Gateway). Image by Christina Varvis.