iSMSS News Collection
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The Fyrefly Institute Is An All-Inclusive Resource For Queer and Transgender Youth In Canada
The Fyrefly Institute Is An All-Inclusive Resource For Queer and Transgender Youth In Canada
U of A’s Fyrefly Institute making a difference in the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Learn about Fyrefly's work over the past year to support the 2SLGBTQ+ and how the United Way's support helps continue the work that we do to create a future where the 2SLGBTQ+ community is free from discrimination!
Protests planned across Canada to counter anti-2SLGBTQ+ protests
Chelsea on CHED's episode features the Fyrefly Insitute's Program Manager, Evan Westfal.
What effect can gender identity education protests have on youth?
Statistics show one in four LGBTQ2 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? Sarah Komadina looks into that.
From the President's Desk: Join us at U of A Pride Week 2023
Everyone is welcome as we celebrate and honour the diversity of 2SLGBTQ+ identities and experiences. "This year, we can all wear our Pride. 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
Pride Week in March? Learn more about why the U of A celebrates Pride in March and what festivities to expect this year.
Fyrefly Institute a bright light of support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth
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
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).
A University Project for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Helps Students, Families and the Community
How a unique service for sexually and gender diverse children and youth strengthens families and impacts the community.
CBC Radio Active: Education is Key When Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights
Multiple incidents around the world have sparked renewed calls in the fight for LGBTSQ+ rights. Evan Westfal is an education coordinator with the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity at the U of A and joins us to discuss this topic.
2SLGBTQ+ Folks Deserve Care and Protection
A public statement in light of the tragic shooting at Club Q. To all 2SLGBTQ+ folks: please know that you are loved and cared for.
Albertan activists on Premier Danielle Smith’s ‘horrendous’ record on LGBTQ2S+ issues
Four LGBTQ2S+ activists in Alberta tell Xtra what the new premier may mean for their province and community
iSMSS Stances on the K-6 Curriculum
As an institute grounded in research, we echo the concerns addressed by nearly 30 school boards across Alberta regarding the content and the development process of this curriculum. We also join the list of equity-seeking groups who do not see themselves adequately or accurately reflected in this proposed curriculum.
New centre in Oliver aims to support queer, trans youth in Edmonton
A queer and trans youth support centre held its grand opening in Edmonton's Oliver neighbourhood on Monday.
A Statement from Dr. Glynnis Lieb, Executive Director of iSMSS-iSMSS Stands with Our Trans Community Members
The 2SLGBTQ+ community has won many hard-fought victories in recent years. However, not all members of our community have experienced the same level of social gains. QTBIPOC members have historically not been recognized adequately for their contributions and continue to be discriminated against.
Glynnis Lieb: LBGTQ2S+ people once again in the election crosshairs
Dr. Glynnis Lieb is a featured guest editor for The Star. As federal elections are coming up Dr.Lieb shares her thoughts on what this means for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Gay Yoda' races to secure beds for homeless LGBTQ youth before winter
It breaks his heart to send his kids back onto Edmonton's streets on freezing cold nights - but often Corey Wyness has no choice. Even though he knows what happens.
'This practice is evil': Edmonton to ban conversion therapy
Edmonton will soon take steps to ban conversion therapy - the widely discredited practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation through counselling or religious teaching.
Two-spirit cultural knowledge keeper to attend Alberta LGBT2S summer camp
Young people attending Camp fYrefly will have the support of a two-spirit cultural knowledge keeper at this year's Camp fYrefly.Knowledge keeper Warren Winnipeg will travel to one of the camp's four locations in Edmonton as part a four-day leadership retreat for LGBTQ2S youth in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
Edmonton Pride Run endows bursary for LGBTQ+ students
Bergman and his partner Kent Akgungor ('06 BCom) had the idea in 2015 to start the Edmonton Pride Run and Walk as a way to combine their love of running with their involvement in the LGBTQ community. At the time, they contacted the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) for advice on how best to use the proceeds from the run.
Point of Pride: The evolution of the LGBTQ movement in Edmonton
As Edmonton's LGBTQ community grapples with the loss of the annual Pride festival that was scheduled for Saturday, some experts and activists say the cancellation and the conflict that led to it is a natural progression for the city's Pride movement.
Rally Against Conversion Therapy
On June 6, 2019, hundreds gathered on the legislative grounds to rally against conversion therapy and to implore that the provincial government reinstate the conversion therapy working group which was disbanded earlier in the month. Dr. Glynnis Lieb, was among the many speakers who spoke at the rally.
Conversion therapy ban group will learn fate by week's end
Members of a working group asked to study a possible ban on conversion therapy in Alberta have been told they will learn on Friday whether their work can continue under the new United Conservative government.
Cancellation of the Gay Conversion Therapy Working Group
Today it was reported that the UCP will be cancelling the gay conversion therapy working group; a group I was very proud to be a part of. While I had my fears that this would happen, I am deeply disappointed to have been correct.
Edmonton organization to bring 'dash of fabulousness' to Pride celebration
Edmonton's Pride Festival has been cancelled for 2019 due to what the board calls "the current political and social environment." But community groups are coming together in celebration anyway, and working together to support important causes. The Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services is throwing one such party and joined Global News at Noon with details.
A Message to Our Community
As we wake up today to the results of the election we are disheartened but not broken. Though, none of us can know the challenges that will face us in the days and months to come, we must resist the urge to withdraw into fear and despair. We must resist the urge to run away.
Province asks experts to chart path for banning conversion therapy
The province brings together experts to establish a working group to ban conversion therapy. Dr. Glynnis Lieb, Executive Director of iSMSS, will be co-charing alongside MLA Nicole Goehring.
Working group seeing pushback, says co-chair
In an interview with Mountain View Gazette, Dr. Glynnis Lieb, Executive Director of iSMSS, responds to pushback against the the conversion therapy working group that was established earlier this month.
New research offers insights into what keeps gay hockey players from coming out
Cheryl MacDonald, a recent post doctoral fellow at iSMSS, provides new research that gives light to why gay hockey players choose to not come out.
iSMSS Statement on University of Regina Withdrawal of Support for Camp fYrefly
Last week the University of Regina Faculty of Education announced it will no longer be supporting Camp fYrefly Saskatchewan