It was a legal fight that strengthened human rights in Canada.
The 1998 Vriend v. Alberta Supreme Court decision made sexual orientation a protected right under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Delwin Vriend was a teacher employed at an Alberta Christian college who was fired because of his homosexuality.
The Supreme Court case hinged on the fact Vriend couldn't make a human rights complaint because the Alberta act did not include sexual orientation as a protected right.
The victory of Vriend and his supporters set a precedent for 2SLGBTQIA folks in this country and beyond.
In honour of Pride month, several local organizations—Sea 2 Sky Allies, Pride Squamish, PearlSpace Support Services Society, and the Squamish Community Foundation—are hosting a special documentary screening about the case.
The featured documentary, Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story, will be shown at the Brackendale Art Gallery & Culture Centre on June 11.
The award-winning film, which is directed by Darrin Hagen and produced by the Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Queer History Project, will be followed by an engaging and diverse panel discussion among locals and leaders.
“Pride vs Prejudice is a story about standing up for the right to be who you are,” said Trevor Wulff, who is a 2SLGBTQIA+ and Indigenous advocate, as well as president of Pride Squamish.
“We have come a long way—I’ve seen that—and I recognize there is much more to be done,” said Wulff, who was born and raised in Squamish.
Karen Clarke, executive director of the Squamish Community Foundation, told The Squamish Chief that at this time in history, with the current political climate in the U.S. and within Canada, the foundation wanted to throw its support behind this film.
“We have this great network, and so we try to support the other foundations in the work they're doing as much as we can,” Clarke said,
“When they produced this documentary, they passed it out to all the foundations across Canada and said, if you can film or screen this during Pride month, it would be great. And so apparently, there are at least 21 foundations across Canada and all the provinces and territories that are going to screen it. We just want to support the work, and especially in this day and age's political climate, we're keen to support this type of work.”
In Alberta, Bill 26, which denies gender-affirming care from being provided to gender diverse youth in that province, is currently being protested and challenged in court.
But here in B.C. and Squamish, where 2SLGBTQI+ are not being threatened in the same way, it is important to keep the fight for equality in mind, Clarke added.
“You do have to keep your guard up, and you do have to keep working at it, and unfortunately, that's the way it is. Hopefully, one day with this type of work, we will not have to work so hard on it.”
Clarke noted that the screening event is for anyone and everyone. Cost is not an obstacle. While donations, which will go to Pride Squamish, are requested, people will be let in for free, through Eventbrite.
“We’d just like to see everybody out, anyone who’d like to learn more and who just wants to connect with community,” she said.
June is Pride Month in Squamish and this screening is part of a series of events to “build community and promote 2SLGBTQIA+ equality, visibility and rights,” Wulff added.
“We all deserve to be seen, loved and welcomed and we will continue to create awareness, dialogue and safe spaces for all people to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or discrimination.”
The month of Pride events kicks off on Sunday, June 1, with the inaugural Squamish Pride Parade from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Junction Park.
“This milestone event is many years in the making and everyone is invited to join us for a beautiful day of community, love and Pride,” Wulff said.
'Pride vs. Prejudice' screening details
When: Wednesday, June 11, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Brackendale Art Gallery & Culture Centre, 41950 Government Rd.
Tickets by donation ($20 suggested) are available via Eventbrite at this link.
