The Airdrie Pride Society announced in a statement today that it has banned the United Conservative Party (UCP) from participating in 2024 Pride events.
This comes on the heels of the banning of Premier Danielle Smith and UCP from Pride events by Societies across the province.
“The Airdrie Pride Society stands firmly in solidarity with our peer Pride organizations across Alberta to not allow the participation of the United Conservative Party in our 2024 Pride activities,” reads the APS statement. “Our position is the direct result of the UCP's recently proposed policies which directly target and harm our Two-Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender-Diverse community through the stripping away of fundamental human rights.”
Earlier this month, a group representing 14 Pride societies from across Alberta announced a ban on the United Conservative Party (UCP) and Premier Danielle Smith from 2024 Pride events.
In the statement from Queer Citizens United YYC, with signatories from Red Deer, Lethbridge, Banff, Canmore and elsewhere, the group said the ban of the UCP and Premier Smith is a direct response to Smith’s stated intention to “infringe on the rights, freedoms, and healthcare of the transgender community in Alberta.”
“Regardless of the UCP's political stance on the rights of gender-diverse Albertans, APS will continue to advocate strongly for the human rights of our community and work to create spaces where members of our community can exist without fear, discrimination, or abuse,” said the APS. “We will not stand idly by while the very rights and freedoms we celebrate are threatened. Human rights should never be up for political debate.”
“It is incredibly disappointing that the Airdrie Pride Society has decided to exclude select people from their events,” said Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt in response to the ban. “These events are supposed to be inclusive to all, but that is clearly not the case.”
“I have met with the Airdrie Pride Society in the past and my door will continue to remain open to them," Pitt added. "Alberta’s government stands against all forms of discrimination, full stop. Our government wishes to have an open dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community going forward."
In its statement, the APS said it strongly urges the UCP government to reconsider “damaging proposals and engage in a productive and transparent dialogue with the Two-Spirit, Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender-Diverse, and Queer community and the agencies and professionals that support this community.”
“We believe that open communication and a commitment to evidence-based policy are crucial for building an Alberta that respects the human rights of all its citizens,” the APS said. “Considering this, the Airdrie Pride Society remains open for dialogue and discussion with MLA Pitt, MLA Guthrie, or other members of the UCP government, but until this happens, we must and will always prioritize the inclusion, safety, and comfort of the 2SLGBTQ+ community that we support.”
Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
Earlier this year, Premier Smith announced the provincial government would implement a slate of policies and guidelines around gender identity, gender affirmation surgeries and new rules for transgender women athletes.
“Queer rights should not be a political decision,” said Queer Citizens United YYC in their May statement. “Trans rights are human rights.”
