In this modern age where YouTube videos of panda’s sneezing seem to get more attention than, say, world hunger, it’s refreshing to recognize and acknowledge real human beings that are humbly making a difference day in and day out.
Gay Calgary and Edmonton Magazine asked you in their Reader Survey earlier this year, to nominate individuals who you thought deserved recognition for making a positive impact in their community through their personal efforts, or through their efforts within a business or community group. Your response was so overwhelmingly diverse that many of the nominations remained tied with only a handful of votes. It was definite that there was no clear winner, so instead we decided to celebrate the top ten people (in no particular order) that you selected, based on the best written responses given as to why they deserved recognition.
This month, the first five will be showcased, and we will conclude with the other half in October. So here is your first batch of everyday heroes, in no particular order:
Brendan Van Alstine
A quick look at his involvement in the community makes one wonder if there is any room in Brendan’s calendar for the little things like eating and sleeping. Van Alstine is the Youth Program Coordinator at the Pride Centre of Edmonton and a founding member of the Queer Allied Network and the Transit Riders’ Union of Edmonton (TRUE). He is also a facilitator with Youth Understanding Youth (a local LGBT youth discussion/support group) and a regular volunteer with the Carrot Community Arts Café.
“I enjoy seeing my work and involvement create tangible change that has a positive impact on people’s lives,” says Brendan. His passion for creating this tangible change is evident in his running for Edmonton City Council in the newly created Ward 7, with his campaign launching on October 17th.
Transit regulars will appreciate Brendan’s involvement in the Transit Riders’ Union of Edmonton, which includes the annual Transit Challenge Week. “In the last week of November, TRUE will once again challenge Edmonton’s city Councillors to give up their private vehicles and rely entirely on transit for one week.” TRUE believes that to serve the needs of Edmonton’s transit riders, one must understand what it means to be transit dependent in Edmonton. They hope that Councillors will gain an appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses of the transit system and be able to base their future decisions on first-hand experience.
As the Program Coordinator for YouthSpace, Brendan looks forward to re-launching the Peer Mentor Program in September. The Pride Centre’s YouthSpace offers a chance for youth to interact, make new friends, pursue leadership opportunities, access a variety of resources and information or just hang out in a safe and accepting space.
“The Pride Centre is important because for many in our community there are not a lot of other places that they can turn to for resources or help. Particularly for groups such as youth and seniors who either aren’t able to go to other queer-friendly venues (i.e. bars) or don’t want to - but still want a safe place to come and be who they really are.”
Johnathan Finlayson
Johnathan wears many hats in Calgary, one of them being an owner of the city’s only leather bar, The Calgary Eagle. In addition to this, his work as a community leader and volunteer runs deep and wide.
He is currently on the Board of Directors for the AIDS Calgary Awareness Association and a co-founder of the HIV Peer Support Group in Calgary, with which he has continued to serve as a volunteer since 1995. Johnathan supports and/or oversees organization of fundraisers for both of these organizations, as well as for The SHARP Foundation. The SHARP Foundation (Society Housing AIDS/HIV Restricted Persons) is a Calgary-based non-profit charitable organization with a mandate to provide a wholistic (medical, physical, psychosocial and spiritual aspects) continuum of care to people living with HIV or AIDS.
On Sunday, September 20th, The Calgary Eagle hosts their third annual Great Chili Contest, with all proceeds benefiting the Beswick House on behalf of the SHARP Foundation. The Beswick House provides 24-hour long-term and palliative support for up to ten individuals. Contest entry forms can be picked up at the Eagle or filled out on their website.
When asked why he is passionate about being involved in the community, Finlayson responds with characteristic humility and vulnerability: “I never truly thought of why I’m involved, it has always seemed to be the right thing to do. I went through some very personal and challenging times in 1992 and through AIDS Calgary and their volunteer program, I found support and from there the rest is history. I began volunteering as a way to give back for what I received, and it has just become a natural part of my being ever since. My passion continues to grow all the time due to the continued overwhelming support that this community has offered time and time again. If we as a community change one life for the better, no matter our involvement, we have done the right thing.”
The values of unity and teamwork are a common theme in Finlayson’s words and actions. “Businesses and organizations are seen as leaders. We have a great responsibility to work with and listen to our community for enrichment. When we listen, we are in a better position to assist, advocate, inform, educate and to partner with those whom we are all responsible to; our community. This support for the community is not for specialized groups, ideologies or interests. It’s for everyone. We all have the opportunity to look to and build our futures together.”
Tyler Gschaid
Tyler has been working with the Gay And Lesbian Alliance (GALA) since 1996 and currently serves as the Board Secretary for GALA in Lethbridge.
“Last year was a very productive year for GALA/LA. For the first time in several years, an operating budget was prepared. We obtained board insurance and moved the dances from a facility just outside of city limits to one that is more accessible downtown,” Tyler states.
He is also a committee member for the Lethbridge Pride Fest and, as many may know, Lethbridge hosted their first Pride Festival this past June with great success. Gschaid was instrumental in reaching out to invite other community groups and volunteers to come on board in the support and planning of Pride events. He also worked with the Mayor’s office to secure permission to raise the rainbow flag at City Hall for the first time.
His fervent desire to support the community is rooted in his determination to involve himself with programs and organizations that allow people to be themselves. “I try to bring the perspective of those who are or may feel they are on the fringes of the GLBTTQ community; those that are perhaps less popular or not very outspoken.”
Tyler’s connection with GALA has a personal link: “Although as a teenager I knew I was attracted to other males it wasn’t until I was attending University in the early 90s that I made any real attempt to come out to anyone else. It did not last long, as there was no great welcoming and I didn’t feel that I fit in. So I went back into the closet. Then, around the time of Ellen’s coming out episode and Matthew Sheppard’s murder, I made more steps in coming out. I started attending the coffee nights that were coordinated by GALA/LA.”
When asked what his influences are, Gschaid shares that his volunteering is sparked by the drive to make society a more welcoming place. “I know two gay men whose sexual orientation probably played a role in their suicide and another two gay men whose alcohol/drug addiction coupled with depression and isolation eventually lead to their deaths. They were wonderful people and society should have offered them help, but because of fear and ignorance, they are no longer with us.”
As a founding member of the Rhino In The Room Film Festival (September 17th and 18th) as well as the News Editor for GayLethbridge.com, it’s clear to see that Tyler always has an answer to his daily mantra: “What have I done today to make me feel proud?”
Michael Phair
In his five terms as a City Councillor in Edmonton, Phair was a consistent champion of and advocate for the Arts, as well as a strong voice for Edmonton’s GLBT community. His work recently earned him the distinction of being inducted into the Arts and Culture Hall of Fame for the city of Edmonton.
Edmonton’s Arts and Culture landscape was very different when Phair arrived in 1979. His leadership and fearlessness in supporting and pioneering new initiatives (Edmonton Arts Council, Writer-in-Exile Program, Cariwest Festival, and many more) have played a huge part in the growth and diversity of the Art scene in Edmonton; a city which was named a cultural capital of Canada in 2007.
Phair founded the Exposure Festival two years ago and it was such a hit that it became an annual event. Exposure aims to uncover, highlight and celebrate queer arts and culture. The festival exposes queer artists to new audiences, and exposes Edmonton audiences to new art. By creating environments where artists can explore queer culture and take risks, the festival cultivates creative synergies, thought-provoking displays, social commentary, and new possibilities for inhabiting sexuality and gender.
Michael’s advocacy doesn’t stop at the Arts. His pivotal founding of HIV Edmonton means that this organization has been providing support, community education, advocacy, prevention and harm reduction education to the Edmonton community for twenty-one years.
For Michael, there is always more work to be done. He is currently a committee member for Pride Week, an honorary patron of Edmonton’s Vocal Minority and a member of Edmonton’s Pride Centre and HIV Edmonton. He is also involved with the Institute of Sexual Minorities Study and Services and Camp fyrefly at the University of Alberta.
He shares that the importance of these organizations resides in the impact that they make on the individual, as well as the larger community. “Organizations in our community that offer support, assistance, education, social, recreational and political opportunities, strengthen our community and change, for the better, the city of Edmonton.”
Keith Andony
Keith is one of the many dedicated volunteer coordinators for activities affiliated with the Team Edmonton Sports Association. He acts as a volunteer coordinator and instructor for Blazin’ Bootcamp, a twice weekly fitness bootcamp. “I share this responsibility with my partner Alex Mawanay, who is equally deserving of recognition,” he admits.
Andony also assists with the coordination of Samsara Yoga, a weekly GLBTQ yoga class taught by Romeo Ripoli at Korezone Fitness. The donations they receive from offering this class have allowed them to create further activities for the community such as funding a self-defense expert to offer a workshop at Camp fYrefly.
He is also a big part of the Free To Be Volleyball league, with counterparts Al Ling, Jim Knoepflij and Chris Evans. This is the largest GLBTQ sports and recreation group in Edmonton and operates throughout the year. “We have all seen these groups grow and develop in recent years to be able to serve the needs of the community in a better way,” says Andony.
The passion and enthusiasm he exhibits for each of these organizations is contagious: “I have been involved in these activities because there is a demand for well organized sports and recreational opportunities that are inclusive of the GLBTQ community. Every time a new person shows up at one of the 28 different activities that Team Edmonton promotes, it is a tribute to the volunteer work and resources that the entire community puts into these various groups.”
Team Edmonton will be holding the annual general meeting and volunteer appreciation event on September 26th at Play Nightclub. It’s a chance to recognize and celebrate the success of their programs, volunteers and participants that are the heart of the organization.
“There is a need for the GLBTQ community to expand and diversify its range of activities to reflect a full array of interests. Team Edmonton activities provide healthy physical and social outlets that have not always been the most accessible or recognizable part of the community. It is critical that we ensure that we are visible and active in the community,” Keith states.
Keith puts his words into action, literally, on a daily basis and is a proud participant in the HIV Walk for Life on September 20th.
