Alberta’s beloved Mickey Wilson, executive director of the Pride Centre of Edmonton, took a few minutes break from his busy schedule to chat with GayCalgary about his role and LGBT politics
GC: When did you start to become such an influential and powerful voice within the Edmonton and area LGBT community?
MW: There are a many influential and powerful voices in the local and regional LGBTQ community and if I am able to add to that just a little, then I am happy to be part of an amazing team. I am committed to bring the Pride Centre’s important role and message to tables and forums where it has not been in the past. The LGBTQ lens is critical in so many areas: youth homelessness, addiction and mental health, violence, education, seniors, refugees and settlement and so much more. There is so much to be done, so many needed supports, so much change and acceptance to mobilize that we need many voices speaking. I think I am just doing my part.
GC: What have been some of your greatest struggles?
MW: Struggles exist both personally and professionally for most people. My personal struggles are not unlike those of many people today, although as an open trans and queer person that brings extra layers of struggle sometimes. Trans people often do struggle to find places to belong and feel valued and accepted. But I am also acutely aware of the many ways that I am privileged as well... Professionally I can say that I have a great job, working with a great team, for an organization that is doing great things. I don’t know if it gets much better than that! The biggest challenge I think I have is getting people in Edmonton’s LGBTQ community to take ownership of the Pride Centre’s sustainability. There are so few available grants and funds for LGBTQ organizations, and even less dollars available to pay for core costs/operational expenses. The rent, lights and heat, administration, even the paper, ink and bathroom supplies. These expenses are not optional and yet extremely difficult to fund. I have said for two years that if every LGBTQ person and ally in the Edmonton area were to make a monthly commitment of just $20 it would cover our core costs and then some. And as Dr. Seuss would say, oh the places we would go! I get excited thinking about the work that could happen.
GC: Can you tell readers about the alliance between the Pride Centre and Chamber of Commerce?
MW: I have been friends with the Canadian LGBT Chamber for a number of years and he has been interested in getting something active in Alberta for a while. I simply facilitated that by contacting some folks and helping facilitate some initial meetings. I am the one of the board members that was appointed as we work to get all the details worked out and get a strong provincial business network mobilized. And I do believe the centre should be part of the Chamber. As the primary community resource and support provider, we play an important role in both Edmonton and the Alberta region. I also believe that the centre can only benefit from the potential relationships and networks that will unfold through our participation in the Alberta LGBT Chamber of Commerce. It is a very exciting venture.
GC: How have audiences responded to Queer Lens?
MW: Queer Lens is our weekly in-house education program. It was the first program I initiated after joining the Pride Centre as executive director. It has been well received and remains one of our most popular programs. Queer Lens is a weekly education evening that features LGBTQ public talks about relevant issues, stories and histories from Edmonton and beyond, documentaries, community art projects and sometimes supports events as opportunities for education. Every Wednesday at 7pm, the program is free and open to everyone. Some examples of different topics have been domestic violence, LGBTQ sexual health, Legacy series featuring Murray Billett, Michael Phair and others, suicide, politics and pride, election forums, dying with dignity, queer and trans 101s, all about bears, and more. I hope to add a lunch and learn program by early 2015 that will be brown bag bring your own lunch with a 45 minute talk once a week for $5.
GC: Can you tell readers the background behind the idea of Giving Tuesday and what it pertains?
MW: It was first launched in the US in 2012 and then in several other countries, including Canada in 2013. The idea is that there are two big, well-known days where consumerism is the focus: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And so Giving Tuesday was born, a global day dedicated to giving back. On Tuesday, December 2, 2014 charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. We hope that many Edmontonians will choose the Pride Centre as one of their charities for a year end donation in 2014 or, better yet, take the leap and start giving monthly.
GC: What is most rewarding about working hands-on with the community of Edmonton as a whole?
MW: Edmonton is an amazing city (in spite of the fact that winter simply dominates the annual calendar). There are so many great people, great initiatives and so much innovation. And right now Edmonton is a happening place. Downtown is exploding with major construction projects, the arts community is thriving, the music scene is fabulous, and the festivals are unbeatable! And Edmonton’s LGBTQ community is still thriving and growing. Pop up parties, a growing drag scene, many events and groups. I have spent most of my adult life volunteering in the queer community and now, to be able to wake up everyday and get paid to work in this community, feels like I am living the dream. I get to participate in so many great projects and work to try to provide services that meet the vast array of needs that an LGBTQ presents to us on a daily basis – it’s a gift!
GC: Both November and December have quite a full roster of events; which are you anticipating most?
MW: I think two of my favourites are the Transgender Day of Remembrance, on November 20th, and World AIDS Day on December 1st. These days allow us to remember lives that were lost due to hate, stigma, violence and marginalization. They let us remember those that blaze trails – that courageously stand up to be authentic and pay too often with their lives. They are from years gone by and yesterday. They remind me that we tread on a precious history of lives, stories, pain and courage. They remind me of how far we have yet to travel to reach true equality in so many places, and even here.
GC: What changes do you hope to see in 2015?
MW: There are so many things I hope for. Strong, meaningful community partnerships; sustainable funding from the government; better supports for our LGBT refugees; great education moments; an influx of monthly donations from the community. Most of all a community that cares about each other, gives to support each other, desires to learn and understand about each other, and values every part of who we are... Those things that draw us together when the times get tough, when what matters is that in some strange, inexplicable and wonderful way, WE ARE FAMILY!
GC: If readers want to get involved and volunteer, what is the best direction to take?
MW: The best thing to do is come by the centre and fill out a volunteer application. We can then get you interviewed, get a record check ordered and find the best fit for you. Support your queer community. So many lives count on it.
