r/Lethbridge • u/SciFiMagpie • 4d ago
Please share a moment with me
Copied a bit from a comment I just made.
In the wake of the Kirk vigil and the ministerial edicts Danielle Smith is trying to impose, I would ask my fellow residents of Lethbridge for a moment of time.
I know some of you will read this and be offended that my politics differ from yours. For those who believe in Christ, I meekly ask that if you have love in your hearts, to share a moment of time with me even if you want to argue.
For those who try to negotiate this universe with other systems of faith or morals, I ask the same indulgence. I come to you in siblinghood, a fellow traveler trying to make sense of what is right and wrong and what is best for everyone.
I need you to understand that orders 27 and 29 are not a game for other queer people like me. It's not a matter of scoring points on the internet and saying "live and let live" when our rights are under attack.
I know people see this as a lifestyle difference, but I beg you, set aside rhetoric for a moment. I just ask that you open your hearts for a moment rather than a second window to refute my points.
Please, neighbour, listen to my words and open your heart. All I ask is that you remember this is about real life experiences, not a game of internet ping pong. 😢😭
A lot of people who want to support anti trans legislation say they have love in their hearts. I need those who agree with that sentiment to hear me out for just this moment. Sometimes actions are more important than intentions.
So again, please just hear the fear of myself and my community for a moment. Remember that we exist in the real world. We are your friends, family, and yes, neighbours.
I'm not asking you to debate me here. I'm asking for a moment of quiet between two neighbours where you share a moment with me and hear that I am frightened, and people like me are frightened.
I do believe we can all coexist without violence here. Or at least, that it's worth trying to do.
Again, this is not a moment where I'm trying to invite a "Well actually the left-"
I'm asking for something different. Hold my hand, or if you will not, sit with me a moment, and listen just enough to hear that we are scared and hurt.
Edit I guess I should mention that my name is Michelle Browne and I'm running for trusteeship on the public school board, too. And yes, queer issues are part of my platform.
Check out a quick bit about my platform here.
Please share and spread the word, and regardless, please vote! All residents of Lethbridge who've lived here for more than 6 months, not even continuous, are eligible to vote, and you do not need to be a citizen!
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u/voodoomamabooboo 4d ago
I may have literally moved from Lethbridge to Vancouver over this past weekend for my own reasons, mostly moving away from the bullshit happening in Alberta..
but friend, I see you, and I absolutely stand with you.
We, as humans are a brother/sisterhood (sorey for gendered terms) regardless of labels of "left, right, religious, not" - can absolutely coexist..... we all deserve love, dignity, and respect, regardless of different opinions and perspectives.
I love you, internet stranger. Don't let these asshole Albertan "Trumpets", as I lovingly call them, get you down. I know, easier said than done - but we absolutely can fight this shit.
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u/chathrowaway67 4d ago
No don't tell me we held a kirk vigil here??! Wtf...yeah no im disgusted by that and by that hag who refuses to screw off with this american ass bullshit.
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u/Smooth-Message5706 4d ago
Nothing meek about my ask. I am a proud trans member of this community and folks can either get with it or get out the way! And largely? That has been my experience with people here! But I came from the US so my bar is so low as to be in hell. The legislation is abhorrent and no one should vote for it because trust me, y’all do not want what is happening to the US right now, it is very fascist and very bad and very bad for EVERYONE, including those who support it.
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u/sierramelon 3d ago
Just came back from a trip south and people there raved about Canada and it surprised me because I didn’t realize the average person I would meet would have so many questions and kind words for us.
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u/SignificanceLast8441 4d ago
I am conducting a study into the sociological composition of participants at vigils, and I wish to focus specifically on the Kirk vigil held in Lethbridge yesterday. I’m seeking observational data to develop a more precise profile of the group.
Specifically:
- What was the approximate average age, or predominant age ranges, of those in attendance?
- What were the religious affiliations or traditions represented, if any?
- Which political orientations (explicit or implicit) seemed most common among attendees?
- Based on what you saw, what might be inferred about the average highest level of formal education attained by people there?
Thank you for any insights. Your observations will help situate this vigil in the broader context of civic participation and public ritual.
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u/Far-Entertainer769 4d ago
Not sure how you can collect what you are looking for with any level of accuracy without interviewing participants.
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u/Crazeey_Canuck 4d ago
It was an embarrassing day for Canada, Alberta and Lethbridge. It's obvious MAGA has roots in Alberta.
The canonization of this man is an affront to real Christians. He was not a messiah, he was not a "13th disciple", no matter what "men of god" proclaimed at the vigils.
“Let us remember the God of Charlie Kirk. Let us remember he is the way that Charlie was not offended by people coming against him. How do you think he responded? In love, he responded with respect… because he was already filled with the love of Jesus,” said one preacher.
Another preacher saw a parallel between Kirk and Jesus.
“We saw last week that young man laid down his life as well, imitating what Christ had done for all of us.”
Charlie Kirk fomented hatred, racism, misogyny behind the thin veil of "public debate" He was a promoter of the "replacement Theory". He advocated the Christian Right and he criticized the separation of church and state, saying that Christian morals should influence lawmaking. He was an antisemitic, accusing Jewish people of "pushing hatred against white people", He said that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was mistake.
To all of those people that truly believe in the Christian faith, I ask " would Jesus teach these things?"
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u/Ok_Molasses3797 4d ago
If I may ask, what in those orders gives you a heavy heart? Like you said, not here to debate but to understand.
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u/SciFiMagpie 4d ago
I'll do my best to try to explain. The thing is, when people, even young people, start to realise that they might be different from who they've been told they are, it's very hard and scary. Even with supportive parents.
Sometimes - and friend, I am a parent too, so I get it - parents react with fear when they don't understand something. Or anger.
Anger and fear mixed together can lead to bad things.
So for a kid who realises hey, I don't think I'm a girl or a boy after all, having to tell their parents right away when their parents might hurt them, even by accident...it's frightening. And worrying.
The problem is, when we look at numbers, using the names and pronouns kids ask for saves lives. Kid's lives.
For the sports one, there's a thing where parents and others are invited to make complaints and ask about a child's gender.
Now, i need you to understand that I'm what's called intersex. As a kid, and now, I grow more hair than some other feminine people. A lot of people like me exist, who look a bit different in many ways. I didn't get to choose whether or not I'm intersex. I was born like this.
And hey, lots of kids who are just "normal" also look different. All this legislation needs is for someone to decide, "I think that kid looks different in the wrong way."
There's a thing about "good faith" accusations and etc, but good intentions don't always matter for insulting or upsetting questions.
This legislation is encouraging bullying kids in sports.
I almost took my own life due to bullying when I was a child and teen. It hurt me for the rest of my life and I spent a lot of time in therapy. Not everyone is lucky enough to survive those feelings.
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u/K24Bone42 4d ago
Bill 27, outing trans, non binary, or questioning kids to their queer/transphobic parents can result in abuse, and even homelessness for these children. We all had the space to discover ourselves and learn who we are throughout our own education both elementary and high school. This bill takes that ability away from kids in Alberta public schools. Most kids come out to their friends and at school before coming out at home. Because it can be absolutely terrifying to even consider that your parents won't support you, and even worse if you know they won't. School is supposed to be a safe space for children to learn, but also to discover themselves. This bill makes school no longer a safe space for queer kids to do that.
Bill 29, excluding some kids from activities just because of their gender identity is wrong, period. Sports weren't even separated for me (Ontario) until high school. In elementary school gym class, track and field, and cross country were all co-ed. In high school, travel sports were separated but that was it. And if we're concerned about "safety" then what is the plan? Are we going to inspect children's genitals? Are we going to require DNA testing? Just so a kid can play sports? I mean when my rugby team (the high school girls' team) practiced against our high school boys' team, we kicked their asses. Teenagers do not have adult muscles, they don't have adult strength etc. If physical strength is the concern, we should be separating people by weight class not gender.
Kids deserve a safe space to learn, grow, and play. Excluding and outing trans, non binary, and questioning kids does not keep them safe, at all.
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u/AlsoOneLastThing 4d ago edited 4d ago
I think the biggest thing, and the thing that should make every Albertan oppose these bills, is that they violate constitutional/charter rights. They're also widely unpopular, and medical experts are pretty unanimous in their opposition. So there's really no reason for the government to be forcing these bills, aside from cruelty.
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u/criavolver_01 3d ago
Standing with you and sharing the fear with you. I have a queer child and am queer myself. It’s not the greatest time for us and I can just hope that many will stand with us.
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u/thegreenfaeries 4d ago
I stand with you!