The Society of Queer Momentum’s Trans Canada Tour will be stopping in Prince Albert for their ‘Pride & Politics’ drag show at The Spice Trail Restaurant and Lounge Trishna on Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
Fae Johnstone, the executive director of Queer Momentum, said the tour aims to educate communities.
“So we’ve been on a tour since May on the Trans Canada Tour, which in essence is a rallying call. It’s inviting queer and trans people and allies to come together to learn how to organize again to restore rights to our communities,” she said. “It’s going to be a joyful, exciting event, but we’ll also be speaking about what’s going on in Saskatchewan, in Alberta, and we’ll be sharing insights around how to organize more effectively to help have real conversations with neighbors who might disagree with us.”
The Society of Queer Momentum is a national non-profit queer and trans advocacy founded in 2023 to help respond to anti-queer and anti-trans hate across Canada.
“When we started the tour, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t just go to the big cities. We did Regina over the last couple days and it’s important to be out here, but we want to go to communities that are sometimes forgotten, communities that are, that are rural or remote because they deserve to be supported,” said Johnstone.
With months of touring and shows, Johnstone said conversations with transgender people, allies, and families have revealed concerns about transphobia in Canada.
“It feels like we are having a harder time talking about these issues and trans people are scared,” said Johnstone. “Increased fear of violence, discrimination, stigma, and victimization is the big one. You know, parents are scared for their trans kids. Trans kids are being bullied more in the classroom. And so, you know, that reality, that landscape is heartbreaking to see.”
Alex Powalinsky, project manager of the Prism Project and the West Flat Citizens group which runs Studio Q, explained Studio Q’s involvement with the event.
“Originally we were going to be the location where it was going to be hosted, but unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances, we weren’t able to host it at our venue. So we had been working along with Prince Albert Pride and with the organizers from Queer Momentum to figure out which event would be relevant for our community,” said Powalinsky. “We were helping them plan a venue and when it wasn’t able to happen at Studio Q, we had suggested the Spice Trail.”
She said she believes the event to be important to the community as it showcases a national advocacy group.
“It’s amazing that a national advocacy event is coming to our community and that’s really important to have that type of support from our national organizations as well. But in return, I think it’s important to show the community that there are local groups and organizations like, such as ourselves, as well as who also are supporting this work,” said Powalinksy.
As for community support and how to be an ally, Powalinsky said communities should be open to education about transgender communities.
“It’s important to be able to have our community be open to learning about trans identities and gender diverse people and their needs and gifts and perspectives, but also their unique experiences within political realms. We need allies and the work can’t be done only by the community itself. And so it’s just really important for people to be open to learning,” she said.
Johnstone added that having conversations is essential.
“I think it starts by recognizing that the attacks on trans people are actually attacks on all people. This is about fundamental rights and freedoms. And we need to understand that the targeting of trans people is a—we’re a convenient excuse. We’re scapegoats,” said Johnstone. “If we don’t have conversation, if we don’t bring communities together, we won’t have the critical conversations we need. And that’s exactly what we’re excited to do tonight in Prince Albert for sure.”
The Pride & Politics is a free educational and fun drag show event featuring Fae Johnstone, Auntie Masker, and Ford Ranjer at the The Spice Trail Restaurant and Lounge Trishna at 7 p.m.
