I Heart Edmonton

LGBTQ advocate Murray Billett has had an important impact on the local gay community and has no plans on slowing down now by emil tiedemann T HERE are few others in Edmonton who are as essential to the advancement of the local LGBTQ community as Murray Billett . Some might even go further and assess Billett’s work for LGBTQ equality and acceptance as amongst the most important in the whole province. Billett, on the other hand, would probably beg to differ.  The man himself, Murray Billett! Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Billett eventually made his way to Alberta. He married, had two sons, and worked in labour relations and conflict resolution, all while living with a secret that – if revealed – he knew would change everything in his life. “I was so very afraid to come out, the consequences I felt were insurmountable,” Billett admitted. After five years of marriage, Billett knew that he had to be honest with not just his family and friends, but more impor...

There aren't many more folks in Alberta who have been as active in almost every aspect of our province than Michael Phair, one of the first openly gay politicians in Canada, which is why we needed much more than just a few minutes with him... BY EMIL TIEDEMANN It was only a few seconds after Michael Phair walked into the Roast Coffeehouse in downtown Edmonton that he had spotted someone he knew. A few people actually, including Ward 6 Councillor Scott McKeen . I certainly wasn't surprised, knowing Phair is a well-connected Edmontonian who's involved or has been involved in countless groups and organizations throughout the city, and for many years now. Michael Phair is currently an adjunct professor and education facilitator with  iSMSS  (Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services). But most folks around here know Michael Phair most as an advocate for the LGBTQ community , a hat he's been wearing since the '80s, when being openly gay in Alberta and in ...