Delwin Vriend never wanted to be a human rights activist, but in challenging his firing for being gay, he set in motion a chain of events that impacted the lives of LGBTQ+ people — not just in Alberta, not just in Canada, but around the globe.

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Director’s Statement

Like all Queer Canadians, I have personally benefited from the human rights protections that were achieved over a quarter-century ago when Delwin Vriend stood up to the power of a government and demanded justice. Like all Queer Canadians, I now watch with concern as dark forces gather in an attempt to challenge those hard-won rights. 

Pride vs. Prejudice explores the story of one human challenging a determined and hostile government — and winning. 

Featuring compelling first-hand accounts from the people who steered this complex and crucial case to the Supreme Court of Canada, this film showcases the passion, dedication, and sacrifices necessary to change the world for the better. 

When we first set out to tell the story of Delwin Vriend’s legal battle with the government of Alberta, we thought we were simply revisiting a pivotal milestone in the slow progress towards equality. 

We didn’t realize that we were making a documentary that would act as a portent for generations to come. 

This is the documentary I need to see right now - to give me hope, and to remind me of how far we have come.

- Darrin Hagen

Vriend v. Alberta

April 2, 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada's landmark ruling in Vriend v. Alberta.

This historic legal decision helped pave the way for equality for Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ community by reading in sexual orientation as part of Alberta’s human rights legislation. Vriend v. Alberta laid the foundation for important social change including the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Canada, which had a significant impact around the world supporting 2SLGBTQI+ global human rights. 

The Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) and the Edmonton Queer History Project (EQHP) present Vriend Versus Alberta — a special podcast series designed to commemorate the 25th anniversary of this landmark human rights victory. 

Michael Phair was one of more than 50 men arrested during the Pisces bathhouse rain in 1981. He would become Edmonton’s first openly gay city councillor. When the Vriend ruling came out, Michael received death threads at his office in city hall.

Michael Phair was one of more than 50 men arrested during the Pisces bathhouse rain in 1981. He would become Edmonton’s first openly gay city councillor. When the Vriend ruling came out, Michael received death threads at his office in city hall.

Murray Billett played an integral role in overseeing public and media relations around the historic case for Delwin and his team.

Murray Billett played an integral role in overseeing public and media relations around the historic case for Delwin and his team.

Doug Stollery served as co-counsel for Delwin Vriend. He delivered the closing arguments at the Supreme Court of Canada hearing in 1998, playing an instrumental role in changing human rights legislation in Alberta.

Doug Stollery served as co-counsel for Delwin Vriend. He delivered the closing arguments at the Supreme Court of Canada hearing in 1998, playing an instrumental role in changing human rights legislation in Alberta.

Doug Elliott spoke on behalf of the Canadian AIDS Society as an intervenor during the Supreme Court hearing. He was also the person who introduced Delwin to Sheila Greckol when Delwin’s initial lawyer could not continue representing him.

Doug Elliott spoke on behalf of the Canadian AIDS Society as an intervenor during the Supreme Court hearing. He was also the person who introduced Delwin to Sheila Greckol when Delwin’s initial lawyer could not continue representing him.

Sheila Greckol was lead counsel on Vriend v. Alberta. She and her team would take the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, affirming sexual orientation as a protected ground in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Sheila Greckol was lead counsel on Vriend v. Alberta. She and her team would take the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, affirming sexual orientation as a protected ground in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Jo-Ann Kolmes worked tirelessly behind the scenes as part of Delwin’s legal team. She was also a photographer, and documented the case’s seven-year journey through Canada’s legal system.

Jo-Ann Kolmes worked tirelessly behind the scenes as part of Delwin’s legal team. She was also a photographer, and documented the case’s seven-year journey through Canada’s legal system.

Delwin Vriend was fired from his job at a Christian college in 1992 because he was gay. This set the stage for the historic Supreme Court hearing that would force the Government of Alberta to change its human rights legislation.

Delwin Vriend was fired from his job at a Christian college in 1992 because he was gay. This set the stage for the historic Supreme Court hearing that would force the Government of Alberta to change its human rights legislation.