By Lorna Murray

April was an exciting time for lesbians and gays in Alberta. A long-awaited Supreme Court decision was announced, forcing the government to get into the 20th century and add the words "sexual orientation" to Alberta's human rights law. Alberta is the second last province in Canada to do so, and then only after being forced, not only by the highest court in the land, but also by thousands of Albertans.

The Vriend case, as it has come to be known, was a court action against the Alberta government. When Delwyn Vriend was fired from his job at a Christian college when they found out he was gay; he tried to complain to Alberta's Human Rights Commission. But they would not accept the complaint because "sexual orientation" was not a ground covered by the act. Vriend then sued the Alberta government for failing to protect him. The government spent thousands of taxpayers dollars fighting the case all the way to the Supreme Court.

Normally a Supreme Court decision is announced and the celebrations begin. But leave it to the Klein conservatives - they announced that they would take a week to study the ruling, and that they were considering using the "notwithstanding clause" of the Constitution to opt out of protecting lesbians and gays!

Thank goodness, progressive people around the province were angered and called, wrote, emailed and faxed the government in droves protesting such a move. The right wing launched their own offensive - with dire predictions that to protect lesbians, gays and bisexuals would lead to the downfall of Alberta society.

For gays and lesbians in Alberta, that week was a mixture of elation - at finally being protected - and horror. The hatred, fueled by callers to radio talk shows, newspaper editorials, and even sermons in some (so-called) Christian churches, culminated for many of us in the shocking announcement that Michael Phair, a gay City Councillor in Edmonton, had received death threats. In an emotional news conference, Phair called on the Premier and the government to show tolerance and put an end to the rising storm of hatred. Although the government did not respond, New Democrat MLA Raj Pannu called for tolerance and released information that the majority of the calls which the ND Caucus had received were in favour of equal rights.

I know that members of organized labour were among our strongest supporters in that week. Thank you! It has been a twenty-year struggle, and trade unionists have been our allies all the way. You have no idea how much that kind of vocal and solid support can mean to someone who feels they have no "right" to live and express themselves. Gay and lesbian workers in union jobs have, for the most part, been protected in collective agreements for a number of years - and still you have spoken out for the rest of us time and time again.

In April, I learned that many of you, from across the province and around the country, really put your words into action. "An injury to one is an injury to all" is now more than a slogan for me! On behalf of all of us, lesbians, gays and bisexuals across Alberta, thank you. We look forward to working together with you in the new and equal Alberta.