Wilbur Turner

Shadows of Denial: Confronting Residential School Denialism in Canada Lately, my social media feeds have been flooded with comments that twist my heart into knots.

As Canadians we have a shared responsibility to confront denialism. #truthandreconciliation
queergranddad.substack.com/p/shadows-of...

I wrote a letter to my cousin — and to everyone who thinks queer visibility is “too much.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/the-quiet-...

Oh Mary!

Don't forget to e-transfer me your savings before midnight and leave the fob for your Maserati in my mailbox.
#rapture

Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko booted from B.C. Conservative caucus | CBC News B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko has been removed from the caucus, caucus chair Jody Toor confirmed to CBC News on Monday evening, though no reason was provided for her removal.

Elenore Sturko is booted from the BC Conservative caucus. Could it be this is what happens when you're vying for the leadership position and you misread the room? Out for disloyalty? #bcpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Read about an evangelical pulpit inside Kelowna's Rotary Centre for the Arts, and the realtime message that harms the queer community.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/when-the-p...

A Guide to Canada’s Notwithstanding Clause This might be dry and boring, but only if this clause isn’t being used against your rights and freedoms.

A Guide to Canada’s Notwithstanding Clause
open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

Religious supremacism masquerading as persecution, brought to you by Canadian MPs The Turner Files by Wilbur Turner

Latest column by @queergranddad.bsky.social

Twenty Years of Marriage Equality in Canada: A Milestone Worth Defending And a personal story that shocked a wedding audience nineteen years ago

Today, Canada celebrates 20 years of marriage equality. The progress we've made as a nation isn't a given. The shocking story I'm sharing from 19 years ago won't be forgotten as we continue to stand on guard for equality.
open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

The Tangerine Toddler, the Robot Biden, and Canada’s Own Conspiracy Carnival It was only a matter of time before MAGA turned on its orange king.

The Tangerine Toddler, the Robot Biden, and Canada’s Own Conspiracy Carnival. It was only a matter of time before MAGA turned on its orange king. open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

Corporate Ledgers Show Action4Canada Raised Over $790K in 2022. Here’s How They Spent It Documents filed by A4C give a look at the balance sheet of one of Canada’s most vocal and active Christian Nationalist and anti-2SLGBTQ+ organizations.

Thanks for letting me know. I've updated the article. Here is the correct link:
www.antihate.ca/action4canad...

Christian Style Fascism Isn’t Just at Our Door — It’s in the House A Canadian Wakeup Call

Alberta’s book ban isn’t about “protecting kids.” It’s about importing U.S.-style Christian nationalism into Canada — and testing how much authoritarianism we’ll tolerate.

My latest: open.substack.com/pub/queergra... #ABpoli

Pierre Poilievre Saves Alberta From Itself — By Moving There The nation can breathe a sigh of relief: Pierre Poilievre will singlehandedly save Alberta from separating by moving to the province and getting himself elected in a by-election.

It’s brilliant, really. The man who’s been yelling about taking back Canada has finally figured out how: take it back one riding at a time, starting with the province most likely to leave.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/pierre-poi...

Alligator Alcatraz and the Collapse of Accountability in America This week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and members of the Trump-aligned administration proudly toured a new immigration detention centre being referred to—without irony—as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Came...

Alligator Alcatraz

If this were happening in another country, the United States would condemn it as authoritarian overreach. But because it’s happening here—because it’s happening to migrants—the system shrugs.

queergranddad.substack.com/p/alligator-...

Domestic racially motivated violent extremism perpetrated white supremacists is the number one terror threat in the U.S. and it’s not even close.

That’s not an opinion. www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo/media/do...

After the byelection: Alberta’s political fault lines and the hope of Nenshi’s win The Turner Files by Wilbur Turner

@queergranddad.bsky.social latest column be sure to check it out!

The Anti-Trans Panic Is Rooted in White Supremacist Ideology Gender-affirming care poses a challenge to the reproductive imperative imposed by white supremacy.

Reading the Supreme Court decision, I think back to what I wrote with sociologist Blu Buchanan. Attacks on gender-affirming care are fundamentally rooted in white supremacy. Attacks on trans people are part of a broad-ranging agenda of reconfiguring society to better serve white supremacy.

Othered in Plain Sight A School Trustee’s Silent Statement, and Her Loud Opposition to Inclusion

We must ask: If a trustee cannot show up for all students—especially those already targeted and marginalized—do they belong in the role at all?

#Kelowna #Okanagan #Education

open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

Today was the Pet Pride Parade in Kelowna. Of course we were there! 🏳️‍🌈🐾

#PetPride #PrideMonth #Kelowna

What do you think Tim Thielmann, Chief of Staff for BC MLA Dallas Brodie means by "white cane supremacist" in his Instagram bio?
#bcpoli

The Strong Borders Act: Weighing Security Against Civil Liberties Have you looked at the government's Bill C-2?

Do you know what is in Bill C2, The Strong Borders Act? It's more than a bit troubling.
queergranddad.substack.com/p/the-strong...

One BC or One Agenda? Brodie and Armstrong’s New Breakaway Party Targets Inclusion and Equity Earlier today, the list of registered political parties in British Columbia grew by one.

Earlier today, the list of registered political parties in British Columbia grew by one. According to Elections BC, a new party—One BC—has officially been added to the political roster. The two members are Tara Armstrong and Dallas Brodie. #bcpoli
open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

Affirming and Hopeful Very Good: A Catholic School Division's Rainbow Message of Love During Pride

Edmonton Catholic School Division's Pride Month message is beautiful.

queergranddad.substack.com/p/affirming-...

YouTube video by Wilbur Turner Address to 2025 graduates at UBCO

"Sometimes we choose our purpose, and sometimes our purpose chooses us." My speech to the UBCO graduates after receiving my Honorary Doctor of Laws.
youtu.be/B-RLy9vXBRA?...

I accept this recognition as both a celebration and a commitment—to continue the work, to keep learning, growing, and walking forward with all of you. Together.

This honour is not just mine. It belongs to every person who ever spoke up, showed up, resisted, rebuilt, believed. Thank you for standing with me, for believing in the power of community, justice, and love.

To be recognized in this way for community and advocacy work feels deeply humbling. I didn’t walk this path alone. I carried with me the love & strength of friends, family, chosen family, & the communities that shaped me and walked beside me -especially during the moments when the journey was hard.

Today, I stood on the stage at UBC Okanagan to receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree—and I’m still trying to find the words to capture what’s in my heart.

#UBCOGrad #HonoraryDoctorate #CommunityWork #Gratitude #StillBecoming

The NDP just tried to topple the government weeks after an election — risking another costly vote when Canadians need stability. Could this move could be the beginning of the end for the NDP? Read my opinion. 👇 #cdnpoli #ThroneSpeech #NDP
open.substack.com/pub/queergra...

Music conductor with baton in hand sitting in a row of red theatre seats.

Breaking News: Julian Pellicano becomes just the sixth music director in the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s 65-year history.
okanagansymphony.com/oso-music-di... Music Director | Okanagan Symphony Orchestra #Kelowna
📷 Travis Campbell