Wilbur Turner is a well-recognized name in the Okanagan as an advocate and change-maker. In honour of Pride Month, we are sharing his story to highlight the ongoing need for the community to celebrate Pride, but also to commit to work to make the everyday experience (outside of special commemorative days) of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community safe and free of hate and discrimination.
Wilbur grew up on a farm outside Vermillion, Alberta and moved to the Okanagan in 2011. He is a proud father and grandfather and lived in Australia for five years with his family when his children were young.
鈥淚 started doing advocacy and volunteer work for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community when I first came out in the late 1990s,鈥� explains Wilbur. 鈥淚t was a time when I watched people I knew disappearing from our circles as a result of HIV/AIDS. My first volunteer work was in fundraising for hospice care at that time.鈥�
鈥淲hen I moved to the Okanagan a friend suggested I volunteer with the Pride society to get to meet other folks in the community,鈥� continues Wilbur. 鈥淚 joined the board and became president in 2012. We started the Etcetera Youth Group in 2013 after seeing a similar group in Ottawa, and I'm happy to see this group still going strong under the direction of The Bridge Youth and Family Services.鈥�
In 2021 Wilbur formed the non-profit, Advocacy Canada to initially campaign for the conversion therapy ban and then also created a networking group for 50+ folks. Building a more equitable Canada for all is at the heart of Advocacy Canada, a non-profit organization run by and for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. They amplify the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians by supporting initiatives that empower seniors, advocate for inclusive education, and drive positive changes in public policy. If you are interested in doing this they are looking for people to make social change with them. They offer several ways for you to get involved: join them at exciting events, become a member to stay informed and contribute to their mission, volunteer your valuable skills to make a direct impact, or donate to fuel their ongoing efforts.
The 琉璃神社 Senior Pride Network provides opportunities for age 50+ 琉璃神社 seniors who identify as LGBTQ2S+ and their allies to connect. This network not only provides the elders of the LGBTQ2S+ community an opportunity for social connections, but also a forum for discussions on housing, health, education, employment, advocacy, and other important matters. On July 19 from 9:30 鈥� 11:00 am there is a 50+ Breakfast at the caf茅 in the Parkinson鈥檚 Senior Centre.
鈥淐ome enjoy a delicious breakfast, socialize with fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ elders, and be part of a welcoming and vibrant community, says Wilbur. 鈥淎ttendees pay for their own breakfast and coffee, which typically costs around $10. There is no RSVP necessary, so just come on down! We look forward to seeing you there!鈥�
鈥淚 have been doing advocacy work since then on emerging issues such as the protests against SOGI 123 and other targeted attacks on our community,鈥� explains Wilbur. 鈥淚 believe it is very important to unify our voices and work toward disarming the agents of disinformation that have been fomenting fear and misunderstanding toward the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and our allies.鈥�
In 2023, Advocacy Canada spearheaded the Billboard Project which included representatives from the Okanagan 2SLGTBQIA+ community to create positive and uplifting messages for the 2SLGTBQIA+ community, which has resulted in beautiful artwork, created by queer Indigenous artist Sarah Jones and the message of You Belong or k史u y蕰ay蕰谩t k史u蕯 膷n虛k虛史涩n虛xi蕯m虛 (N虛syilx膷n虛for We all join in together / We are all a part of it together).
For more information on Advocacy Canada, go to or .
Dorothee Birker is the communications & development manager for KCR Community. Resources.
