Episode 19: Trans Rights and Allyship

In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Meaghon Reid chats with Anna Murphy, a community advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ and women’s issues, about trans rights and the state in Alberta, the poverty statistics of trans individuals, how to create inclusive communities and what allyship truly looks like. 

In this episode 

• Learn about how equity isn’t just about surviving but also thriving, and what the City of Calgary has done to protect the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  
• What does true allyship look like beyond displaying a pride flag or logo during Pride Month? 

Three key takeaways 

• The hate we see towards the trans community was forecasted by advocates about 5 years ago and shows us just how fragile human rights can be. 
• Within Canada, 25-40% of homeless youth are 2SLGBTQIA+. What is being done to address the intersectionality of the affordability crisis?  
• While parents have a right to know if their child is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, they also have a responsibility to make sure that a child feels safe and comfortable.

About Anna Murphy 

Anna Murphy is a woman fiercely passionate to call the communities of Calgary her home, she is a community-minded leader and engaged advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ and Women’s Issues, while striving to be a champion for equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility within her community. 

In addition to her role as Visitor Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator with Contemporary Calgary, Anna has the profound honour and remarkable privilege of serving a city of trailblazers in a voluntary capacity as a University of Calgary Senator, Chair of the Senate EDI Working Group, Member of the O’Brien Institute of Public Health, Vice-Chair of the Gender Equity Diversity Inclusion Subcommittee of the City of Calgary Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee, Member of the Council Behaviour Working Group, Member of the Community Connections Subcommittee of the Calgary Stampede Agriculture and Western Events Committee, Member of the Calgary Foundation SAM Centre Community Advisory, and Member of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs National 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Council. 

Anna was named the 2022 Calgary Stampede Western Trailblazer for her community activism related towards 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, as well being the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of her ongoing volunteerism and significant contributions to the province of Alberta.  

Committed to giving her time to inspire even the smallest of change, Anna gives back in an effort to foster safe and affirming communities where all can see themselves and know their future as being an achievable reality - further, Anna recognizes that community building requires active and ongoing involvement, leading from her lived experience as a transgender woman who continues to navigate the realities which come from adversity and barriers created as a result of ongoing cultural and systemic inequity, along with lack of representation.   

About Vibrant Communities Calgary 

Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) advocates for long-term strategies that address the root causes of poverty in Calgary. VCC engages the community using a collective impact approach to poverty reduction and is the steward of Calgary's community-owned poverty reduction strategy, Enough for All. VCC actively guides the implementation of the strategy through advocacy and policy, and by working with community members, organizations and Enough for All Champions. 

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