Queer & Faithful Friday Night Cinema
Pride Season 2026 Monthly Movies
All events are 6:30-8:30 pm PT / 7:30-9:30 pm MT
Screening of a documentary, followed by a short discussion around Queer Theological principles and ideas, and how these films might illustrate new ideas for Affirming Ministry in our communities.
June 26 - “The Iridesce Play” starts just before the United Church of Canada’s 1988 vote to welcome gay and lesbian people in membership and eligibility for ministry in the church. It respectfully dramatizes some of the struggles and challenges some in the church faced around this vote, and continues by sharing how communities of faith, church members and leaders were affected. Register here. Content notes: This film dramatizes real events surrounding the United Church of Canada's 1988 vote on the inclusion of gay and lesbian people. It includes depictions of church conflict, institutional rejection, and the personal toll of that debate on individuals and communities. May be difficult for those who lived through this period or who have experienced exclusion from a faith community.
July 17 - “Wonderfully Made - LGBTQ+R(eligion)” is a combined fine art project and feature-length documentary that together strike at the root of anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes by exploring the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics. The message, however, applies to any religious tradition that does not fully embrace our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. Register here. Content note: This documentary explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ Catholics navigating faith traditions that do not fully affirm them. It includes accounts of religious rejection, internal conflict around identity and faith, and the ongoing harm of institutional exclusion. Relevant to anyone from a non-affirming religious background.
August 7 - “A Queer's Guide to Spiritual Living” - Blending zine-inspired animation, spoken word, and poetry with insightful interview footage, this lo-fi documentary collage follows four queer people from different religious backgrounds as they explore the intersections of faith and queerness. Register here. Content note: This film follows queer people navigating the intersection of faith and identity. While the overall tone is reflective and hopeful, it touches on experiences of religious harm and the complexity of holding queerness and spirituality together. Generally, the gentlest of the three films in the series.
Peace Team Training: Nonviolent Activism in Action
Presented by Affirming Connections in partnership with McKillop United, facilitated by Nonviolent Peaceforce
Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ rhetoric and legislation are on the rise in Alberta and across Canada. A lot of people want to show up - they just need the tools to do it safely, strategically, and with confidence. This training gives them exactly that.
Peace Team Training is a multi-part program combining online learning with hands-on, in-person practice. Participants will build practical skills in nonviolent activism, conflict de-escalation, and community safety.
Online Series (via Zoom, Canada-wide) September, 2026
In-Person Training - Calgary Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Full Day
The in-person training is an optional add-on for those who can come to Calgary: a full-day, hands-on training day facilitated by Nonviolent Peaceforce, featuring role-play scenarios, bystander-intervention practice, and Peace Team formation. Participants will leave equipped with real skills and connected to a local network of trained volunteers.
Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, allies, accomplices, and people of faith who want to show up for their communities with courage, clarity, and care. No prior experience required.
What you'll walk away with: practical nonviolent resistance skills, conflict de-escalation tools, bystander intervention techniques, and connection to a growing network of nonviolent advocates.
In-person spots will be limited. Registration coming soon!
This training series is made possible through a grant from the Brian and Belva Piercy Endowment Fund at The United Church of Canada Foundation, through the Seeds of Hope granting program. We're so grateful for this support.
Queer Theology series:
Jaye Brix on Deconstructing Bad Theology
Bad theology hurts. It hurts the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community, it hurts our communities of faith, and it hurts folks who feel held down under the thumb of harmful language, tradition, and belief.
This three-week series invited us into a process of deconstructing the theologies that restrict us as we seek to expand our affirming ministry and live out faithful discipleship that celebrates diversity as sacred. We were honoured to have Jaye Brix (they/she) join us live at our third session! Jaye is an ex-pastor who uses their experience, education, and creativity to help folks on their liberation journey, leaving behind ‘church’ that hurts.
Watch all three sessions on our Vimeo channel here.
Hosted by Affirming Connections and Pacific Mountain Region Affirming Ministry.
Share your support for trans youth!
Click here to access free images of love and support for trans youth and their families.
Download one or all and share them wherever you can!
Community Safety Training
Recording available
This practical and relevant workshop (recorded from the live event on June 3, 2025) teaches ways to protect yourself and marginalized communities at protests and events, through effective de-escalation and creative nonviolence. Enhance your safety and self-defense toolbelt.
Led by experienced Community Protection Facilitator, and Head of Security at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Aidan McKendrick!
Queer Interfaith Coalition
The Queer Interfaith Coalition (QIC) and its Affirming allies are reclaiming the religious voice from those who have sought to weaponize faith. We believe that all 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are created in the Divine Image and that advocacy for their human rights is not antithetical to faith, but a central tenet of our religious faiths.
To learn more and sign onto our open letter, visit our page here.
Join our United Against Hate campaign!
Affirming Connections stands in support of drag performers, trans, gender diverse, Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ communities across Canada.
We have seen an apparent rise in malicious misinformation, conspiracy theories, threats, and violence that target drag performers, and the queer and trans communities. In 2023 alone, hate crimes against the queer community rose by 69%, and this number continues to increase.
Add your name to this letter with 400+ others show your public support for 2SLGBTQ+ people who have been facing the brunt of this targeted discrimination. Your voice on this issue truly matters.
Drag FAQ’s Answered
Affirming Connections started the United Against Hate campaign to address the surge in misinformation, disinformation, and violence targeting drag performers and trans people. We compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions we encounter, then asked experts from a variety of fields—including affirming faith leaders, drag performers, educators, academics and researchers—to answer them.
