Central Alberta Pride is once again asking Red Deer’s City Council to denounce the practice of conversion therapy after the City of Calgary officially banned the practice this week.

Bobbi-Jo L’Hirondelle, media spokesperson for CA Pride, says they want what folks in other cities have - to feel safe, welcomed and heard. 

“Following this victory for LGBTQ2si+ rights, we at the Central Alberta Pride Society renewed the call for RD City Council and Mayor Tara Veer to revisit the ban on conversion therapy in the near future,” L’Hirondelle said. 

“We want to reiterate to Council that it’s a harmful practice to members of our community.  It puts us in a position where we are forced to be something we’re not. We’re forced back into a closet, or some people feel forced into suicide. It’s not fair for us as human beings to be forced into anything, because we aren’t forcing our values onto anyone else.”

In March, Red Deer Council City Council member Dianne Wyntjes had brought forward a motion to ban the practice, and the motion was initially denied. However, after amendments made to the motion, Council instead voted on five separate resolutions. 

However, the central Alberta Pride Society wants to see the City take a definitive stance against the issue and says those individual resolutions do not fully support a ban on conversion therapy. 

“We’re feeling like Red Deer should take a big step forward and do what the biggest cities in Alberta are doing. We are a bigger city, and we should be held to the same standard as those cities,” L’Hirondelle said.

“It definitely is a big mental burden on the LGBTQ2si+ people who still have to fight for equality in central Alberta. It’s hard on our mental capabilities. Not only has Red Deer specifically not banned this practice, but it is still actively happening in Central Alberta,” she added. 

L’Hirondelle said Central Alberta Pride is currently working to put together a collection of personal stories from people who’s lives have been impacted directly by conversion therapy right here in central Alberta. She said it’s important for people to understand the toll it takes on the unwilling participants.  

“We want to re-iterate to City Council how important this is. We want to inform them that we are saddened by the fact that they are still not taking decisive action on this issue.”

L’Hirondelle added that they hope Council will revisit the issue soon, as a show of respect and solidarity with LGBTQ2si+ people and to let members of the rainbow community know they are able to "flourish and be their authentic selves".