Michael Phair

ByCanada Wall of Honour

Michael Phair’s dedication to social justice, community building, and equality has left an indelible mark on Edmonton, making him a truly inspiring figure in the city’s history.

Michael Phair

Michael Phair is a highly respected and influential figure in Edmonton, Alberta, known for his long and impactful career as a politician, community activist, and advocate for social justice, particularly for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Pioneering Political Career:

  • First Openly Gay Elected Official in Alberta: Michael Phair made history in 1992 when he was elected to Edmonton City Council, becoming the first openly gay elected official in Alberta, and one of the earliest in Canada. This was a groundbreaking achievement in a province that was, at the time, considered conservative.
  • Long-Serving City Councillor: He served five terms on Edmonton City Council, from 1992 until 2007, representing central Edmonton neighbourhoods.
  • Advocate on Council: During his time on council, he was a strong voice for:
  • Inclusivity and Diversity: Championing efforts to make Edmonton a more welcoming city for all.
  • Sustainable Urban Planning: Supporting thoughtful development and revitalization of the city’s core, including being instrumental in the revitalization of 104th Street and saving the iconic Philips building.
  • Affordable Housing and Reducing Homelessness: Advocating for initiatives to address housing insecurity in Edmonton.
  • Arts and Culture: Playing a key role in the creation of the Edmonton Arts Council, which took over the governance of city funding for arts and festivals.
  • Environmental Initiatives: Championing recycling programs, among other environmental efforts.
  • Public Health: Supporting initiatives like hot lunch programs for inner-city schoolchildren and advocating for Edmonton to become a non-smoking municipality.

Community Activism and Advocacy:

  • The Pisces Bathhouse Raid (1981): A pivotal moment in Phair’s life and activism was his arrest during a police raid on the Pisces Health Spa, a gay bathhouse in 1981. Although he successfully appealed and had his record scrubbed, this event galvanized his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and propelled him into community activism.
  • Founding HIV Edmonton: In 1984, he helped establish the AIDS Network of Edmonton (now HIV Edmonton), a crucial organization in the city’s early response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He became the first Chair of the Canadian AIDS Society.
  • LGBTQ+ Community Building: He was instrumental in forming many 2SLGBTQ+ community groups, including the Gay and Lesbian Awareness (GALA) society, which organized early Pride events in Edmonton. He has also served on the board of the Edmonton Pride Society and is a co-ordinator with the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group, advocating for safe and inclusive housing and services for LGBTQ+ seniors.
  • Edmonton Queer History Project: Phair is a founding member and active participant in the Edmonton Queer History Project, dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Edmonton. He has also been a significant donor of archival materials related to Edmonton’s gay and lesbian history.
  • Adjunct Professor: He is an adjunct professor with the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.
  • Michael Phair plays a formal and foundational leadership role in the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group’s (EPSG) Safe & Inclusive Housing initiative. EPSG was founded in 2013 as a volunteer committee by Michael Phair alongside former councillor Sherry McKibben, with the purpose of addressing housing and services issues facing older LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Edmonton.

Recognition and Legacy:

  • Michael Phair Park: A colourful park in downtown Edmonton, located on 104th Street (a historically significant area for the LGBTQ+ community), is named in his honour.
  • Michael Phair School: A junior high school in west Edmonton, which opened in 2017, is also named after him, recognizing his contributions to education and community.
  • Michael Phair Leadership Award: The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta co-created this award to recognize U of A students who work to advance 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree: The University of Alberta recently awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
  • St. Stephen’s College Chancellery: In November 2022, St. Stephen’s College conferred upon him the honour and responsibility of the St. Stephen’s Chancellery.