Alberta NDP forced to rename Prairie Fairy Fundraiser

EDMONTON • The first Prairie Fairy Fundraiser, a political fundraiser for the Alberta NDP, sparked an outcry from members of the gay community, prompting an apology from organizers and a swift renaming of the Nov. 18 event.

With drag queens, an aerialist performer and DJ, the $ 30- per- head event at Mama’s Gin Joint was billed as a fundraiser for the NDP’s “fruits of the ( Legislature),” to help support LGBTQ candidates.

Openly gay provincial cabinet minister Ricardo Miranda said Monday he received “a couple of concerns” in response to the event, and passed them on to the party.

“I think it’s just another way to remind us to think about the impact of language … and be mindful of how we use it,” Miranda said.

The NDP’s LGBTQ caucus co- chairs Dylan Sloan and Leah Ward offered an “unreserved and sincere apology,” writing on the group’s Face- book page that they didn’t intend to “offend or make light of the struggles and pain our community has endured and continues to experience.”

“Nevertheless, we understand that regardless of our intent, harm was caused and we take full responsibility for that,” they wrote.

NDP provincial secretary Roari Richardson said he appreciated the chairs’ “swift action and sensitivity to the opinions of others.”

It’s not the first time the Alberta NDP has landed in hot water over its fundraising. Just 16 days into its tenure, it invited people to Premier Rachel Notley’s swearing-in ceremony while asking them to contribute money to the party.