Politicians get roasted at Premier's Pride Brunch fundraiser for LGBTQ youth summer camp

Politicians were served more than just food at the Premier's Pride Brunch for Camp fYreflyin Calgary on Saturday.

The annualfundraiser forCamp fYrefly Calgary aretreathosted by the Calgary Sexual Health Centre for sexual and gender minority youthopened with a political roastcourtesy ofCalgary writer,bloggerand activistMikeMorrison.

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"We do have lots of important people here in this room today and I'm really excited," Morrison said.

"Thank you so much to the [United Conservative Party]for being involved. Let's just hope your friend Ezra [Levant] doesn't find out you're here. Look out."

Morrisonpoked fun at UCP Interim Leader Nathan Cooper andhis previous job with Canada Family Action, an organization Morrisoncalled "anti-LGBTQ."

"But we look past that, we look for evolution," Morrison said. "But I feel the least you could do Nathan is buy a bottle of champagne."

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Morrison had more than just the UCP member in his sights, singling out NDP MLA Sandra Jansenwho crossed the floor from the PC caucus in November.

"Sandra, we do have an extra seat just in case you feel like switching halfway through," Morrison said to a roar of laughter from the crowd. "You're welcome to my seat."

Morrisonapplauded Alberta Liberal Party Leader David Khan as the "first openly-gay leader of a major political party in Alberta," but noted the small size of the Liberals' delegation at the event.

"That's actually the entire Liberal party, which is amazing."

'Walking the walk'

Cooper took Morrison's barbs in stride, calling LGBTQissues "important" for the future of the UCP.

Calgary Pride took a stance on the lack of policy from the UCP to support the LGBTQ community by banning theircaucus members from formally marching or taking part in the parade.

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Cooper, who attended the brunch with UCP MLAsLeelaAheerand Rick Fraser, as well as UCP leadership hopeful DougSchweitzer, said he has changed his stance on the LGBTQcommunity since his time withCanada Family Action.

"Well, I think that it's really important that, as a party, that we're doing everything that we can to reach out to theLGBTQ community to let them know that we're serious about being an open, inclusive party,"Cooper said.

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"And I've tried to spend this summer walking the walk and talking the talk, and that means making sure that members of the community know that we actually mean what we say."

Cooper plans to attend the Calgary Pride Parade on Sunday as a spectator along with other members of the UCP.

'Completely out of touch'

Premier Rachel Notley attended the event for the first time since becoming premier, as scheduling conflicts prevented her from attending in the past.

Notleysaid Calgary Pride'sban of UCP membersofficiallyparticipatingin the Pride Parade makes sense giventhe history of "publicly-made homophobic and intolerant comments" from members of the UCP caucus and a lack of policy from the new party.

"I hope they change those positions because they are way behind the rest of Albertans," Notley said."They are completely out of touch with Albertans with respect to those kinds of positions."

The Calgary Pride Parade runs Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., marching down 6th Avenue S.E.from 3rd Street to S.E. to 6th Street S.W.

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