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The Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity (Formerly the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services; iSMSS) is a non-profit organization and research institute housed in the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta.

Fyrefly provides programs and services to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies. Our work also involves partnerships with organizations such the Calgary Centre for Sexuality, Boyle Street Community Services, and the Pride Centre of Edmonton to provide direct services, including crisis intervention, mental health supports, and 2SLGBTQ+ education.

Our programs focus on community outreach, creating affirming spaces, and educational advancement specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community through our educational programs, research, advocacy and scholarship opportunities. The Fyrefly Institute works to create a society where all queer and trans people are free of discrimination.

We strive to:

  1. Empower the 2SLGBTQ+ community to thrive.
  2. Build leaders, particularly among youth.
  3. Build public awareness and allyship.
  4. Advance sexual and gender diversity studies to the forefront.
  5. Create hope

We are unique in that we utilize research to inform our services, and our services drive the direction of our research.

We believe:

  1. All queer and trans people deserve to be free of discrimination.
  2. Through nurturance and resiliency practices, all 2SLGBTQ+ people have potential to thrive.
  3. In the continued pursuit of knowledge as a tool to empower and build capacity.
  4. In grounding our practices in evidence-based research.
  5. We cannot achieve our goals alone but through collaboration 

Our reports provide an overview of our yearly activities and any new initiatives and major activities we have added within the specified year.

2014-2015 

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

 

Donate to Fyrefly

The Fyrefly Institute has served 2SLGBTQ+ people for more than twenty years, fighting for queer rights since before marriage equality was achieved in Canada. Every year, we reach and support thousands of people throughout the province. To sustain our thriving programs and services, we are seeking $10,000 in funding. Please donate to the Fyrefly Institute fund. All donations are eligible for a charitable tax deduction receipt from the University of Alberta. 


Events and Opportunities

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Pride Week

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Grab a Coffee with Fyrefly at the Dirtbag Cafe | March 15 5 PM - 6:30 

Register

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Volunteer with Camp fYrefly (AB North) as a Health Team Lead, Artist in Residence, Knowledge Keeper, or Youth Committee Member | Apply by March 24 

Youth Committee 

Volunteer

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Support Fyrefly and show your pride with the UA Pride Collection!

UA Pride Collection

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The Birdcage Film Screening | March 13 6:30 - 9 | Metro Cinema | Supports Fyrefly & Metro Cinema 

Tickets


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Fyrefly in the Media


Our Partners

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Contact Us

We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can email us at fyrefly@ualberta.ca or leave us a message at 780.492.0772.