Inside the Fall of The Pride Association of Southeast Alberta: Misinformation, Misappropriation, and Internal Turmoil

In early 2024, a once-prominent pillar of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Southeast Alberta crumbled under a barrage of internal discord, false narratives, and political pressures. Operating within Premier Danielle Smith and Justin Wrights constituencies, the organization—formerly known as The Pride Association of Southeast Alberta (PASA) and later rebranded as Pop Up Pride—became a casualty of a turbulent climate defined by misdirected funds, online threats of violence that also played a role in a classroom lockdown at the college a few days prior, along with contentious alliances.

A Politically Charged Environment

Million March 4 Children Counter Protest, Medicine Hat, AB, Sept 20, 2023. (Photo: KALEIGH MCARTHUR)

For three years, PASA strove to create safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by offering education opportunities and built partnerships with local businesses and organizations. However, the politically charged environment under Premier Danielle Smith’s leadership placed the organization under constant scrutiny. With controversial policies being introduced at the provincial level, including measures affecting transgender and non-binary youth, community advocates found themselves on the defensive. In this climate of heightened tension, the internal fabric of PASA began to unravel.

Financial Controversy: The $5,000 Misstep

A pivotal moment came when Southern Alberta Pop Up Parks, a local organization, and financial umbrella for Pop Up Pride, allocated approximately $5,000 of Pride funds to host an event during Culture Days in September 2023. The event, which featured artists instrumental in planning the Million March for Children, notably excluded the Pride Organization from any participation. Critics within the community saw this decision as more than a scheduling or logistical oversight—it was interpreted as a deliberate sidelining of a group already struggling under political pressure. The diversion of funds only deepened existing fractures, fueling misappropriation and internal betrayal. The controversy reached its zenith in October of 2023, when a critical resolution meeting was scheduled. The meeting was intended to address the growing financial and reputational crisis within the organization. However, as online threats were observed on the morning of the meeting, safety concerns forced its cancellation. The sudden eruption of hostile content not only prevented a chance for reconciliation but also sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many members without a clear path forward.

“A request for a response in october 2023 was met with a messenger response from the pop up parks spokesperson, that were deleted before our team could see them.”- Thomas Fougere

The Voice of a Former Leader

At the heart of the fallout was myself, the former chairperson, who led the organization from 2020 to 2023. Known for my outspoken stance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies—and for my commitment to creating genuine safe spaces—my efforts were relentlessly undermined leading up to February 2024. A series of false narratives began circulating, accusing me of exacerbating the community’s challenges. Some factions argued that aligning with the United Conservative Party (UCP) was a necessary strategy to counteract harmful policies, twisting my calls for internal dialogue into allegations of instability. Despite repeated attempts at open, amicable communication, my initiatives were consistently portrayed as erratic and unhinged—a portrayal that starkly contrasted with my long standing record of advocacy. The organization’s lack of effective internal communication only worsened the crisis.

The Aftermath: A Community Left Searching

By February 2024, the cumulative effects of financial missteps, internal betrayals, and targeted misinformation had taken their toll. The organization, once a beacon of hope for the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community, had effectively crumbled. Members who once relied on PASA for support now find themselves adrift in a political landscape where safe spaces are increasingly scarce. Community advocates are left with many questions: How did a group dedicated to inclusivity and open dialogue become mired in such discord? To what extent did external political pressures and internal disagreements converge to bring about its downfall? And perhaps most importantly, what steps can be taken to rebuild trust and ensure that community resources are protected from both internal and external forces?

Looking Ahead

Women in Business, Wine & Cheese Galentines Day 2023, (Photo: KALEIGH MCARTHUR)

As Southeast Alberta grapples with these questions, the legacy of PASA serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of community organizations operating in politically volatile environments. The fall of PASA underscores the need for transparent communication, sound financial management, and above all, a steadfast commitment to the very values that once united its members. In a time when misinformation can spread as rapidly as legitimate concerns, the disintegration of PASA is a stark reminder that safeguarding community spaces requires vigilance—not just against external political pressures, but also against the internal dynamics that can quietly sow division.

By: Kaleigh McArthur, Journalist & Former Pride Association of Southeast Alberta Chairperson