Brendan Roy and Ron Byers
Michael Phair is a prominent Canadian community leader, educator, and former politician known for his significant contributions to LGBTQ+ rights and urban development in Edmonton, Alberta. He made history in 1992 as the first openly gay elected official in Alberta when he was elected to Edmonton City Council. During his five terms on council, Phair was an outspoken advocate for inclusivity, sustainable urban planning, and affordable housing.
Beyond politics, Phair has been deeply involved in education and social activism. He has served on the board of numerous nonprofit organizations, championing public health, youth engagement, and the arts. In 2015, he was appointed to the University of Alberta Board of Governors and later became the first chair of the Edmonton Public School Board’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee. His leadership helped shape more inclusive policies for students and staff alike.
Michael Phair’s legacy has been recognized in various ways, including Michael Phair Park in downtown Edmonton and the naming of Michael Phair Junior High School in Edmonton in his honour. Widely respected for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to equality, Phair continues to inspire new generations of leaders dedicated to social justice and community building. His work has left a lasting impact on Edmonton and serves as a model for inclusive civic leadership across Canada.
Part One
See the YouTube link below to watch the interview.
In Part One Michael Phair talks about moving to Calgary from Oshkosh, Wisconsin – a small town of less than 31,000 people at the time. After a brief time in Calgary he moved to Edmonton and shot to local notoriety on May 30, 1981 when he was arrested as a “found in a bawdy-house” during the police raid of the Pisces Bathhouse.
This event propelled him to the role of advocate and activist for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community…. something that even 40+ years later he still stands as a leader in the community.
Michael talks about the “cheeky” entry he and others entered into the 1982 Sourdough Raft Race themed as a “Gay 90’s Bathhouse” and then his journey to San Francisco in 1983 at a time when HIV/AIDS was beginning to claim lives of so many gay men.
Just a few days after he returned to Edmonton he got a phone call from an Edmonton Journal reporter asking about the first man diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Edmonton (and Alberta) asking for comment. Days later, around his kitchen table, the AIDS Network of Edmonton was formed with friends… which still lives on today as HIV Edmonton.
Hear Michael share the work they did in those early years and the emotional impact the many deaths had on so many in the Edmonton community including him, something that he still feels and still brings tears to his eyes.
PART TWO IS NOW OUT
https://yegqueerhistory.ca/michael-phair-part-two/
Additional resources:
Raid on Pisces Bathhouse — Darkest Before the Dawn
by Aldynne Bemont
https://yegqueerhistory.ca/raid-on-pisces-bathhouse-darkest-before-the-dawn/
Queer History in Edmonton: The 1981 Pisces Bathhouse Raid
by Darrin Hagen
https://yegqueerhistory.ca/queer-history-in-edmonton-the-1981-pisces-bathhouse-raid/
A Brief Police History of Queer Edmonton
by Aldynne Belmont
https://yegqueerhistory.ca/a-brief-police-history-of-queer-edmonton/
40th anniversary of Pisces Health Spa raids
By Edmonton Police Services
https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/SuccessStories/PiscesHealthSpa40th
From Here To Queer
Edmonton Queer History Project
https://edmontonqueerhistoryproject.podbean.com/e/michael-phair/
Michael Phair Park
Edmonton Queer History Project
https://www.edmontonqueerhistoryproject.ca/michael-phair-park
Gay Alliance Towards Equality (GATE)
Edmonton Queer History Project
https://www.edmontonqueerhistoryproject.ca/gate
AIDS Network of Edmonton
Edmonton Queer History Project
https://www.edmontonqueerhistoryproject.ca/aids-network-of-edmonton
Funding for this story made possible by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton
Brendan Roy
With over a decade of experience, my artistic journey has been one of continuous evolution and passion. It all began with a fascination for capturing moments—starting with sports and creative portraiture during my high school years. By 15, I took on my first wedding shoot, and by 17, I moved to Edmonton to study Photographic Technology at NAIT. This formal training sharpened my technical expertise while deepening my appreciation for the art and craft of visual storytelling.
Since then, I’ve built a thriving photo and video production company in Edmonton. My style is dynamic, blending cinematic aesthetics, warmth, mood, and vibrant colors. I draw inspiration from the timeless allure of classic film processing and the compelling narratives found in National Geographic and Vogue. Through my work, I strive to create images and films that feel both intimate and impactful.
As an entrepreneur, I wear many hats—excelling not just as a photographer, but also in roles such as set styling, storyboarding, location scouting, and coordinating timelines. With my company capturing over 40 weddings each year, I’ve developed a knack for orchestrating seamless collaborations between my team, clients, and vendors, ensuring each project is a thoughtfully crafted masterpiece.
In recent years, I’ve expanded our offerings to include video production, allowing me to explore new dimensions of visual storytelling. Working closely with my talented team, I’ve embraced the art of integrating movement and sound, bringing stories to life in more expressive and emotive ways.
One of my most meaningful projects has been Drag.Jpeg, which allowed me to document Edmonton’s vibrant drag community. This experience transformed my artistic perspective, deepening my connection to the city’s rich cultural landscape. It solidified my commitment to celebrating diversity and sharing stories that resonate deeply with the heart.
Outside of work, I find joy in nurturing my favorite things—plants, aquascaping, and collaborating with others to create something beautiful. I’m grateful for every opportunity to tell a story, and I look forward to capturing the essence of each new connection I make.
Ron Byers
Ron Byers is a community leader and storyteller. Decades of work in Edmonton’s non-profit sector have given him an extensive resume of service as well as a unique viewpoint on our city and its history.
He has left his mark with many groups such as the Alberta’s oldest 2SLGBTQ+ organization the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose where he was a Founding Member, the Pride Centre of Edmonton as part of developing its Aging With Pride Program and the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group. He also worked with the Edmonton Heritage Council and its Edmonton City As Museum Project (ECAMP) to bring stories of our Queer history to the public space. Ron also helped develop and monitor the Harm Reduction Program, PeerNPeer managed by the Queer & Trans Health Collective – QTHC (formerly Edmonton Men’s Health Collective).
He is also a positive speaker for HIV Edmonton, founder of Pride Edmonton and Rainbow Story Hub and the Cultural Events Lead for the 2030 Gay Games Bid Committee.
Kyler Chittick
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