What kind of organization threatens their volunteers?
Hello Volunteers,
It is day 2 of Fringe but we have already received some complaints regarding the use of pronouns and folks being misgendered.
Under Canadian Human Rights Legislation, using correct pronouns is recognized as a fundamental aspect of a person’s identity and dignity. Misgendering or refusing to use a person’s preferred pronouns constitutes discrimination.
We here at Fringe take this very seriously. If we receive a report of this behaviour of any kind, you will receive a warning from us. If we receive a second report, you will be removed from all of your remaining shifts and will not be invited back to volunteer with Fringe.
I have attached the Gender Inclusion Document for review. It has some helpful tips on language to use if you are unsure of someone’s pronouns.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Katie
(she/her)
Volunteer ManagerWINNIPEG FRINGE THEATRE FESTIVAL
July 15 – 26, 2026
Direct (204) 956 1340 ext. 217
Presented by ROYAL MTCWWW.WINNIPEGFRINGE.COM
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Forwarded by a reader. You should probably keep the kids away.
It’s not just the kids who should be nowhere near that hive…
well jeez louise (her/she) by the time this ‘fringe’ as p.m. TURDeau dscribed them gets to my town it will ALL be a veritable MINE FIELD for all in attendance. volunteers, patrons, suppliers,
e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e who shows her/their/xis/its/his/lgbtq2xyz’s . . . . . . . . face? the one with the safety pins, tats and glare?
anyways, not wishing to risk a formal HRC complaint and be fined $250,000, um, count me OUT
I recall the Fringe festival in Edmonton in the 80s.
It was eclectic and still had normal stuff.
Then it got “fringe”.
At least I saw Colin James and skipped the stupid plays,
Holy smokes!!! I ended up going down the rabbit hole on this one. I was curious how the applicable Canadian Human Rights Legislation would frame this. Obviously, it’s a differing of opinion, and I was unclear what damages would prevail in such a situation.
Apparently, refusal to use the preferred pronouns of a third party constitutes discrimination and harrassment. The CHR acknowledges that you are able to hold personal opinions in private, but in a commercial or service oriented setting, you are obligated to comply with what that third party requires. And, when you choose to ACT on your personal opinions, in such a setting you are in violation. However, those requiring you to address them a certain way are acting on their own personal opinions, and by definition discriminating against you…and harrassing you as well. But, despite the language, the CHR gives precedence to the party requiring desired pronouns.
Short version: The Legislation and Court rulings are based on flawed legislation that can be turned around 180 degrees to accuse the complaining party of the same discrimination and harrassment, BUT the bias of the CHR and Courts negate the failings of the rule/law/legislation.
yep. in short order its going to be the very caustic extremely strict hard core running things. scaring away slews of volunteers who, tho meaning well, lack the confidence one tiny slip up . . . then asks self what am l DOING this for? ALL huge risk for a free pass to one of the acts? whoopdie doo.
at which point the whole shebang cannot proceed the next year for lack of volunteers.
akin to communists ‘liquidating’ the ‘useful idiots’