United Church uses PIE to make a point
By Lethbridge Herald on March 14, 2025.
Members of the McKillop United Church, allies and Lethbridge-West MLA Rob Miyashiro share pie and a message with those passing by Friday afternoon outside of Miyashiro’s office.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-GuzmanAlejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com
Members of the McKillop United Church celebrated their second annual PIE march by sharing a slice of pie and an important message at three different locations on Friday, also known as Pi Day (3/14).
Meg Fester, affirming community liaison with McKillop United Church, explained that they referred to March 14 as PIE day, which in their church symbolizes Public, Intentional and Explicit, in regards of the church being an affirming congregation for all members.
“Meaning they affirm all gender and sexual identities and make spaces for all of them in their faith communities all across Canada, including here at McKillop and Southminster United Churches,” said Fester.
She said their PIE march began outside of Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf’s office at 2 p.m. with their next stop at 3 p.m. outside Lethbridge-West MLA Rob Miyashiro’s office and concluding at 4 p.m. outside of MP Rachael Thomas’ office.
“To stand in alignment with trans-identities, two-spirited and LGBTQ folks and offer solidarity for marginalized folks in our community, recognizing that oftentimes trans-youth do experience higher rates of suicide,” said Fester.
They chose the three locations trying to engage with local politicians, the people who are in leadership and are supposed to be the voice of the people.
“Hopefully they will be willing to listen to all the voices at the table, including some of the most marginalized in our communities,” said Fester.
She said that’s why those in attendance were holding signs that read “Trans-kids deserve to grow old.” And while holding the signs, many vehicles passing by honked in solidarity.
When talking about the play on words with PIE, to share their message during Pi Day, Fester said it was a way to hook people in, attract their attention and have an excuse to share some pie with folks.
“We wanted to come out and eat pie together and remind each other that there are ways that we can collaborate,” said Fester. “A lot of us like pie, it’s something we can agree on, so finding those places of commonality to move forward together is important, and maybe eating pie together can be a way to get there.”
Michele Montgomery, chair of the McKillop Church council and mother of a trans woman, said the church has been an affirming presence for many years and it is very important to them to not just simply say they are affirming, but also to show their support publicly.
“For me as a mother of a trans-woman, it’s hard to express but I constantly wonder how it is that people who are not directly influenced by any transgender people in their lives, are making decisions, creating legislation and passing it,” said Montgomery.
Amendments to the Health Professions Act enacted last year prohibit sex reassignment surgery from being performed by on minors in Alberta and prohibit the prescription of hormone therapy drugs including puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapies for gender dysphoria or incongruence in minors unless permitted under ministerial order.
Amendments also include new definitions for gender dysphoria, gender incongruence and minor, which will be added to the Health Protection Act to ensure it is clear in legislation to whom and when the prohibitions will apply.
The province said the amendments were aimed at strengthening the protection of Albertans’ rights while increasing Alberta’s health care system’s capacity to respond during a public health emergency, “seeking to balance emergency health measures with civil liberties and to minimize the real and/or perceived infringements on individual freedoms.”
Montgomery pointed out that, because of the transgender population is so small, they feel like they don’t have a loud enough voice to stand for themselves against such policies.
“I feel like trans people and trans-parents, we don’t have the same voice, and we need it. Trans-parents need to step out and speak out as there are not enough of them (transgender people) to adequately advocate for themselves.”
She compared the situation to a mechanic by saying “you wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic who has never owned a vehicle, would you?”
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