An Interview with Wilbur Turner

Wilbur Turner (he/him) grew up during the 60s and 70s in rural Alberta “in a time when gay wasn't a word you heard.” His upbringing in a conservative Christian cult made it impossible for him to recognize his sexuality, and was eventually ostracized by some of his own family and the church when he finally came out after 18 years of marriage. His coming out experience led him to volunteer work in the LGBT2Q+ community; after moving to Kelowna in 2011, he took on the role of President with Kelowna Pride. Wilbur played a key role in taking a small Pride March with a few dozen in attendance, to the festival with thousands in attendance in 2019. He would also become the President of Fierté Canada Pride, an organization of member prides across Canada. His first experience of the queer community in the Okanagan was in being a guest at The Flags B&B as far back as the mid 1990's which he fondly reminisces about in this podcast.