Legal Advocacy & Political Activism: Honouring Our Elders 2025

Every year, QMUNITY hosts a special event in the fall that feels less like a luncheon and more like a sacred gathering where time softens and we get to gather around and listen to the stories of those who have built the very foundations we now sta

nd on. The event is called “Honouring Our Elders”. 

This year’s theme was Legal Advocacy & Political Activism (major shout-out to our Seniors Program Coordinator, Allie!). It invited us to reflect on how privilege and oppression intersect, and how our movement must continue to make space for those most marginalized. The work of our honourees embodies that commitment. 

We got to celebrate the legacies of some extraordinary elders who have dedicated decades to advancing social justice, equity, and love in our communities. Getting to listen to them speak about their journeys, the battles fought, the wins earned, and the community bonds that sustained them reminded me just how far we’ve come and how much care, courage, and persistence it took to get here.

I’m including below brief descriptions of each of the incredible individuals we honoured this year. These are the people who laid the bricks of the path we now walk. They’ve faced systems designed to silence them, and instead they built systems of care, connection, and courage. Their stories are not just history lessons; they are blueprints for how we keep moving forward.

Sonia “Soni” Marino

A longtime advocate for income security and healthcare reform, Soni Marino has been at the front lines of social justice work since the early 1980s. From the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre to AIDS Vancouver and First United’s poverty law program, Soni has dedicated their life to helping people meet their basic needs and assert their rights. Their tenacity and compassion have improved countless lives, and their legacy continues to ripple through every advocacy table they’ve ever sat at.

April Sumter-Freitag

April is an eighth-generation Black Canadian of Mi’kmaq, Cherokee, and Scottish ancestry, and a queer, nonbinary, and polyamorous artist, educator, and advocate. As a social planner with the City of Vancouver, April leads the city’s 2STGD Action Plan (a framework for creating inclusive policies for Two-Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse people). Their work spans film, writing, counselling, and anti-racism education, always grounded in intersectionality and care. April’s vision reminds us that liberation is a shared project, one that must centre every voice.

Rob Hughes

If you’ve ever known someone who found safety in Canada after fleeing persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity, there’s a good chance Rob Hughes had a hand in making that possible. A Vancouver-based lawyer and co-founder of Rainbow Refugee, Rob opened one of the first law offices in Canada dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in 1984. His career includes landmark cases that changed the course of Canadian history; from the right to serve openly in the military to securing equal marriage and immigration sponsorship for same-sex couples. Rob’s courage and persistence transformed Canada’s legal landscape forever.

QUIRK-E & Chris Morrissey

The Queer Imaging & Riting Kollective for Elders (lovingly known as QUIRK-E) began nearly two decades ago under QMUNITY’s umbrella, giving queer elders a creative space to connect and tell their stories. Their work (from writing anthologies to spoken word and visual art) keeps queer history alive through creativity and community care.

We also honoured the late Chris Morrissey (1942–2025), a co-founder of Rainbow Refugee and LEGIT (Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force), whose tireless advocacy helped overturn discriminatory immigration laws. Chris’s leadership in forming QUIRK-E, her commitment to justice, and her enduring warmth continue to inspire generations of activists and artists. Her spirit was felt deeply in the room.

Sandy Leo Laframboise

A Two-Spirit spiritual leader and human rights advocate for over six decades, Sandy Leo Laframboise has dedicated her life to advancing the rights of transgender and Two-Spirit people across Canada. A respected Elder, researcher, and harm reduction advocate, Sandy has worked tirelessly to destigmatize drug use, promote health equity, and confront the ongoing opioid crisis. She continues to lend her wisdom to civic and academic spaces, ensuring that Indigenous and trans voices are not just heard but valued and centered.

To our elders: thank you for your courage, your persistence, and your love. You remind us that community is an inheritance, one we must tend to, protect, and grow.

May we never take for granted the rights you fought for, and may we always honour you; not just in ceremony, but in action.

In Solidarity,

Allie and Michael