The Pulse
Aug. 20, 2026

Queer and trans people in Edmonton often choose entrepreneurship out of necessity, and support that takes their identities into account is needed, says a new report from the Alberta 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce.

"Queer folks and trans folks are more likely to hit barriers within established organizations, what we call a 'lavender ceiling,'" said Elli McDine, the chamber's executive director. "They may not be able to move forward, and so they may become frustrated within larger organizations and decide that they want to become their own boss."

While trans and queer people can be pushed to leave traditional careers because of ceilings or discrimination, the pull towards entrepreneurship can often be because they are their own first customer, McDine told Taproot. For example, a transmasculine person might start a business after designing a better binder to flatten the chest. Or a family might create an event space that not only tolerates queer and trans people, but celebrates them.

But navigating the business world, whether it's to obtain a business licence or access grant funding, can be challenging for someone who might not have institutional knowledge or a support system around them, says the report, which McDine's organization produced with Action Lab

To help close that gap, the chamber will be launching an interactive resource guide in September, and McDine said she will meet with policy-makers over the coming months to contextualize the report's findings within government systems. There will also be a networking and social event at Frank's Community Pub on Aug. 22 after the Edmonton Pride parade, with an information session on how to join Rainbow Registered, an accreditation program for 2SLGBTQI+-friendly spaces.

When entrepreneurs seek funding, some might have to decide between coming out yet again or refraining from centring that part of their identity. "Sometimes you're leaning in and saying, 'I'm a queer trans woman, and I live in Edmonton, and this is the kind of thing I'm trying to build,'" McDine said. "But if I'm going into a different grant or a different funding body, I might leave that element off because I'm worried that it may count against me."

Research from the Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada found that a third of queer and trans entrepreneurs hide their identities professionally, and a quarter face discrimination or lose opportunities due to being out. None of the small business founders in Edmonton that the chamber spoke to had ever accessed a conventional small-business loan.

• The City of Edmonton launched the Rental Protection Program, which will help non-profit housing providers buy and renovate existing rental buildings for long-term non-market housing. The program is funded with $1 million each from the city and the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund. A building must include at least 30% affordable units to qualify, and rents for those units cannot exceed 80% of the average market rate. Housing researcher Steve Pomeroy told Taproot in 2025 that non-profit acquisitions can preserve inexpensive rentals by keeping future rent increases tied to operating costs.
• Several 2SLGBTQ+ groups withdrew from the upcoming Edmonton Pride Festival after organizers announced a larger, more visible police presence. Those leaving include RaricaNow, whose founder, Adebayo Chris Katiiti, said that a greater police presence could make marginalized community members less safe because of law enforcement's history of targeting them. Pride Corner on Whyte also cut ties with the event, saying that the decision disregards unanswered calls to action from Black and Indigenous trans and queer community members. The Edmonton Pride Festival said that the increased presence is a public-safety measure, not an endorsement of policing. Festival organizer Trevor Watson said police will provide security but will not participate in Pride activities, citing deadly vehicle attacks at Berlin Pride this summer and Vancouver's Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in 2025. Indigenous Pride producer Kisik Whiskeyjack said there will be no police presence at Sunday's powwow and pageant.
• Edmonton city council voted 7-6 to have administration prepare a budget package for a fare-gate pilot at one downtown LRT station. Coun. Jon Morgan said the pilot is intended to reduce fare evasion and improve cost recovery. Mayor Andrew Knack supported gathering more information but said that he is extremely unlikely to support it during budget deliberations.
• After organizers confirmed that the Servus Edmonton Marathon course was 674.7 metres too long, the Boston Athletic Association said that adjusted results will not count toward Boston Marathon qualification. Race director Tom Keogh said in a statement the Edmonton Marathon "will review our certification processes with our partners and ensure this error does not happen again."
• Coun. Karen Principe has asked city administration to study the effects of multi-unit infill on nearby property values after Edmonton Neighbourhoods United funded a study that found homes within 50 metres of such projects sold for about 7.4% lower on average.
• Coun. Thu Parmar is backing a campaign to bring a Northern Super League team to Edmonton. The seven-team women's professional soccer circuit recently added Winnipeg. Parmar cited large crowds at Edmonton's PWHL games and the CPKC Women's Open as evidence of demand for women's sports. Supporters aim to collect 5,000 petition signatures.
• EPCOR will transfer responsibility for the eroded Horseshoe Creek roadway crossing at 137 Avenue to the City of Edmonton on Aug. 31 because the planned 2,000-millimetre culvert is considered bridge-size. The redesigned crossing will widen the embankment for the road and a multi-use path, eliminating the need for the wooden pedestrian bridge. EPCOR will monitor and secure the site until the handover.
• Parking-related issues made up more than 40% of the 50 most common complaint categories in 2025, according to Edmonton's 311 data. Abandoned vehicles ranked first, followed by safety issues.
• The Edmonton Elks lead the CFL West Division at 7-3. Their 42-12 win over the Toronto Argonauts was the team's largest margin of victory since becoming the Elks. Quarterback Cody Fajardo, second in CFL passing yards, was named the No. 2 CFL Player of the Week.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Plug'n Drive starting at 10am at Alberta Motor Association (Edmonton South)
• Edmonton Community Foundation's Community Grant Sessions: Coffee, Conversations & Funding Ideas starting at 10am at Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
• ECAMP Curiosity Walking Tours - Children of the Flats starting at 12pm at ArtsHub Ortona
• Treaty No. 6 150-Year Commemoration Pow Wow starting at 12pm at Enoch Cree Nation Pow Wow and Cultural Grounds Arbour
• 124 Grand Market: Thursdays at 108 starting at 4pm at 124 Grand Market
• Data Centre Town Hall starting at 6pm at Pembina Place
• Cultural Campfires: Ukrainian Heritage - Parkland Ukrainian Dancer's Society starting at 7pm at Shikaoi Park

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• Sept. 17: Alberta Book Publishing Awards at Matrix Hotel
• Sept. 23-25: Lab2Market Summit at University of Alberta
• Oct. 5: Edmonton Startup Week Kickoff at Edmonton Unlimited

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

This week's puzzles were constructed by Jeff Nachtigall, a longtime friend of Taproot.