Liz Massiah

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Liz Massiah
Liz Massiah

Liz arrived in Alberta  from Wateloo Ont in 1983, having just graduated with an MSW. She soon joined Womonspace, a lesbian group and was involved there for seveal years. She went to a meeting called by John Doyle, to start talking about Pride Events. Soon Gala ( Gay and Lesbian Awareness ) was created. Several people worked hard including Liz,  to get Pride week and eventaully the Parade a realtiy.  GALA began to focus on human rights work and Liz dedicated much of her energy and persistence to  that work

She was a member of the the founding Board of the Aids Network. She began the work of the Liason Committee with the Edmonton Police Service. 

Liz has a core belief that keeping secrets is unhealthy and that being honest about who we are is what we need for health and freedom. She has been blamed and criticized many times for her unrelenting insistence on respect for the individual and the group. Profesionally she has always been ‘ out’ despite the challenges that has presented. Liz  believes in humour and the power of sharing meals together as a strong agent for change, along with firm persistence. and integrity.

She is concerned about the current climate of rage and blaming, believing that produces more problems than it solves.