Running shoes and red dresses

When it comes to charity foot races around Edmonton, you’ve got your straightforward ‘fastest to the finish’ competitive events and the other kind where it’s not so much the goal as the scenery.

Count the Red Dress Run in the latter category, an event put on by an Edmonton group called the Hash House Harriers that describes itself as ‘a drinking club with a running problem.’ This annual run is their trademark charity event; all of the participants wear red dresses while they hoof it on the course.

That and the cheeky fun they all have are the only constants because the fundraising benefits a different charitable organization each year, although the intent is always to improve the quality of life in the community. This time the proceeds go to help support Camp fYrefly. It’s the country’s only leadership retreat for sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer and questioning or LGBTTIQQ) youth and their allied straight counterparts. Dr. AndrĂ© Grace and St. Albert’s Kristopher Wells co-founded the camp six years ago at the University of Alberta with the goal of helping the youth attendees become the change they want to see in the world. The 2010 Alberta camp takes place in the third week of July.

Wells will be in the run too because even though his organization is well respected, there is still much progress to be made. A recent violent attack on a lesbian in Edmonton has many people concerned that it is a hate crime. The LGBTTIQQ community often faces abuse in various forms and it doesn’t always get reported.

“This is the first time that a mainstream organization with a long history of community volunteerism and support has chosen a lesbian and gay charity,” he said, praising the local chapter of the Hash House Harriers. “The idea is that the responsibility of helping to support our youth is that everyone has a role to play. Sexual minority youth have traditionally been at risk in our community for bullying, violence and discrimination so it’s exciting to see that this group would want to come together and bridge these different worlds and say, ‘Despite our differences, we have a common humanity.’”

There is expected to be approximately 200 runners out for the event in two weeks but more are always welcome to join in the fun and broaden their horizons.

“This is a community that has often felt under attack in the province of Alberta. That’s why events like the Red Dress Run really show that communities and individuals need to come together and stand up against hate in all of its forms. Hate is not a quality that will be tolerated in the province.”

Hate Crime Awareness Day takes place in Edmonton on May 10. Check the Facebook group for details.

If you want to learn more about Camp fYrefly or donate to it, please visit www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca.