Everyone is welcome to join us as we celebrate with Fran Forsberg the day after she is awarded a Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) degree from the Academic Committee of St. Andrew's College. Fran is a member of GPUC, so we're having a "coffee house" after party to mark this auspicious occasion, including performances from some of Grosvenor's talented people! There's no charge, just a donation basket. Fran has asked that all funds raised support the many ministries of GPUC.
More about the Degree:
On the recommendation of the Honorary Degree Committee, the Academic Committee of St. Andrew’s College has selected Austin Fennell of Lethbridge, Alta., Frances Forsberg of Dundurn, Sask., and Tony Thompson of Prince Albert, Sask., to receive Doctors of Divinity honoris causa degrees. (Rev. Tony Thompson is a former minister of Grosvenor Park United!) The degrees will be presented at the joint Convocation of the Colleges in the Saskatoon Theological Union on May 4.
About Fran:
Frances (Fran) Forsberg is a biological mother, an adoptive mother, and a foster mother; she is a lobbyist, a protester, and an advocate. She has fostered more than 150 children and her family consists of children of various ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and gender expressions.
In the community, Fran has served, and serves, many committees, including the Saskatoon Police Cultural Commission, OUTSaskatoon, and the Adoption Support Network. She speaks on behalf of social services and teaches and advocates on behalf of LGBT2Q people.
Fran is the founder of Camp Caterpillar, for all gender and gender creative children and siblings, which has been held at the United Church’s Camp Tapawingo at Candle Lake, Sask.
Four years ago, along with other individuals and families, she filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission about the government’s need to change its policies on issuing “gender markers” on provincial legal documents; first, on birth certificates, then driver’s licences, medical certificates, and others that are based on birth-certificate gender identity. In July 2017, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission agreed with the complaint.
As stated in one letter of support, “Fran has committed her life to social justice for Indigenous people and gender variant individuals. Hers has not been a surface commitment. Rather, her daily life expresses her commitment to social justice issues. She lives her commitment.”
Photo credit: Devin Heroux/CBC