Chris Morrissey 1942 – 2025

Chris Morrissey was a white lesbian settler who came to Canada with her family as a child. They settled in what was then called Northern BC. At age 17 she entered the convent. She has worked as a teacher, a school principal, and a community developer in Malaysia, Brunei, Chile, the USA, and Canada. She has been a member of various City of Vancouver advisory committees.

When she worked at The Centre (now called QMUNITY) she initiated a writing group called Writing Our LGBT Lives. This group changed its name to Quirk-e when it became a participant in Arts and Health: Healthy Aging Through the Arts. She has pieces in each of the Quirk-e’s publications. Her writing explores her various life experiences, working toward producing a memoir. She is co-founder of LEGIT (Canadian immigration for same-sex partners) and Rainbow Refugee Society. In 2020 she was inducted as an officer of the Order Of Canada.

latest posts about this author

Remembering Chris Morrissey

I first met Chris when she was on staff at QMUNITY, the community centre for 2S LGBTQ+ folks. Shortly after I met her, Chris started up QUIRK-E, The Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders. And for the past 19 years our QUIRK-E community has written stories about ourselves, as well as poetry and plays. … Read more

Chris and Bridget

Chris Morrissey and Bridget Coll were partners for 40 years. Together they worked with others to change Canada’s immigration legislation to recognize same-sex relationships as family. Their family expanded when they were adopted as grammas, a role they loved. This image shows their names on a photo of irises created by Judy Fletcher. Judy says, … Read more

Honouring QUIRK-E Founder Chris Morrissey

Chris Morrissey was a powerhouse of a human being, an indomitable, unflinching defender of human rights. Her work as an advocate and community builder, expanded the rights of 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians and defended the rights of refugees—breaking down barriers, forging new paths, creating change-making organizations and catalyzing legislation. Her advocacy spanned decades, countries, and languages and had … Read more

Chris Morrissey awarded Order of Canada

Chris Morrissey and Governor-General Mary Simon Chris Morrissey is a dedicated activist who makes change happen; she’s kind and cares about people. She lives justly, loves tenderly and walks humbly, just as she wanted. Doing that, she achieves greatly. Her Order of Canada was a result of her advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ immigrants and … Read more

LATEST POSTS BY AUTHOR

Meeting a New Challenge

It all started while I was on vacation in Puerto Vallarta. I noticed just a small sore on the heel of my right foot. It slowed me down a bit. I used various types of creams. “Sorry,” I said to Colleen, my friend. “I can’t go for a walk along the beach. My foot is … Read more

Fishing

“When will Dad be back?” she asked as she sat waiting on the steps. “I have no idea. You know your Dad.” Yes, she did. Every year it was the same thing. The family vacation was always delayed by about one day. This year, it was the same deal. He knew yesterday. Why can’t he … Read more

Video: Memory in Two Voices

A POEM BY BRIDGET COLL AND CHRIS MORRISSEY Bridget and Chris read a poem about dealing with a diagnosis of dementia. Their words are interpreted by dancers Celeste Snowber and Kathryn Ricketts.