Biography:
Anne Charlotte Bishop is a Canadian lesbian activist, educator, grassroots organizer, and LGBT rights advocate. With a commitment to social justice and a passion for community development, Bishop has dedicated over thirty years to working in the field of international development and engaging in various social justice movements.
Bishop’s journey towards activism began in the 1970s when she briefly attended the University of Toronto’s Centre for Christian Studies. During this time, she explored her interest in joining the United Church of Canada as a Deaconess. Her studies introduced her to social analysis and collective approaches to education, planting the seeds for her future work.
In 1979, Bishop served as one of the commissioners for the People’s Food Commission, a participatory research project that held hearings across Canada on issues of food security. This experience deepened her understanding of the importance of food security and its impact on marginalized communities.
Throughout the 1980s, Bishop played a vital role in organizing a union of workers, predominantly women, at a local fish plant in Pictou County. Her dedication to labor rights and empowering marginalized workers showcased her unwavering commitment to equality and justice.
In 1987, Bishop joined Henson College at Dalhousie University as the coordinator of the Community Development and Outreach Unit. Here, she continued her work as an adult educator, contributing to the development of a course on grassroots leadership development. Bishop also authored two influential books on consciousness-raising, anti-oppression organizational change, and allyship.
Drawing inspiration from the Diggers movement of the 16th and 17th centuries in England, Bishop has been actively involved in social issues related to LGBT rights, union organizing, food system advocacy, equity, and anti-racist efforts in the province of Nova Scotia since the mid-1980s.
Bishop’s advocacy on behalf of the rights of lesbian and gay men in Halifax, Nova Scotia, proved instrumental in securing spousal rights for CUSO (Canadian University Service Overseas) and Dalhousie University employees. From 1987 to 1992, she played a central role in Lesbian and Gay Rights Nova Scotia, which successfully lobbied the provincial government for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. This landmark decision made Nova Scotia the first provincial jurisdiction in Canada to take such a step in 1992.
Today, Bishop continues her work leading workshops on structural oppression, utilizing her knowledge and expertise to educate others on the importance of dismantling systemic inequalities.
Personal life:
In addition to her activism and advocacy work, Bishop has pursued various personal interests. In the 1980s, she co-founded a women’s chorus called The Secret Furies alongside Brenda Beagan. Prior to this, Bishop was part of a quartet called Lysistrata.
Currently, Bishop resides in rural Nova Scotia, where she is an organic farmer. She shares her life with her partner, Jan, and is deeply committed to promoting sustainable farming practices and food security in her local community.
Select publications:
– Under the Bridge (2019) – A novel authored by Anne Bishop.
– Becoming an Ally: Breaking the Cycle of Oppression in People (3rd edition, 2015) – A book written by Anne Bishop that explores the importance of allyship and combating oppression.
– Henson – A publication co-authored by Anne Bishop, Jeanne Fay, and Henson.