Calgary and Alberta Remember Anna Murphy, Trans Advocate and Community Leader, After Tragic Loss
Calgary, Alberta — Communities across Calgary and Alberta are grieving the loss of Anna Murphy, a respected advocate for equity and a cherished member of the queer and trans communities, who died Wednesday amid a mental health crisis. She was 30.
Murphy was widely known as a thoughtful, determined voice in Calgary’s transgender community and a tireless contributor to civic life. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from community members, colleagues, and elected officials who credit her with helping shape a more inclusive city.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said Murphy’s death left him “shaken and deeply saddened,” emphasizing both her personal impact and her broader significance to the city. He described her as a steady and serious presence in public spaces—someone who served on advisory bodies, worked closely with institutions, and consistently showed up to ensure decision-making processes were fair and inclusive.
“She was thoughtful, prepared, and persistent,” the mayor wrote, noting that Murphy never sought attention but focused on doing the work. He added that her loss compels the city to confront the ongoing pressures faced by trans people, including scrutiny, hostility, and emotional exhaustion. “Honouring Anna means carrying forward the work she took on,” he said, “and ensuring those who continue it do not do so alone.”
Raised in rural Alberta, Murphy navigated significant challenges as she affirmed her identity as a transgender woman. Those experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women’s issues, and transgender rights. Over time, she became a trusted champion for equity, inclusion, diversity, and accessibility across Calgary.
Murphy held several influential volunteer roles, including University of Calgary Senator and vice-chair of the Gender, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the City of Calgary’s Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee. Her contributions were formally recognized when she was named a Calgary Stampede Western Trailblazer and awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for her volunteerism and service to the province.
In 2022, Murphy successfully advocated for a mayoral proclamation recognizing International Transgender Day of Remembrance in Calgary. While working at Contemporary Calgary, she organized a memorial event that drew more than 200 attendees, including community members, Elders, and dignitaries such as Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. Many have cited that event as a testament to Murphy’s ability to bring people together with purpose and respect.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the city. Fellow advocates described Murphy as principled and compassionate, someone who “carried difficult conversations with grace” and “made institutions listen.” Community members remembered her as a mentor who encouraged others to speak up and persist, even when the work was hard.
As Calgary mourns, leaders and advocates are calling for renewed commitment to mental health support, safety, and dignity for trans people—values Murphy championed throughout her life. Her legacy, many say, lives on in the policies she helped shape, the spaces she made more inclusive, and the people she inspired to continue the work.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available in Canada through Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 or by texting 45645. Support is confidential and available 24/7.