Vancouver's 2SLGBTQ+ community mourns death of prominent activist Sister Diversity Rains

Vancouver's 2SLGBTQ+ community is mourning the loss of cherished local activist and elder Dan Wurzer, also known as Sister Diversity Rains, who died this week at the age of 82.

As Diversity Rains, Wurzer was the Reverend Mother of the Vancouver chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the Abbey of the Long Cedar Canoe.

Long-time friend Barb Snelgrove, a 2SLGBTQ+ community advocate and member of Canada's Q Hall of Fame, said Wurzer's death is a sad and sobering moment.

"We've lost an icon in the community, and that's never easy for anyone to grab a handle on," she told CBC's On The Coast.

The sisters describe themselves as an order of 21st-century queer nuns who use "humour, irreverent wit and glamorous manifestation" to transform oppressive social structures. The charity has a long history of supporting people living with HIV and AIDS.

Snelgrove said the sisters often referred to Wurzer as the "Energizer Bunny nun."

"If there was a community event, if there was a rally, if there was a drag show, if there was an opening, you know, an artist opening, if there was a march — Dan was there," she said.

"Diversity was there — with wimple proudly on head, full makeup, and just spreading joy."

Snelgrove said Wurzer didn't join the sisters until he was 70.

"That's a time when most of us are really slowing down, and Dan just grabbed the baton and ran with it."

Many friends have shared tributes to Wurzer on social media, highlighting his community work at Pride celebrations and events across the Lower Mainland.

The Vancouver Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, using they/them pronouns for Wurzer, said in a Facebook post that the advocate frequently documented community events as a photographer.

"Their memory will live on through the lives they touched and the stories we continue to share."

In a short documentary on YouTube featuring Sister Diversity Rains by Reel Youth, Wurzer shared advice for younger people: don't be afraid and learn to love yourself.