2SLGBTQIA+ History
Lanark County
Rural Pride
In the early 2000s Lanark County activists began to collaborate. At the time, the social climate was reserved to the idea of 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals, so events that were held in public spaces had their windows covered as there was a fear of being seen. Informal gatherings were held in people’s homes, essentially developing social networks that functioned underground. By 2010 the climate had shifted and the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community in Lanark County had found its voice. Gay men and lesbian women collaborated and publicly advertised dances and potlucks to promote the growing community. Hand-in-hand with these social initiatives, 2SLGBTQIA+ Community members worked hard to advocate for representation and anti-homophobia policies in their municipal governments. These activists helped to push for Pride Declarations all over Lanark County (Perth 2011, Smiths Falls 2014, Carleton Place 2014, Almonte 2020). Over time, more social events were created and in 2014, LGBT Lanark County Civitan organized the first Pride Parade in Lanark County (Perth). Queer Connection Lanark, Pride in Mississippi Mills, Smiths Falls Pride, Carleton Place Pride and Westport Pride continue to advocate and acknowledge the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ citizens in Lanark County.
To see what Pride Organizations are up to today, please click the tab Pride Organizations.
2SLGBTQIA+ Impacts on Canadian History
Thank you to the Algonquin College Students for supporting this section of Reigniting Our Potential!
1971
Canada's First Gay Public Protest
On August 28th, 1971, a pivotal moment in Canadian history unfolded as the nation witnessed its first gay public protest. Around "200 activists came together in Ottawa for the first large-scale gay rights demonstration in Canadian history” (Knegt P. 2021). This protest came to be known as the We Demand March. The We Demand March “was the first recorded political action taken by queer activists in Canada" (Arqhives, 2023). The activists gathered on Parliament Hill, boldly stating their ten points for equal rights and protection that the August 28th Gay Day Committee had drafted. “The rally was organized by two leading [2SLGBTQIA+] rights groups, Toronto Gay Action and the Community Homophile Association of Toronto'' (Knegt P. 2021). These two groups worked together with 12 other organizations/ individuals to form the August 28 Gay Day Committee. The document with the list of demands was read out by Charlie Hill.
The 10 demands, as highlighted by Arqhives (2023), were as follows:
1. The removal of terms such as “gross indecency” and “indecent acts” from the Criminal Code and their replacement with specific offenses applied equally to all sexual orientations.
2. Removal of terms that compared gay men to "dangerous offenders”.
3. Mandating an age of consent for all people, no matter their sexual orientation.
4. Amendments to the Immigration Act (1952) which barred homosexuals (those who are attracted to the same sex) from immigrating to Canada.
5. The right to equal employment and promotion at all government levels.
6. Amendments to the Divorce Act (1968) which classified homosexual acts as having the same impact as physical or mental cruelty.
7. Deciding child custody based on the qualities of an individual parent, regardless of the sexual orientation. (In practice, courts often denied gay men and lesbian women custody of their children on the grounds of their sexual orientation.)
8. To know whether it was the RCMP’s practice to spy on and identify gay men and lesbian women who worked for the federal government in order to purge them from employment. If so, to end this practice and destroy all records.
9. The right of gay men, lesbian women and bisexual individuals to serve in the armed forces.
10. Amendments to human rights laws so that they extended the same privileges and freedoms enjoyed by the rest of society to those who were LGB+.
As the We Demand protest took place on Parliament Hill in Ontario, simultaneous protests of smaller scale took place in Vancouver and Montreal, symbolizing a collective movement for LGBTQ+ rights. This event marks a significant moment in Canada's social evolution, challenging norms and advocating for inclusivity.
1978
The Immigration Act Is Amended
In 1953, Canada’s Immigration Act was amended to prevent gay men, and lesbian women from entering or immigrating to Canada. In 1978, the amendment was reversed meaning that same-sex attraction was no longer a limiting factor for entry (Nelligan Law, 2021).
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In 1978, a substantial adjustment was made to Canada's immigration regulations, marking an impactful milestone for Canada's 2SLGBTQIA+ history. Prior to this amendment, those who were homosexual (attracted to the same-sex) were barred from immigrating to Canada, reflecting discriminatory ideas that were present at the time. However, with the 1978 amendment, Canada made a progressive step forward by eliminating this obstacle and restating its commitment to equality and human rights. This development not only enabled 2SLGBTQIA+ people to seek sanctuary and opportunity in Canada, but it also marked a trend toward more inclusive immigration policies. The amendment symbolized a recognition for every person's dignity and value, regardless of sexual orientation.
1992
The Department of National Defense is sued resulting in the lifting of the ban against Gay, Lesbian and Transgender individuals in the military.
Michelle Douglas is a human rights activist born in Ottawa. She played a crucial role in advocating for and securing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in the Canadian Military. Michelle served in the Army from 1986-1989. During this period, there was a sense of fear among gay men and lesbian women who were in service as they could face consequences for their sexual orientation. Those who were homosexual (attracted to the same sex) were often subjected to discriminatory policies and conditions, such as being frozen in their current position, never receiving pay raises, and being denied transfers or promotions to greater opportunities. In 1989, Michelle was discharged from the Military because of her sexual orientation, she was told that she was not “advantageously employable due to homosexuality” (Women in Canadian History: Michelle Douglas, n.d.). In 1992, Michelle sued the Canadian Armed Forces for discrimination and harassment. The Military settled before the trial ended, removing all formal discrimination policies, and compensating those affected (Veteran Affairs Canada, 2023). This ended policy discrimination against gay men and lesbian women within the Military.
1995
Sexual Orientation is included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
On May 25th, 1995, "sexual orientation" was included in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. After years of campaigning and protesting, the LGB+ Community achieved a great success with the addition of "sexual orientation" in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Before this amendment, people who were LGB+ were at risk of having their basic liberties violated as sexual orientation was not listed as a protected quality. To ensure equality for all Canadians, it was essential to include "sexual orientation" to the Charter. Decades of activism drove the movement for inclusion further, with incidents like Raids in Toronto sparking greater discussions about the importance of adding "sexual orientation" to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Unfortunately, even after the addition of "sexual orientation" to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, there was still violence and discrimination against LGB+ people , emphasizing the continuous need for advocacy for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community (On This Day in History: May 25, 1995 – Canadian Pride Historical Society, n.d.).
1995
Legal adoption rights are awarded to Same-Sex couples
May 24, 1995, was a defining moment in Canadian Queer History as it marked a significant milestone in the recognition of same-sex couples' rights. On that day, Ontario became the first province in Canada to make it legal for same-sex couples to adopt, breaking down barriers and paving the way for change across the country (“TIMELINE | Same-sex Rights in Canada,” 2015). This milestone was achieved due to the legal battle of Alison Kemper and Joyce Barnett, a couple who fought to secure recognition for children of same-sex parents. Kemper and her partner were among the four couples recruited by a lawyer to challenge the Ontario Child and Family Law Act at the time. In May of 1995, they were granted the legal right to adopt their own children. The Ontario Court Judge made a ground-breaking decision that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt, as the previous definition of spouse under the relevant Ontario law was discriminatory and violated Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Fighting for Equal Rights for LGBTQ2S+ Community, n.d.). This was a significant step towards social acceptance for 2SLGBTQIA+ parents.
1996
Sexual Orientation is included in the Human Rights Act (Bill C-33)
Bill C-33, which was passed in 1996, significantly amended the Canadian Human Rights Act by including "sexual orientation" as a protected basis against discrimination. By ensuring equal rights and protections for LGB+ people across Canada and reaffirming their freedom to identify freely, this legal amendment was a critical turning point in Canadian History. Although "sexual orientation" was not specifically mentioned as a protected ground in section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized it as being equivalent to other specified grounds for discrimination claims. The addition of "sexual orientation" to the Human Rights Act has greatly supported Canada in being a more inclusive space.
2000
The protection of Queer publications
In 2000 the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community of Canada accomplished a great feat as they fought for their rights. It was only four years prior that the Canadian Federal government added sexual orientation to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination in the Canadian Human Rights Act (Rau, 2014). There were still a lot of gray areas in the legal system when it came to 2SLGBQTIA+ rights and any change to these areas came with a great deal of push back. In 1984 Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium located in Vancouver, British Columbia, launched a lawsuit against the Canadian Border Services Agency. The bookstore specialized in selling books and gifts that were often of an explicit nature, and discussed queer culture. The owners of the store started to notice irregularities in their shipments as pages were ripped out of books and shipments were kept indefinitely at the border (Zeilder, 2019). After this occurred several times, they realized that all the books that were affected included 2SLGBTQIA+ stories.
In 1984 the owners of Little Sisters, Jim Deva and Bruce Smythe, along with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association filed a constitutional lawsuit against the Canadian Border Services Association for violating the store’s freedom of expression rights (Zeilder, 2019). After four years the case was brought to the British Columbia Supreme Court. The court ruled against Little Sisters stating that the destruction of the materials was legal under Section 1 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This section guarantees rights and freedoms within reasonable limits that are prescribed by the law (Zeilder, 2019). Jim and Bruce filed for an appeal but the court upheld their decision. This did not discourage Jim and Bruce as in 2000 their case made it to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Little Sisters had "been unjustifiably discriminated against". This ruling laid the foundation for protection of 2SLGBTQIA+ publications under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, even if they were explicit (Zeilder, 2019). This ruling was a huge step towards ending censorship against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and normalizing queer expression.
2005
The legalization of Same-Sex marriage
On June 28, 2005, the Liberals’ controversial Bill C-38, titled Law on Civil Marriage, passed a final reading in the House of Commons, sailing through in a 158-133 vote. The Bill was supported by most members of the Liberal party, the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP. In less than a month, the Senate approved the Bill and received Royal Assent, becoming law (CBC News, 2012). This marked July 20, 2005, as an essential date for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community (GLAD, 2013). Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, following behind the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. However, legalizing same-sex marriage was a long and challenging road.
Amendments to the Criminal Code, relaxing the law against homosexuality, was not proposed until 1967 when Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau said, “I think what’s done in private between adults doesn’t concern the Criminal Code”. Trudeau’s amendments passed into the Criminal Code, decriminalizing homosexuality in Canada in 1969. In 1977, Quebec included "sexual orientation" in its Human Rights Code. Despite these amendments, the Parliamentary Committee on Equality Rights released a report in 1985 titled “Equality for All”, discussing the harassment, violence, physical abuse, psychological oppression, and hate propaganda that gay men and lesbian women lived with. Finally, in 1996, after several bills were not passed, the Federal Government passed Bill C-33, which added "sexual orientation" to the Canadian Human Rights Act. By 2001, all Provinces and Territories except Alberta, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories included "sexual orientation" in their Human Rights Codes. In 2002, the Canadian Court ruled to recognize same-sex marriages under the law for the first time. The Ontario Superior Court ruled that prohibiting same sex couples from marrying is unconstitutional and violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As a result, the Alberta Government passed a Bill banning same-sex marriages and defining marriages as "exclusively between a man and a woman". After an extensive and emotional debate, the United Church of Canada voted overwhelmingly to endorse same-sex marriages.
Throughout the past 55+ years, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community – many of which were government and Military officials – came out with their authentic sexual orientation. These individuals fought to bring Bills and lawsuits against the government to love and live genuinely as themselves with freedom from harassment or hate. These individuals significantly ensured that Bill C-38 was passed (CBC News, 2012).
2016
Pride Flag is risen for the first time on Parliament Hill
On June 1st, 2016, the Pride Flag was raised on Parliament Hill for the first time in Canadian history. The symbolic gesture of recognition for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community was spearheaded by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The raising of the Pride Flag aimed to validate the existence of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights on behalf of the Federal Government, but also bring awareness to the ongoing systemic issues 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals face. The importance of this event could not be understated, as the formal acknowledgement of Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities had not been as openly celebrated by the Federal Government prior to 2016. Raising the Pride Flag on Parliament Hill serves as a reminder to all citizens that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression has no place in Canada. The multi-colour rainbow flag — widely recognized as a symbol of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community — was flown in front of Centre Block in Ottawa to mark the beginning of Pride Month, a time to celebrate sexuality and gender diversity (Tasker, 2016). As a result of this event, the Pride Flag is now raised on Parliament Hill on the first day of every Pride Month, ensuring that the Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ Community's historical fight for autonomy and a liberated existence in Canada will not be forgotten.
2017
Gender Identity and Gender Expression are included in the Canadian Human Rights Act (Bill C-16)
On June 19th, 2017, the Canadian Government amended Bill C-16 to include "gender identity", "gender expression", and "pronoun use", to the Canadian Human Rights Act. The purpose of this inclusion was to protect identifiable groups from discrimination and include gender diverse people to be protected against hate crimes or hate speech under the Criminal Code of Canada (CBC News, n.d). Bill C-16 enhanced the rights of transgender and gender diverse individuals living in Canada, as the amendments established the legal authority needed to counter discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. In fact, Sections 318 and 718.2 of Bill C-16 were added to specifically include the terms “gender identity or expression” (Women and Gender Equality Canada, 2022) in the Criminal Code. Bill C-16 affirms that every person in Canada who identifies under the gender diverse umbrella is treated with respect and dignity, and has the right to inclusion and safety. While there is still more work to be done, Bill C-16 has served as step in the right direction for legislative action.
2019
Pride Crosswalks
Since 2019, communities all over Canada have increasingly adopted the symbolic gesture of painting Pride crosswalks as a visible display of solidarity for 2SLGBTQIA+ People. These bold and colourful crosswalks hold a powerful message on inclusiveness, celebrating diversity and encouraging acceptance among communities. Beyond simple symbolism, the installation of Pride crosswalks have frequently been followed by celebrations and activities to raise the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ People and campaign for their rights. These events not only promote a sense of belonging and solidarity, but also increase awareness to the issues impacting the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community's continuing battles and successes. Furthermore, the construction of Pride crosswalks stimulate critical talks about equality and respect for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. As communities embrace and grow these efforts, Pride crosswalks serve as beacons of hope and progress, reminding us of our continuing path toward a more inclusive and welcoming society.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is an important idea/ concept to understand. It helps us to better recognize how others see us and how we see others, in our greater community. Intersectionality, as a concept, tells us that the tiny things that make us unique, determine how accepted we are in our community. An example of a characteristic that makes us unique is the colour of our skin, our gender expression, our sexual orientation, the languages we speak, the size of our clothing and so much more.
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Intersectionality in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community is a big deal!
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Trans Women of Colour are the most discriminated against group in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community. This is noted for a couple of different factors that intersectionality can help us to better understand.
An intersectional component of a person's identity is that they are transgender. Transgender People are often discriminated against for expressing their gender in a way that is different from others in their community. Although there are great advancements in the acceptance of those who have a diverse sexual orientation, gender diversity is still a taboo topic within some/most rural spaces. In saying this, individuals , predominantly women, have been fighting for gender equality within the colonial world since the creation of Canada. This is an ongoing battle and Canada has seen great improvements since the mid-1900s.
(FEMINISM SECTION COMING SOON)
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Another intersectional component of a person is the colour of their skin. People of Colour and those who are a Visible Minority experience racism because of the pigment in their skin. In a survey distributed by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, "43% of hate crimes in 2017 were motivated by a hatred for a race or ethnicity". People of Colour are "15 times more likely to experience discrimination then their non-visible minority counterparts" (Statistics Canada). Due to this, Canada has initiated anti-racism campaigns throughout its Municipalities and School Systems.
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Intersectionality helps us to better identify who is not being treated fairly in a space, and in turn, advocate for their acceptance. Those who have faced the most discrimination, Trans Women of Colour, have fought the most for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights all across Canada and the United States of America. Everyday we work hard to appreciate our differences and value the sacrifices that older 2SLGBTQIA+ people have made before us.