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The Start
The first movement that started the uphill rise to gay rights IN CANADA was in 1965 when Everett kleppert make it clear to police that he was gay, has had sex with men over 24 years of age and wasn't going to change later he was sent to prison as a “sex offender” -
changing the criminal code
on december 22, 1967 Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau wanted to change the criminal code and made this speech
"It's certainly the most extensive revision of the Criminal Code since the 1950s and, in terms of the subject matter it deals with, I feel that it has knocked down a lot of totems and overridden a lot of taboos and I feel that in that sense it is new. It's bringing the laws of the land up to contemporary society I think. Take this thing on homosexuality. I think the view we take here is -
Quebec changes
on december 16, 1977 Quebec included sexual orientation in its Human Rights Code, making it the first province in Canada to pass a gay civil rights law. The law making it illegal to discriminate against gays in housing, public accommodation and employment. By 2001, all provinces and territories take this step except Alberta, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. -
The pink Triangle Press
On january 5, 1978The Pink Triangle Press (now publisher of Xtra magazine) is charged with "possession of obscene material for the purpose of distribution" and "the use of mails for the purpose of transmitting anything that is obscene, indecent or scurrilous" for publishing an article titled "Men Loving Boys Loving Men" in the Dec. 1977/Jan. 1978 issue of The Body Politic.
After almost six years in the courts, including two trials, the case is finally resolved when on Oct. 15, 1983, the deadlin -
Stonewall
On february 5, 1981 300 men were arrested during a police raid on four gay bathhouses in toronto. The next night 3,000 people marched in downtown Toronto to protest the arrest. This is Canadas ‘stonewall’ -
gay human right laws are in the steps of being added
on august 1992 In Haig and Birch v. Canada, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the failure to include sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act was discriminatory. Federal Justice Minister Kim Campbell responded to the decision by announcing the government would take the necessary steps to include sexual orientation in the Canadian Human Rights Act. -
same sex couples have benefits too!
in may of 1999 The Supreme Court of Canada ruled same-sex couples should have the same benefits as opposite-sex common-law couples and equal access to benefits from social programs to which they contribute.
The ruling centred on the "M v. H" case which involved two Toronto women who had lived together for more than a decade. When the couple broke up in 1992, "M" sued "H" for spousal support under Ontario's Family Law Act. The problem was that the act defined "spouse" as either a married couple -
full benifits
on february 11, 2000 Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's Liberals introduced Bill C-23, the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, in response to the Supreme Court's May 1999 ruling. The act would give same-sex couples who have lived together for more than a year the same benefits and obligations as common-law couples.
In March, Justice Minister Anne McLellan announced the bill will include a definition of marriage as "the lawful union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. -
prom
on may 10, 2002 Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert McKinnon ruled and a gay student has the right to bring his boyfriend to prom -
marriage
on july 12, 2002 Canadian court ruled that same sex marriage was allowed. -
bill of what?
on february 1, 2005 The federal government introduced its same-sex marriage bill in the House of Commons. The bill, if passed, would give married same-sex partners the same legal recognition as other married couples, but protects religious freedoms, the Liberals said. "No church, no temple, no synagogue, no mosque, no religious official will be asked or forced to perform a marriage that is contrary to their beliefs," said Prime Minister Paul Martin. -
not this again
on december 7, 2006 A motion tabled by the ruling Conservatives to reopen the same-sex marriage debate is defeated in the House of Commons by a vote of 175-123. Twelve Tories — including five cabinet ministers — broke from party lines and voted against the motion, while 13 Liberals supported the motion. -
divorce
on january 12,2012 The federal government said it was considering how to make divorce possible for same-sex couples who had to come to Canada to get married. Thousands of gays and lesbians who could not marry in the country where they live have travelled to Canada seeking a legal marriage. But Canada's divorce laws don't allow people who haven't lived in Canada for at least a year to end their marriage. -
Today
Although there are still some problems facing lbgt rigths in canada it is clear to see just how far we have come, its crazy to think just ten years ago most canadains thought of gay people was a rapists,child molesters, and sin to this earth. We as a country have gone threw big leapes to make life for the lgbt comunity as welcoming as if you were of any other sexual oriatation,race, and religion.
