George Hislop Park
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George Hislop and Ron Shearer
This park bears the name of one of Canada’s most influential 2SLGBTQIA+ activists, George Hislop. Born in 1927, Hislop lived through decades of immense change for queer communities, and in many ways, he was at the forefront of that change.
Hislop first became involved in Toronto’s gay social scene in the 1940s. Back then, gay men found each other in bars, in theatres, and through whispered networks. It was a time when simply being gay could mean losing your job, your home, and your safety. But despite these risks, Hislop refused to live in secrecy.
His early years in the community were shaped by friendships and gatherings in hidden spaces, but as the decades went on, his focus shifted from private socializing to public activism. In 1971, he co-founded the Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT), one of the city’s first organizations dedicated to supporting and advocating for gays and lesbians.
That same year, he played a key role in organizing “We Demand,” the first national demonstration for gay rights in Canada. Standing on the steps of Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Hislop and other activists read out a list of demands, calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality, an end to discrimination in employment, and the recognition of same-sex relationships.
George Hislop and Tom Warner advocate to include sexual orientation in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Though the federal government did not immediately act on these demands, the protest marked the beginning of an increasingly visible and vocal 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement in Canada.
Hislop’s activism extended into the business world as well. He was a co-owner of The Barracks, one of the gay bathhouses targeted in the 1981 Operation Soap police raids.
These raids, which saw nearly 300 men arrested on charges related to “bawdy houses,” sparked widespread outrage and some of the largest 2SLGBTQIA+ protests in Toronto’s history. Hislop condemned the raids and used his platform to advocate for an end to police harassment of queer spaces.
In 1980, Hislop made history as one of the first openly gay candidates for political office in Canada, running for Toronto City Council. While he did not win, his campaign sent a message that queer people had a right to participate in civic life, not just as activists but as elected representatives.
Flyer for George Hislop's candidacy.
Hislop on election night.
"Are you... gay? Lesbian? Be there for George!"
Hislop surrounded by press.
Front page of a brochure titled "Survivor's Pension for Same-Sex Common-Law Partners."
Excerpt from "Survivor's Pension for Same-Sex Common-Law Partners."
Even in his later years, Hislop continued to fight for justice. In 2003, he joined a class-action lawsuit against the federal government over Canada Pension Plan survivor benefits. While the government had extended these benefits to same-sex partners in 1998, they refused to make the change retroactive. Hislop’s partner, Ron Shearer, had passed away in 1986, meaning Hislop was ineligible for benefits.
The lawsuit demanded that survivor pensions be extended to partners of those who had died before 1998, arguing that denying them was discrimination. The case dragged on for years, but in 2004, Hislop and his co-plaintiffs won a landmark victory. The federal government appealed, but in 2007—two years after Hislop’s passing—the Supreme Court upheld the decision in his favour.
George Hislop at the Ward Six nomination meeting in Toronto City Hall.
Hislop passed away in 2005, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and advocacy. He spent decades building a more inclusive Toronto, and his contributions continue to shape the city today. This park, named in his honour, serves as a small but meaningful tribute to a man who significantly impacted the course of 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada.
George Hislop Park, partially renovated. 2026.