1982-038/02P(01)

Audio recording of Walking a Gay Road by Garth Webb Secondary School Grade 10 students.

Walking a Gay Road

Edited by: Mel Woods

Down the gay road marches Ken Popert, ready to fight for gay liberation. Popert joined The Body Politic, a self-described “gay liberation newspaper,” in 1973 as a contributor, working alongside people who were fighting to abolish LGBTQ+ discrimination through the media. Eventually the The Body Politic collective grew to found the Pink Triangle Press in 1976, a non-profit dedicated to publishing articles and magazines on LGBTQ+ liberation. Publishing media on this topic was difficult because their writing was often considered “scurrilous,” “immoral,” and “indecent,” due to the lack of understanding of the public towards the LGBTQ+ community. At this time, mainstream media in Canada was just opening up to the idea of homosexuality, so pieces that either informed or entertained LGBTQ+ culture were under scrutiny.

In 1977, Popert and The Body Politic came under fire in a legal battle against the Crown attorney and were charged with transmission of “indecent” literature  after a released article titled, “Men Loving Boys Loving Men,” was said to have “gross” and “scurrilous” concepts regarding age-of-consent laws for gay and lesbian people. People across Canada and the United States rallied and protested in defense of The Body Politic and its leaders, showing their support not only towards the Pink Triangle Press itself but towards the gay community as well. The Body Politic collective was found not guilty in 1979.

The Pink Triangle Press has since gone on to release many more successful publications advocating for the LGBTQ+ community while spreading positive and informative media. Forever, Popert will proudly march down the gay road, liberation following close behind.

1986-032/102P

Audio recording of Making History With a Kiss by Garth Webb Secondary School Grade 10 students.

Making History with a Kiss

Edited by: Alice Lawlor (she/her)

They kissed. Ed Jackson and Mervin Walker took a risk that not many others would dare to take, all for the rights to express queer love. These two men were founding members of an extremely influential magazine that advocated for the rights of the queer community, known as the Body Politic. The reaction of the passing crowd was bleak. The looming onlookers in the busy sidewalk of downtown Toronto were disgusted by the sight of two men simply showing affection.

Why wouldn’t they? In addition to social discrimination that 2SLGBTQ+ people regularly faced, in 1975 Canada, displays of homosexual activities were not permitted in public by law, as the parties involved could be arrested for gross indecency. Despite the backlash, their photograph was ultimately chosen as the cover of The Body Politic: Issue 18. The picture’s significant impact on the course of 2SLGBTQ+ history initially began with the 1976 Kiss In protest, when two gay protesters, inspired by Ed and Merv’s photograph, were arrested for kissing at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Sts.

This incident popularized the “kiss-in” protests against the criminalization of homosexuality and this method was eventually even used to destigmatize AIDS in the 1980s and 90s. In other words, gay activists in Canada were inspired by Ed and Merv’s photograph to kiss in public spaces as a way to protest against the discrimination the 2SLGBTQ+ community faced.

1986-032/13P(01P)

Audio recording of At Hanlan's Point Beach by Garth Webb Secondary School Grade 10 students.

At Hanlan's Point Beach

Edited by: Peter Knegt (he/him)

One sunny afternoon in 1982, a group of gay friends boarded a ferry from the mainland, which took them across Toronto Harbour to the Island. The historic Hanlan’s Point Beach had become a haven of queerness and a constant celebration of Pride.

At that time, the AIDS crisis was emerging as a significant issue for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and people were still being arrested for being gay in public spaces. Locations like Hanlan's Point Beach in Toronto offered safer spaces where members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community could be themselves and show their pride. 

As the group of friends walked to the beach, they knew a Pride celebration was underway, with balloons all over the place. Hanlan's Point had a long history of activism. In 1971, when homosexuality was still subject to legal penalties, the Gay Day Picnic took place on the beach as a pioneering event in the history of Gay Pride. The influence of these events was profound. Ongoing resistance and activism led the province of Ontario to add sexual orientation as a protected class under its Human Rights Code in 1986.  

The history of Hanlan's Point reflects the determination of 2SLGBTQ+ people fighting for equality and human rights. It not only brought more visibility to the 2SLGBTQ+ community but also contributed to making legal and social change. These events had impacts on decriminalization of homosexuality and the establishment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and enhanced Canada’s inclusivity and safety. But discrimination and stigma were still around, the fight for equality still goes on even to this day.

1986-032/13P(01P)

Audio recording of Look Now by Garth Webb Secondary School Grade 10 students.

Look Now

Edited by: The Honourable Marnie McBean OC OLY, Independent Senator, Ontario, Senate of Canada

This photograph has a name; “Look Now”. Gerald Hannon invited Canada to pay attention to a community in protest. From February 17-19, 1977, protesters marched outside of the CBC News building in Winnipeg. The CBC refused to make a public service announcement advertising the Gay Alliance for Equality’s Gayline, a resource for queer people seeking support. At that time basic rights for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, like job security, didn’t exist. During the protest, groups of people marched the streets of Winnipeg in the cold fighting for gay and lesbian rights and job security. The media was stacked against 2SLGBTQ+ people in protest and chose to malign queer and transgender people in Canada. The march passed by the CBC office with posters raised in the air and chants from the protesters demanding change. The protest worked as CBC would later report on the action, including Hannon’s photo. Gerald captured a seemingly quiet moment that speaks very loudly of the past.

Ultimately, raising awareness did lead to greater job security for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This protest sparked other activists to join to speak out, to change old laws and create new ones, and to encourage the media to do better with the newsworthy events of the growing gay rights movement in Canada.

1990-002(42P)

Audio recording of Fear Behind the Paper Bag by Garth Webb Secondary School Grade 10 students.

Fear Behind the Paper Bag

Edited by: Melanie Florence

He emptied his groceries from the bag, cut out eyes and mouth and placed it on his head. It was 1979, in Toronto, a place where the LGBTQ+ community wasn't treated with respect for a very long time. The gay rights movement found homes in bars, community centers, and places of business. At The Barracks, the community formed, and continued to advocate for legal protections and recognition of 2SLGBTQ+ people.

In 1981, the ‘Barracks Raid’ saw the arrest of over 300 men, accused of illegal sexual activity. As they gathered to protest for adequate rights, and to fight back against homophobia, Gerald Hannon, an activist and journalist, picked up his camera to expose the ongoing abuse faced by his community. What he captured was the fear of discovery confronted by the anger of ongoing persecution. Which would win? Brave protesters overcame both to speak out and create important progress in the fight for gay liberation. It wasn’t safe to be out at work. There was nothing to protect queer people from workplace discrimination or even losing their job; nothing but a flimsy paper bag - symbolizing the importance of anonymity for the LGQBTQ+ community in the 70’s.

Today 2SLGBTQ+ people are able to express their identities more proudly, freely, and with less fear, but it wasn’t always so.