Out on Campus
For much of Toronto Metropolitan University's (TMU) history, violence and fear of coming out characterized the experiences of LGBTQ2+ students, staff, and faculty. Early attempts at founding a gay group on campus were met with hostility and vandalism, and reports of gay-bashing around TMU were frequent. At the same time, the persistence of TMU's LGBTQ2+ community and the university’s proximity to the Gay Village offered many opportunities to build alliances and challenge homophobia and transphobia, and the campus is now a leader in equity among Canadian universities.
A reporter from what was formerly known as the Ryersonian goes undercover in Toronto's "gay world," 1963.
Gays At Ryerson had a difficult time advertising themselves in the 1970s.
Homophobic posters on campus faced significant backlash.
Coverage of an anti-gay poster campaign in 1985.
Some students has incredibly positive experiences coming out at TMU.
A 1994 safety watch alerts students of an assault on Gerrard Street.
LGBTQ2+ associations like BGALOR often faced hostility at TMU.
LGBT students of colour at Ryerson experience racism in the Church-Wellesley Village.
The TMU student body has always been diverse, but this is not always reflected in the university's staff.
A few brave individuals helped advance the discussion of faith and sexuality.
Through the 2000s TMU Campus could still be an unsafe place for LGBTQ2+ students.
Coming to TMU allowed many LGBTQ2+ people to feel comfortable with themselves and find happiness and acceptance.