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“The 2SLGBTQI+ Rights: Past, Present and Future”
Presented by Paul Kaplan

On June 28, 1969, the NYPD began what they expected to be a routine raid of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. But instead of cooperating with the police, as patrons always had done before, they fought back. The fight against the police grew into full scale riot and gave birth to the modern gay rights movement, which over time came to include other sexual minorities.

Almost immediately after Stonewall, the gay community began to organize to fight for their rights by forming new organizations such as the Gay Liberation Front. On the first anniversary of Stonewall, June 28, 1970, the first gay pride marches were held in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These were demonstrations in which gay people came out and demanded their rights. See the photo below from that first gay pride march in New York City.

First Gay Pride March June 28, 1970

On February 5, 1981, the Metropolitan Toronto Police carried out Operation Soap, raiding four gay bathhouses in Toronto, arresting nearly 300 men. This led to a powerful backlash not only from the gay community, but from the community at large. Shortly after the raid, community meetings were quickly organized in support of the gay community. Both gay people and their allies, such as Margaret Atwood, spoke out at these meetings. The gay rights movement in Canada was launched and annual pride marches were organized.

With this historical background, let us consider the following questions:

1)     What were the accomplishments of the early gay rights movements?

2)     What advancements have been made more recently?

3)     Today, we speak of a broader community’s rights, 2SLGBTQI+ rights. Where do things stand for people in this broader community, in particular, for trans people?

4)     Have you ever encountered homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia?

5)     What issues still remain for 2SLGBTQI+ people?

6)     How safe are 2SLGBTQI+ in Canada?

7)     There are 64 UN member states where homosexuality is illegal. Should Canada actively be engaged in trying to get anti-gay laws repealed in these countries?

8)     Given how much Pride has changed from 1970 until today, it is relevant in its current form? Should it be changed in some way?