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Pride has meant many things over the decades. It has gone from being a statement that members of the 2SLGBTQ+ exist and wanted to live full lives, to today’s celebrations that feature not only members of the community, but also their friends and allies.
The evolution of Pride started with a few sparks, moments that took place over decades in Canadian culture or through individuals and groups. Those grew and grew into what it is today—diverse, inclusive and more than just a celebration. Here is look at Canada’s journey to Pride.
Pre-1970s: Fleeting sparks
Long before then minister of justice Pierre Elliot Trudeau made one of his most well-known statements, Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ community existed. After introducing Bill C-150 in the House of Commons—which would decriminalize homosexual acts in Canada between men over the age of consent—he declared in February 1967 that, “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.”
While many of their individual stories before the 1970s are hidden to time, there are fleeting glimpses of Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ past. There are the tender Kodak images of Leonard Olive Keith and Joseph Austin (Cub) Coates, two New Brunswick boys in the 1920 who defiantly photographed their love story. Len and Cub, as they were known, captured affection filled moments, from holding hands to laying one’s head on the other’s chest.
As the century progressed, queer flashes became more vibrant and visible. There were underground publications, like Montreal’s Les Mouches Fantastiques, which was considered the first homosexual magazine in North America and was published between 1918 and 1920. Or, in the 1950s and 1960s, Toronto’s Jim Egan, who wrote about homosexuality in the pages of newspapers and magazines.
And there were others: Transgender performer Jackie Shane witnessed her song Any Other Way take the second spot on Toronto’s singles chart in 1963; the release of the films À tout prendre in 1963 and Winter Kept Us Warm in 1965, which depicted gay subjects; and the publishing of Jane Rule’s Desert of the Heart, a novel about two women who fall in love, in 1964.
And, at the very close of the 1960s, on May 14, 1969, Trudeau’s bill passed and officially decriminalization certain homosexual acts in Canada. It would help change the lives of thousands of Canadians. The spark grew a little brighter.
The 1970s: The start of Pride
As the 1970s dawned, members of the community began to, at times tentatively, create safe spaces for themselves. Soon there were clubs, bars and events like the Gay Day Picnic, which was held at Hanlan’s Point on the Toronto Islands in August 1971—considered by many to be Canada’s first Pride event—and the opening of the Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto in 1970, the country’s first 2SLGBTQ+ bookstore.
Organizations such as the Gay Alliance Toward Equality in Vancouver, the Front de libération homosexuelle in Montreal, Toronto Gay Action and others across Canada were formed to ensure the spark of Pride would only continue to grow brighter. They also helped organize local events, such as Toronto’s first Pride week in 1972, Winnipeg’s first in 1973, Vancouver in 1978, and Montreal in 1979.
In Canadian culture, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre staged its first production in Toronto in 1975, soon cementing its place as a queer theatre company, and female impersonator Craig Russell was performing in Toronto and would soon become world famous with the 1977 release of his movie, Outrageous!.
Pink Triangle Press was also formed in 1971—making it one of the oldest 2SLGBTQIA+ media organizations—and began publishing the Body Politic magazine as a voice for Canada’s gay community. It went on to form the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in 1973 to collect materials and preserve queer history.
The 1980s: Strength and joy
In many ways, the 1980s were a defining time for Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The spark of Pride continued to burn in cities across the country, with the community moving from private to public spaces, claiming neighbourhoods as their own and finding strength in togetherness.
Modern day Pride celebrations where soon being held in large cities across the country. In Vancouver, Canada’s first lesbian Pride march took place in May 1981, with the city’s first official Pride parade held in August of that year and attracting more than 1,500 people. June 1981 saw the first annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in Toronto, with around 2,000 people participating, while the first lesbian Pride march took place later that year in October.
During the decade, Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium opened in Vancouver’s West End, Carole Pope and Rough Trade were releasing songs like High School Confidential and All Touch, and Parachute Club sang the anthem-like Rise Up. On Canadian television, viewers watched as shows like Degrassi Junior High included storylines exploring sexual identity, or lighter fare on The Kids in the Hall with characters such as the flamboyant and funny Buddy Cole.
Long-serving B.C. politician Svend Robinson became Canada’s first openly gay Member of Parliament in February of 1988 after announcing his sexuality. Another major milestone came in January 1986, when then prime minister Biran Mulroney would extend protection in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to include sexual orientation.
But, as all this was happening, the community was also facing its largest challenge. The start of 1982 saw the first Canadian die from what would become known as AIDS. The queer community soon rallied, creating groups and organizations to raise awareness of the disease.
In several communities, lesbians took on the role of caregiver for those stricken with the AIDS—which is why the LGBT acronym used during that era began with the letter ‘L’ for lesbian. It was a symbol of thanks for that dedication.
The 1990s-2000s: Pride of place
By the start of the 1990s, Canada’s largest cities—Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver—were home to vibrant villages, neighbourhoods where members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community could find community centres, cafes and bars, bookstores and other businesses where queer joy was a daily lifestyle.
Smaller urban centres, like Charlottetown and Quebec City began holding Pride events, while larger cities across Canada started to officially support their local festivals. In 1997, Toronto hosted the Counting Past 2 Trans Arts Festival, which was the first of its kind in Canada.
Queer stories were becoming part of the everyday. Singer k.d. lang came out as a lesbian in 1991. In 1993, cartoonist Lynn Johnston introduced a gay character and storyline in her For Better or For Worse syndicated comic strip. Throughout the 2000s. Rae Spoon, Tegan and Sara and Rufus Wainwright were celebrating queer culture in their music.
On May 24, 1995, Ontario became the first province to allow same-sex couples to adopt, while the next day the Supreme Court of Canada officially ruled that sexually orientation was covered by the Charter—in a case brought to court by trailblazer Jim Egan and his partner. And, in a moment many had been waiting for, Ontario and B.C. legalized same-sex marriage in 2003 with Canada following in 2005.
2010s to today: Daily Pride
Pride continues to evolve. From that initial spark that began in the 1970s to now, much has changed. Today’s Pride celebrations are different than those initial small gatherings, with parades that include thousands of people, from members of the acronym to their families and allies.
Today, 2SLGBTQ+ culture extends well past “The Village” into city neighbourhoods and suburbs, small towns and rural communities across Canada. Representation has entered the mainstream with shows such as Canada’s Drag Race and Heated Rivalry being enjoyed by audiences—no matter their sexuality or identity.
Safe spaces have evolved to inclusive spaces—from Two-Spirit powwows to Black Queer block parties and beyond—where people can bring their whole selves to the party.
Today, Pride has become a celebration of whatever you want it to mean.
SOURCES: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, pridetoronto.com, arquives.ca
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