LGBT activists have played an important role in helping to shape public policy in Canada by creating a more equal society for the LGBT community. In recent decades, the mass mobilization of groups has promoted the LGBT community marking a shift from the private sphere, where people were previously forced to hide in shame because of their sexuality, into allowing the LGBT community to become integrated into public life creating a more diverse and accepting society. Over the past three decades activists have led the way in educating the Canadian public and creating a more progressive country. Activists were committed to pushing for change when politicians refused to approach what was seen as a controversial and originally a criminal act. Activists …show more content…
stepped up as leaders, they helped to create a more equal country and represented some of the most vulnerable while giving them a voice in public policy. Using the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic and the 2005 legalization of same sex marriage as two prominent examples, this paper seeks to explain why the work LGBT activists was significant in helping to shape public policy in Canada. The commitment from activists illustrates that is possible to push for change for the better as society becomes more accepting of LGBT members. LGBT activists have created a more diverse society, they have helped educate the public, they have pushed for more LGBT friendly legislation and through their tireless work and leadership they have altered public perception on homosexuality. In 2005 Canada legalized same sex marriage which serves as an important example of how LGBT activists helped to shape public policy in Canada.
The successful legislation was a direct result of the perseverance of countless activists who wanted same sex couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples. The legislation also illustrated how Canada had become a more forward-thinking country as the right to marry was extended to everyone and not restricted to heterosexual couples as per previous tradition. When Parliament finally agreed that same sex couples had the right to marry it was not the politicians who were the ones leading the battle for more LGBT friendly public policy; activists protested the unequal treatment they experienced, they challenged previous legislation where the terms partner and spouse were quite limited, they took their cases before the court systems and they did not give up on their …show more content…
cause. During the 1980s, the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disease emerged and the epidemic is another important example where activists rose up to challenge the stigma associated with the LGBT community. The AIDS outbreak had many consequences for the community, as gay men were the most vulnerable to the illness. During the initial outbreak, little was known about the disease which complicated matters and it prevented people from getting proper medical help. However, despite the misfortune activists used this period to promote the LGBT community; they called for fairer treatment and sought to educate the rest of the society on the LGBT community. Phair, Michael, and Kristopher Wells. "Expanding Tolerance: Edmonton's LGBTQ Community and the March Towards Full Citizenship and Social Inclusion." Canadian Review of Social Policy, no. 56, 2006, pp. 149-156. http://proxy.library.carleton.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy.library.carleton.ca/docview/222223880?accountid=9894. This journal article is important because it begins by explaining how Canada came to legalize same sex marriage and how it was one of the first countries to recognize same sex marriage. This was an important step for LGBT activists because they had successfully pressured and lobbied the courts and politicians to help create positive change by creating a more equal nation. Furthermore, the article uses the city of Edmonton as a case study and explains how activists and a younger population helped mobilize new groups that supported and represented LGBT issues. These groups were important because they helped make LGBT issues more visible in the community; in previous decades members of the LGBT community were separated from the rest of society and expected to be invisible. However, the increased number of LGBT groups brought members into the public and it also made it easier for the next generation to be accepted and included. Jubran, Bellal, et al. "Re-evaluating Canada’s Policy for Blood Donations from Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM)." Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 37, no. 4, 2016, pp. 428-439. http://proxy.library.carleton.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest com.proxy.library.carleton.ca/docview/1868464910?accountid=9894. This journal article caught my attention because it explains some of the consequences of the unfair treatment homosexual men experienced following the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1980s.
It explains from a health perspective why Canadian Blood Services has implemented strict restrictions for gay men, and how the rule is connected to the past AIDS outbreak. This is an interesting connection to the LGBT movement for more equal treatment because men who have engaged in sexual activity with other men are unable to give blood. More than three decades after the AIDS epidemic, gay men continue to receive unfair treatment because of their sexuality and activists have continued to protest the unfair requirement. In addition, the article explains how activists were able to achieve LGBT rights especially in terms of getting more Canadians to accept homosexuality. This article shows that the quest for more LGBT polices continues as activists continue to push for equal treatment regardless of sexual
orientation. Perry, Taylor. "From West End to Eastside: The Vancouver HIV/AIDS Epidemic, 1983–2013." Canadian Bulletin of Medical History, vol. 33 no. 1, 2016, pp. 103-130. https://muse-jhu-edu.proxy.library.carleton.ca/article/631731. This journal article is significant because it provides background on the AIDS epidemic using Vancouver as a case study. The article highlights how the members of the Vancouver LGBT community came together during the AIDS epidemic to help provide support and secure resources for those living with AIDS which is important since the disease was unknown at the time. It illustrates how the LGBT community remained united, even though it was facing a tragedy at the time while continuing to battle discrimination because of their sexual orientation. Furthermore, the article highlights the work of Dr. Peter Jepson-Young who helped educate other Canadians on AIDS by speaking directly to the media; instead of shying away from the spotlight he chose to be a leader during a crisis. This illustrates the strength and determination of LGBT activists as they refused to let an epidemic deter their fight and how they were committed to explaining their lifestyle to the rest of the country with the ultimate goal of being understood.
They were able to obtain civil unions but were still denied a majority of the rights that come with marriage. The surveys and polls that Rosenberg analyzed, shows that public opinion was still a little hesitant about same sex marriage (Rosenberg 418). Conversely, the polls showed that people were more accepting of civil unions (Rosenberg 418). Rosenberg then goes on to state that had the activists gone to the court with civil unions and then waited for public opinion to be more in favor of same sex marriage to then proceed with equal rights, they may have had a better chance (Rosenberg 419). There is no way to know for sure if this would have been the case because we are not able to simulate a new world or go back in time. However, with the evidence that Rosenberg has shown it makes sense that since the activists did not have the support of the elites or the support of public opinion, they were not able to produce the change that they had hoped
In Vicki L. Eaklor’s Queer America, the experiences of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people in the years since the 1970s gay liberation movement are described as a time of transformation and growth. The antigay movement, threatened, now more than ever, created numerous challenges and obstacles that are still prevalent today. Many of the important changes made associated with the movement were introduced through queer and queer allied individuals and groups involved in politics. Small victories such as the revision of the anti discrimination statement to include “sexual orientation”, new propositions regarding the Equal Rights Amendment and legalized abortion, were met in turn with growing animosity and resistance from individuals and groups opposed to liberal and
In the past decades, the struggle for gay rights in the Unites States has taken many forms. Previously, homosexuality was viewed as immoral. Many people also viewed it as pathologic because the American Psychiatric Association classified it as a psychiatric disorder. As a result, many people remained in ‘the closet’ because they were afraid of losing their jobs or being discriminated against in the society. According to David Allyn, though most gays could pass in the heterosexual world, they tended to live in fear and lies because they could not look towards their families for support. At the same time, openly gay establishments were often shut down to keep openly gay people under close scrutiny (Allyn 146). But since the 1960s, people have dedicated themselves in fighting for
Sexuality in Canada has been a huge battle for women, especially in the 1990's. Instead of sexuality being a personal issue to some people, it became a huge political problem for the whole country. There were issues involved equality rights for the lesbian community and the rights for same sex couples to get married. In both the United States and Canada, a majority of people see sexuality as negative, instead of positive. Although, most people have learned to just accept it. They both feel the need to educate people on making the right choices no matter what they race, gender, or sexuality is. Researchers are trying to promote these issues in a positive manner by the sharing of the knowledge of that in terms of a woman's attitude or behavior, they are going to feel and think in different ways than the others. Everyone is their own person, and we instead of trying to change their sexuality, we should just accept it.
Prior to the 1970’s, members of the LGBTQ community, and especially those who also identified as people of color, were forced to stay silent despite constant discrimination because of their minority statuses. They did not have a voice or means to speak out against the oppression. During the 1960’s, the few safe spaces established for QPOC in urban communities had disappeared, since this particular era was being overshadowed by the Civ...
Systemic discrimination has been a part of Canada’s past. Women, racial and ethnic minorities as well as First Nations people have all faced discrimination in Canada. Policies such as, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, provincial and federal Human Rights Codes, as well has various employment equity programs have been placed in Canada’s constitution to fight and address discrimination issues. Despite these key documents placed for universal rights and freedoms Aboriginal and other minority populations in Canada continue to be discriminated against. Many believe there is no discrimination in Canada, and suggest any lack of success of these groups is a result of personal decisions and not systemic discrimination. While others feel that the legislation and equality policies have yet resulted in an equal society for all minorities. Racism is immersed in Canadian society; this is clearly shown by stories of racial profiling in law enforcement.
Society is created with both homosexual and heterosexual individuals. Previously when certain laws discriminated against others, such as law for women's rights to vote, these laws were changed. Changing the traditions of the country does not mean that it will lead to the legalization of other extreme issues. Each ...
Feminism, the theory of the social, political and economic equality of the sexes, is a topic today either accepted by many or rejected in a newer version (Mainstream post-feminism). Whether a feminist or not, looking at the number of women involved in Canadian politics it is obvious that equality has not reached this work field, where Canada ranks 63rd in terms of female politicians in the world. Many barriers are stopping women from participating in politics, even in 2016. From having self-doubt in the skills needed in politics, to a culture portraying the “traditional” role of woman as the housewife, Canadian women need to be shown that in today’s society these barriers can be overcome and they can make a difference in their communities as
For many generations, especially in North America, homosexuality was not accepted in any way, shape, or form. Many believed that it was a medical illness that was curable, when in reality, people were, and still are, ignorant and could not come to terms that everyone in this world is different from one another. For many instances of being treated unjust, many individuals in the gay community did not want to “expose” themselves and remained in the “closet”. As means to make gays and lesbians proud and take a stand for who they are, a movement spread across internationally. This movement is known as “The Gay Liberation” movement which occurred between the late 1960s and the early to mid 1970s (“Gay Liberation”). The Gay Liberation movement urged individuals of the gay community to “come out,” revealing their sexuality to their loved ones as a form of activism, and to counter shame with gay pride (“Gay Liberation”). The Stonewall Riots are believed to have been the spark that ignited the rise of the Gay Liberation movement; it influenced the way the gay community is viewed socially and how their rights are politically present day.
...protest movements throughout America and the world.” Among the gay community Stonewall has become the word for freedom, for fighting, for equality. It became a turning point in Gay history, so much so that most books on the subject refer to “pre-Stonewall” and “post-Stonewall” as the lines of demarcation. Of course the journey is still long and fight has not been won. At the turn of the century there were still 20 states that made homosexual sex illegal , any only a few states would recognize the love and companionship of gays through marriage or civil unions. The military policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still active and prejudices continue to exist. But, as exemplified by any other civil rights movement, it is through the constant grind of activists and lay-people constantly protesting and educating, that change occurs, even if only one person at a time.
Wintermute, R. (2002). Sexual Orientation and Human Rights: The United States Constitution, the European Convention and the Canadian Charter. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Paperbacks.
The world as we know of it today has evolved over several decades of conflict. The conflicts have taken place due to many factions fighting for their rights. It began with African Americans wanting to be treated as equals. The Civil Rights became the theme of the 1950’s and continued for many years. More recently, there have been conflicts based on sexuality and gender preferences. The LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Movement of today has changed and evolved over the last several decades just as the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s which gave African Americans the fight for racial equality. The similarities and differences of both movements are striking, and deserve thorough investigation.
Even though Vancouver is a highly multicultural place, it is known for being “queer” friendly. For example, British became the second Canadian jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage in 2003. Conversely, the downtown Vancouver has a substantial number of gay individual individuals occupying the space and as a result of queer events such as Pride Parade, many immigrants (especially Asians travel there. Whats interesting is that Vancouver is but on the Coast of Salish Territory where many East Asians live and has all become a popular place for Easy Asian filmmakers from abroad to find inspiration. Most of these queer Asian filmmakers working in Vancouver have not yet received that necessary exposure or funding to support their content,
Marriage equality rights have come a long way over the last several year, however there is still more progress to be made. Achieving gay marriage rights across the nation has been a long fight and has caused quite a great deal of controversy. While more and more people, churches, organizations, businesses, etc. are all starting to support the movement, thousands of them still do not. While achieving the goal of marriage rights in the LGBT community may seem never ending, it’s important to recognize the small wins along the way.
Canada is one of the only countries that accept refugee claims on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. However, queer asylum seekers in Canada are commonly probed deeply about their gender presentation and sexual practices in rulings over their refugee entitlements (Kouri-Towe,2015). Finances allocated to this group of refugees are also decreasing. Moreover, many people in need of protection don’t have the resources to flee their persecutors, let alone bring themselves to Canada and navigate Canada’s all-too-complex refugee system. One way to continue providing support for LGBT refugees is through private sponsorship. An organization that is dedicated to advocating and helping resettle LGBTQI refugees is The Rainbow Refugee Association of Nova