PSWLaw wishes the readers a happy and safe Pride 2009.
The theme for Pride Toronto 2009 is Can’t Stop Won’t Stop. Pride Toronto is a not-for-profit organization which exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto’s LGBTTIQQ2S* communities.
At this moment of celebration, we’re reminded that it hasn’t always been this way for sexual minorities in our society.
- In 1969, during the final weekend in June, drag queens and queer street kids rioted at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. This incident is generally accepted as the beginning of modern queer movement.
- In the early 1970’s Gay Days picnics were held at Hanlon’s Point.
- In 1981 police raids of various bathhouses that motivated gays and queers and their supporters to organize a major demonstration held at Yonge Street and Wellesley the following day. This event raised public awareness of queer issues.
- In 1987 sexual orientation was included in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
- In 1991 the Toronto City Council proclaimed Pride Day for the first time.
- In 1995 the Supreme Court of Canada established sexual orientation as a prohibited ground for discrimination under the Constitution.#
- In 1998 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the deliberate legislative exclusion of sexual orientation under the Alberta Human Rights Code unconstitutional.+
- In 2003 the Ontario Court of Appeal^ ruled the common law definition of marriage “between a man and a woman” unconstitutional. Ontario became the first jurisdiction in North America to allow same-sex couples to marry.
- In 2005 the Parliament passed the Civil Marriage Act, legalizing same-sex marriage.
Today Pride Toronto has become an international attraction. Literally millions of people flock to the city for the celebration and festivities. Pride Toronto’s parade is billed as one of Toronto’s largest annual parades, along with the Stanta Claus Parade and Caribana.
PSWLaw is proud to be an advocate for equality, diversity, and tolerance. PSWLaw is a equal-opportunity employer.
* Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, two-spirited
#Egan v. Canada, [1995] 2 S.C.R. 513
+Vriend v. Alberta, [1998] 1 S.C.R. 493
^Halpern v. Canada (2003), 65 O.R. (3d) 161, O.J. No. 2268 (C.A.)
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Meanwhile, in Saskatchewan, the government wants to allow marriage commissioners to refuse to marry same-sex couples on the basis of their religious beliefs. Two steps forward, one step back.