GAY RIGHTS In Canada

In 1967 Pierre Trudeau moved to decriminalize homosexual acts in Canada. This started small demonstrations in North America in the 1950’s and 1960’s. But in the 1980’s the AIDS epidemic cause major setbacks for gay rights and equality. When it was first recognized it was called a “Gay Disease”

Freddy Mercury

Magic Johnson

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, from 1985 to 2011, just over half (54.7%) of the 69,856 positive HIV tests among adults with a known exposure category were attributed to men who have sex with men. 1 It is estimated that 15% of gay men living in urban centres are HIV positive. It is reasonable to claim that HIV still constitutes a real threat to the gay

By 1992 the Canadian government removed the ban that prohibited gay men and lesbians from serving in the military because it went against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. By 1995, same-sex couples were allowed to adopt in BC

Legalization of Gay Marriage In Canada.. On June 10, 2003 the Ontario Court of Appeal included Gay Marriage in the definition of Marriage. This was said to have ended the “homophobia” In 2003 and 2004 B.C. and Quebec allowed it. By November 2004 Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Yukon also allowed it.

So where are we at today? By 2005, Canada became the 4th country to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide in the world. (Bill C-38) - Holland, Belgium, Spain. Same-sex adoption has also been legal in all provinces and territories under varying rules.

As of June 25, 2015, Same-sex marriage is legalized across the US.