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Pierre Elliot Trudeau sign Bill C-150 decrimalizing homosexuality among other things.
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The three day Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in New York City launch the modern LGBTQ movement.
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Canada's first gay rights march takes place in Ottawa.
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The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its list of psychiatric disorders.
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Harvey Milk becomes first openly gay man to be elected to public office as City Supervisor in California.
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Numerous deaths being reported in the gay community of San Fransisco, New York and other gay North American Hubs.
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Harvey Milk is assassinated by Dan White, political rival and homophobe. Milk later became known as a “martyr for gay rights” and forever known as the "Mayor of Castro Street".
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The first National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights draws more than 100,000 people.
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The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the “right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” omitting sexual orientation.
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Disease responsible for many mysterious deaths due to weakened immune system is identified as GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency), later changed to AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome) in 1984.
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Actor Rock Hudson announces he has AIDS, finally bringing the disease into the spotlight and much needed funds for research and development into finding effective treatment.
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Hate crime leading to death of Kenneth Zeller spurs Toronto District School Board to implement country’s first program against gay violence and discrimination.
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NAMES Project is founded by Cleve Jones creating the AIDS memorial quilt in memory of Harvey Milk.. Over 46,000 panels presently included.
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ACT UP is founded by Larry Kramer in response to the government's inaction towards AIDS education, awareness, and fundraising.
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Canada’s Svend Robinson becomes the country’s first openly gay MP.
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Denmark becomes the first country worldwide to legalize gay and lesbian unions.
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The City of Toronto officially proclaims Pride Day for the first time. Over 80,000 people attend and celebrate.
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Canada lifts the controversial ban on homosexuals in the Canadian Forces.
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“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” enacted by President Bill Clinton in United States banning military personel from openly discussing their sexual orientation.
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The Supreme Court of Canada rules that sexual orientation should be “read in” the Charter of Rights and Freedoms thanks to the "Egan vs. Canada" case in the Supreme Court.
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Ontario becomes the first province to allow homosexual couples to adopt children.
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Toronto District School Board begins “Triangle Program”, Canada’s only classroom for GLBT youth.
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Ontario decides provincial health insurance will no longer pay for sexual reassignment surgery. Manitoba and Alberta follow a year later.
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Equal rights and responsibilities in regard to benefits and obligations are granted to same-sex partners by the Supreme Court of Canada.
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Libby Davies of Vancouver, British Columbia becomes Canada’s first openly lesbian Member of Parliament.
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Thanks to a large financial settlement, Jeremy Dias creates Jer's Vision to promote a safe "Positive Space" for sexual and social diversity in schools.
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British Columbia and Ontario begin marrying same-sex couples.
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Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario releases “Imagine a World That Is Free from Fear, a K-8 resource that addresses homophobia and heterosexism.
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House of Commons passes "Civil Marriage Act" officially sanctioning same-sex marriages nationwide.
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Openly gay politician Andre Boisclair is elected leader of the Separatist Party in the province of Quebec.
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B.C. Ministry of Education agreed to add elective social justice course to the high school curriculum that includes gay and lesbian issues thanks to Murray and Peter Corren insistence that curriculum discriminated against gay students.
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Proposition 8 or California Marriage Protection Act is passed in state elections banning same-sex marriage.
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Sean Penn wins Best Actor Oscar for portraying Harvey Milk. Acceptance speech condemned voters in the state of California for banning gay marriage and encouraged equal rights for everyone.
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Public Health Agency of Canada releases thorough Q&A document entitled "Gender Identity in Schools".
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Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert McKinnon rules that a gay student has the right to take his boyfriend to prom. Marc Hall attended his Oshawa Catholic high school prom with his boyfriend.
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Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario releases “Social Justice Begins with Me”, updated K-8 literature-based kit that includes monthly grade-level themes and integrated lessons.
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“It Gets Better” Project founded by Dan Savage and against bullying. Book also published entitled “Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying and Creating a Life.”
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“It Gets Better” Project founded by Dan Savage and Terry Miller against bullying. Book subsequently published entitled
“Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying and Creating a Life.” -
Marriage Equity Act passed by the New York State Senate allowing same-sex couples to marry 42 years after the Stonewall Riots.
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Elio Di Rupo becomes world's second openly gay Prime Minister of Belgium.