The Ban On Gays In The Military Ends (On Paper) - Pt.6

06/27/24 • 50 min

By the early 1990s the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney knew it could not continue the military’s anti-homosexuality policies. However, his ministers and military kept looking for loopholes to continue their discrimination against LGB soldiers. Discover the behind-the-scenes legal drama that led to, what many consider to be, the end of the military’s ban on gays in the military - including an interview with former diplomat and Chief of Defence Staff, John de Chastelain. Legal challenges to the government's heteronormative views of relationships were also leading to equal employment benefits, which would eventually apply to members of the military and RCMP.

Previous Episode

Towards Equality For Some - Pt.5

The 1980s were a pivotal decade in Canadian politics and history, including key battles for queer liberation and rights. You’ll hear about former MP Svend Robinson’s efforts to get homosexuality into the Canadian Human Rights Act and protection under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the military and RCMP efforts to undermine the Charter rights of their members; and a straight Commanding Officer who defended his top-performing soldier from multiple SIU investigations. A young Queen Elizabeth II also has a few things to say in this episode!

Next Episode

We Demand An Apology - Pt.7

Before the Government of Canada’s apology and before the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit, there was a small group of dedicated Canadians who were determined to get justice. This network of Purge survivors, academics, researchers and activists was known as the We Demand An Apology Network (WDAN). The WDAN group was the catalyst that led to the landmark class-action lawsuit, settlement, and apology to queer Canadians. Meantime, the lives of queer soldiers and RCMP members were improving, but only slightly. You’re going to be surprised/not surprised by a couple of these stories - including the military's first Pride Flag raising ceremony, and how the Government of Canada’s apology nearly fell apart at the last minute.