Media Releases
Ontario’s first lesbian and gay rights group to be honoured
October 26, 2011
TORONTO, ON – A significant moment in Canadian queer history will be commemorated next week with the unveiling of a plaque marking the 1969 formation of the University of Toronto Homophile Association. The group was Ontario’s first to rally around lesbian and gay rights, and one of the first in Canada to be shaped by sexual liberation politics.
Next Wednesday, November 2 at 5 p.m. at the East Hall in University College, officials from U of T, the Ontario Heritage Trust (OHT) and all three levels of government will honour the group’s historical contributions by unveiling the province’s first-ever LGBT-related plaque. The occasion marks 42 years since the U of T Homophile Association held their first meeting at University College.
U of T President David Naylor, Brenda Cossman, director of U of T’s Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies and U of T student Nikki Thomas (representing LGBTOUT) will speak at the ceremony.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony, sponsored by the Bonham Centre and the OHT.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Ceremony and plaque unveiling to commemorate the establishment of the University of Toronto Homophile Association in 1969.
WHEN: Wednesday November 2 at 5 p.m.
WHERE: East Hall at University College, 15 King’s College Circle, University of Toronto.
For more information, please contact:
Brenda Cossman
Director, Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies
416–978-8103
b.cossman@utoronto.ca
David Rayside
Professor, Sexual Diversity Studies program
416–978-8087
david.rayside@utoronto.ca