The 1970s: Storming the Status Quo

The 1970s: Storming the Status Quo

By Dennis Yeo, Niagara community member

So, in June 1969 all hell broke loose at Stonewall and the reverberations were going to be felt all over the world. The 1970s would become a decade of change through an organized, sustained effort by dedicated advocates. Canada was right on track, of course, in a much quieter and courteous “Canadian” way. The ‘70s was a decade of progress but nothing was handed to us. Before taking a closer look at the ups and downs, this summary will provide context for understanding the two-steps-forward-one-step-back events of the day.

“There was a sense among activists and intellectuals that individuals working in mass movements could make a difference…Amid this ferment, lesbian and gay liberation burst onto the scene…
(from History of The Gay Liberation in Canada, 1970s.)

Given the social and political atmosphere of the day, you would have been hard pressed to find support for our demands in the government, in the media or in the general public. Homophobia was not only rampant but systemic, and the demands of the community went unaddressed and unacknowledged. Polite complaints were just not going to cut it so the only strategy that might garner notice was confrontation, raising our profile as part of the culture, and constant education. So, the gay and lesbian movement came out with a bang—not a literal bang; after all, we are Canadian.

It wasn’t a cohesive movement even back then as the various groups within the queer community each had special interests that they wanted at the forefront. It was especially contentious between gay and feminist groups, which consisted primarily of lesbians, as their individual differences seemed to take precedence over the greater common cause. That resonates loudly with me in the present because it has been my experience that “intersectionality” often becomes an obstacle when a homogenous group attempts to collaborate. Even now we haven’t learned or at least taken to heart within the 2SLGBTQ+ “family” that our differences should pale in comparison to the oppression that we have suffered collectively. We must encourage the various cohorts in the community (read gay men), who today enjoy acceptance and support, to offer a hand to raise up the others who still haven’t made the same gains, socially or legally (read trans-).

(Based on History of The Gay Liberation in Canada, 1970s and “Never Going Back: A History of Queer Activism in Canada” by Tom Warner (PB – Jun 15 2002))

Stay tuned… for a look at the who, when and where of political action back in the early days of the gay lib. movement and the challenges, external and internal, that had to be addressed in order to make headway.

Dennis Yeo

Dennis is a former teacher who was born and raised in St. Catharines. He came out as a gay man as an adult, was active in the 2SLGBTQ community in the city where he taught, and returned to St. Catharines when he retired. Dennis will be contributing a periodic blog throughout LGBT History Month (October).

His views do not necessarily represent those of OUTniagara.