Before 1969, same-sex sexual relations were a crime

Can you imagine that in Canada prior to 1969, people risked imprisonment for having same-sex sexual relations?

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s famous Omnibus Bill, which changed the Canadian Criminal Code and decriminalized same-sex sexual relations.

The Canadian gay and lesbian community is grateful to the Canadian Parliamentarians who took this initiative and, in particular, the Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau, who proposed to enact this law.

“Besides decriminalizing sexual relations, this historic moment marked the beginning of activism, which led to legal equality for homosexuals. This resulted in the right to civil marriage for same-sex couples, a right that is recognized by Canadian Members of Parliament,” explained Laurent McCutcheon, President of Fondation Émergence.

As part of International Day Against Homophobia, Fondation Émergence is marking this fortieth anniversary by taking the initiative to send the 2009 campaign pamphlet “Homosexuality Knows No Borders” to all Canadian Parliamentarians, Members of the House of Commons and the Senate. Members of Parliament have also been invited to celebrate this historic event by speaking on the occasion of International Day Against Homophobia.