For Pride this year, we have our first ever LGBTQ2 themed Heritage Minute.
For all you non-Canadians, Heritage Minutes are sixty second films that document significant people and events in Canadian history. Often, moments and viewpoints are explored in these mini-movies that our high school history books failed to mention.
Case in point: Gay activist, Jim Egan.
Never heard of him? Neither had I.
Today, James Egan would be called a gay activist. Back in 1951, when he first sat down at his typewriter and pounded out an article entitled, I Am a Homosexual he was just a young man who was pissed.
Jim battled rampant homophobia with letters and op-ed pieces in the press, eventually taking the Government of Canada to court demanding spousal benefits for his life partner.
In 1995, Jim and his partner Jack Nesbit cruised down Yonge Street, the same street they could have once been arrested on for simply holding hands, as honorary grand marshals in the Toronto Pride parade.
Happy Pride 🙂
Hating on people for who they love has never made any sense to me. Some countries have made great strides, and of course, some are slowly chipping away at their progress. Canada is pretty awesome these days, and the world could do well for itself in following their lead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re not the only country pushing to extend equality to everyone (Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the U.K. just to mention a few), but I’ll take the compliment 🙂
LikeLike
I was born in 1951. The courage of anyone advocating gay rights in that era is astonishing!
LikeLike
I know. I couldn’t believe it. It seems it was another ten years until mainstream papers carried his articles, but still…
I don’t know if you read the link, but I was impressed that even back then he said, he thought being gay was wonderful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The article and the video are remarkable. Things are still far from perfect, but I’ve seen so much change I never thought possible.
LikeLike
Yes, still a ways to go, but remarkable really.
I was talking to my 5 year old grandson last week and I heard myself saying…”when you get older and you have a girlfriend or boyfriend…” Didn’t hear that from my grandmother 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of him either. Cool post! Happy Pride!!! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike