In 1969, Canada decriminalized homosexuality through amending the Criminal Code. Prior to this, homosexuals were labelled "criminal sexual psychopaths" and "dangerous sexual offenders". This is the story of that legal change. 🧵 1/8 - ThreadSky

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social • 3 days ago

In 1969, Canada decriminalized homosexuality through amending the Criminal Code.
Prior to this, homosexuals were labelled "criminal sexual psychopaths" and "dangerous sexual offenders".
This is the story of that legal change.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

Until 1869, anyone caught in a homosexual relationship was at risk of the death penalty in Canada.
Prior to 1969, homosexuals were charged with "gross indecency" under the Criminal Code. They faced jail time if caught in a same-sex relationship.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

After the conviction and sentencing of Everett George Klippert for gross indecency because he had consensual sex with four men in 1965, public outrage pushed for changes in the Criminal Code.
Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau was tasked with bringing about that change.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

Opposition was intense to the change, and the Catholic Créditistes of Quebec held up the debate for six weeks, stating communism, socialism & atheism were behind the proposed changes.
They demanded a public referendum and staged a filibuster in Parliament.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

Bill C-150, the Criminal Code Amendment Act, passed its third reading on May 14, 1969.
All but one Liberal voted for it and 43 out of 55 Progressive Conservatives voted against it. All 18 NDP MPs voted for it, while all 11 Ralliement Créditiste voted against it.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

The law made homosexuality legal under certain circumstances. It had to involve individuals over the age of 21, had to be in private and could only involve two people. Gross indecency laws remained illegal otherwise. This created a legal loophole exploited by police.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•3 days ago

Trudeau famously said of the change:
“There is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation”
Despite the legalization, persecution of homosexuals continued for years and it was not until 1987 that the gross indecency offense was repealed.

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