Stellar Integrated Solutions

Survivors of the Canadian government's "LGBT Purge" broke ground with their shovels this week as construction officially began for a new national monument in downtown Ottawa, recognizing the historical discrimination faced by 2SLGBTQ+ in Canada,

Between the 1950s and mid-1990s, the government’s LGBT Purge targeted LGBT federal civil servants in Ottawa and across the country, as well as LGBT members of the Canada's military and RCMP.

Over 9,000 federal employees suspected of being LGBT were investigated and hundreds lost their jobs.

LGBT members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP and the federal public service were systematically discriminated against, harassed and often fired as a matter of policy and sanctioned practice. In what came to be known as the “LGBT Purge”, people were followed, interrogated, abused and traumatized.

“The LGBT Purge was implemented at the highest levels of the Government of Canada and was carried out with callous disregard for the dignity, privacy and humanity of its victims. With its roots in the Cold War, the Canadian Government’s LGBT Purge continued for over forty years.

The careers and self-esteem of a generation of young people were destroyed; victims were denied benefits, severance, pensions and opportunities for promotion if they managed to keep their jobs. This shameful period in Canadian history also resulted in su***de, HIV, fear, depression, PTSD, addiction, disownment, criminalization, rejection, isolation, erasure and many other enduring and painful experiences.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered an official apology on behalf of the Canadian Government in 2017.

The new monument will be located near the Ottawa River by the Portage Bridge and Wellington Street.

Sources: CBC News, CTV New, LGBT Purge Fund

https://lgbtpurgefund.com/about

Very proud to hang this at the office and speak to anyone about why this day of healing is needed and overdue.

“We Were Children” is a thought provoking piece that highlights some of the hardships our Indigenous Peoples faced in this country. Watch it to get a glimpse into the pain our people have and are still overcoming generations later. Hoping we all refer to it as part of our national truth and a lesson learned. &reconciliation.

gem.cbc.ca: Watch We Were Children - We Were Children | CBC Gem In this emotional film, the profound impact of the Canadian government's residential school system is shown through the eyes of two children who were forced to endure unimaginable hardships.