Every June, Pride Month is celebrated around the world, recognizing the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities. It’s also a time to reflect on past and ongoing struggles for visibility and equal rights. Here are seven key dates in the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in Canada.
|
Why June? Many Pride celebrations take place in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, after a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. One year later, the first Pride march was held. This is now widely considered the first-ever Pride parade. |
1969 – Same-sex relationships are partially decriminalized
Before 1969, same-sex sexual activity was a crime in Canada. The Criminal Code prohibited “sodomy” (anal sex) and “gross indecency,” a vague crime often used to target same-sex couples, even for their private activities.
In 1969, Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s government amended the Criminal Code. Sodomy and gross indecency were no longer crimes when the acts were done in private between consenting adults aged 21 or older.
However, same-sex relationships were still considered criminal in many situations until 1988. For example, acts considered “sodomy” or “gross indecency” were still illegal if they happened in public or involved more than two people.
1977 – Discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited
The Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms came into effect in 1976. A year later, discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation became illegal in areas such as work and housing.
2002 – Quebec recognizes civil unions and extends adoption rules
The new millennium brought major changes for LGBTQ+ families. Quebec recognized civil unions, allowing same-sex couples to enter a legal relationship and enjoy the same benefits as married couples.
Adoption rules were also changed to allow anyone, whether single, married, in a civil union, or in a common-law relationship (or “de facto union”), to adopt children regardless of their sexual orientation.
2005 – Same-sex marriages become legal
Following the introduction of civil unions, same-sex marriage became legal in Canada in 2005. Two men named Michael Hendricks and René LeBoeuf went to court to challenge the federal definition of marriage, which at the time excluded same-sex couples. The couple argued that this rule was discriminatory.
After 31 years together, the couple married on April 1, 2004. The following year, the Canadian government amended its Marriage Act, becoming the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
2016-2017 – More protections for trans and non-binary individuals
Since 2016, discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression is prohibited in Quebec. Trans and non-binary individuals are therefore protected in the workplace, on public transit, and in public places like stores.
In 2017, the Criminal Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act were modified to better protect people with diverse gender identities or gender expressions. Since then, these individuals are recognized as part of an “identifiable group” protected under the Criminal Code. This change in the law offers greater protection to trans and non-binary people, especially against hate propaganda and public incitement of hatred.
2022 – Conversion therapy becomes a crime
Since 2022, Canada’s Criminal Code prohibits the practice, promotion, or advertisement of conversion therapy. Conversion therapy aims to change an LGBTQ+ person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual, or their gender identity to match the sex they were assigned at birth—in other words, to make them cisgender.
Conversion therapy can take many forms. For example, it can be presented as a medical treatment, psychological service, or a spiritual or religious practice. This means that it can happen in different settings, including the health care system, religious communities, or even self-help groups.
2025 – A historic judgment by the Superior Court on multi-parent families
On April 25, 2025, the Superior Court of Québec called for a change in the law to recognize multi-parent families. Multi-parent families are families where a child has more than two legal parents. The judge stated that limiting a child to only two legal parents violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it discriminates against them based on family status.
According to the LGBT+ Family Coalition, this is a historic judgment. They believe that the legal recognition of multi-parent families could lead to greater social recognition of these families.
The Superior Court gave the Quebec government one year to change the law. However, the government decided to file an appeal before the Quebec Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal will have to decide whether to uphold or overturn the decision. Stay tuned!