The Fifties and Sixties
The 50s and 60s were a time of slow change and then increasing ferment. The civil rights and feminist movements became active in the 60s and provided a model for the development of a gay liberation movement in the 70s.
1950's
A radio personality on CFPA used to announce on Sundays that a meeting of the Kakabeka Falls Fun club would take place that afternoon, a coded reference for gay men who were in the know. (personal communication HR in 1980's)
1954
May - Evelyn Hooker at American Psychological Association reports on research showing no difference in psychological adjustment between 30 gay and 30 straight men.
1960's
1965
Everett Klippert acknowledges to police that he is gay, has had sex with men over a 24-year period, and is unlikely to change.
1967
Klippert is sent to prison indefinitely as a "dangerous sex offender," a sentence which was backed up by the Supreme Court of Canada that same year. Klippert was not released from prison until 1971.
1969
On May 15, the House of Commons voted to decriminalize same-sex acts in private by consenting adults, through amendments to the Criminal Code. This went into effect in August.
The Stonewall Rebellion started on the night of 27/28th June in New York. This is widely recognized as the birth of the gay liberation movement.
