Thunder Bay documents 1980-90

Gays of Thunder Bay founding meeting April 27, 1980
established organization, structure, goals
Structure
informal
coordinators - male (Dave) female (open)
finances - books (April)
fundraising
membership - list (Rick with Kim, Patrick)publicity (Rick)
Goals and Priorities
short term
office space
post office box
telephone line
meetings (2 week intervals Mondays 7-9 PM)
at first meeting set costs of office, phone
short-long term
fundraising
publicity
public education
formation of social club
social dialogue
various outings
membership
ways to increase
mailing list(optional)
fee to be set later based on costs
membership list (Rick)
group membership in CGRO
develop city hall and NDP contacts

November 18 - election of executive and approval of constitution with following objects
The objects of GTB shall be:
a. To provide services and facilities, including a social club, to meet the social, cultural, psychological, educational and spiritual needs of the gay community:
b. To act as an information and referral source to members of the community and the community at large:
c. To strive for legal equality and for social acceptance of individuals of differing sexual orientations.

February 8, 1981
GAYS OF THUNDER BAY
c/o P.O. Box 2155,
Thunder Bay, P, Ontario

P R E S S R E L E A S E   For immediate release

Gays of Thunder Bay, a local group representing homosexual men and women, has condemned the actions of Toronto police and that city's Crown attorney's office following raids on four gay clubs on Thursday night. Reports indicate that about 150 police officers armed with sledgehammers and crowbars raided four steam baths and arrested over 200 men as "found-ins".

The raids smack of harrassment and intimidation say local gay officials. At the time of an Ontario election, Toronto police staged this event to help the government in its efforts to win a majority by appearing "to clean up Toronto". It smells of political opportunism. With this cynical act, police have done more to unite the gay movement across the province than gay activists who have been warning homosexuals that their human rights are at stake.

In the fascist and communist countries such raids are commonplace but in a so-called "democracy" this kind of action by the state is vindictive and brutal. The sheer size and enormity of police effort which was planed over a six-month period has some "worried about our freedom … freedom to live and act our own way without the constant fear that the state will intervene". As one person put it, " with the police out of control and an anti-gay movement pressuring politicians to act against homosexuals, the implications of these types of raids are horrible… one can only ask 'who's next'?"

As a direct result of the raids, and the subsequent court and legal fees, Gays of Thunder Bay has established a Defence Fund to aid the victims of the police action. Cheques may be made payable to GTB Defence Fund, Gays of Thunder Bay, c/o P.O. Box 2155, Thunder Bay P, Ontario.

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Further information: Doug 344-4820

November 26 and 27, 1986 - editorials in Lakehead Living and Chronicle-Journal (Ian Pattison?)
The Chronicle-Journal, Thursday, November 27, 1986 Page 3 editorial
Gay rights
Ontario Attorney General lan Scott says proposed changes to the province's human rights code that protect homosexuals from discrimination will not disrupt the values of Ontario society. He's right. But society itself is in for a big shock. Public opinion polls consistently show the values of a sizable majority of people include disapproval of the homosexual lifestyle. While discrimination in any form is to be discouraged, strongly-held majority opinion cannot be discounted. Scott says extending protection to homosexuals is simply a matter of human rights. But while minorities must be respected and accommodated in a civilized society, majorities have rights, too. The majority of people in Ontario find the gay lifestyle unnatural, even repugnant. Bill 7 ignores the majority view insofar as public hiring is concerned, prohibiting discrimination in hiring on the basis of sexual preference by all but volunteer organizations. "This law will not permit or require pedophiles to be hired by day-care centres," Scott said. "It will not permit or require child molesters to be hired in schools." Added Port Arthur MPP Jim Foulds, whose New Democratic Party had the sexual orientation amendment added to Bill 7, "... Big Brothers (or) Boy Scouts will still be able to discriminate in any way they like against any volunteer." Those exceptions alone are an indication of the need for protection of public morals and sensibilities. That there are exceptions at all shows proponents of the amendment are not entirely convinced of its worth. They admit a gay lifestyle is worthy of public opposition. If so, then why inflict it on heterosexual Ontarians other than children? Certainly in many cases, forcing private companies and agencies of government to exclude homosexuality from hiring practices, and landlords from denying accommodation to homosexuals, will not create problems. Many gay men and women prefer to keep their sexual preferences entirely to themselves. But others flaunt it causing annoyance and even disgust among the heterosexual community -- the majority. This legislation will force the majority to put up with the presence of homosexual workmates and neighbors with the attendant possbility of unwanted advances. If children be protected against this, why not men and women who disapprove of, or even abhor, the more liberal elements of the gay community? On the street, men and women with traditional values can simply walk away from unwelcome association with homsexuals (sic). But in the workplace, and in the hallways, laundry rooms, parking garages and saunas and swimming pools of apartment buildings and condominiums, they will be forced to put up with it. Friction, and probably violence, will surely follow. By "coming out of the closet," the gay community has forced the rest of society to recognize its scope. And Ontarians hove not unduly objected to that presence, whether it be gay rights organizations, telephone hot lines, film festivals or public demonstrations. But Bill 7 forces most Ontarians to work and live alongside homosexuals (sic), no matter the extent to which they wish to display or promote their lifestyle. . It might well go some way to forcing recognition of homosexuals and their right to live in this society. But it will never force public acceptance of what most see as deviant behavior, legitimate though it may be in a medical sense. Bill 7 ignores the unwritten rule of a free society which now almost universally allows anyone to do what they want, within reason and the law, as long as its doesn't intrude on others' lives. -30-

Lakehead Living, Wednesday, November 26, 1986 Page 4 editorial
Bill is bad
Congratulations and thanks to Fort William MPP Mickey Hennessy for taking a controversial stand on a very controversial issue -- the provincial government's proposed Bill 7. Hennessy, who has said he will vote against the bill, has also said the Ontario Human Rights Code amendments would give special rights to homosexuals, over and above the rights of everyone else in the province. The government had the right idea -- discrimination against homosexuals certainly exists in Ontario and elsewhere -- but David Peterson and his friends in the NDP who are supporting the bill are going about it all wrong. The Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, as the MPP said, is also opposed to the amendment because it believes homosexual behaviour is against Christian morality. That may be true, but the real point here is the matter of minority special rights. To grant special rights to any group, including homosexuals, is a bad idea. The government should admit it made a mistake and go back to the drawing board. -30-

November 28 - GTB media release re human rights code amendment (Bill 7)
November 29, 1986 - GTB media conference (Michael Sobota and David Belrose) re Ontario Human Rights Code amendments in Bill 7 media coverage December 1 and 3
The Times-News  Monday, December 1, 1986
Most would like rights for all says homosexual advocate
by Howard Reid Times-News Staff

THUNDER BAY - The latest Gallup Poll shows 70 per cent of Canadians favor equal rights for all persons, including homosexuals noted Michael sobota, a member of the education committee of Gays of Thunder Bay. Sobota, at a Saturday press conference, expressed concern about the passing of Bill 7, before the Ontario Legislature, which would amend Ontario's human rights code. "We are not asking for special rights, just equal human rights enjoyed by others in Ontario," said Sobota. He noted Quebec had included homosexuals in its human rights legislation as far back as 1977. The member of the education committee said that what he termed a Tory delay in the legislature is an effort to build up fear and "perhaps create more opposition to the Bill 7." Liberals and New democrats have gone on record supporting Bill 7, he said. Tory Opposition leader Larry Grossman has indicated his party members will be allowed a free vote concerning the proposed amendment. David Belrose, also a member of Gays of Thunder Bay education committee, said that Fort William Tory MLA Mickey Hennessy stood up in the legislature last week and declared he had not received any correspondence favoring Bill 7. "Hennessy has totally misrepresented the issue," he charged, while showing a letter of acknowledgment from the MLA. Belrose asked the MLA for tolerance concerning the amendment, noting all should enjoy equal human rights in the province. Amendments to Ontario's human rights code last came before the legislature in 1981. Debate then in the house defeated the issue. Concluded Sobota, "In the long run, after Bill 7 has been voted on, regardless of which way the vote goes, we will still be here. There will still be homosexuals. Society will still go on. We must still live next to each other. The bill will not change this. -30-

Chronicle - Journal, Monday, December 1, 1986 page 3
Misrepresentation?
Members of a local gays(sic) group say Fort William MLA Mickey Hennessy has misrepresented the issue of an amendment to the Human Rights Code when he said he hadn't received any correspondence on the matter. To prove Hennessy wrong, members of the Gays of Thunder Bay education committee showed reporters Saturday a copy of acknowledgement from the MLA. David Belrose, a member of the committee, said the group had asked the Tory MLA for tolerance concerning the debate on Bill 7, which will extend equal rights to homosexuals. The committee told a news conference that a Tory delay in the legislature is an effort to build up fear and "perhaps create more opposition to Bill 7." The Liberals and NDP support the bill, while Tory Opposition Leader larry(sic) Grossman said hi(sic) party members will be allowed a free vote on the amendment. -30-

Lakehead Living, Wednesday, December 3, 1986 page 20
(accompanied by photo with caption:

"Equality: Michael Sobota, left, and David Belrose, right, members of the Gays of Thunder Bay's Education Committee, address the debate surrounding an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code that would stop discrimination based on sexual orientation.")

Bill opposition may decrease gay tolerance By Julio Gomes Lakehead Living Opposition to a clause banning discrimination based on sexual orientation will eventually lead to a loss in tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality in society, says Michael Sobota of the Gays of Thunder Bay association. "The hatred and fear that is being generated now has done real damage to lesbians and gay men in Ontario," the organization announced at a news conference to discuss the debate surrounding a clause to Bill 7 that would amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to ban discrimination against homosexuals. "The inflammation of fear and ignorance has worked toward undoing years of progress toward tolerance and equality. And it is an ugly legacy to be given to the young in society: a legacy of bitterness, fear and hatred. The opposition to Bill 7 has done a disservice to …the health of society." Sobota, along with David Belrose, contend that opposition to this amendment has been characterized by distortion and ignorance. "What we've seen is a high degree of misinformation and misrepresentation of facts," Sobota declared. "In the final analysis, what is being attacked and condemned in this debate is homosexuality itself. Intolerance, bigotry and hatred are openly being utilized to encourage fear and loathing of homosexuals on an unprecedented public scale." Sobota and Belrose, members of the organization's Education Committee, contend that this clause to the amendment will not grant special rights to homosexuals or enshrine their lifestyle and behaviour in law. "It is false," Sobota remarked. "That is a sham…. This clause will grant us equal rights to others in Ontario. It will not give us special rights at all. What it does is correct imbalances and ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation." According to the organization, gay men and lesbians now lawfully face discrimination in employment, housing and public service without the right of appeal. It is this imbalance that this clause seeks to correct. And that, Sobota maintains, is the focus of their efforts. "I don't personally care about your acceptance," he said. "I just ask for your tolerance." As evidence of the tolerance the homosexual community has received in this country, Belrose quoted a recent Gallup poll that found that 70 per cent of respondents favour the elimination of discrimination. As well, a similar bill that was passed in Quebec in 1977 does not seem to had the kind of negative effects that opponents in Ontario are claiming. "Attitudes are not going to change because of this legislation," Sobota suggested, adding that the situation in Thunder Bay has improved after some violent incidents a number of years ago. "I do believe there has been a marked progress (in attitudes) towards homosexuality…. I think tolerance has grown, and the negative nature of this debate has appalled us." -30-

Chronicle-Journal, Tue. Oct. 27, 1987 p.29
TV program focuses on gay community

A news and information television program focusing on Thunder Bay's gay community is being broadcast by Maclean Hunter Cable TV.
Thunder Gay Magazine premiered Oct. 22.
The 15-minute show aimed at gay men and lesbians, is being shown on Maclean Hunter TV Cable 7 as a regular series. It is only the second program of its kind all of Canada, say organizers.
Produced and hosted by Doug Broman, co-founder of Gays in (sic) Thunder Bay, the show intends to use a candid approach to open discussion of issues concerning the homosexual community.
Broman established the print magazine Thunder Gay Magazine in 1979 to provide the homosexual community with information, news, interviews and stories. He lost his job in the process. He has taken the theory behind the magazine and applied it to television. The show airs at 8 pm. Thursdays.
"Every guest who appears an our show will be relating their own experience," said Broman. "We will be talking directly to Thunder Bay's homosexual community. This show is by gays and for gays."
The program deals with such issues as "coming out;" history of the gay movement; gays in the arts, literature, films; health issues; safe sex; human rights and other topics of interest.
"We want to talk about ways in which we have been discriminated against and how we dealt with it. We want to talk about AIDS blatantly and about safe sex," said Broman. There are approximately 1,500 active gays in Thunder Bay, he said.
Following the passage of equal rights legislation in Ontario in 1986, he said gay men and lesbians felt with their rights guaranteed, openness about their sexuality is an individual right. Through expression, sharing, education and knowledge, homosexuals have become a part of culture.
"The gay community has not always been outspoken, but they have things to say that should be heard by the community. Homosexual rights, lesbian rights, are peoples' rights, are human rights," say Rene Boyer, local Maclean Hunter program manager.
Boyer said Thunder Gay Magazine is one way of Maclean Hunter fulfilling its mandate to provide access to community programming.
"We have no mandate to be judgmental, only supportive," he said.
Thunder Gay Magazine's premiere dealt with how gay men and lesbians began to organize into support groups that are now part of nearly every city in North America. In the second program, Broman interviews a young, anonymous man about his "coming out" experience.
Broman said for many gays coming to grips with their own sexuality is the single most important decision in their lives. Just how human rights apply to gay people will be examined in November. Another program will deal with demystifying AIDS and safer sex for gay and bisexual men.
"It will be an exciting season. We're covering a community many people are only just aware of. This show will certainly try to capture what it is like to be gay in this city," Broman said.
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Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal Tuesday, March 28, 1989

Thunder Gay staff welcome on ship

A sexual discrimination complaint launched against the owners of the Welcomeship by Thunder Gay Magazine has been settled with the ship inviting the staff of the television program to book the vessel at any time. Lori Ryan, human rights officer with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, said today the matter was settled on Feb. 20. "The staff of Thunder Gay Magazine have been invited to charter the Welcomeship at any time in the future,'' said Ryan. She also said the owners of the vessel have agreed to comply with the provisions of the human rights code and will not, in the future, refuse any group on the basis of sexual orientaation. Last April, Douglas Broman, producer of Thunder Gay Magazine, tried to book a special charter of the Welcomeship for a party marking the end of the first season of the show. In his complaint to the human rights commission, Broman said that when he informed Norma Gurney, one of the owners of the ship, that he represented Thunder Gay Magazine, she told him she would not charter the Welcomeship to a gay group. Gurney further told Broman that the refusal was made because the group, Thunder Bay Gays was known to have parties that got out of control, said Ryan in a prepared statement today. Thunder Gay Magazine is a television show on Cable 7 devoted to the issues involving gays and lesbians. -30-