History of Pride in Canada lesson plan and timeline
- syoung679
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
By Robyn Ladner (she/her), teacher, Vernon
History of Pride in Canada lesson plan
This lesson plan explores the rich and transformative history of Pride in Canada. From the early days of activism and struggle for legal recognition to the vibrant Pride events and cultural milestones of today, the plan examines the challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the progress they have achieved. This lesson highlights the historical context, key events, influential figures, and social movements that have shaped the ongoing fight for equality and inclusivity. Students will have a deeper understanding of the significance of the Pride movement and the important role the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has in fostering acceptance and diversity in Canadian society.
Grade level: Grades 7–12
Subject: Social studies/history
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Objectives
Understand the history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement in Canada.
Recognize significant events and figures in Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ history.
Reflect on the progress made and challenges faced in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada.
Engage in discussions about the importance of Pride in Canada and the ongoing struggles for equality.
Materials
whiteboard/markers or interactive display
projector and screen (for video and presentation)
access to computers or tablets for research (optional)
printed handouts or digital copies of key historical moments in Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ rights history (optional)
pride flags or symbols (optional, for visual engagement)
video or teacher-made slideshow: The History of Pride in Canada (optional for visual enhancement and multimodal learners).
Introduction (10 minutes)
Set purpose
“Today, we will explore the history of Pride in Canada, including the key moments, people, and achievements that shaped the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement.”
Hook/engagement
Ask students, “What do you know about Pride month and 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada?”
Show the rainbow Pride flag and discuss the symbolism behind it, focusing on how Pride is celebrated across Canada.
Canada is home to approximately 1.3 million people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
Define key terms
Explain key terms: 2SLGBTQIA+, Pride, activism, equality, inclusivity, Two-Spirit (the 2S in 2SLGBTQIA+, for Indigenous people), and other terms as necessary.
Introduce Pride in Canada as both a celebration and an ongoing call for social change.
Lesson content (35 minutes or multiple classes if extending)
Key milestones of the Pride movement in Canada
The timeline on the previous page highlights some historical milestones in Canada. Students can also explore a more detailed timeline at queerevents.ca/canada/pride/history.
Trans rights
Discuss the fight for gender-inclusive health care and the role of the trans community in the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement.
Indigenous Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
Two-Spirit people: In Indigenous cultures across Canada, Two-Spirit people—individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities—have been respected and held important roles in their communities. Discuss the importance of recognizing Indigenous Two-Spirit identities within the broader Pride movement in Canada.
Articles from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Indigenous Foundation provide an overview of the history of Two-Spirit folks.
Pride today in Canada
Discuss how Pride parades and events in Canada have evolved from protests to celebrations of identity and inclusion, while still maintaining a strong activist message for rights and equality.
Major Pride events: Toronto Pride, Vancouver Pride, Montréal Pride, and/or local Pride celebrations.
Interactive activity: Have students explore specific Pride events in different Canadian cities and compare their history, significance, and impact on local communities.
Discussion and reflection (15 minutes—or expansion topics for further investigation)
Class discussion
What role does Pride play today in Canada? Why is it still important to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ rights?
How do the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada compare with those of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in other countries?
Why is it important to include Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and experiences in the history of Pride?
What progress have you seen in your lifetime regarding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and what challenges do you think remain?
Wrap-up and assessment (10 minutes)
Exit ticket
Have students write a short response (two to three sentences) answering, “What is one significant event in the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada, and why is it important?”
Closing thoughts
Highlight that Pride is not just a celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals but a call for justice, equality, and recognition in Canada.
Encourage students to reflect on how the 2SLGBTQIA+ community continues to shape Canadian society and how they can be supportive allies.
Extension activities
Art project: Students create a Pride poster reflecting their understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage or the first Pride parade in Vancouver.
Guest speaker: Invite a local 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate or community leader to speak with students about the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada, the significance of Pride, and the ongoing work for equality.
Research assignment: Have students research and write a report on a significant Canadian (or other) figure in 2SLGBTQIA+ history.
Timeline: Create a timeline with text and photos of significant events in 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada.
Assessment criteria
participation in class discussions
completion of a group research activity
exit ticket, research project, responses showing reflection and understanding.
Notes for teachers
Be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of students. Some may come from cultures or communities with different attitudes toward 2SLGBTQIA+ topics.
Foster an inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and asking questions.
Adjust the depth of content based on the age group. For younger students (Grades 7–9), simplify certain details, while for older students (Grades 10–12), explore more complex topics like intersectionality and global 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Video links
History of Pride in Canada Timeline
1969—Homosexuality decriminalized
2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada faced harsh discrimination, criminalization, and marginalization. The Criminal Code of Canada criminalized homosexuality until June 27, 1969, when Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s government decriminalized homosexuality between consenting adults, marking a pivotal moment in 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada.
1971—Canada’s first gay rights protest
About 100 people gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on August 28, 1971, in a protest known as We Demand. They presented a petition demanding equal rights and protections for gay people. Another group simultaneously gathered in Robson Square in Vancouver.
1978—First Vancouver Pride march
Vancouver’s first Pride march took place on June 30, 1978, though the first “official” Pride parade wasn’t until 1981. Pride events began in major Canadian cities, including Toronto and Montréal. Simultaneously, raids were taking place in this decade in Montréal, Toronto, and other Canadian cities.
1988—First openly gay MP
On February 29, 1988, Svend Robinson, who served as a Member of Parliament from 1979 to 2004, became the first openly gay Member of Parliament. His colleague Libby Davies, also from BC, became the first out woman in Parliament in 2001.
1980s–90s—The AIDS crisis
The 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Canada, like elsewhere, was deeply impacted by the AIDS epidemic. This led to increased activism and the founding of organizations like the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).
Top: Jim Egan (left) and Jack Nesbit (right) met in 1948 and were partners until Jim’s death in 2000. Jack died three months later. Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit First Meet, 1948. F0110-06-022, James [Jim] Egan fonds. The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto, Canada. Bottom: Jim Egan (left) and Jack Nesbit (right) as grand marshals of Vancouver Pride in 1995. Pride Vancouver Honours, 1995. F0110-06-029, James [Jim] Egan fonds. The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives, Toronto, Canada.
1992—Sexual orientation added to Canadian Human Rights Act
On August 6, 1992, the Ontario Court of Appeal “read” the term sexual orientation into the Canadian Human Rights Act. This meant that whenever someone read the section, they had to understand that “sexual orientation” was also covered under the Act. (Codified on June 20, 1996.)
1995—Gay couples denied spousal benefits
In Egan vs. Canada, May 25, 1995, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled against Jim Egan on the issue of spousal benefits, which he and his partner of over 40 years, Jack Nesbit, had applied for and been denied. The court found that the restriction of such benefits to heterosexual couples was a justified infringement (because the purpose of such benefits was to provide financial support to women who had spent their lives raising children rather than in paid employment). This wasn’t won until July 15, 2018.
However, in 1995 the court also found that Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms should include sexual orientation. To recognize this achievement and their decades of advocacy, Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit were made grand marshals of Vancouver and Toronto Pride.
2005—Same-sex marriage legalized in Canada
Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide on July 20, 2005.
2017—Gender identity and gender expression are protected human rights
The legalization of gender identity and gender expression as protected human rights in the Canadian Human Rights Act occurred on June 29, 2017.
