[5] August 28, 1971: About 100 people from Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and surrounding areas gathered on Parliament Hill amidst pouring rain for the historic 'We Demand Rally,' the first-ever protest in Canada advocating for LGBT rights.
Drawing lessons from the 1975 'Vice Ring' case, which tragically resulted in the death of Warren Zufflet, the Ottawa Citizen chose not to publish the names of the arrested individuals.
[28][32] On July 19, 1983, 28-year-old Peter Evans became Ottawa's first identified AIDS patient, publicly disclosing his diagnosis to counter the recent flood of media misinformation.
[33][34] During an August 28 radio show, Peter Evans engaged with host Bill Prankard, correcting misinformation and advocating for increased AIDS funding over shutting down establishments.
Prankard suggested the epidemic might be a "judgment of God," prompting Peter to highlight the broader impact on patients with cancer and multiple sclerosis.
The exchange led to complaints from Gays of Ottawa (GO) to the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunication Commission, citing the host's dissemination of false information and unbalanced coverage.
[40] July 9, 1985, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) was established as a community-based organization co-founded by Barry Deeprose and Bob Read to respond to the emerging HIV/AIDS crisis.
[22][41][42] On October 9, 1985, the inaugural community information meeting, led by Barry Deeprose and featuring Dr. Gilles Melanson, who was the first openly gay doctor in Ottawa, drew a full house.
The event featured music, dancing, and vibrant balloons adorned with messages such as 'gay pride' and gender symbols representing the lesbian and gay community.
[57] Here is a list of the previous Pride picnics and their respective locations:[58] In 1987, the province of Ontario allocates $164,000 to the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) for prevention and health services.
[60] On October 16, 1987, Regional Chair Andrew Haydon opposed AIDS funding, expressing reluctance to support programs targeting a specific group.
This initiative aimed to provide a crucial incentive for gay men to undergo testing, contributing to the broader efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention and support in the Ottawa community.
[70] Showcasing 1,200 panels, including 268 from Canadian contributors, and attracted approximately 4,000 visitors, marking a significant chapter in the commemoration of those impacted by AIDS in Ottawa.
Despite this setback, Pride Week coordinator Graham Haig took swift legal action, leading to a favorable ruling by an Ontario Supreme Court judge.
The organizers reluctantly accepted this decision, expressing concern over City Council's failure to acknowledge the significance and empowerment linked with the concept of pride within the Lesbian and Gay community.
[79] The Ottawa City Council voted against the inclusion of "bisexuals" in the official proclamation, opting instead for the stigmatizing phrase "alternative lifestyles.” This controversial decision prompted activist Kathryn Payne to file a complaint with the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
"[81] On April 29, 1996, the federal Justice Minister Allan Rock introduced Bill C-33 to include sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination covered in the Canadian Human Rights Act; Royal Assent was granted on June 20, 1996.
On July 17, 1994, Joanne Law and Diana Coltridge walked in the Ottawa Pride Parade under the Gender Mosaic banner, marking a significant first.
[103] His struggles, starting in Grade 7, included incidents like students attempting to force batteries into his mouth due to his preference for figure skating over ice hockey|hockey.
Additionally, spurred by Jamie Hubley's heartbreaking experience, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario passed a 2012 act imposing stricter penalties for bullying in schools.
[110] On June 1, 2016, a historic moment unfolded on Parliament Hill in Ottawa as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the Pride flag for the first time in Canadian history.
The request aimed to address discomfort in marginalized communities, showcasing a commitment to progress despite disagreements and acknowledging complexities in building trust and inclusivity.
Additionally, General Jonathan Vance, the Chief of the Defence Staff, joined other senior members of the Canadian Armed Forces, including heads of the army and navy.
[113] On November 28, 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a historic apology in the House of Commons, acknowledging the injustices faced by LGBTQ Canadians during the Gay Purges.
Ontario's state of emergency extension and the City of Ottawa's prohibition on city-led mass events, parades, and festivities prompted this decision.
The event featured a Miss Capital Pride pageant,[121] won by Icesis Couture, who later triumphed in the second season of Canada's Drag Race in 2021.
Chief Eric Stubbs emphasized the likelihood of underreporting of hate crimes and hate-and-bias-motivated incidents against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, acknowledging their actual prevalence is higher.
[128] Co-organizer Fae Johnstone, also the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Capital Pride Parade, emphasized the importance of solidarity and action amidst ongoing challenges faced by the trans community.
[133][134] On August 6, 2024, Ottawa Capital Pride published a statement on their website expressing solidarity with Palestinians, including references to an "ongoing genocide" in Gaza.
[68][142] [143] Over the years, the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade has grown in size and significance, attracting participants and spectators from various backgrounds who come together to show their support and solidarity.