Safe Haven: The Journey of LGBTQ+ Refugees in Canada

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 50th Anniversary of the Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Canada Special Issue, 2019

By Alex Newman

Fifty years ago, Canada passed amendments to a law to decriminalize homosexual activity. Although it was the height of the sexual revolution for women, the law was considered ground-breaking. Back then, only a handful of U.S. states had taken similar steps (and didn’t become legal nationwide until 2003). England’s 1967 law came with several qualifiers, just as in Canada. France made homosexuality legal by amending the penal code in 1791 during the French Revolution, and Italy followed a century later in 1890.

According to Equaldex, a collaborative LGBTQ+ knowledge base, upwards of 150 countries have legalized homosexual activity—India and Angola in the last eight months—leaving at least 45 that still treat homosexuality as a crime. In April of 2019, Brunei changed its punishment for same-sex relations from imprisonment to death by stoning; bringing the number of countries that automatically exact the death penalty for consensual same-sex relations to eight, with another five countries where death is a possible punishment. Of those countries, punishment can be carried out by government—or non-state actors, like Islamic State, or by the Sharia courts.

The persistence of violence against LGBTQ+ people in countries where homosexuality is legal remains worrisome and creates a refugee situation that is not so easy to prove. For example, renowned Serbian LGBTQ+ and peace activist Boban Stojanović escaped to Canada after being publicly attacked in the middle of the day. In February of 2018, homosexuals in Indonesia were publicly flogged. In Chechnya, the situation has become so severe—with gay men rounded up, tortured, and killed—that the Canadian government acted proactively to evacuate several to safety.

Some see this backlash as a sign that LGBTQ+ activism has increased its visibility, which may lead to change, but for the increasing number of refugees caught in the middle of violence, change can’t happen soon enough. To meet the growing demand, a number of Canadian NGOs have stepped up their efforts by either helping those at risk apply from safe second countries through their networks, or by helping asylum seekers with settlement and applications once they arrive in Canada.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Alex Newman is a Toronto freelance writer and editor. Visit her website, alexnewmanwriter.com.

Education News

Introducing a New STEM Resource for Girls: The WISE Girls Toolkit

The toolkit is a practical, research-informed resource designed to foster STEM confidence in girls by blending identity work, mentorship, and hands-on STEM engagement.

Reading Engagement Insights Added to Beanstack’s AI-Powered Benny

Beanstack expands its responsible use of AI to measure students’ positive experience with reading.

National Principals of the Year Announced

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have named the 2025–26 National Principals of the Year.

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.

Join Our Newsletter

Get 10% off a subscription, monthly giveaways, and the latest updates—straight to your inbox!

Alex Newman
Alex Newman
Alex Newman is a Toronto freelance writer and editor. Visit her website, alexnewmanwriter.com.

Advertisement

Read More

Introducing a New STEM Resource for Girls: The WISE Girls Toolkit

The toolkit is a practical, research-informed resource designed to foster STEM confidence in girls by blending identity work, mentorship, and hands-on STEM engagement.

Ready or (Definitely) Not: Learning to Teach in a Pandemic Classroom

To many in the field, a poor first year of teaching is the first step in an accepted, almost ritualistic career timeline. Perspectives on a teacher’s first year seem to have shifted, though, since my generation entered the workforce.

Reading Engagement Insights Added to Beanstack’s AI-Powered Benny

Beanstack expands its responsible use of AI to measure students’ positive experience with reading.

National Principals of the Year Announced

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have named the 2025–26 National Principals of the Year.

Guardians of the Coast: Building Kids’ Confidence Through Art

I was recently involved with an art exhibition in the Thanet District of Kent, England, that helped students see themselves as artists, advocates, and changemakers.

Is Your Child’s Literacy on Vacation? How Parents Can Beat the Summer Slide

Did you know students can lose up to two months of learning progress over summer break? Here's how to tackle the “summer slide” and keep kids engaged.
đặt cược trái tim | cô vợ mẫu mực | jackpotcity com casino en ligne | tên liên quân kí tự đẹp | magisk manager | casino trưc tuyên | signal slot c++ | xsbd 19 1 | sydney slot machines | chơi game 98 màn hình rộng | great wild elk slot | bang tong sap huy chuong 32 | top rbk xsmb | grand sierra resort and casino reno nv | wink slots promotion code | campuchia casino | si xiang slot | bắn cá tiền vàng | time slot booking | linear slot drain | royal vegas slots | thong ke tan suat loto | mơ thấy chó | free casino slots with bonus | xem truc tiep king cup | myb casino no deposit bonus | igt slot games | mayfair casino london | v6bet | money slot machine | xsmn 28 02 24 | indian casinos in oklahoma | phan tích xsmb | casino trực tuyến uy tín nhất | 188bey | đề về 24 | casino night attire | giải rubik tầng 3 | top rbk | vô địch thổ nhĩ kỳ | kendra lust | casino oyunları bedava | game slot online | lite bao moi | vân tịch truyện zing tv | giang hồ phố hoa phần 2 | sheraton saigon casino | casino royale online gambling | lịch thi đấu world cup 2024 | giochi online slot | samsung galaxy a9s giá bao nhiều | venetian macao casino | great blue free slot game | casino 2go | hai số cuối của giải đặc biệt | vwin com | casino bonus calendar |