“Try to Lay Low”: Growing Up Gay Pre-1969 Canada

Advertisement

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

By Adam Stone

It isn’t easy to teach the history of homosexuality in Canada. How do you communicate to modern kids the notion that something so widely accepted today was illegal within living memory? That less than a generation ago, the relationships that today are celebrated on TV and in popular song were literally classed as criminal?

It was just over 50 years ago, in 1965, that the Supreme Court of Canada upheld a ruling that labelled Everett Klippert a “dangerous sexual offender” for having sex with other men. That’s ancient history in the eyes of a child.

To help teachers tell that story, we interviewed three gay men who were there: guys old enough to remember what it was like growing up in Canada before Decriminalization. While their stories paint a picture of a world that will be unfamiliar to many of today’s students, much of their core experience—uncertainty, oppression, and shame—still resonates. Just because it is no longer illegal, that doesn’t mean it is entirely OK.

In telling these stories we hope to give teachers a new tool for exploring with their students both the history and the present-day experience of gay Canadians coming of age.

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 .

Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Education News

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Girls Experienced Disproportionate Setbacks in STEM Skills Post-COVID

COVID-19 has been an unequal crisis, disrupting learning more deeply for some student groups than others.

For 8th Straight Year, 100% of Success Academy Grads Accepted to 4-Year Colleges

66% of students were accepted to selective institutions. Graduates were awarded more than $20 million in financial aid.

Join Our Newsletter

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

Adam Stone
Adam Stone
Adam Stone is a seasoned journalist with 20+ years’ experience. He covers education, technology, government, and the military, along with diverse other topics.

Advertisement

Read More

The Power of Music and Melody: Using Songs to Engage Young Learners

By harnessing the power of music, teachers can create a lively and dynamic atmosphere that also improves concentration, focus, and retention.

Nominations Open for Heroes of the Classroom Teacher Recognition Program

Nominations are accepted through August 3. Ten finalists will advance to a public vote for the chance to win the Grand Prize—valued at approximately $16,000 in cash and prizes.

Real (and Really Funny) Math

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

New School Safety Trends Report Shows Training and Technology Are Saving Lives in U.S. Schools

CENTEGIX’s 2025 School Safety Trends Report reveals a national movement toward proactive, integrated school safety strategies, including campus mapping.

Exploring Indigenous Culture Through the Senses: A Transformative Learning Experience

At McKenzie Towne School in Alberta, students are learning through touch, scent, and sound with the Indigenous Sensory Box Project.

The Positive Impacts of Computer Science: What Every Teacher and Administrator Should Know

After working as both a teacher and an administrator, I know how much of a difference it can make when school leaders truly appreciate the power of computer science.
deur op slot sleutel kwijt | fifa nhật | ket qua vong loai world cup 2018 | fifa hàn | aladdin slot machine | nguyệt đạo dị giới manga | đội hình real 2024 | codeplay | fifa mobile quốc tế apk | lịch thi đấu vcs | thoi loan apk | thông tin tuyển dụng casino hội an | best wide slot toaster | ica phien ban moi nhat | casino cần thơ tuyển dụng | casino online w88 | viva bong88 | live casino usa | ca si giau mat mua 2 ban ket 3 | tần xuất | galaxy casino | 512 casino | link sopcast bong da hom nay | xổ số kiên giang ngày 1 tháng 5 | the witcher 3 skill slots | chơi roblox miễn phí trên google | first deposit bonus slots | vegas casino resort | best casino app for android | cherry gold casino | game bai slot | ngây thơ miền bắc | gem slot | sudoku mức độ khó | đôremon tập dài | top rbk | đôremon tập dài | thần tai mn | cau tuan xsmb | chot lo to | m2 nvme slot | cakiem slot | line 98 mobile | salary blackjack dealer |