Sexual orientation and the Canadian military

LGBT policy in the Canadian military has changed in the course of the 20th century from being socially repressive to being socially accepted.

CFAO 19-20

In May 1967, due to the passing of the CF Reorganization Act (C-90) the Canadian Forces issued Canadian Forces Administrative Order (CFAO) 19-20, Sexual Deviation - Investigation, Medical Investigation and Disposal, which required members of the military suspected of being homosexual to be investigated and then subsequently released.[1]

The investigation of the suspect's private live will start with a complete search of his apartment or quarters without any warrant. Then the Military Police will visit the schools attended, discuss with friends, co-workers, etc. asking direct and embarrassing questions. At the end of the investigation, the suspect was interrogated without any legal assistance. The job of the MP interrogators (all NCO's) was to extract a confession and the names of other military suspects. A confession was the crucial proof needed to issue a discharge from the Canadian Armed Forces. On his confession, the gay military had to sign that he was "not under duress" or "I was not coerced". Before being released, he was given a two-weeks medical counselling on how to cure his "illness".

If a gay military would persist denying during the humiliating MP interrogations, he could not be released from the C.A.F. as they would have been unable to proof anything. However a letter was sent to his Commanding officer with a copy in his file, stating that he was "suspected" of homosexuality (not "accused"). That "suspicion" will follow the military from base to base throughout his career. In the case of an officer, his military clearance was reduced from "Top Secret" to "Secret".

The 1967 Directive against homosexuality also applied to the Civil Service but with more tolerance of the gay situation. The suspect was summoned by the Security officer of the Department -- to be read (sic) the complete speech made by Prime Minister Pearson to the House of Commons when the 1967 Directive was issued. But a confession was not requested. The Deputy Minister would then assess if the suspect was considered a Security risk. In practice, very few civil servants were terminated even at the Department of External Affairs which had quite a few discreet gay diplomats.

Effect of social liberalization

This order was repealed in 1992, after a challenge by then CF Member Michelle Douglas, thereby allowing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to serve in the Canadian Forces free from harassment and discrimination.[2][3]

A series of provincial and territorial court decisions beginning in 2003 ruled in favour of the legality of gay marriage, and a national law to that effect was passed by Canada's parliament in 2005 by the Paul Martin Liberal government.

Same-sex unions in the military

In 2004, Jason Stewart was the first member of Canada's military to marry a same-sex partner.[4] In May 2005, Canada's first military gay wedding took place at Nova Scotia's Canadian Forces Base Greenwood. Officials described the ceremony as low-key but touching. A similar wedding has since taken place between two male Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers. Today, the Canadian Forces recognizes same-sex marital and common-law unions, and affords them the same benefits offered to all married or common-law serving members.[5][6]

Participation in Pride parades

During the Divers-Cité Pride parades 1999–2002 in Montreal, a military member and an ex-military member held the banner of the informal grouping MGL, dissolved in 2004 due to the lack of participation of the military community LGBT. During the 2006 Halifax Pride parade, one member of the Canadian Forces marched in the parade, helping to carry the large pride flag. In the 2008 Toronto Pride parade, ten members of the Canadian Forces marched for the first time as a group. One month later, twelve gay and straight members of the Canadian Forces marched in the Vancouver Pride parade. Lt(N) Steven Churm said, "The message to the public is that the Canadian Forces is an employer of choice."[6] A Facebook group[7] exists where CF LGBT members network and organise as a support group, do socials, as well as plan for various Canadian Pride events dating back to his initial collaboration with Lt (N) Churm at Toronto Pride 2009.[8] In 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces were in the Edmonton Pride Parade with a LAV, Bison, and MRT.

References

  1. ↑ Stanley, Sandra; and Scott, Wilbur;, Gays and Lesbians in the Military: Issues, Concerns, and Contrasts, pg 166, ISBN 0-202-30541-4 Published Dec 1994
  2. ↑ Canada ending anti-gay army rules
  3. ↑ "Canadian Military Can't Bar Homosexuals, a Court Rules". The New York Times. 1992-11-04. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
  4. ↑ http://www.rainbownetwork.com/UserPortal/Article/Detail.aspx?ID=13665&sid=5
  5. ↑ Airbase hosts 1st military gay wedding
  6. ↑ Canada's military to allow gay weddings on bases
  7. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages#!/group.php?gid=2215599900
  8. ↑ http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/transcription-eng.asp?id=3886

Further reading

External links

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