Our History: Windsor Pride Community

1971

Founding of the first gay and lesbian organization on campus: Windsor Homophile Association (WHA). Steve Lough, Jim Davies, and Harold Desmarais emerge as long-time activists who would continue their advocacy work for decades to come.

1973

The Windsor Homophile Association (WHA) moves off campus and transforms into Windsor Gay Unity, operating throughout the 1970s as a community organization serving the local LGBTQ+ population.

1975

Windsor jockey John Damien is fired from the Ontario Racing Commission when the commission discovers he is gay. This discriminatory termination triggers an eleven-year struggle for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the Ontario Human Rights Code, becoming a landmark case in Canadian LGBTQ+ rights history.

1976

Windsor City Council passes a no-discrimination clause for city hiring as a direct result of advocacy work done by Gay Unity, marking an early victory in municipal employment protections for LGBTQ+ residents.

1980

Gail Bezaire flees Windsor with her children after Judge Joseph McMahon rules that she can retain custody of her children only if she 'refrains from entering into another lesbian relationship while the children were living with her,' highlighting the discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ parents in family court proceedings.

1982

Founding of the Lesbian/Gay Community Service Group (LGCSG). The organization's mandate includes maintaining a gay information line, providing referrals to medical and legal professionals, facilitating peer support groups, and advocating for a no-discrimination clause in the human rights code.

1984

The Lesbian/Gay Community Service Group (LGCSG) holds Gay Awareness Week at Iona College, featuring public events on topics including Gays and Religion, Human Rights for Homosexuals, A Health Approach to Gay Sex, and Pornography and Gay Culture. The Gay Sex event becomes the first AIDS education session in the city. CBC Windsor refuses to air a public service announcement about the AIDS forum. Windsor City Council unanimously refuses to declare Gay Awareness Week following a presentation by two city physicians, Dr. Robert McGirr (President of the Essex County Medical Association) and Dr. Walter Percival, who falsely claim the event would 'display sexual activities in front of children' and 'promote a way of life that spreads a lethal disease.' The LGCSG files unsuccessful complaints with the CBC and the Health Disciplines Board of Ontario.

1985

The AIDS Committee of Windsor is founded, emerging from the 'condom committee' of the Lesbian/Gay Community Service Group (LGCSG) in response to the growing AIDS crisis affecting the community.

1986

Ralph Fredsburg is murdered. His killer is acquitted after claiming that Fredsburg made a sexual advance toward him, an example of the "gay panic defense." A few LGCSG members protest in front of the courthouse.

Sexual orientation is added to the Ontario Human Rights Code just two weeks before John Damien dies of cancer, finally achieving the legal protection he fought for over eleven years. The amendment passes under a Liberal minority government dependent on NDP votes, elected after 42 years of Conservative rule. Roman Catholic bishops order that a letter be read in churches opposing the human rights legislation for lesbians and gay men. A public forum is held at the university where Iona College president, Reverend Murray McGinnis, calls on Christian churches to repent for their historical mistreatment of LGBT people.

1988

Reverend Don McRae organizes a local Metropolitan Community Church, which acquires space at 3301 Edison at Brock, providing a welcoming spiritual home for LGBTQ+ Christians in Windsor.

1991

The first issue of Outspoken is published, funded in part with a start-up grant from the John Damien Education Trust, providing LGBTQ+ news and community information to Windsor residents.

The Organization of Gay and Lesbian Students starts again on campus and soon becomes Out on Campus, continuing student activism at the University of Windsor.

1992

Windsor celebrates its first Lesbian and Gay Pride Day. Jim Monk and Diane Skomash are honored as Man and Woman of the Year.

Kenn Stanton and Chris P. Cecile start One in Ten, a community organization serving LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

1993

Founding of the Lesbian/Gay Community Council. Its mandate includes: initiating and coordinating activities and providing mutual support among area organizations, responding to concerns of the gay and lesbian community through its member organizations, providing representation for the local gay and lesbian community to the press and other non-gay organizations, and providing representation to the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario. The member organizations include: AIDS Committee of Windsor, Gay phone line group, Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee, Gay/Lesbian Drop-in Group, Metropolitan Community Church, One in Ten, Out on Campus, Queer Radio, and Women's phone line group.

Debra Dumochelle and Barry Adam are honored as Man and Woman of the Year.

1994

Professor Barry Adam teaches the first Gay and Lesbian Studies course at the University of Windsor, bringing LGBTQ+ scholarship to the academic curriculum.

Pride includes an angry march on the provincial building protesting the failure of Bill 167, which would have recognized same-sex relationships in Ontario. Windsor MPPs David Cooke, George Dadamo, and Wayne Lessard vote in favour of Bill 167, while county MPPs Bruce Crozier and Pat Hayes vote against it.

The Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario steering committee is hosted in Windsor.

An ad hoc liaison committee meets with police chiefs Jim Adkin and then John Kousik to discuss problems in police-community relations.

Caroline Carnerie and Steve Lough are honored as Man and Woman of the Year.

1995

Jacquie Gahagan and John Shellhorn are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

1996

Outspoken runs a three-part series titled 'The Way It Was in Windsor.' Based on interviews by Scott Mattson with a long-time resident of the city, the series describes how the gay scene evolved from the 1950s to the 1990s, preserving important oral history.

The Federal government adds sexual orientation to the Canadian Human Rights Act as ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada, extending human rights protections to the federal level.

Ligaya Byrch and David Lyons are honored as Man and Woman of the Year.

1997

Robin Chamberlain and Reverend Evan LeBlanc are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

1998

Windsor Pride reorganizes and succeeds the Lesbian/Gay Community Council (LGCC), taking on the primary responsibility for organizing annual pride celebrations.

The Legacy Club women's group forms, providing social and support opportunities for lesbian and bisexual women in the Windsor area.

1999

Sarnia holds its first pride day, expanding LGBTQ+ visibility and celebration to neighboring communities in Southwestern Ontario.

Liz Chamberlain and Evan LeBlanc are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

2000

The CAW LGBT Caucus is founded, bringing LGBTQ+ representation and advocacy to the Canadian Auto Workers union.

Chatham holds its pride day, further expanding LGBTQ+ celebration throughout Essex County and Southwestern Ontario.

Kirsten Schmidt and Brent Kulba are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

Paulette Kupnicki and Kirsten Schmidt serve as Festival Co-Chairs.

2001

Paulette Kupnicki and Chris L. Cecile are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

Cory Albert and Paulette Kupnicki serve as Festival Co-Chairs.

2002

Cory Albert and Jim Davies are honored as Woman and Man of the Year.

Cory Albert and Chris Cecile serve as Festival Co-Chairs.

2003

Hedy Halpern, Colleen Rogers, and Alan Sears are honored as Women and Man of the Year.

Val Pearson and Chris Cecile serve as Festival Co-Chairs.

2004

Windsor Pride is cancelled due to lack of funds and community involvement, marking a challenging period for LGBTQ+ organizing in the city.

2005

Bill C-38 passes into law, making Canada the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, representing a historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights in Canada.

Windsor Pride Festival returns and is held at Charles Clark Square. Robert Vitella serves as Festival Chair.

2006

Windsor Pride Community is incorporated as a formal organization. Joe McParland serves as President.

The Festival is held at Charles Clark Square. Dani Bobb serves as Festival Chair.

2007

Marc Dubois serves as President of Windsor Pride Community.

Windsor Pride Festival is held at Riverfront Plaza. Jason Patterson serves as Festival Chair.

2008

Marc Dubois continues as President of Windsor Pride Community.

Jason Patterson continues as Windsor Pride Festival Chair.

2009

Marc Dubois continues as President of Windsor Pride Community.

Jason Patterson continues as Windsor Pride Festival Chair.

2010

Jason Patterson becomes President of Windsor Pride Community.

David Lenz serves as Windsor Pride Festival Chair and Windsor Pride Festival held at Riverfront Festival Plaza.

The first time Windsor Pride Community includes a Transgender social event as part of Pride Festival Week.

On November 16, 2010, the Windsor Pride Community Education and Research Centre opens, providing a permanent space for LGBTQ+ education, resources, and community programming.

2011

Lawrence Lavender serves as the president of Windsor Pride Community, with Chris Rabideau as the Executive Director.

Windsor Pride Community divests itself from the festival aspects from its programming allowing Windsor-Essex Pride Fest to incorporate as a new registered non-profit organization running the Windsor Pride Festival.

The first Student high school GSA Conference by the Greater Essex District School Board in Windsor/Essex is established.

2012

Dr. Kael Sharman becomes the first Trans man to formally ask the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) to have his name and gender marker changed.

Dr. Kael Sharman becomes the first Trans male Educator to formally come out as Trans in a Greater Essex District School Board.

First Windsor Essex Catholic School Board GSA is started at Villanova. Founded by Dallas Mahaney.

Gender Identity and Gender expression to be included in the Ontario Human Rights code Bill 33 passes 60-26 Essex MPP Taras Natyshak, Windsor West MPP Teresa Piruzza, Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Dwight Duncan, supported it. Chatham-Kent-Essex Rick Nicholls voted against.

2013

Windsor Pride Community names Colm Holmes as the President, and Bob Williams as the Executive Director.

Trans*Spectrum is founded by Maaya Hitomi. First meetings started at the University then went to the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women, 263 Bridge Ave.

First locally made Film on a Trans experience entitled, “Transbeing” by Gabrielle Pescador and Juan Javier Pescador.

The First Run for Rocky event is held in conjunction with Windsor Pride Community with the Campana family in memory of their son/brother Rocky Campana. The first event held in April raised $67,000.00 and Run for Rocky was founded by the Campana family to support Student Lead GSA’s (at the time called Gay Straight Alliance Clubs) in high schools and post-secondary institutes in Windsor-Essex County. The event also coincides with a Canada-wide petition “All Healthy Canadians Should be Able to Donate” as the Campana Family were unable to donate Rocky’s organs after his death

Windsor GSA Students and GSA Educator Leaders attend the 1st Egale Canada National Conference in Toronto with the funding support of Run for Rocky.

2014

The Healthy Canadians Should be Able to Donate Petition (regardless of their HIV status) went around Canada and tabled to the House of Commons in May by MP Brian Masse. Created by the Campana Family in honour of Rocky Campana.

International Transgender Day of Visibility first observed in Windsor.

September 28 2014 St. Clair College's GSA is founded.

2015

Community leader George Hannah passes and Windsor-Essex Pride Fest establishes the George Hannah Red Memorial Scholarship at St. Clair College. The scholarship is awarded annually recognizing those individuals who promote equality and diversity and continuing education.

Five/Fourteen is founded by Lucas Simon Medina and Chad A. Craig. It is the first of its kind in Canada. It is the only foster agency dedicated solely to providing services and support to the 2SLGBTQ foster care community.

Two-Spirit Group of Can-Am Friendship Centre is founded by Theresa Sims.

Casey Plett wins Lambda Literary Award for her short-story collection entitled “A Safe Girl to Love.”

Walkerville Collegiate Institute become the first Greater Essex County District School Board school to fly the Rainbow Flag during Pride Month.

Windsor GSA Students and GSA Educator Leaders attend the 2nd Egale Canada, National OUTShine Conference in Winnipeg Manitoba with the funding support of Run for Rocky.

2016

All GECDSB High schools fly the Rainbow Pride Flag for a week during Pride Month.

Gender Identity and Gender Expression to be included in the Canadian Human Rights Code Bill C -16 passes 248-40. Windsor-Tecumseh MP Cheryl Hardcastle, Essex MP Tracey Ramsey, Windsor West MP Brian Masse, supported it, Chatham-Kent Leamington MP Dave Van Kesteren voted against.

LaSalle becomes the first municipality in Essex County to fly the Rainbow Flag.

St. Anne’s and Villanova Secondary schools GSAs receive the Premier’s Award for creating a “safe and inclusive environments.”

2017

On June 19, Bill C-16 was passed by the federal government and received Royal Assent. The bill updated the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code to include the terms "gender identity" and "gender expression." The legislation also makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity or expression.

It also extends hate speech laws to include the two terms, and makes it a hate crime to target someone for being transgender. The bill also amends the sentencing principles section of the code so that a person's gender identity or expression can be considered an aggravating circumstance by a judge during sentencing.

After running for 5 years and raising over $375,000 the Campana Family takes a 5-year hiatus from running the annual event and forms the Run for Rocky Legacy Project to continue funding GSA’s for the foreseeable future.

W.E. Trans Support is federally incorporated and becomes the first standalone transgender support centre in Ontario. Founded by Jayce Carver.

Windsor Pride Community Education and Resource Centre gets evicted by the city to create a parking lot.

WECDSB trustees vote to not allow the Rainbow Flag to be flown outside school buildings (unanimously passes). School board Chair Barb Holland stated, “The reason we felt only the Canadian flag should fly outside schools is we believe that is the single most unifying symbol for everyone.”

WECDSB student conference entitled WeShine is first held at Holy Names High School.

Transgender Day of Remembrance was first observed in Windsor. It took place at Emmanuel United Church. There was a reception and candlelight vigil.

Windsor hosts the 3rd National Egale Canada GSA Conference OUTShine with over 75 local students and educators in attendance with the funding support of Run for Rocky

Ontario passes Bill 74 to officially mark Trans Day of Remembrance on November 20 and requires the legislature to hold a minute of silence each year in honour of trans people who have died as a result of anti-trans violence.

2018

Windsor Pride Fest moves to a new location at Lanspeary Park (from the Riverfront Plaza).

Windsor Pride Community names Greyson Labella as the President and Crystal Fach as Executive Director.

First year the city raises the Trans Pride flag at city hall.

2019

Greater Essex County District School Board approves Pride Flags to be flown at elementary schools (Windsor-Essex Pride Fest provides complimentary pride flags to all schools).

All Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) grade schools and high schools fly the Rainbow Pride flag for a week during Pride Month. (Windsor-Essex Pride Fest provides complimentary pride flags to all schools).

Nancy Campana is asked to sit as a Patient Advocate on the ODTC Advisory Board (Organ Donation and Transplantation Collaborative). The OTDC was a multi-stakeholder initiative led by Health Canada alongside provincial and territorial partners, Canadian Blood Services, clinicians, researchers, and patient-family-donor partners to improve national organ recovery and transplantation systems. This 5-year review led to the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Governance Body for Organ Donation and Transplantation. This new initiative will continue to make improvements to system performance for better patient outcomes.

Windsor GSA Students and GSA Educator Leaders attend the 4th Egale Canada, National OUTShine Conference in Fredericton New Brunswick, with the funding support of Run for Rocky

2020 - 2021

Windsor Pride Community names Colm Holmes as President, and Jason Marin as Executive Director.

Local Drag queens: Juice Boxx and Boa compete on Canada’s First Drag Race TV show.

Unifor Local 444 LGBTQ Committee Founded in April by Stephanie Pest and Greyson Labella.

Transgender Pride and Rainbow Pride Flag is flown at Children’s Aid Society.

WERA -Windsor Essex Rainbow Alliance was founded by community member, 2SLGBTQIA+ historian and teacher Walter Cassidy. The organization was formed to collect, preserve and share the local 2SLGBTQIA+ history of the Windsor-Essex region

2022

Windsor/Essex Transgender Support Centre changes name to Trans Wellness Ontario.

First Rainbow Crosswalk at a corporate Loblaw store in Canada is painted at Zehrs on Malden Road in LaSalle in June to coincide with International Pride month. This project was led by Brenda-Bot-Drake an employee at Zehrs in LaSalle and assisted by Nancy Campana. Brenda and Nancy formed the LaSalle Proud campaign.

The AIDS Committee of Windsor changes name to Pozitive Pathways.

The Town of Essex raises the Rainbow Flag for the first time.

Bill C-6 to ban Conversion therapy. 263-63 Windsor-Tecumseh Irek Kusmierczyk, Windsor West MP Brian Masse supported. Essex MP Chris Lewis, Chatham-Kent- Leamington MP Dave Epp voted against.

Hate Has No Home Here Movement starts in Essex County by Laura Hasulo. The concept started with signs on people’s lawns.

Canada Blood Services replaces sexuality-based restrictions with gender-neutral, sexual behavior-based screening for blood donation

2023

Led by WERA member, Stefanie Pest, two crosswalks are painted on Ottawa Street in conjunction with Pridefest celebrations in August. An inclusive Two-Spirt/Progressive Pride crosswalk and a Transgender Flag Crosswalk are upgraded annually during the Saturday of Pride Fest Weekend in Lanspeary Park and the day before the Ottawa Street Pride Parade.

Run for Rocky event returns in conjunction with Windsor Essex Pridefest as an official Pridefest event to continue funding GSA Clubs (now called Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club) along with funding community partners Windsor Pride Community, Trans Wellness Ontario and Windsor-Essex Pride Fest to ensure youth programming /counselling is supported through these agencies.

Windsor Pride Community, Run for Rocky Legacy Project Windsor Essex Pride Fest & Trans Wellness Windsor begin to meet regularly to work together more collaboratively.

Run for Rocky Legacy Project begins to also fund GSA’s at the elementary school level-upper grades.

2024

Queer Trans Migrant Advocacy Alliance of Windsor-Essex is founded by Anold Mulaisho

Windsor GSA Students and GSA Educator Leaders attend the newly revamped Egale Canada GSA Summit in Toronto

2025

Queer Trans Migrant Advocacy Alliance, WERA and Windsor Rainbow Sports Club join the group of four Pride Agencies to meet collaboratively

2026

Egale Canada hosts their GSA Summit to Windsor for Highschool GSA Students and GSA Club Educator Leads

Health Canada drops final barriers to sperm donation by gay and bisexual men

ⓒ Photo Credits: Windsor Star, Walter Cassidy, Glenn Bell Photos, and Windsor-Essex Rainbow Alliance