As part of our Commemorate 50 project, next week I’ll be attending a screening of the documentary Sex, Sin and 69 at the Royal BC Museum. This retrospective film tells the story of the 1969 legislation to ‘decriminalize’ homosexuality. 2019 marks 50 years since the anniversary of this historic step towards equality for LGBTQ2S+ Canadians.
We’re working on putting together a visual timeline focused on significant dates, events and figures of the past 50 years of this movement. In the meantime, here’s a selection of documentaries about the histories of the LGBTQ2S+ communities in Canada:
Sex, Sin and 69
Produced and Directed by SandBay Entertainment
Watch the trailer
Told through contemporary voices including queer academics, historians, activists, educators, artists, and community builders, the film attempts to challenge our understanding of queer history by shining a light on widely adopted misconceptions surrounding decriminalization.
Join a free screening of this documentary at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria on Thursday, October 17, 2019, 7:00-9:00 p.m. More information here.
The Fruit Machine
Directed by Sarah Fodey
Stream the documentary
The Fruit Machine shares the stories of survivors of a decades-long “gay purge” of Canada’s military and public service. The survivors recount their personal stories of dedication and betrayal at the hands of the Canadian government. Some softened by age and sadness, others loud and angry, the voices of the former public servants targeted in the purge are now united, and determined. Learn more.
How We Got Gay
Directed by Marc de Guerre
Stream the documentary
The incredible story of how gay men and women went from being the ultimate outsiders to occupying the halls of power, with a profound influence on our cultural, political and social lives.
Safety in Numbers
Directed by Melinda Friedman
Stream the documentary
What was it like to be transgender before there was such a thing as a trans community? Pioneers who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s reflect on their personal experience, while young people in the community today offer their own stories.
Do you have a recommendation of a great documentary or movie about the LGBTQ2S+ community? Share it with me on my Facebook or Twitter.
