Knowing our past is key to building a safer future. That’s exactly what students found out while exploring Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge. Because of you, the students were able to get a sneak preview of the exhibition, along with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Before visiting the Museum, many of the students were unaware of the LGBT Purge, just like most Canadians. But through the exhibition they learned about this dark time in Canada’s history, when thousands of people were interrogated, harassed and fired, because their sexual orientation was wrongly considered a threat.
This “purge” carried on for decades in the federal civil service, Canadian Armed Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, until the community fought back, expanding human rights protections for everyone.
Em, a high school student who explored the exhibition, appreciated the way the scenes within the exhibition draw you in and felt that the “interrogation room setup hit really hard.”
After exploring the exhibition, the students had a life-changing experience: speaking directly with Purge survivors. The survivors shared their stories and answered questions from the students, creating a “living library.” The conversations lasted well over an hour and were heartening to witness.
Maddy, one of the students who took part in the experience, said: “Inclusion is about being supportive and educating yourself and being a good listener to people’s stories.” That’s exactly what the students were able to do, thanks to you.
The experience was also motivating for Jyanne, who said: “My goal is to eliminate discrimination… and make the world a safe and accepting space.”
Thank you so much for helping students learn about the LGBT Purge and inspiring them to take action for human rights.