Happy Pink Triangle Day! Feb 14 marks a big legal victory for Canadian gays

BY ANDREA HOUSTON – Valentine’s Day isn’t the only holiday celebrated today. It’s also Pink Triangle Day, marking a major legal victory for the queer liberation movement and press freedom in Canada.


Thirty-three years ago, The Body Politic’s Ed Jackson, Gerald Hannon and Ken Popert were acquitted of indecency charges stemming from the article “Men Loving Boys Loving Men,” published in the December 1977/January 1978 issue.

On his Facebook wall Hannon writes, “I, along with friends and colleagues Ed Jackson and Ken Popert, were acquitted, after a 10-day sensational trial, on charges of immorality and indecency. The provocation? Men Loving Boys Loving Men, an article I’d written for The Body Politic (then a source of outrage, it’s now on a course of study at U of T). We’d go on to be tried a second time on the same charges, and acquitted a second time. The day still stands as one of the earliest victories in the gay movement’s struggle against censorship. So, wish me Happy Pink Triangle Day — I am so over Valentine’s!”

At the 1979 annual meeting of the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Rights Coalition, delegates unanimously passed a resolution declaring Feb 14 Pink Triangle Day.

“It was — and is — our gift, not just to our own communities but to every other Canadian, demonstrating that we can fight back and win against the powerful forces that seek to limit what we say and what we see,” PTP executive director Ken Popert has said.

To help queer Canadians celebrate, Xtra has Pink Triangle Day cards available online for your mailing and emailing pleasure. Just print out the paper card version, fold and add your message or email the .jpeg version to friends and lovers.

The cards – here and here – are designed by Pink Triangle Press’s staff artist John Webster.

Keep Reading

The new generation of gay Conservative sellouts

OPINION: Melissa Lantsman’s and Eric Duncan’s refusals to call out their party’s transphobia is a betrayal of the LGBTQ2S+ community

Over 300 anti-LGBTQ2S+ bills have been introduced this year. This doesn’t mean we should panic

OPINION: While it’s important to watch out for threats, not all threats are created equally. Some of these bills will die a natural death

Xtra’s top LGBTQ2S+ stories of the year

The best and brightest—even most bewildering—stories from a back catalogue brimming with insight

Elon Musk and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton are suing Media Matters. Here’s why queer and trans people should care

OPINION: When politicians and the rich leverage the power of the state to quell dissent, we all lose