Highlighting LGBTQ2S+ History

LGBTQ2S+ history has only come to light relatively recently, but that doesn’t mean the history itself is new.

Interview by Nancy Payne

Posted June 12, 2019

The year 2019 marks fifty years since the Canadian government made its first, albeit limited, moves to decriminalize homosexual activity. LGBTQ2S+ history has only come to light relatively recently, but that doesn’t mean the history itself is new.

Mark S. Bonham is a Toronto entrepreneur and philanthropist with a particular interest in this area. He recently spoke to Canada’s History features editor Nancy Payne.

Their conversation took place while some construction was going on outside Massey College, where Bonham is a senior fellow. Payne started by asking him about how the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto came to be.

Help keep Canada’s stories strong (and free)

We hope you will help us continue to share fascinating stories about Canada’s past.

 

We highlight our nation’s diverse past by telling stories that illuminate the people, places, and events that unite us as Canadians, and by making those stories accessible to everyone through our free online content.

 

Canada’s History is a registered charity that depends on contributions from readers like you to share inspiring and informative stories with students and citizens of all ages — award-winning stories written by Canada’s top historians, authors, journalists, and history enthusiasts.

 

Any amount helps, or better yet, start a monthly donation today. Your support makes all the difference. Thank you! 

Mark S. Bonham is the author of several books, including Notables: 1010 Global LGBTQ People who Changed the World and A Path to Diversity: LGBTQ Participation in the Working World. Visit QueerBio.com to see more of his work.

Related to Arts, Culture & Society