We Demand An Apology - Pt.7

About this episode

This episode discusses the efforts of the We Demand An Apology Network in seeking justice for queer Canadians before the government's apology and the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit.

Before the Government of Canada's apology and before the LGBT Purge class-action lawsuit, there was a small group of dedicated Canadians who were determined to get justice. This network of Purge survivors, academics, researchers and activists was known as the We Demand An Apology Network (WDAN) . The WDAN group was the catalyst that led to the landmark class-action lawsuit, settlement, and apology to queer Canadians. Meantime, the lives of queer soldiers and RCMP members were improving, but only slightly. You're going to be surprised/not surprised by a couple of these stories - including the military's first Pride Flag raising ceremony, and how the Government of Canada's apology nearly fell apart at the last minute.

People in this episode

Host: Shawn Dearn

Topics covered

• LGBT rights
• apology
• class-action lawsuit
• queer history
• activism
• military
• justice

Keywords

• LGBT Purge
• apology
• justice
• queer Canadians
• activism
• military history
• Pride Flag

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: We Demand An Apology Network

Places: Canada

More episodes of Queer Legends: An Oral History Podcast

• Cleve Jones and the AIDS Memorial Quilt · April 12, 2026 · 55 min
• The U.S. Military's Transgender Purge · April 9, 2025 · 18 min
• The LGBT Purge Interrogation Room · March 21, 2025 · 19 min
• Legacy Of The LGBT Purge and A Queer Mystery - Pt.8 · July 11, 2024 · 50 min
• The Ban On Gays In The Military Ends (On Paper) - Pt.6 · June 27, 2024 · 50 min
• Towards Equality For Some - Pt.5 · June 20, 2024 · 53 min