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Flags to mark 50th anniversary of landmark legislation

Decriminalization of same-sex relations was legalized in Canada in 1969
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Fifty rainbow or trans flags are expected to fly next week to mark the 50th anniversary of Bill C-150, which decriminalized same-sex relations. Photo submitted

Submitted

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Bill C-150, of which then-Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau famously said: “There’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation.”

Bill C-150 called for among other things the decriminalizing of same-sex relations between consenting adults. That original bill was derailed by an election but on May 14, 1969, a new bill was passed by then-Prime Minister Trudeau. This bill had far reaching affects across the country.

“It was then that we realized that we could meet and plan the next steps to liberation,” says Kootenay Pride co-ordinator Michael Wicks. “Everything we have accomplished came from the fact, that we could not be put in jail for being who we are.”

This year is the 50th anniversary of this momentous occasion and Kootenay Pride plans on joining the celebrations with hopes of raising the Pride and trans flags in front of Nelson City Hall.

Vancouver Pride Society is the lead organization in B.C. for this project that is looking to raise 50 rainbow or trans flags in municipalities across Canada between May 14 and 17 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of decriminalization.