University of Toronto Homophile Association

Last updated
University of Toronto Homophile Association
SuccessorLGBTOUT
Formation1969;57 years ago (1969)
Founder Jearld Moldenhauer
Founded at University of Toronto
Dissolved1973;53 years ago (1973)
Type Student organization
Location
Key people
  • Jearld Moldenhauer
  • Bill McRay
  • Ian Young
  • Charlie Hill
  • Disa Rosen
A plaque at University College honouring the UTHA and sexual diversity activism at U of T Sexual Diversity Activism at the University of Toronto, Ontario Historical Marker, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario (29709408630).jpg
A plaque at University College honouring the UTHA and sexual diversity activism at U of T

The University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA) was Canada's first gay and lesbian student organization, and one of the first gay liberation organizations in the country. [1] [2] Founded in 1969 at the University of Toronto, the UTHA paved the way for similar student groups across the province of Ontario and led to the establishment of the Community Homophile Association of Toronto. [3]

Contents

History

Founded in 1969, the University of Toronto Homophile Association served as Canada's first gay and lesbian student group. [2] It started from an ad that founder Jearld Moldenhauer placed in The Varsity , and had its first meeting off-campus. [4] [5] The UTHA held its first official public gathering at University College on the St. George campus on November 4, 1969. [3] Within a month, the UTHA registered under the Students' Administrative Council of the University of Toronto and became an official student organization. [3]

The UTHA's office was located at 12 Hart House Circle and regular meetings would be held in the Graduate Student's Union. [6] By the end of 1969, the UTHA had 45 members. [3] The group's early members included Jearld Moldenhauer, Bill McRay, Ian Young, Charlie Hill, and Disa Rosen. Charlie Hill was appointed as the UTHA's first chairman, who was eventually succeeded by Ian Young. [3]

Its founder, Jearld Moldenhauer, was expelled from the University of Toronto in 1970 after he publicly defended the organization. [5] [1]

Soon after the UTHA was established, it became apparent that the organization had wider appeal and interest from the queer members outside of the university community. This need for a queer Toronto based community group eventually led to the founding of the Community Homophile Association of Toronto in 1971. [6] The University of Toronto's queer student organization LGBTOUT traces its roots to UTHA. [7]

Activities

The University of Toronto Homophile Association's activities centered around educating the community about homosexuality, combatting legal discrimination against homosexuality, and bringing about social and personal acceptance towards homosexuality. [3] The group's activities included weekly discussion groups, public forums with invited guests, high school speaking engagements, an informal counselling service, research, political advocacy, referral services and social events. [3]

The UTHA speakers included guests: Dr. Franklin Kameny, the President of the Washington Mattachine Society, Thomas Szasz, Michael Lynch, English Buddhist philosopher Scott Symons, D.E. Harding, Dr. Persasd of the Ontario Department of Health and playwright John Herbert. [3] [6] Members of the UTHA also gave talks on homosexuality to student groups, high schools and more. [3] The UTHA offered informal counselling services run by volunteers, which would deal with personal, psychological, religious, social and legal questions. [3] The association also hosted dances on and off campus. [7]

Legacy

An Ontario Heritage Trust plaque was placed on the east side of University College in honour of the UTHA and the sexual diversity movement at the University of Toronto. It was commemorated by the University of Toronto Sexual and Gender Diversity Office and then-president David Naylor. [2] [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Perdue, Anne (June 11, 2009). "Out and Proud". University of Toronto Magazine. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Heritage plaque honours Ontario's first gay and lesbian rights group". University of Toronto. November 3, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "University of Toronto Homophile Association fonds". Archeion. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  4. ↑ Bébout, Rick (January 2000). "Conception & birth". On the Origins of the Body Politic. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Baetu, Teona (November 22, 2011). "U of T commemorates UTHA, Ontario first gay rights activist group". The Varsity . Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "University of Toronto Homophile Association UTHA". Queerstory. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Jennex, Craig. Out north : an archive of queer activism and kinship in Canada. Eswaran, Nisha, 1986-. Vancouver. ISBN   978-1-77327-100-2. OCLC   1134768792.
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