May 4, 1972: A community forum held in Toronto to challenge myths about homosexuality was disrupted when members of a right-wing group sprayed the crowd of 450 people with tear gas. Explaining the motivation for the attack, one group member stated “We intend to prevent future displays of perversion … We object to these homosexual people elevating themselves to normality.”*
The Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT), which hosted the even, was one of the earliest organizations to pursue a gay and lesbian agenda of political and social change. The forum was just one example where CHAT faced hostilities that sometimes turned violent. Hours after that event, someone attempted to firebomb CHAT'S community centre. The next night, someone threw a Molotov cocktail through a window into the centre, forcing CHAT to begin guarding the facility 24 hours a day.**
*Tear Gas Spray Disrupts Meeting on Homosexuality," Toronto Star, Four star ed., 5 May 1972, p. 2
** Body Politic, No. 5, July/Aug, 1971, p. 2
The Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT), which hosted the even, was one of the earliest organizations to pursue a gay and lesbian agenda of political and social change. The forum was just one example where CHAT faced hostilities that sometimes turned violent. Hours after that event, someone attempted to firebomb CHAT'S community centre. The next night, someone threw a Molotov cocktail through a window into the centre, forcing CHAT to begin guarding the facility 24 hours a day.**
*Tear Gas Spray Disrupts Meeting on Homosexuality," Toronto Star, Four star ed., 5 May 1972, p. 2
** Body Politic, No. 5, July/Aug, 1971, p. 2
Panel discussing issues related to the myths and realities of homosexuality in front of an audience of 450 before they were attacked with tear gas.