Love in a Dangerous Time - Pop-Up Exhibition
From the 1950s to the 1990s, the Government of Canada systematically investigated, harassed, and fired 2SLGBTQ+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and the federal public service for purported national security reasons during what came to be known as “the LGBT Purge.” This was one of the longest-running, largest-scale violations of human rights in the workplace in Canadian history.
This is a powerful pop-up exhibition about this era, created by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in partnership with the LGBT Purge Fund, and with input from 2SLGBTQ+ community members, activists, educators, scholars, and survivors.
It draws on first-hand accounts to tell the story of how people were targeted based on suspicion of their sexuality, investigated, interrogated, and in many cases, removed from their jobs. The pop-up also explores how 2SLGBTQ+ people resisted this Purge through political activism and successful legal challenges that expanded human rights protections for all Canadians.
Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge connects the past with the present and seeks to generate new conversations about human rights, gender and sexual diversity, and contemporary challenges. This exhibit is designed to educate and inspire Canadians to help create a future in which the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people are respected.
From July 31 to September 15, we’re hosting the pop-up exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time in the Main Hall of the Library.
Plan your visit
Stop by during regular hours to take a self-guided tour of the Love in a Dangerous Time, explore our programs and resources, and reflect.
Content warning: This exhibition contains information about discrimination, surveillance, and the systemic targeting of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada. Some content maybe distressing.
Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge was developed and produced by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, with the collaboration and generous financial support of the LGBT Purge Fund.
Friday, Friday, July 31, – Tuesday, September 15,
In the Gallery: At the Table – The Architecture of Control
Aug 5
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Still Standing: Wayne Davis Reflects on the LGBT Purge [HYBRID]
Aug 9
Sunday, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Outspoken: An Afternoon with Betty Baxter and Daniel Gawthrop [HYBRID]
Aug 13
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Beyond Stonewall: Canada’s Path to Decriminalization [HYBRID]
Aug 17
Monday, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tech Talks: QueerTech’s 2SLGBTQI+-inclusive Artificial Intelligence Report [HYBRID]
Aug 19
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Queer Histories Panel: An Evening of Resilience, Strength, and Storytelling [HYBRID]
West Vancouver Memorial Library
1950 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J