Stand Together
Nancy Nicol, director.
Canada, 2002, video, 120 min.

The documentary begins with an examination of the national security campaigns in the 50s and 60s when thousands of lesbians and gay men working in the public sector were subjected to investigations by the RCMP. A major breakthrough occurred in 1969 when the Federal criminal code was amended to decriminalize homosexual acts between consenting adults.

As a result, gay liberation organizations were springing up across the country. Stand Together examines the activities and politics of gay liberation and looks at the changing social attitudes towards homosexuality through the 70s and 80s. A major focus of the documentary is the Campaign to Amend the Ontario Human Rights Code lead by the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO). The campaign resulted in the achievement of sexual orientation as a basis of human rights protection in Ontario in 1986. Director Nicol has skillfully pieced together the story of justice denied and victories won, outrage and humour, celebration and humanity.

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