February 1 Toronto About fifty-five […]

When

1971-02-01

Description

February 1 Toronto About fifty-five people attended the first public meeting of CHAT, held at Holy Trinity Church. The meeting was chaired by George Hislop, the group's interim director. Hislop gave a general introduction concerning CHAT'S immediate goals as a service organization for the homophile movement in Toronto, namely the opening of an office and the operation of an educational and distress phone service, CHAT'S aim was to attain gay liberation by working through the existing political system and to sponsor social activities (such as dances) that would be a personal growth alternative to the Toronto gay ghetto. Hislop also introduced the other members of CHAT'S steering committee including Pat Murphy, one of the key lesbian organizers. In addition, Charles Hill of UTHA gave a talk about the homophile movement in Toronto. Before the opening of CHAT'S community centre in February 1972, CHAT'S office was located upstairs at 6 Charles Street E.; general meetings and events were held mostly at Holy Trinity Church, CHAT grew to become one of the major lesbian and gay organizations in Canada during the 1970s. It cooperated with various social agencies, sent speakers to high schools, monitored gay-related court cases, provided legal, medical, and psychiatric referrals, and lobbied government and police officials, CHAT officially disbanded at the end of 1977. (see also December 11, 1970.)

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