April 2 Argentia, Nfld. Master […]
When
1977-04-02
Description
April 2 Argentia, Nfld. Master Corporal Gloria Cameron, an eight-year veteran, and eight other women [seven, originally, but one more woman had turned herself in] were honourably discharged from the Canadian Armed Forces under Administrative Order 19–20 because they were lesbians. This followed an investigation by members of the Special Investigations Unit ordered by the base commander after two women were rumoured to have married each other during a ceremony in December 1976. Cameron appealed her expulsion to General J.A. Dextraze, chief of defence staff, but was unsuccessful. (See also May 9, 1977.)
All Events
May 9 Ottawa Private Barbara […]All Places
ArgentiaAll People
J.A. DextrazeGloria CameronAll Citations
"Woman Said One of Eight Ousted for Homosexuality," Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, 26 May 1977."Woman Claims the Forces Fired Her Over Lesbianism," Toronto Star, holiday ed., 23 May 1977, p. C2"Stop Press—Eight Lesbians Ousted!" Body Politic, no. 34 (1977), p. 1"Lesbian Denied Reinstatement," Vancouver Sun, 20 July 1977, p. 27Wish Leonard, "Newfoundland Gays Take to the Air," Body Politic, no. 35 (1977), p. 7Gary Kinsman and Patrizia Gentile, The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation (Vancouver: UBC Press, 2010), pp. 232–36Kate Hohler, "Lesbian Discharged by Army, Advised to Change Sex," Plain Dealer (Fredericton), 14 October 1977, p. 5Gerald Hannon, "… Deemed Necessary to Discriminate …," Body Politic, no. 36 (1977), pp. 10, 19"Forces Ignore Outcry, Expel Thornborrow," Body Politic, no. 35 (1977), pp. 4–5"Army Denies Lesbian Appeal," Winnipeg Free Press, 20 July 1977, p. 15
