August 26 Niagara Falls, Ont. […]

Graph

When

1974-08-26

Description

August 26 Niagara Falls, Ont. American gay activist John Kyper was turned back at the Canadian border because he had admitted to Canadian immigration officials that he was gay. Kyper was a member of Boston's Fag Rag collective and also a staff member at Gay Community News. Copies of Gay Community News were found in his possession. Homosexuals were excluded from entering Canada as a prohibited class of person, as described in paragraph 5(e) of the Immigration Act. This action was protested by GATE (Toronto), and through their help Kyper was able to sneak into the country on September 19. In March 1975, after months of protests on his behalf by members of GATE (Toronto) and GO, Kyper was allowed to visit Canada officially after being granted a special Minister's Permit by the Department of Manpower and Immigration. (see also October 15,1974.)