January 2 Toronto The trial of PTP […]

Graph

When

1979-01-02

Description

January 2 Toronto The trial of PTP, publisher of the Body Politic, and the Press's corporate officers Gerald Hannon, Ed Jackson, and Ken Popert, began before Ontario Provincial Court Judge Sydney Harris at Old City Hall. They were charged with using the mails to distribute material alleged to be immoral, indecent, or scurrilous; the charges related to the publication of Gerald Hannon's article "Men Loving Boys Loving Men" in the December 1977 issue of the Body Politic. There were many reporters and spectators present during the six days of testimony and legal arguments, including gay men and lesbians wearing pink triangles, as well as Christian activists armed with Bibles. For a two-week period, Toronto and cross-Canada media were filled with news of the trial and other gay topics. Gay rallies were held across Canada, and also in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, to protest the trial. Judge Harris heard the final summations on January 16, 1979, and postponed judgement until February 14, 1979.