Barbara Thornborrow

Barbara Thornborrow was involuntarily discharged from the Canadian Armed Forces for being a lesbian in 1977. She later challenged the decision, becoming the first person who was discharged based on their sexual orientation to do so publicly.[1]

Barbara Thornborrow
Born1951-
NationalityCanadian
OccupationPrivate in Canadian Armed forces
Known forLGBTQ+ Activism

Career

Deemed a "sexual deviate" and a potential threat to national security, Thornborrow was discharged from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1977.[2] Just before her dismissal, her room was searched by a Special Investigations Unit team.[3] During the process, her personal belongings were taken and her roommate was interviewed by a special officer and police officer.[4] Thornborrow then came out as a lesbian and was offered an ultimatum: She could either sign a document in which she acknowledged being a lesbian that would result in expulsion from the military or consent to psychiatric counseling.[3][4] Refusing to accept either option, Thornborrow reached out to Lesbians of Ottawa Now for legal help. With the assistance of Gays of Ottawa, the two were able to bring national attention to Thornborrow's case.[3]

Honours

In honour of her role as a significant builder of LGBT culture and history in Canada, a portrait of Thornborrow by artist Barbara Augustine is held by the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in its National Portrait Collection.[4]

See also

References
  1. Smith, Miriam Catherine (1999-01-01). Lesbian and Gay Rights in Canada: Social Movements and Equality-seeking, 1971-1995. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780802081971.
  2. Bourassa, Kevin; Varnell, Joe (2002-01-01). Just Married: Gay Marriage and the Expansion of Human Rights. Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 22. ISBN 9780299178802. barbara thornborrow.
  3. Warner, Tom (2002-01-01). Never Going Back: A History of Queer Activism in Canada. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780802084606.
  4. "Barbara Thornborrow (1951 - ) ยท CLGA Digital Collections". Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives. Retrieved 2017-03-19.


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