Fact Sheet

BC Gay and Lesbian Archive

WHO WE ARE

  • Ron Dutton Came to Vancouver in 1975 in his early 20’s.
  • He began collecting all proof of LGBTQ movement in his apartment around 1972.
  • After collecting 8 boxes work of things, Dutton created a filing system to keep up with the materials.

HISTORY AND CONTEXT

  • In 1971 the Initial movements of the Gay Liberation Front began.
  • The justice system viewed gay people as criminals up until the early 1970’s.
  • 8-10 gay rights organizations resided in Vancouver during the 70’s.  
  • Government archives are over 100 years old but did not cover any gay and lesbian history event.

VANCOUVER CITY ARCHIVES

  • They compliment the records they have with those of organizations and individual collectors like Dutton.
  • Ron Dutton’s gave his collection to the Vancouver City Archives in 2017.
  • Shortly after, his collection began appearing in the internet.