Kelvin High School welcomes activist Martin Boyce

École secondaire Kelvin High School recently welcomed the last living survivor of one the key human rights protests of the 20^th Century.

Kelvin hosted activist Martin Boyce on May 4 in a speaking engagement held in conjunction with the International Day of Pink. Boyce was a participant in the Stonewall Riots (also known as the Stonewall Uprising), which were a pivotal demonstration that transformed the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Boyce’s memory from the Stonewall Riots is still alive and present.

From June 28 to July 3, 1969, the protests took place at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York City. The Stonewall Inn was a safe place for gay, lesbian and transgender community members.

“Stonewall was a great bar, it was a wonderful place to be, it was extremely diverse,” Boyce said. “Gays from all over the city would go there. Everyone who was in that bar got along. The straight people didn’t have toleration for us, so we had to get along with each other.”

On June 28, 1969, in response to a police raid, the community members held protests on the streets of New York City.

“It’s the first time in 2000 years a group of gay men together fought with valiance. It’s one thing the gay didn’t have the reputation of, having this virtuosity, togetherness. That’s was the first time we had this and it changed the world,” Boyce said. “That night we did something for ourselves.”

Today, the Stonewall Riots are recognized as having kick-started the movement across the nation known as the Pride Parade. The first Pride Parade was held in 1970 to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots; now, Pride Parades are celebrated internationally every year.

Teacher Kim Brown, who also serves as a staff liaison for SPECTRUM, Kelvin’s GSA, said it was important to connect students with history.

"We know what is happening now in society, and it's important to bring history to our present day," she said. "This is important to our students and makes these stories tangible and real."

Students said they appreciated hearing Boyce’s reflections on that period of history.

"We're so used to society accepting of LGBTQ rights, but we forget it wasn’t always like that. It was neat to hear how things came to be and the struggles they had to go through," said Grade 9 student Isla Gorton.

"It's nice knowing that there is still a positive impact with all the bad in the world. We have come a long way. I'm proud of WSD for bringing Martin Boyce in. They are paving a good path here," said Grade 12 student Rowan Cole.

By connecting with history, 2SLGBTQIA+ students can find a greater sense of community and belonging.

"We are standing on the shoulders of people who have lived through pivotal moments in history, which helps kids to not feel alone. Many feel different and unique, but knowing a whole community supports and validates them is important," concluded Brown.

Boyce is currently on a nationwide tour through Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.