My History of Lesbian Activism
An evening of lived history, courage, and community leadership
Date: May 26, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Sacred Space, Beechwood Cemetery
Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking evening with Marie Robertson, one of Canada’s most influential voices in the history of LGBTQ+ advocacy. With more than five decades of activism, Marie will share her personal journey through the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights in Canada, offering a candid and compelling perspective on the challenges, milestones, and defining moments that have shaped the movement.
This third session of Echoes in Pride is more than a presentation. It is a reflection on identity, resilience, and the power of community. Through lived experience, Marie brings history into the present, creating space for dialogue, understanding, and continued progress.
This is an opportunity to engage directly with a voice that has helped shape Canada’s social fabric.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the legacy.
SPEAKER BIO – Marie Robertson
Marie Robertson is an outspoken “lipstick lesbian” and a community activist with more than 55 years of leadership within Canada’s LGBTQ+ movement. Widely recognized as a pioneer of gay liberation in Canada and often referred to as Ontario’s first lady of queer liberation, her impact has been both profound and enduring.
In 1994, she received the Canadian Lambda Award for Excellence in Human Rights in a special ceremony in Ottawa. In 2002, her portrait was inducted into the National Portrait Collection of the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in recognition of her contributions to the community. She was later inducted into the Q Hall of Fame in 2013, and her portrait is also featured in the Village Legacy Project at Ottawa City Hall.
Marie has dedicated nearly 40 years to working as a counsellor, facilitator, and trainer within the LGBTQ+ community. Her work continues to support individuals, strengthen communities, and advance inclusion, with no plans to slow down.
* Photo Credit: Marie Robertson at the Supreme Court Building in March of 1975 as part of International Women’s Day festivities. Speaker's personal collection.
