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Michelle D. Douglas (born December 30, 1963) is a Canadian
human rights Human rights are universally recognized Morality, moral principles or Social norm, norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both Municipal law, national and international laws. These rights are considered ...
activist who launched a landmark legal challenge in the Federal Court of Canada against the military's discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ service members.'' The Current'', May 9, 2005. Douglas herself served as an officer in the
Canadian Armed Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...
from 1986 to 1989. She was honourably discharged from the military in 1989 under the military's discriminatory anti-gay purge.


Gay purge legal challenge

After graduating from
Carleton University Carleton University is an English-language public university, public research university in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1942 as Carleton College, the institution originally operated as a private, non-denominational evening college to se ...
with a major in law in 1985, Douglas joined the
Canadian Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...
in 1986. She was soon promoted to the Special Investigations Unit—where she was the first woman to be promoted to the Unit as an officer. Absurdly, it was also the Unit responsible for running the anti-gay purge for the armed forces. In 1988, she came under investigation and was transferred to another position before losing her security clearance. Despite having an exemplary service record and repeatedly being at the top of her class, in 1989, she was released from the Forces because she was lesbian. She was dismissed under administrative release item 5d: "Not Advantageously Employable Due to Homosexuality". During her trial, Douglas reported that while under investigation, she was taken to a hotel room where two male officers questioned her about her sexual activities and forced her to like men. She was also prevented from seeking legal advice after the incident. Douglas subsequently launched a $550,000 lawsuit against the
Department of National Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divided ...
in January 1990 where she was represented by
Clayton Ruby Clayton Charles Ruby (6 February 1942 – 2 August 2022) was a Canadian lawyer and activist, specializing in constitutional and criminal law and civil rights. Early life and education Ruby was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Marie (Bochner) and ...
. In October 1992, just before Douglas' legal challenge went to trial, the Canadian military abandoned its policy banning gay and lesbian service members and settled the case.


Subsequent service and activism

Douglas' experience in the military was the start of 30 years of social justice and human rights activism. Douglas has supported other landmark rulings by participating as an intervener in the ''
M. v. H. ''M. v. H.'' 9992 S.C.R. 3, is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on the rights of cohabiting same-sex couples to equal treatment under the law. The court found that the definition of spouse in section 29 of Ontario's '' Family ...
'' and ''
Vriend v Alberta ''Vriend v Alberta'' 9981 S.C.R. 493 is an important Supreme Court of Canada case that determined that a legislative omission can be the subject of a Charter violation. The case involved a dismissal of a teacher because of his sexual orientation a ...
'' cases in the
Supreme Court of Canada The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC; , ) is the highest court in the judicial system of Canada. It comprises nine justices, whose decisions are the ultimate application of Canadian law, and grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants eac ...
. She formerly served as the Chair of the Foundation for Equal Families and later served at chair of the board of
The 519 Church Street Community Centre The 519, formerly known as The 519 Church Street Community Centre, is an agency by the Municipal government of Toronto, City of Toronto. A Canadian charitable, non-profit organisation, it operates a community centre in the Church and Wellesley n ...
in Toronto. She was also a founding member of the
Rainbow Railroad Rainbow Railroad is a North American charitable organization that helps lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex ( LGBTQI) individuals escape violence and persecution in their home countries. The organization was formed in 2006, ...
LGBT refugee organization in Toronto. Douglas was a member of the board of directors of
WE Charity WE Charity (), formerly known as Free the Children (), is an international development charity and youth empowerment movement founded in 1995 by human rights advocates Marc and Craig Kielburger. The organization implemented development progra ...
(formerly
Free the Children WE Charity (), formerly known as Free the Children (), is an international development charity and youth empowerment movement founded in 1995 by human rights advocates Marc and Craig Kielburger. The organization implemented development progra ...
) from 2005 to 2020. She resigned as chair of the board of directors of WE Charity in March 2020. She currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the Michaelle Jean Foundation. Professionally, Douglas served as the Director of International Relations at the Canadian Department of Justice. She retired in September 2019 after a 30-year career in the federal public service. In the same year, Douglas was appointed as the executive Ddrector of the LGBT Purge Fund. The LGBT Purge Fund manages a fund of $15 million to support reconciliation projects relating to the LGBT Purge. This includes leading a project to build the LGBTQ2+ National Monument in Ottawa, which is expected to open in 2024. In January 2020, the
National Capital Commission The National Capital Commission (NCC; , CCN) is the Crown corporation responsible for development, urban planning, and conservation in Canada's Capital Region (Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec), including administering most lands and build ...
approved the future site for the
LGBTQ2+ National Monument LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, asexual, aromantic, agender, and other individuals. The group is ...
by Wellington Street and Portage Bridge in Ottawa. In 2000, Pride Toronto named Douglas and
Sky Gilbert Schuyler Lee (Sky) Gilbert Jr. (born December 20, 1952) is a Canadian writer, actor, academic and drag performer. Born in Norwich, Connecticut, he studied theatre at York University in Toronto, Ontario, and at the University of Toronto, before b ...
as parade Grand Marshals. Douglas was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. A portrait of Douglas, by artist Laura Spaldin, is held by The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives' National Portrait Collection, in honor of her contributions to LGBTQ2+ rights in Canada.Inductee: Michelle Douglas
The ArQuives: Canada's LGBTQ2+ Archives.
On December 13, 2023, the Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Bill Blair appointed Douglas as the first Honorary Colonel for Professional Conduct and Culture.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas, Michelle 1963 births Carleton University alumni Lesbian military personnel Canadian LGBTQ military personnel Canadian lesbians 20th-century Canadian LGBTQ people Canadian LGBTQ rights activists Living people Military personnel from Ottawa Canadian female military personnel