Gary Kinsman

Gary Kinsman, born in 1955 in Toronto, is a prominent Canadian sociologist and LGBTQ rights activist whose work has significantly influenced the understanding of sexual and gender diversity in Canada. His academic journey began in the early 1970s when he became involved with the Young Socialists, where he first encountered the gay liberation movement. This early engagement laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment to social justice and LGBTQ advocacy.

Throughout his career, Kinsman has authored and edited several important texts, including the seminal work 'Regulation of Desire' in 1987, which was reprinted in 1995. In 2000, he contributed to 'Whose National Security?', a critical examination of Canadian federal government surveillance of marginalized groups. His most recent publication, 'The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation', co-authored with Patrizia Gentile, was released in March 2010 and further explores the intersection of national security and LGBTQ rights.

As a retired professor of sociology from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Kinsman's research primarily focuses on sociological perspectives of LGBTQ issues. He has been an active participant in various social movements, including feminist, trade union, and anti-poverty initiatives. His activism extends to his involvement with organizations such as the Gay Liberation Union and the Canadian Committee Against Customs Censorship, and he played a pivotal role in founding Gays and Lesbians Against the Right Everywhere.

Kinsman's commitment to LGBTQ rights is exemplified by his role in organizing Sudbury's first Pride event in 1997 and his advocacy for a formal apology from the Canadian government for the historical purges of LGBTQ individuals from the civil service during the 1950s and 1960s. In 2024, he made headlines by resigning from Pride Toronto, citing the organization's inaction regarding the Queers in Palestine call to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.