"Gay Igloo" Recipient - November 2009

John Campey's work on behalf of the queer community of the GTA dates back over twenty-five years. In 1987, he was the first out gay candidate nominated by a major political party in an Ontario provincial election. At the Toronto Board of Education, first as a trustee's assistant (1985 - 1990), and then as a trustee (1991 to 1996), he was instrumental in transforming the Board's attitudes and policies around homophobia and heterosexism.

As trustee, he won approval of the Board's first resource document challenging homophobia ("Sexual Orientation: Homosexuality, Lesbianism, and Homophobia"), and the repeal of policies banning queer speakers in schools. He was a strong supporter of strengthening the Human Sexuality Program (which offers counselling to queer youth and their families).

In 1992, he inaugurated an official Board Consultative Committee on the Education of Gay and Lesbian Students. Building on the results of the committee's work, he facilitated the establishment of the Triangle Program, Canada's only public school program dedicated to meeting the needs of queer youth. Today, the Triangle Program has more than forty students and three full time teachers. John continues to sit on the program's community council.

The strong foundation represented by these programs and policies within the public school system served as a foundation and template for anti-homophobia and anti-racist efforts in schools across Toronto, and have been a model for other school jurisdictions across the country.

Kudos John on winning the 2009 Toronto City Pride award as well. A well deserving and well respected GLBTQ activist for many years!