Reports of Women dressing against gender norms on Chatham Streets
1923
Chatham Armouries hosts fashion show of 14 "female impersonators"
1937
Birth of Frances Evelyn Wright, famous lesbian lounge singer from Chatham
1953
Chatham Little Theatre wins awards for "Tea & Sympathy," a play about gay struggles
1966
Peppermint Lounge at Rankin Hotel hosts Tobi Dee & female impersonator Ella-Mae
1969
Decriminalization of Homosexuality in Canada; Stonewall Riots in New York City
August 28, 1971
We Demand Rally first Canadian gay rights protest (Ottawa)
1972
Chatham residents join Windsor's Homophile Association (Windsor Gay Unity) dances
August 19-26, 1973
Pride Week observed in various Canadian cities
1979
Creation of Chatham Gay Unity on Sandy Street
June 2, 1979
Chatham's first gay dance at William Pitt Hotel in the Mariner Room
May 16, 1981
First Canadian lesbian march (Vancouver)
1987
AIDS Support Chatham-Kent was founded
1990
Adoption of the umbrella term Two-Spirit (Winnipeg)
1995
Brothers & Sisters LGBTQ group formed; Rainbow Rescue founded to help at-risk youth
1997
Same Sex adoption legalized
1998
March on local MPP office for Same Sex rights
2000
Rainbow Pride Flag first raised at Municipality of Chatham Kent Civic Centre
March 2001
CK Gay Pride Association incorporated, Mike Ondrovicik president
June 10, 2003
Same Sex marriage legalized in Ontario
July 20, 2005
Same Sex marriage legalized in Canada; First Same Sex Wedding in CK officiated by Rev Heather Scott, Victoria Ave United Church
2009
First Canadian Trans March (Toronto)
2010
Gay Straight Alliance forms at John McGregor SS
2017
Chatham Rainbow Crosswalk initiative championed by GSA Youth
2018
First Pride Parade that formally closed King Street in Chatham; Trans Awareness Flag raised at Municipality of Chatham Kent Civic Centre for the first time; Bill Brokenshire outlines his desire for a queer-friendly space in CK.
2019
Bill Brokenshire Trust established
2021
Bill's Place Community Space building purchased
2022
Dresden Rainbow Crosswalk installed in collaboration with Dresden Community Cares Group
December 2022
Bill's Place soft opening
May 6, 2023
Bill's Place grand opening
August 17, 2024
First crowning of CK Pride Drag Winner at LipsynCK Slaytacular, Trixx Galore winner
