West Vancouver library opens exhibition on LGBT+ workplace discrimination

West Vancouver library is now hosting an exhibition exploring LGBT+ workplace discrimination, bringing visibility to stories of workers forced from their careers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The exhibition features Wayne Davis, a survivor of the LGBT Purge, the systematic campaign that pressured LGBTQ+ federal employees out of their jobs. Davis was forced to resign from his role at the RCMP, a common outcome for LGBT+ workers in Canadian institutions during the purge era. His story, along with others, anchors the exhibition's examination of how discrimination has shaped careers and lives across the country.

The LGBT Purge represents one of Canada's lesser-known civil rights violations. Between the 1950s and the 1990s, the federal government systematically discriminated against LGBTQ+ public servants, forcing many to resign, terminate, or retire rather than face exposure and prosecution. The Canadian government formally apologized in 2017 and established a $110 million compensation program for survivors.

By bringing these stories to a community space, the West Vancouver library exhibition creates an opportunity for residents to understand this history and its ongoing impact on workplace culture and employee protections. The exhibition serves as both a remembrance and a reminder of the importance of inclusive workplace policies.