Speaker Series | Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge
We invite you to join us for the Diefenbunker’s 2026 Cold War Speaker Series! In this series of free events, hear from experts on a variety of topics to bring you new perspectives on the Cold War.
Topic: Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge
Speakers:
>> Scott de Groot, Curator, Canadian Museum for Human Rights
>> Gloria Dawn Halvorsen, LGBT Purge Survivor
>> Jen Laird, LGBT Purge Survivor
>> Danny MacKinnon, LGBT Purge Survivor
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Event Details:
>> Hosted virtually on Zoom. Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
>> Includes a presentation followed by an audience Q&A.
>> Session will be recorded for educational purposes and made available after the event.
>> REGISTER NOW
Overview
To mark Pride Month in the National Capital Region, this event will include a look at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge, presented by its Curator, followed by a panel discussion with LGBT Purge survivors from the Rainbow Veterans of Canada.
This event is hosted in collaboration with the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum.
About the speakers
Scott de Groot is a curator, historian, and educator, with a PhD in History. He was the lead curator on the exhibition Love in a Dangerous Time: Canada’s LGBT Purge at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Gloria Dawn Halvorsen is a Saint John, NB-based musician, sound engineer, and human rights advocate dedicated to creating positive community change.
Beyond her music, Gloria is a powerhouse in community building and LGBTQ2S+ advocacy. As a Royal Canadian Navy veteran (1984–1987) and member of the Rainbow Veterans of Canada, she works to raise awareness about the LGBT Purge. Her trailblazing advocacy for trans rights includes serving as a delegate to the Canadian Human Rights Commission Round Table and speaking at institutions like Dalhousie Medical School and the UNB Faculty of Law. Through leadership roles with organizations like UBU Atlantic and PFLAG, she has provided vital safety, transition support, and sensitivity training across New Brunswick.
Jen Laird was born into a military family and grew up on a farm in rural Ontario, with her parents and 3 brothers. After graduating high school in 1980, she immediately enlisted in the military, however it wasn’t until 1983 that an opening finally became available for Military Police (MP).
She finished her basic training in Cornwallis and went to CFB Borden for MP training, excelling in all courses and was set to graduate at the top of her class. Two weeks before graduation, Jen was unceremoniously escorted out of class without explanation. After 5 nightmarish months of isolation, interrogation and psychological evaluations, she was purged in April of 1984 with a diagnosis of “Homosexuality”. Jen kept this secret ‘shame’ to herself until 2019.
Today, Jen lives in Ottawa with her partner of 20 years and their two spoiled cats, Kevin and Stewart.
Danny MacKinnon grew up in the Halifax area, where he first enrolled in the militia during High School. Joining the regular force as an Administration Clerk for ten years before being purged while posted to the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London, England. After 18 years of different education and careers, he returned to the Canadian Armed Forces, completing 25 years before retiring in the Ottawa area with his husband and their dogs.
Rainbow Veterans of Canada is a not-for-profit organization that provides a supportive and safe space for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veterans impacted by the LGBT Purge and other CAF veterans who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. They educate and advocate for the rights, benefits, and recognition of LGBT Purge Survivors and 2SLGBTQ+ CAF veterans.
Learn more about the other events in the 2026 Cold War Speaker Series!
September 24: Allied Intelligence Networks in the Early Cold War
October 15: Canadian Intelligence in the Early Cold War
November 19: Details to follow
