A Damn Proud Gay Canadian Soldier – Part One
by Curated October 31, 2024 · Gay News / Gay Pride / Gay Rights
From John McDougall
Video link below
Growing up in a small WASP town the youngest of 6 boys was a big enough challenge. Add to that, trying to reconcile that you are gay. The journey did not start easy, and it did not get any better for years. I always knew I was gay, but could never really accept it, I was probably about 35 before it became ok in my own mind.
I had a very supportive family growing up, I went to college to take nursing, and that was not a great fit. I then decided to move to Fort McMurray to work some good “manly” jobs. On one of my frequent trips to Edmonton I saw a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) recruiting centre and applied to be a medical technician, the civilian equivalent being a paramedic. I completed my basic training and then became a medic. I knew it was illegal to be gay in those days, but I was optimistic the CAF would “ungay” me.
I excelled at my work, a top soldier, a top medic and well liked and respected. In the early 90’s I was at a military bar and met a British soldier, I was sure we were on the same page when I invited him back to my room. Once we got there, he made it clear that he was not interested in hooking up and parted was amicably.
The next morning, I had the Military Police (MPs) and the RCMP knocking at my door. I answered it, they asked my name, and I told them, and then I was promptly arrested. I was taken to the MP barracks, their jail, and had to wait in the car at the far end of the parking lot until a formation of soldiers formed up for morning parade.
Once they were formed up, I was “perp walked” across a huge parking lot so they could all see me. This was a small military base, about 200 people, so everyone knew everyone. Once inside, I was allowed to call legal representation. In the CADF that person is the Judge Advocate General, or JAG.
The JAG answered the phone, I told him I had been arrested, he asked what for, and I told him for being gay. He replied immediately “then you better find someone else” and hung up the phone.
I was beyond lost. No one knew I was gay… not my family, not my co workers and not the CAF…until then.
I was taken to the RCMP barracks and lodged over night. The next morning my once supportive boss picked me up and berated me the entire trip back to the base. She told me I was an embarrassment to her and the base, how could I do this to her and how ashamed she was of me. The base commander said pretty much the same thing. The base commander also said that because I was such a disappointment he was going to relocate to another base… but don’t worry he said… I will tell them who you are and why you are coming there. I spent the next few months getting assaulted daily, but I refused to give up.
In the years that followed, I wanted to ensure that no one, not a soul went through what I had to endure. I managed to get the first Pride flag raised on any base in Canada, North America and probably the world. This was the catalyst for systemic change to begin. Pride parades, pride crosswalks and the Pride or Inclusive flag being mandated to be raised for Pride month.
As I count down the days to my retirement and relocation to Europe I sat down with my friend Murray Billet to talk about my journey to this point in my life and my time with the Canadian Armed Forces and as Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission.
From Murray Billett
I have known John McDougall and his husband David Gilbert for over 25 years and I was honoured when I was asked if I would interview John for Rainbow Story Hub.
John and I have both been chair of the Edmonton Police Commission. Additionally, we have worked together on numerous projects. One of the more interesting was diversity training for Sheriff’s, Correction Officers and Wardens.
John’s story is one of moral, physical and intellectual courage. As a young soldier in the Canadian Military, he was arrested, hand cuffed and humiliated in front of his military colleagues. He somehow found the determination to take on Canada’s military leadership as a survivor of the LGBT Purge1 and their Lawsuit in Canada. The LGBT Purge was the Canadian government’s Cold War-era investigations into thousands of 2SLGBTQ+ employees, military personnel and RCMP members, actions which forced many to resign and devastated numerous lives and careers.
Despite that devastating time in his career, he continued with dedication and intention. He grew within the military and his community Over his many years of service, he moved up the ranks and was highly decorated for his many deployments around the world and his specialized service earning a host of medals and awards.
John has extensive skills as a change agent and military commander His dedication, intelligence and acute awareness of his own rights, responsibilities and obligation to himself, his family, his community and his country changed the peoples minds and the Canadian Military as result.
That dogged determination saw him challenge decisions and wisely navigate his career . John moved to Edmonton from Ontario in 1986. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in 1989 as an Army Medical Technician and has served at a variety of bases across Canada. He completed his physician assistant training in 2008 and received his Masters from University of Nebraska Medical Centre in 2010 specializing in Emergency Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine.
John was deployed overseas numerous times and has worked with both the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy. John worked his way from a Private to the highest rank a non-commissioned officer can reach, Chief Warrant Officer. He accepted a commission to Captain and was promoted to Major. These experiences have allowed him to appreciate the hard work of the front-line workers and now from the perspective of a senior officer. He also served in the CAF as a clinician specializing in Aviation Medicine.
John has also been a very active advocate for LBGTQ2+ rights in the community and in the CAF. In 2013 he raised the Pride Flag at CFB Edmonton, a first for any military base. He very proudly served as the LBGTQ2+ advisor to 3 Canadian Division, the Army of the West.
John credits his successes over his decades long career to his incredibly supportive and amazing husband David Gilbert.
Funding for this story made possible by the Edmonton Heritage Council and the City of Edmonton
Murray Billett
Murray is well known as a human rights activist, conflict resolution specialist, educator and advocate for the 2SGLBTQ communities. Currently, Commanding Officer’s Diversity Advisor – #RCMP
Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commanding Officer’s Diversity Advisory Council (CODAC)
A former member of the Alberta Review Board, also a former member of the Edmonton Police Commission serving as Chair, Vice Chair and Commissioner serving on Governance and Professional Standard committees, including media responsibilities & past Chair of the Alberta Association of Police Governance.
A former Educator with United Nurses of Alberta, previously spending over 30 years in Labour Relations. Working in numerous positions in many major cities in Canada. Duties included, presenting arbitrations and a variety of other quasi judicial review panels,
He is a former board member of E.G.A.L.E. and Canadians for Equal Marriage, both national boards. Previously involved in the Public Relations Advisor, fund raising and Media Spokesperson for the Delwin Vriend case taking the Government of Alberta to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Murray is Co-Founder of the Edmonton Gay & Lesbian Community/Edmonton Police Service Liaison Committee and served as Co-Chair. Also a former director of GALA (Gay and Lesbian Awareness) He is past board member of the Aids Network of Edmonton. Murray has also participated in many political campaigns as well as Campaign Manager for former City Councillor Michael Phair & past Winnipeg Councillor & former Mayor of Winnipeg Glen Murray. On going guest speaker, at the U of A & Grant MacEwan University, as well as numerous community groups. Murray is also a published author, contributing to an international textbook on policing and public health.
Contributing journalist with numerous op/eds and editorial letters in the Edmonton Journal.
Professionally, he has spent decades specializing in labour relations, negotiations, policing administration, conflict resolution, advocacy and diversity education.
Podcast host and narrator for “Without Discrimination” – The Delwin Vriend Case
https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/blog/delwin-vriend-case/
Documentary Film Pride Vs Prejudice “The Delwin Vriend Story
https://vimeo.com/943367628
Recipient
2015 – Gay Edmonton Hall of Fame
2012 – Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
2010 – Edmonton Pride Award
2006 – Edmonton Police Service Civil Rights Award
2005 – Alberta Gold Centennial Medal
2004 – John DeSmit Citizen of Year Award
1999 – Edmonton Social Planning Council Award
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