The history behind Canada's 'homosexuality test'

For decades, Canada attempted to purge queer people out of the public service and the military.  In "The Fruit Machine," The Secret Life of Canada talks to Gary Kinsman who, along with Patrizia Gentile, co-authored the book "The Canadian War on Queers."

Leah and Falen take a deep dive into why it all started during the Cold War, what the fear of the Soviet Union had to do with it and how the invention of a homosexuality test nicknamed "The Fruit Machine" was supposed to aid in the RCMP's investigations. They'll learn about the deep and lasting effects of the state-sponsored policy to remove LGBTQ employees from within its ranks.

Key References

• The Canadian War on Queers by Gary Kinsman and Patrizia Gentile 

• The ArQuives, Canada's LGBTQ2+

• The Fruit Machine film by Sarah Fodey 

• Igor Gouzenko, Canadian Encyclopedia 

• The Iron Curtain film, 1948

• Government commissioned 'Fruit Machine' in 1960s, CBC Archives

• 'I think they should be locked up', CBC Archives, 1959

• 'Crime of passion': How a gay man became the last person to be executed in B.C, Global News

• She Speeds the Victory film, NFB

• John Watkins, Canadian Encyclopedia 

• Trudeau is apologizing to LGBT civil servants: Here's why, CBC News

• LGBTQ Purge Fund