Have attitudes toward homosexualty changed since the first gay marriage?

It's been 10 years since Michael Leshner and Michael Stark's legal marriage just hours after the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled Canada's existing law limiting marriage to a man and a woman was unconstitutional.

Since then, we've seen protests, celebrations and boycotts surrounding the controversial ruling allowing gay marriage. But through it all the law has stuck, and gay marriages are conducted all around the country every day.

When the ruling was made a decade ago, it was a landmark decision. Do you think attitudes about homosexuality have changed in that time?

Thomas Bink: I think ... generally ... attitudes towards homosexuality have progressed in the 10 years since the first gay marriage. I’m not saying there aren’t still some pretty big pockets in terms of acceptance – professional sports and Rob Ford attending Toronto’s Gay Pride parade are notable examples – but I think overall people are just much more accepting of various lifestyles. Personally, I think we put too much emphasis on people’s sexual orientation than we do on their work ethic or merits as an individual, which is kind of unfortunate. Let’s just focus on being good people.

Matthew Coutts: I would have to agree with you, Tom. Attitudes have progressed but there are still pockets of opposition. Perhaps the most important change is the empowerment of those who support gay rights. Those who feel they are being unfairly treated because of their sexuality are able to speak up now, knowing that society is generally more accepting of their views. Even a decade ago it took unheralded bravery to stand up and demand equality. Today, they can do so knowing they won’t be further ostracized or terrorized. I think that says more about how our attitudes have changed than anything.

Andy Radia: Yes, I think we've come a long way. Heck, Canada now has its first openly gay premier – Kathleen Wynne – and for most people that's not a big deal. But like both of you mentioned, there are still significant pockets of opposition. For example, in Ontario we've seen recent attempts by some Catholic school boards to nix gay and lesbian social groups. There are also school boards across the country that still ban gay and lesbian books. And nationally, let's not forget the recent backlash by conservative groups and even some in the federal Conservative Party caucus over Bill C-279, a private members bill to enshrine "gender identity" and "gender expression" in both the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code. So, yes attitudes have progressed but we still have ways to go.

Bink: Agreed, it’s amazing how long it takes to change some attitudes on this subject, particularly in the U.S. Boy Scouts of America just recently dropped its longtime ban on gay youth. Chick-fil-A’s ownership famously opposed same-sex marriage but had to change their stance in the face of boycotts. But I’m kind of proud to say that hasn’t happened much in Canada, at least in the 10 years since the first gay marriage. We still hear stories about gay-bashing incidents and slurs, but I confident that’s become the exception rather than the rule.

Coutts: Another key is to look at sports, considered by some to be the last bastion of homophobia. The You Can Play Project is growing in leaps and bounds in its bid to make locker rooms free from homophobia. The NBA’s Jason Collins came out this year and there has been very little blowback. And you also have athletes who use slurs apologizing on their own accord. Like Andy said, we still have a long way to go. But opinions are changing and there are fewer places for the small minds to hide.

Bink: And it's cool that Canada is leading the charge in so many ways.