Canada Unveils New One-Dollar Coin Featuring Two Men Kissing

The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a commemorative loonie Tuesday to mark what it called a key milestone for lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people, with the government saying the coin symbolized progress while highlighting the work that still needs to be done to advance equality.

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau was amongst a number of dignitaries who gathered in Toronto to unveil the new one-dollar coin that pays tribute to Parliament’s passing of legislation that “initiated the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada” in 1969.

The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a new commemorative loonie meant to celebrate "50 years of progress for LGBTQ2 Canadians."
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— CTV News (@CTVNews) April 23, 2019

[...] “For too long, people didn’t listen. They didn’t extend compassion or empathy or understanding,” Morneau said. “Because of that, years ago, people made it a crime to love in Canada. We made being yourself a punishable offence.”

Morneau also acknowledged the views of those who’ve said the coin’s theme suggests the work to achieve equality is complete.

“They recognize, as we should all recognize, that we are not at the end of this path,” he said. “We have much more to do.”

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— Blue Chicken Man (@Kris87929896) April 23, 2019