Community Homophile Association of Toronto

The Community Homophile Association of Toronto (CHAT) was founded on January 3, 1971. The organization grew out of the University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA). CHAT's work centered around providing support services, education, and organizing community events for Toronto's gay and lesbian community. The organization's activities were driven by its “central plank to come out of the state of fear and apprehension which surrounds the public assertion of one’s rights of sexuality”, with a secondary aim to achieve equal civil rights to those of heterosexuals. In 1977, CHAT disbanded due to economic challenges and declining membership. A number of gay and lesbian groups grew out of CHAT, including Toronto Gay Action (TGA) and Lesbian Organization of Toronto (LOOT). rdf:langString