Reverend Doctor Cheri DiNovo C.M. (BA ’94) is a queer activist, author and former minister and politician recognized for her transformative leadership in advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and legislation. While her passion for activism began in her late teens, it was during her time as a student at York University that she would make her first trailblazing act of advocacy, becoming the only woman to sign on to We Demand, a 1971 manifesto by queer activists calling for an end to discriminatory legislation.
“I’m so glad the University has thrived since then, it was always very inclusive,” says Cheri. “York was much more in sync with the world of humanities, which was my world. Even back then, I was one of the only women to sign on to We Demand in 1971. I never felt out of place there, it never conflicted with my views or my reality of being alive.”
After earning her Doctorate in Ministry in 2002, Cheri began her career as a minister in Ontario. But it wasn’t until she became a minister at Emmanuel-Howard Park United, now known as Roncesvalles United Church, that Cheri would officiate one of the first same-sex marriages in Canada.
“That was when I did the first legalized same-sex marriage. Two women of color came in 2001 into our church and asked to be married, they were Colombian and Venezuelan,” says Cheri. “They thought it wasn't legal, and it wasn't at that point. All churches have an option of reading what's called the banns, which is like a marriage license, but all you have to do is read it from the pulpit and if anybody objects, then no-go. But if they say it's okay, then you go ahead.”
This pivotal moment would mark her transition to a career in politics. After 12 years as a minister, Cheri was elected as the member of provincial parliament for the Ontario New Democratic Party. However, as a queer woman, this shift would bring various obstacles and challenges.
“I think I probably wouldn’t have said yes so freely if I’d known what it was like to run as a woman who had passed as a street kid and was queer,” says Cheri. “It was not a fun campaign, but we won.”
Despite these challenges, Cheri went on to pass the most pro-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation in Canadian history, including Toby's Act, which added gender identity and gender expression to the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Affirming Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Act, which banned conversion therapy for 2SLGBTQ2IA+ youth, Cy and Ruby's Act, which established parent equality for 2SLGBTQ2IA+ parents and the Trans Day of Remembrance Act.
“In 2012, we were the first major jurisdiction in North America to incorporate trans rights, gender identity and gender expression into the Human Rights Code,” says Cheri. “That was a struggle, it took five years, lots of tabling, lots of meetings, but we eventually got it passed.”
In 2022, Cheri received the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest honours for transforming human rights legislation in Canada and for her contributions to politics in Ontario. From attending the first Pride celebration in 1971 to marching in the parade every year, Cheri remains committed to advocating for social justice, raising her voice and fostering inclusive communities.
“As I get older, it’s kind of even more important in a strange way. I mean the political situation in the world makes it more important,” says Cheri. “What I love about Pride from last year was there’s so many more people of colour and some of the volunteers were from around the world and I just thought that was great. I applaud the Pride board for making that a priority.”