Title and statement of responsibility area
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Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1967-2004 (Creation)
- Creator
- Robinson, Svend (1952-)
Physical description area
Physical description
3.44 m of textual records
2 photographs: col. ; 15 x 10 cm
1 photograph: col. ; 12.8 x 8.7 cm
Publisher's series area
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Svend Robinson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States on March 4, 1952. He was a Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party for ridings in Burnaby, British Columbia from 1979 until 2004. Robinson grew up in Burnaby and worked at Frontier College as a labourer-teacher working with northern Ontario miners, aboriginal people and community members. He studied science and law at the University of British Columbia and completed his post graduate studies at the London School of Economics. Robinson worked as a solicitor and barrister after being called to the bar in 1978. Robinson served on several committees and helped found the Parliamentary sub-committee on International Human Rights and Democratic Development. Robinson is one of the longest serving Member of Parliament in Canada. On February 29, 1988, he publicly came out as the first openly Member of Parliament and has been awarded many national and international honours for his work for the LGBTQ community and human rights around the world. Robinson’s political career has involved legislations regarding amendments to the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code, the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations act, and same-sex marriage. In 2007, Robinson moved to Switzerland with his partner Max Riveron to pursue a position with Public Services International. In 2018, he ended his tenure as a consultant for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Geneva.
Custodial history
The records were maintained at Robinson’s office in Ottawa and Burnaby and then donated to the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in 1997, 2001, and 2004 by Svend Robinson.
Scope and content
This fonds consist of records relating to the life and work of Svend Robinson as Member of Parliament. Included in the fonds are correspondence, memoranda, reports, pamphlets, notes, press releases, press coverage, newspaper and periodical clippings, information kits, minutes and agendas, issues of ‘Ottawa Inside Out’ and ‘Ottawa Update’, speeches, copies of legal documents, copies of Hansard debates, flyers, post cards, greeting cards, petitions, and submissions to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights from various organizations and individuals. Records also relate to other LGBTQ issues and topics, including international rights, health, labour, and youth.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
As there was little distinguished order to files as originally received, the arrangement of series was imposed by the archivist to facilitate access. Several files were artificially constructed from loose records. Several reports and articles have been transferred to the monograph collection.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Any personal letters sent to Robinson are not to be publicly disclosed until 20 years after the creation of the letter.
Restricted files:
F0049-04-17 Bill C-23: Correspondence from constituents concerned with Bill C-23
F0049-04-21 Bill C-23
F0049-05-01 940 8615 Same-sex benefits – House of Commons complaint
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).
Preferred Citation: Svend Robinson fonds, F0049, Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Finding aids
Associated materials
An appendix of a bibliography of records in the monograph collection, periodicals, and rare books is available.
Accruals
Alternative identifier(s)
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Access points
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Name access points
- Robinson, Svend (1952-) (Subject)