Robinson, Svend (1952-)

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.