The Murder of Joe Rose

Feb 1

QUÉBEC, CANADA

In 1989, 23-year-old Joe Rose and a friend boarded a Montreal bus home in the early morning hours. What happened next would be described as a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Quebec.

Recommended resources for further reading:
Prejudice to pride: The forgotten murder of Joe Rose, by Richard Burnett, special to the Montreal Gazette
Sex Garage raid a turning point in Montreal’s LGBT activism by Richard Burnett, special to the Montreal Gazette
HIV basics from Catie.ca (Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information)
People living with HIV in Canada: infographic [PDF]

Canadian True Crime donates monthly. This month’s donation has gone to:
Interligne.co - offers 24/7 support to LGBTQ + people in both English and French, as well as their loved ones and staff in community, school, health and social services.
2SLGBTQIA+ Youth hotline: text or phone 1 888 505-1010 - there are no taboo subjects :)

Podcast recommendation:
Framed - An Investigative Story

Credits:
Research and 2SLGBTQIA+ content advise: Eliot Newton / Genderbandit
Writing and additional research: Kristi Lee
Audio editing and production: We Talk of Dreams
Disclaimer voiced by the host of True
Theme Song: We Talk of Dreams

Music credits:

Timecop1983 - Gone, Memories (first two tracks used) from the albums Lovers Parts 1 and 2.
Kevin McLeod / Incompetech - Mesmerize, Floating Cities, Lightless Dawn
Chris Zabriskie - There’s A Special Place For Some People, Cylinder Five, Cylinder Two
Kai Engel - Mist and Clouds, Sleepers, Chance, Onieri
Sergei Cherimisinov - Comets and Sparks, United Voyagers
Theme song by We Talk of Dreams

Download Transcript

Main information sources:
Court documents:
https://www.scc-csc.ca/case-dossier/info/dock-regi-eng.aspx?cas=31984

https://www.canlii.org/fr/qc/qcca/doc/2006/2006qcca1452/2006qcca1452.html

Articles and other resources:

Bernett, Richard. “Prejudice to pride: the forgotten murder of Joe Rose.” The Gazette. 20 March 2015.
Boisvert, Yves. “Meurtre dans un autobus: la STCUM condamnée à 25 194$.” La Presse. 23 March 1996.
Cherry, Paul. “Two guilty in gang shooting; Shooter, accomplice get life in prison for murder in St. Michel.” The Gazette. 03 July, 2002.

Southin, Brent and Emma Jones, “Rites - 'AIDS activist murdered in Montreal', and 'AIDS drugs - only for the rich?',” AIDS Activist History Project, accessed January 21, 2020, https://aidsactivisthistory.omeka.net/items/show/632.
Todd, Jack. “Battling on: Gay son’s 1989 slaying set father on a crusade.” The Gazette. 20 March 1991. Page A3.
Boisvert, Yves. “Meurtre dans un autobus: la STCUM condamnée à 25 194$.” La Presse. 23 March 1996.
Cherry, Paul. “Two guilty in gang shooting; Shooter, accomplice get life in prison for murder in St. Michel.” The Gazette. 03 July, 2002. A6.
Chunn, John. “Feds appoint four judges to Quebec Superior Court.” The Lawyer’s Daily. 05 June 2019. Accessed February 2 2020. https://www.thelawyersdaily.ca/articles/12799
Fitterman, Lisa. “Crown lawyer touts ‘victory for justice.’ Edmonton Journal. May 6, 2002.
Fitterman, Lisa. “Judge awards $25,000 to kin of gay man slain on bus.” The Gazette. 23 March, 1996. A3.
J Hale. “After Montreal, international AIDS conferences will never be the same.” Canadian Medical Association Journal, Volume 141, July 15 1989: pp. 144-146.
Kinsman, Gary. Interview with Karl Small. AIDS Activist History Project. https://aidsactivisthistory.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/aahp-karl-small-eng-final.pdf
Lamey, Mary. “Candles burn to mourn gay activist.” The Gazette. 16 March 1991. P A3.
Mennie, James. “Getting Away with Murder.” The Gazette, 28 October 1989. Page B-5.
Norris, Alexander. “Memorial service held for slain gay-rights activist.” The Gazette, 23 March 1989. Page A-3.
Michèle Ouimet. “... et ils souffrent de surmenage.” La Presse. 9 June 1989.
Picard, Andre. “How the advent of AIDS advanced gay rights.” The Globe and Mail. August 15, 2014. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/how-the-advent-of-aids-advanced-gay-rights/article20083869/?page=all
Public Health Agency of Canada. “HIV And AIDS in Canada: Surveillance Report to December 31, 2014.” Government of Canada: November, 2015.
Sarfati, Sonia. “Act Up, un groupe d’aide aux sidéens oeuvre maintenant à Montréal.” La Presse. 25 September 1989.
Todd, Jack. “Battling on: Gay son’s 1989 slaying set father on a crusade.” The Gazette. 20 March 1991. Page A3.
“6-month term angers father of slain teen.” The Gazette, 23 June 1989. Page A3.