Cheri DiNovo

Image: Museum of Toronto.

Cheri DiNovo was the first minister to perform a legal same-sex marriage in Canada. Her support for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights shines through in her political work of passing inclusive legislation.

Born in 1951 | United Church of Canada Minister, Activist, and Politician

Reverend Doctor Cheri DiNovo is an ordained United Church minister who performed Canada’s first legalized same sex marriage. Cheri is a Member of the Order of Canada, recognized for her contributions to provincial politics and for her lifelong advocacy of social justice. As the former Member of Provincial Parliament for Parkdale–High Park in Ontario, Cheri passed into law more pro-LGBTQ2+ legislation than anyone in Canadian history including Toby’s Act, which added trans rights to Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

DiNovo is currently the minister at Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre for Faith, Justice, and the Arts – continuing her lifelong commitment to social justice advocacy.

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