My Purge Story: A First Hand Account from a Gay Purge Survivor

In 1982, Steven Deschamps, a dedicated RCAF officer, was purged from the Canadian Armed Forces for being gay.
This memoir tells his powerful story from passionate cadet to a decorated military officer. Despite early tragedies and identity struggles, his passion for the military never wavered. Until the Purge.

As this dark period in Canadian history began, Steven faced intense scrutiny, interrogations, and humiliating interviews, leading to his discharge as "no longer advantageously employable." He battled despair, addiction, depression, and PTSD, all while facing a terminal illness diagnosis.

After years of suffering and against all odds, he challenged the military and in 1992 became the first openly gay man to re-enrol. From there he was finally able to thrive and fulfill his dreams of a celebrated, impactful, and successful military career, leaving a lasting impact on the Canadian Forces and with all those he served with.

My Purge Story is a testament to a man who faced years of prejudice, and hate and turned that adversity into a legacy of courage and pride.