Canada: Man waits 42 years to get apology over anti-gay yearbook photo
A man in British Columbia who had a homophobic remark written next to his photo in his high school yearbook has finally received a formal apology from the North Vancouver school board – more than 40 years after the incident took place.
Robin Tomlin says he was bullied during his time at Argyle Secondary School in North Vancouver in the late 1960s.
In 1970, the year that he graduated, Mr Tomlin was dismayed to see the word “Fag” written as a caption in his year book photo.
It served as a permanent reminder to his harrowing high school experience.
Following a social media campaign, 42 years after graduating, Mr Tomlin has now received a written apology.
He decided to take action after his daughter discovered his year book and encouraged him to tell his story.
Mr Tomlin will now receive a copy of his 1970 yearbook – without the offensive insult.
In a further twist, Mr Tomlin’s former class mates will also throw him a special graduation party, as he never managed to attend his original one.
He is now working with his old school to address the problem of online bullying.
