The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled a commemorative loonie meant to mark what it calls a key milestone for lesbian, gay, transgender, queer and two-spirited people.
The agency says the new one-dollar coin pays tribute to Parliament's passing of legislation that ``initiated the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.''
The coin, which starts circulating today, combines the words ``Equality-Egalite'' with the work of Vancouver-based artist Joe Average.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau says there is more work to be done to advance equality and the federal government will continue to listen to the voices of protesters who are unhappy with the coin.
Historians and advocates attending today's unveiling raised concerns about the message behind the new loonie, saying it mistakenly suggests equality has been achieved and largely as a result of the federal government's actions.
The group also held a news conference near the mint's event to challenge myths surrounding the 1969 Criminal Code reform.