Harvey Brownstone

Harvey Brownstone (born July 24, 1956) is a retired lawyer and judge of the Ontario Court of Justice, and the first openly gay judge in Canada. He is also a bestselling author and host of an internet talk show. His first book, Tug of War: A Judge's Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court, was published by ECW Press in 2009. His memoir, Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge, was published by ECW Press in May 2026. A feature film directed by Shane Stanley and based on the memoir is scheduled for release in late 2026. After his mother split from his birth father, they relocated to Hamilton, Ontario.

His adoptive father, Sam Brownstone, was the director of the Hamilton Jewish Community Centre for many years.

Brownstone experienced severe bullying beginning in the fourth grade.

He received his LL.B. degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, in 1980. Brownstone presided in both criminal court and family court. Brownstone is regularly called upon to speak at events organized by Pro Bono Students Canada. On May 13, 2016 Brownstone was presented with a Pro Bono Students Canada Supporter Award at the organization's 20th-anniversary gala dinner held at the Law Society of Upper Canada's Convocation Hall.

On June 14, 2008, at New York City Hall, Brownstone was presented with a proclamation signed by New York State Senator Thomas Duane in recognition of Brownstone's role in having officiated at hundreds of same-sex weddings for New York citizens who travelled to Toronto to get married.

The following year, he contributed a chapter highlighting Ontario's case management system to a book entitled Innovations for Self-Represented Litigants published in the United States by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. His commentary on the family justice system has been cited in relation to subsequent reforms enacted by the Attorney General.

In 2015, Brownstone was a candidate for the position of Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, National Post journalist Christie Blatchford described a "judicial smear campaign" aimed at derailing Brownstone's candidacy. Following his retirement from the judiciary, Brownstone publicly criticized the recruitment and selection process for the position in a December 2022 media interview describing it as "a fiasco". Retirement from the judiciary Brownstone retired from the judiciary in December 2021 to devote his full attention to his online talk show, Harvey Brownstone Interviews.

Following his retirement from the judiciary, Brownstone wrote a memoir in which he criticized aspects of the Canadian family and criminal justice systems. and misplaced priorities, arguing that some judges focus on career advancement rather than actively resolving problems for litigants appearing before them.

Brownstone is the recipient of two Distinguished Alumni Awards from Queen's University Faculty of Law, making him the only alumnus of Queen's University Law School to receive two Distinguished Alumni Awards.

LGBTQ2+ advocacy In 2007, Brownstone officiated the marriage of Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer in Toronto, a marriage which triggered the constitutional litigation at the United States Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage (United States v. Windsor).

Brownstone reflected on his experiences as Canada's first openly gay judge and his role in the legal evolution of same-sex marriage in a chapter of LGBTQ2+ Law: Practice Issues and Analysis (Emond Publishing, 2019).

On June 5, 2023, Brownstone was chosen to officially launch Pride Month in New York City with a special event at the Stonewall Inn.

Media and books Although judges rarely speak publicly about their work or engage with the media, Brownstone was a notable exception to this norm. His media appearances and public outreach made him prominent within the Canadian justice system. Legal commentators have described him as a pioneer in shifting the public image of the judiciary. Brownstone frequently speaks at universities and legal conferences, often focusing on public education regarding divorce and family law. Following an appearance on the CBC Radio program Out in the Open, his interview received widespread engagement. In October 2020, Brownstone hosted, Examination in Chief, a 5-part podcast series exploring the relationship between the criminal justice system and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Harvey Brownstone Interviews

In 2021, Brownstone launched Harvey Brownstone Interviews, an online talk show featuring interviews with notable individuals. It is broadcast via Youtube and podcast apps, is and televised on XPTV1 in the United Kingdom. Notable guests on his program include Robert Wagner, Louis Gossett Jr., Tim Rice, Ann-Margret, William H. Macy, and Tina Sinatra. He has interviewed the children of cinematic legends including Errol Flynn, Orson Welles, Hedy Lamarr, Boris Karloff, and John Garfield.

Brownstone has appeared as a guest on podcasts, television shows, and media print articles. and is the subject of a feature film directed by Shane Stanley scheduled for release in late 2026.

Tug of War Brownstone serves as a commentator on family law and divorce issues in the Canadian national media. He authored the book Tug of War, examining family law and divorce. The publication received endorsements from members of the Canadian and American judiciary, including a cover blurb from retired Supreme Court of Canada Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé.

The book has been cited internationally by legal academics and jurists. In the United Kingdom, commentators advocating for multidisciplinary training in social work and mediation for legal professionals have referenced Tug of War to support integrated approaches to family law education. All the royalties from the book are donated directly to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada.

Family Matters In 2010, Brownstone hosted an online talk show, Family Matters with Justice Harvey Brownstone, making him the first sitting Canadian judge to host a talk show. The initial eight-episode season was distributed online and focused on foundational family law topics, including child support, mediation, and prenuptial agreements. Brownstone participated in the production without financial remuneration, covering his own travel and accommodation expenses.

Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement Brownstone has spoken publicly and written about the role he played in officiating Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer's historic marriage. In Edith Windsor's autobiography, published posthumously, she writes about the impact of having Brownstone officiate at her wedding. Brownstone was featured in the critically acclaimed documentary Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement.

Windsor, at age 85, made a return trip to Toronto to celebrate WorldPride, and was cited by Brownstone as "the Rosa Parks of the gay rights movement". and gave a joint presentation at the WorldPride International Human Rights Conference on June 25, 2014.

Personal life In 2019, Brownstone moved to Niagara Falls, Ontario, after living in Toronto for 40 years.

Awards and honours 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2008: Xtra Award for Best Behind-the-Scenes Champion 2016: Queen's University Faculty of Law Justice Thomas Cromwell Distinguished Public Service Award 2024: Queen's University Faculty of Law J.A. Corry Distinguished Alumni Award

Published works Tug of War: A Judge's Verdict on Separation, Custody Battles and the Bitter Realities of Family Court (ECW Press, 2009). "The Homosexual Parent in Custody Disputes", Queen's Law Journal, vol. 5, no. 2. Without Prejudice: My Life as a Gay Judge (ECW Press, 2026).