Today, we have an excerpt from Without Prejudice, the memoir of Harvey Brownstone, Canada’s first openly gay judge. The book tracks his life from his tumultuous childhood, through to his distinguished judicial career. The memoir is also in the process of being adapted into a movie of the same name, and starring David Arquette.
The excerpt covers some of the author’s thoughts on life on the bench, what it means to be a judge, and some of his early observations and training.
The book is out now, published by ECW Press. Here’s the synopsis:
This searing and unforgettable memoir chronicles the turbulent trajectory of Canada’s first openly gay judge. Harvey Brownstone recounts the astonishing obstacles he confronted and surmounted with fearless resolve, including parental rejection, poverty, depression, homophobia, institutional inertia, and professional sabotage.
Harvey Brownstone’s story is a tumultuous, sometimes hilarious, and uplifting journey from bullied child to outcast after coming out to his parents, to trailblazing lawyer, to distinguished judge.
Brownstone colorfully details his momentous and inventive judicial career marked by his numerous innovations of the justice system, particularly revolutionizing Ontario’s child support enforcement program.
In retirement, he is no longer shackled by the restraints traditionally imposed on the judiciary, and thus Brownstone provides a frank, unfiltered, and refreshing glimpse into the inner workings of the justice system, boldly delineating the strengths and weaknesses of criminal and family courts, both of which he claims are sorely in need of comprehensive reform. His remarkable story, reinventing himself from high-profile judge to highly acclaimed talk show host, is a testament to the resilience and triumph of the human spirit.
Civilian Reader 