Yesterday Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized for the so-called "gay purge'" from 1950 through the 90s, when military members and government staff were removed for their sexual orientation.

While it's a start on the path to healing, Moose Jaw Pride Executive Director Joe Wickenhauser says there is still a lot of work to do before the LGBTQ community is widely accepted, saying some people are already questioning why an apology was needed in the first place.

"When I actually heard the apology I think I was deeply moved. It was a very profound look at the history of the mistreatment of the LGBTQ community. The apology really resonated with me personally because I've done a lot of historical research in Saskatchewan and in Moose Jaw. There have been people in this community who were sentenced to lengthy prison terms because of their sexual orientation."

Wickenhauser says it was an apology that was a long time coming, but he is still very pleased that the LGBTQ community has received an official apology from the federal government.

"Justin Trudeau also said in his speech that 'We will never do this again, and that we need to move forward', and I think there was also some hope from the other party leaders who were promising to hold the Prime Minister to account and to say we are going to tackle some of these tough issues that continue to face the community."