LEGIT HAMILTON draws inspitation from L.E.G.I.T./I.C.G.L. (Lesbian and Gay Immigration Task Force/Immigration pour Conjoint(e) des Gaies et Lesbiannes). It was founded in 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia when Canadian Christine Morissey was unable to sponsor her partner, Bridget Coll, to enter Canada. After Christine filed a lawsuit against the Canadian Immigration department in January, 1992, Bridget was granted permanent resident status in October, 1992 by Canada who wanted to avoid a court case.

L.E.G.I.T. assisted uniting couples through the use of the standard Canadian Independent Class visa application coupling it with a request for "Humanitarian & Compassionate" consideration. In the first 10 years of their efforts, about 1000 lesbian/gay couples have established themselves within Canada using this procedure.

L.E.G.I.T., through its continued efforts, became an excellent resource center for the Canadian Government to consult as it moved in 2000/01/02 to revamp its immigration processes. L.E.G.I.T. was highly responsible for favourably refining the process for admitting common-law and conjugal partners, as contained in the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations (Bill C-11, June 28, 2002). Same-sex partners are now rightly covered under the Family Class immigration process.

The Humanitarian & Compassionate Class is still applicable to couples who do not qualify under Family Class requirements.