Monday, June 13, 2016

Toronto PRIDE murals

In support of Orlando after that horrific hate crime I am posting photos of Toronto's fabulous murals supporting the LBGT community. June is PRIDE month and Toronto is gearing up for our huge parade on July 3, celebrating its 35 years of history.

These photos were taken in 2014. I will be checking out the murals this year.

#PrayforOrlando

Elicser







I found the following information about the infamous bathhouse raids at Pride Toronto.

February 5, 2016, marks the 35th anniversary of Toronto’s infamous Bathhouse Raids, the catalyst for Pride in our city.

At 11PM on February 5, 1981, 150 plain clothed and uniformed Metro Toronto police officers, carrying crowbars and sledgehammers, in an act of violence staged raids of four bathhouses. The raids on The Club Baths, The Romans II Health and Recreation Spa, The Barracks and The Richmond Street Emporium were a culmination of a 6-month undercover operation by police known as “Operation Soap,” a deliberate and organized campaign to push gay bathhouses out of business and silence gay voices. Police verbally and physically abused patrons and staff, inflicting thousands of dollars in property damage to the premises. There were 289 arrests of those present, under “bawdy house” laws, on charges of prostitution and indecency. The extent of arrests would not be seen in Canada again until the G20 summit protests in 2010.

Large-scale community response formed quickly in the days and months following, sparked by outrage of police harassment, frustrations and anger. Anxiousness and fears of outings and firings, combined with uneasiness, led to the country’s largest gay rights demonstrations. The Right To Privacy Committee, who defended those arrested, organized protests, spurring Pride in Toronto. Community organizations saw massive growths and collaborated together with Black and immigrant communities to demand police accountability, and fought for city and public-led inquires into the raids.

 This mural is dedicated to the raid, by Christiano De Araujo.









Also by Christiano De Araujo.












20 comments:

  1. The murals are fabulous, Jackie! Why do we have to be so intolerant? Surely any expression of love is better than the alternative. Thank you for a wonderful share.

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  2. For some odd reason only four of your photos opened, but one that did was of the rainbow crosswalk. We also have those in the Capitol Hill district of Seattle. A nice tribute to the tragedy in Orlando.

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  3. WOW, there's no missing these!

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  4. I live in the Village in Toronto and absolutely love the murals that decorate our amazing streets. I am so glad you decided to share them today and highlight the love within the community.

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  5. Amazing art work although some faces are a bit scary

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  6. love the murals. It was terrible what happened in Orlando.

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  7. Very fitting given the events of the weekend.

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  8. Thank you for sharing this. They are strong a powerful. I didn't know that sad and horrible story of the raids. I hope the world can move towards full tolerance.

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  9. Wonderful murals. Thanks for showing these.

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  10. nice images/murals. very interesting post.

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  11. I love street art and this is a fabulous and fascinating collection. Happy travels.

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  12. These brilliant murals are a great way of showing support in the community.

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  13. Amazing art. I love street art anywhere. I just don't get intolerance at all, and never have. It baffles me why people are so hateful

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  14. Great street art with a real purpose!

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  15. So the images change every year? That is pretty neat. We have an art alley here and every time I go there it is different.

    Lisa @ Life Thru the Lens

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  16. What incredible murals but what an awful time in Canadian history . . . I just wish nothing like that ever happens again in Canada or anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately though I think my wishes are unlikely to come true given what recently happened in Orlando and the every day prejudice in much of the Islamic world. We need more love in this world and lots of kinder words for everyone no matter what your sexuality, race, creed or gender identity.

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  17. When we were in Toronto we stayed in a guest house just across the road from a couple of those murals - Monteith Street. Nice to recognise them again!
    The Glasgow Gallivanter

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  18. Great post in support of LBGT. Everyone should be allowed to live their life the way they want to live it without exception.

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