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.