Thursday, June 23, 2022

GAY PRIDE- PUSSY PALACE RAID


We may have thought that the Compton Cafeteria Riots and the Stonewall Riots and numerous bath houses were the last of the huge police driven raids, but they weren't. The Pussy Palace Raid occurred on September 14,2000, when Toronto police raided a lesbian bathhouse known as the "Pussy Palace" during the "2000 Pussies" event. Two undercover female police officers attended and investigated the event prior to the raid. Five plainclothes male officers then entered and searched the club, including private rooms. There were around 350 women in attendance at the time, many of whom were nude or semi-clad. While no charges were laid that night, but weeks later, two volunteers were charged with Liquor License Act violations. The charges were dismissed by the Ontario Court Justice in 2002 stating the search was carried out in an unreasonable manner. The Women's Bathhouse Committee filed a complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 2001 which was settled with Toronto Police Services Board in 2004. As part of the settlement the Toronto Police Service were required to enhance their efforts to recruit gay officers and adopt a "gender-sensitive" policy. For many the raid was frightfully similar to the Toronto Bathhouse Raids of 1981, also called Operation Soap, in which over 250 were arrested. The community was so outraged after the Pussy Palace raid, that two weeks after that raid, hundreds of the community showed up and protested back called Pussies Bite Back.  They also raised over $10,000 in only 10 minutes to pay for the court case fees. The criminal charges were eventually dropped against the organizers of the Pussy event, and they won a $350 thousand settlement, which they in turn donated to LGBT charities. So tonight, raise your glass to the Pussy Palace.

Happy Pride🌈

15 comments:

  1. Yeah, that stupid raid really backfired on the Toronto police.

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    1. At least that raid had a good outcome, and they won the funds and did lots of good with it. As Anne Marie would say, Fuck the Toronto police.

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  2. Yeah, People think that raids are a thing of the last century. We take too many rights for granted. As I see it, the conservatives want LGBTQ people back in the closet ASAP.

    XOXO

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    1. That better be one hell of a HUGE closet then....for them...not us!!!

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  3. I think in the UK we also take our rights for granted and they are slowly being eroded by stealth.
    Have a great weekend!
    Sx

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    1. Just wait till Bozo overturns the Human Rights Act! Then we'll all be for it.

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  4. Fascinating. First I heard of this raid.

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  5. Incredible that this happened in 2000 and in Toronto. I’ve just raised my tea cup to the Pussy Palace.

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  6. Don't make the mistake thinking this is some sad, distant outrage the likes of which we're safe from now. Getting Roe v. Wade overturned is just encouragement conservatives need to attack progressives on all sides now, including the queer community.

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    1. I fear for 'Merka, now the lunatics have taken over the asylum. And you thought Trump was defeated? Jx

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    2. I fear there is no turning back boys. Jon has put it best. The lunatics are now running the asylum

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  7. I always fear, especially in this new political climate that raids like that will happen again, that even my simple LGBTQ reading group will somehow be fined because we are choosing to read and discuss books that celebrate LGBTQ life.

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  8. this is a heartening tale; thank you for sharing it.

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  9. Anonymous7/10/2022

    Scott from Massachusetts said..

    Awesome, that Pussy Power Palace was awarded, the money !! Geez, pretty soon we won't even be able to go to a NPP (no pants party), conducting by consenting adults, in the privacy of their own homes or rented hotel room, with some prudes lurking about to tell on us.

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    1. You can come here and we will still have a NPP!!!!!!! Nothing stands between me and cock!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!