Toronto Bathhouse Raids
Photograph
Image
Video
Audio
Activities
Look
How does the presence of undercover police in the Toronto photograph change its significance?
Do
Compare “Operation Soap” with the Truxx and Le Mystique police raids in Montréal. List the similarities and differences in the causes and consequences of both events.
Details
Date 1980
Materials - Photograph
Historical Context
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- This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the February 1981 arrest of nearly 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people (mostly men) in Toronto.
- The arrests were part of a six-month undercover police operation known as “Operation Soap.”
- Police continued their undercover work after the arrests: five of the people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
- The arrests and the protests that followed were a flashpoint for community resistance, and became a key inspiration for future Toronto Pride festivals.
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police across Canada used existing Criminal Code restrictions on prostitution and indecency to prosecute 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.
“Operation Soap” was a six-month undercover Toronto police operation that led to hundreds of arrests during raids on bars and bathhouses on the night of February 5, 1981.
Reaction was swift: more than 3,000 protesters marched to the police station closest to the raids, demanding justice.
This photo of the protests has become iconic. It also reflects ongoing undercover police surveillance of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: at least five people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
The Toronto bathhouse raids were a turning point in the history of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In addition to numerous protests and marches, 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and their allies raised funds for the legal defence of those arrested.
Today, Toronto’s Pride event is one of the largest festivals in the city, while also being rooted in a history of resistance.
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police forces across the country used existing “bawdy house” laws, which were 19th century Criminal Code provisions barring brothels, or establishments used for prostitution. The police also invoked updated indecency laws which, after 1969, only permitted consensual sex between two same-sex partners in private.
On the night of February 5, 1981, Toronto police ended a six-month undercover operation with raids on bars and bathhouses across the city. “Operation Soap,” as it was known, resulted in nearly 300 arrests, although no instances of prostitution were ever prosecuted.
The following night, more than 3,000 protesters marched through downtown Toronto to one of the police detachments involved in the raids.
This photograph of protesters on Yonge Street has become an iconic image of community resistance during the period. It also reflects police surveillance techniques in relation to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: five of the people in the foreground were undercover police officers.
The Toronto raids were a galvanizing moment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Funds were raised to support the legal defence of the men arrested, while numerous protests and marches continued. Toronto’s Pride festivities, which dated back to the early 1970s, also became a key point of community affirmation. Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto was formally incorporated in June 1981.
- This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the February 1981 arrest of nearly 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people (mostly men) in Toronto.
- The arrests were part of a six-month undercover police operation known as “Operation Soap.”
- Police continued their undercover work after the arrests: five of the people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
- The arrests and the protests that followed were a flashpoint for community resistance, and became a key inspiration for future Toronto Pride festivals.
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police across Canada used existing Criminal Code restrictions on prostitution and indecency to prosecute 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.
“Operation Soap” was a six-month undercover Toronto police operation that led to hundreds of arrests during raids on bars and bathhouses on the night of February 5, 1981.
Reaction was swift: more than 3,000 protesters marched to the police station closest to the raids, demanding justice.
This photo of the protests has become iconic. It also reflects ongoing undercover police surveillance of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: at least five people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
The Toronto bathhouse raids were a turning point in the history of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In addition to numerous protests and marches, 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and their allies raised funds for the legal defence of those arrested.
Today, Toronto’s Pride event is one of the largest festivals in the city, while also being rooted in a history of resistance.
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police forces across the country used existing “bawdy house” laws, which were 19th century Criminal Code provisions barring brothels, or establishments used for prostitution. The police also invoked updated indecency laws which, after 1969, only permitted consensual sex between two same-sex partners in private.
On the night of February 5, 1981, Toronto police ended a six-month undercover operation with raids on bars and bathhouses across the city. “Operation Soap,” as it was known, resulted in nearly 300 arrests, although no instances of prostitution were ever prosecuted.
The following night, more than 3,000 protesters marched through downtown Toronto to one of the police detachments involved in the raids.
This photograph of protesters on Yonge Street has become an iconic image of community resistance during the period. It also reflects police surveillance techniques in relation to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: five of the people in the foreground were undercover police officers.
The Toronto raids were a galvanizing moment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Funds were raised to support the legal defence of the men arrested, while numerous protests and marches continued. Toronto’s Pride festivities, which dated back to the early 1970s, also became a key point of community affirmation. Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto was formally incorporated in June 1981.
Summary
- This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the February 1981 arrest of nearly 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people (mostly men) in Toronto.
- The arrests were part of a six-month undercover police operation known as “Operation Soap.”
- Police continued their undercover work after the arrests: five of the people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
- The arrests and the protests that followed were a flashpoint for community resistance, and became a key inspiration for future Toronto Pride festivals.
Essential
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police across Canada used existing Criminal Code restrictions on prostitution and indecency to prosecute 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.
“Operation Soap” was a six-month undercover Toronto police operation that led to hundreds of arrests during raids on bars and bathhouses on the night of February 5, 1981.
Reaction was swift: more than 3,000 protesters marched to the police station closest to the raids, demanding justice.
This photo of the protests has become iconic. It also reflects ongoing undercover police surveillance of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: at least five people in the photograph were undercover police officers.
The Toronto bathhouse raids were a turning point in the history of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In addition to numerous protests and marches, 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and their allies raised funds for the legal defence of those arrested.
Today, Toronto’s Pride event is one of the largest festivals in the city, while also being rooted in a history of resistance.
In-Depth
This photograph depicts protesters marching to denounce the arrest of close to 300 2SLGBTQIA+ people — predominately male — in Toronto in February 1981.
Police forces across the country used existing “bawdy house” laws, which were 19th century Criminal Code provisions barring brothels, or establishments used for prostitution. The police also invoked updated indecency laws which, after 1969, only permitted consensual sex between two same-sex partners in private.
On the night of February 5, 1981, Toronto police ended a six-month undercover operation with raids on bars and bathhouses across the city. “Operation Soap,” as it was known, resulted in nearly 300 arrests, although no instances of prostitution were ever prosecuted.
The following night, more than 3,000 protesters marched through downtown Toronto to one of the police detachments involved in the raids.
This photograph of protesters on Yonge Street has become an iconic image of community resistance during the period. It also reflects police surveillance techniques in relation to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: five of the people in the foreground were undercover police officers.
The Toronto raids were a galvanizing moment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and its allies. Funds were raised to support the legal defence of the men arrested, while numerous protests and marches continued. Toronto’s Pride festivities, which dated back to the early 1970s, also became a key point of community affirmation. Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto was formally incorporated in June 1981.