The Pisces Bathhouse Raid occurred in
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...
on May 30, 1981.
It is a significant event in the city's LGBT history.
The raid was part of a broader pattern of police harassment of the LGBTQ+ community across Canada, despite the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969
The Edmonton Bathhouse raid involved approximately 40 Edmonton Police Service officers and 7 RCMP officers, arresting 56 men and as "found-ins" of a "bawdy house" (a place for prostitution or indecent acts) and six employees. The raid began just after 1:30 in the morning.
Two Crown Prosecutors were present as well.
The media coverage of the raid and the subsequent trials showed Edmonton's public that there was a large gay population in Edmonton, and many in Edmonton were critical of the raids. The outrage and injustice of the raid galvanized Edmonton's 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Many felt that staying "under the radar" was no longer an option. The Gay Alliance Towards Equality (GATE) and the Privacy Defence Committee (PDC) were quickly formed to organize protests, raise funds for legal defense, and fight the charges against the arrested men.
Edmonton's first
Pride
Pride is a human Emotion, secondary emotion characterized by a sense of satisfaction with one's Identity (philosophy), identity, performance, or accomplishments. It is often considered the opposite of shame or of humility and, depending on conte ...
events were held the following year in 1982, under the theme "Gay Pride Through Unity," directly in response to the raid.
In May 2021 on the 40th anniversary of the raids, the Edmonton Police Service issued a formal apology to the LGBTQ2S+ community acknowledging the pain, eroded trust, and fear their actions caused.
.
References
History of Edmonton
LGBTQ in Alberta
1981 in LGBTQ history
May 1981 in Canada
LGBTQ history in Canada
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