Awareness
Setting the Stage for Resistance
Many are familiar with the Toronto Bathhouse Raids of February 1981, but the lesser-known Edmonton Bathhouse Raids occurred that same year. Between 1969 and 1981, Canada witnessed dozens of such raids, resulting in hundreds of arrests. While these raids were not unprecedented, 1981 marked a turning point—the year the Canadian queer community began to resist.
How Events Unfolded at Pisces
In February 1981, nine young undercover police detectives infiltrated the Pisces Spa, a bathhouse for gay men. Over several weekends, they mingled with patrons, meticulously documenting their activities.
On May 30, 1981, at approximately 1:30 AM, forty Edmonton Police officers, six RCMP officers, and two Crown attorneys raided the Pisces Health Spa. They arrested 56 men and charged them, while six owners and employees were accused of running a common bawdy house.
The raid was meticulously planned, with two Crown Prosecutors present and courthouse staff prepared for an extraordinary middle-of-the-night arraignment. The arrested men were transported to the courthouse, denied counsel, and only released around daybreak.
Community Response
In solidarity, Edmonton’s gay community rallied together. Flashback and The Roost, the city’s main gay bars, provided spaces for the arrested men to meet and strategize their legal defences. Lawyers offered their assistance at these bars, guiding the men through their legal options.
As the trials progressed throughout the summer, it became clear that the arrests had not intimidated the gay community. Instead, they galvanized it. Protests in front of city hall highlighted the injustice, reflecting the community’s growing resolve.
The Formation of Edmonton Pride
The aftermath of the raid left the Edmonton gay community frustrated but determined. In June 1982, the city’s first Pride events took place under the theme “Gay Pride Through Unity,” drawing 250 participants. These events evolved into Gay and Lesbian Awareness Week in 1984.
It took a decade after the raid for Edmonton’s first Pride Protest/Parade to occur, where some participants wore bags over their heads to conceal their identities. Official recognition came in 1993 when Mayor Jan Reimer proclaimed Gay and Lesbian Pride Day.
Additional Resources
