Tom Hooper, a professor in the Department of Equity Studies, discussed the history of the bathhouse raids, which led to the first Pride parade, in a recent Toronto Today article. On June 22, LGBTQ+ activists and historians gathered for the unveiling of a new plaque commemorating Toronto’s bathhouse raids. Protests surrounding the raids led to the city’s first-ever Pride parade.
The raids took place in 1981, when police arrested 309 gay men who were gathering peacefully. Hooper said that while he is proud of the plaque, he wishes it contained more information about the events, as well as other bathhouse raids in the city, so that details of this important history are not forgotten.
Hooper holds a PhD in history from 91ÑÇÉ«. His work has explored topics such as the bathhouse raids, the construction of queer historical narratives and the misuse of heritage grants donated to 2SLGBTQ+ organizations. His research specialisms include human rights, law and justice and 2SLGBTQ+ history.
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