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The 519: On September 14, 2000, Pussy Palace – a bathhouse event for women and trans folks – was getting into full swing…. That night, the party – held at Club Toronto, the space known today as Oasis Aqualounge – met a similar fate other establishments had recently endured when they were raided by police…

For over a century, Western states have scapegoated Asian migrant sex working women as “temptations” or victims to justify tighter borders, anti-immigrant restrictions and more policing–yet these workers have been left out of social movements. We explore how solidarity with migrant sex workers can strengthen movements for migrant justice, and the abolition of police, prisons, borders and racial capitalism.

Now Toronto: In honour of Pride 2023, Queer & Now spoke with several of the people involved in various protests against bathhouse raids that took place in the GTA.

Locating Sex Work in Conversations on Care

Anti-sex work “feminists” are well-organized, funded and legitimized right-wing forces. Join sex worker activists as we discuss the TERF agenda and how leftists can fight the sneaky forms of fascism that today pose as “feminism”.

Hate and exclusion of sex workers and trans people is not a feminist position; it's a threat to democracy and justice for everyone. Join sex worker and trans activists thinkers in conversation on how leftist feminists are fighting the sneaky forms of fascism that today pose as “feminism”.

What does LGBT2S+ health-care have to do with defunding the police?

CTV News: Chanelle Gallant is one of two original members of the Toronto Women's Bathhouse Committee, Along with JP Hornick, she has created an open letter to Toronto Mayor John Tory and TPS Board Chair Jim Hart opposing the appointment of Myron Demkiw as the city's next chief of police.

Toronto Star: Group of women affected by the crackdown — described as a “flagrant” violation of charter rights — writes open letter to mayor and TPS board members decrying Myron Demkiw’s appointment

Presented with Kai Cheng Thom

What is the role of sexual liberation in the fight against racialized capitalism and patriarchal violence? Presented with Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson and M. Adams.

The far right mob storming the US Capitol building on January 6th caused outrage across the world, but this kind of event is part of a long history of white organized backlash to Black-led struggle and victories. Join Showing Up for Racial Justice to learn more about this historical trend and to join the work of fighting back.

Why do so many people assume that migrant sex workers are all victims of human trafficking? What would it take to move from a "criminalization approach" to migrant sex work to a liberatory approach?

NOW Magazine: Channelle Gallant, fundraising director at Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network, says, “I have been working with and advocating alongside migrant sex workers for years now and none of them have ever expressed the need for the protection from a federal counter-terrorism unit. But they have been very clear about the need for better labour and human rights protections in their workplaces.”

Another Story Books, in collaboration with The 519, organized a teach-in about trans folks and allyship, as a response to transphobic actions at major institutions within the unceded indigenous territories currently known as Toronto.

The Washington Post: Negotiating consent is central to the actual work of sex work.

Conversation and filk screening with Leanne Simpson, Zainab Amadahy, Chanelle Gallant and special guest, Kerieva McCormick Glasgow-based Romani activist. Moderated by Carol Lynne D'Arcanglis and emceed by Sheryl Lindsay.

Esquire Magazine: Women in the industry say now they'll have no choice but to work the streets.

Xtra: On Nov 30, 2016, Xtra Spark received this letter from a group of LGBTQ women in Toronto, demanding accountability from police and elected officials for the recent Project Marie sting operation.

The Advocate: Pride Toronto's clash with Black Lives Matter brought up some old skeletons in the closet of the city's LGBT history.

The Globe and Mail: On Sept. 14, 2000, Toronto Police raided the Club Toronto bathhouse during an event called the Pussy Palace, organized by the Toronto Women's Bathhouse Committee.

CBC News: Chanelle Gallant, a member of the Pussy Palace Collective that was the target of a raid in 2000, says the Toronto police apology isn't meaningful.

Radio Canada International: Sex-workers are gathering in Toronto today with other interested parties at a public forum to address growing problems advocates say, are brought on by anti-trafficking campaigns.