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106-627: The event has its roots in the protest movement against a police raid on the Pisces Spa, a gay bathhouse , on May 31, 1981. The first Pride celebration in Edmonton was a small picnic and campfire held in 1980 at Camp Harris and was attended by about 75 participants. In 1981, following the police raid at the Pisces Spa, a small group of queer Edmontonians participated in the Klondike Days Sourdough Raft Race with

212-410: A " lesbian " or "women only" night. Some, such as Hawks PDX , offer so-called "bisexual" nights, where anyone is welcome regardless of gender. Bathhouses vary considerably in size and amenities—from small establishments with 10 or 20 rooms and a handful of lockers to multi-story saunas with a variety of room styles or sizes and several steam baths , hot tubs , and sometimes swimming pools . Most have

318-547: A 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In 2011, Murray was presented with the President's Award at the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). CIP established the President's Award in 2006 to recognize achievement by a Canadian individual or organization whose significant contribution to the planning community warrants acknowledgment on a national level. In fall 2009, Murray began to be mentioned as

424-503: A candidate in the 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election but withdrew two weeks prior to the convention to throw his support to the eventual winner, Kathleen Wynne . The new premier returned Murray to cabinet, this time as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure . Murray's approach to implementing the government's plans for transit in Toronto resulted in resistance from both the federal and municipal government. Following

530-708: A condition of entry, some bathhouses now require customers to affirm in writing that they will only practice safe sex on the premises. In addition, venues frequently provide free condoms , latex gloves , and lubrication (and/or have them available for purchase). In New Zealand and Australia, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and constituent members of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations provide safe sex information for sex on site venue users. Some anti-bathhouse activists argue that these measures are not enough, given that it

636-538: A contained environment rather than outdoors even though users were still committing the homosexual sexual offence of gross indecency , until gross indecency was wiped from the statute books following the Sexual Offences Act 2003 . Gay bathhouses today continue to fill a similar function as they did historically. The community aspect has lessened in some territories, particularly where gay men increasingly tend to come out . Some men still use bathhouses as

742-569: A convenient, safe place to meet other men for sex. In areas where homosexuality is more accepted, safety may no longer be a primary attraction. Many bathhouses are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. There is typically a single customer entrance and exit. After paying at the main entrance, the customer is buzzed through the main door. This system allows establishments to screen potential troublemakers; many bathhouses refuse entry to those who are visibly intoxicated , as well as known prostitutes. In some areas, particularly where homosexuality

848-468: A date and we will meet at the baths purely because the sling is there and it's easier and we go for a beer afterwards. I use the bathhouse more as an ancient Greek, Roman social centre and also a fucking centre and a fisting centre as well, and there's a lounge where I can sit and relax with a coffee and a cigarette. Bathhouses are not always identifiable as such from the outside. Some bathhouses are clearly marked and well lit, others have no marking other than

954-452: A full-size model of an Everlast truck where visitors could have sex in the cab or in the rear, which served as an orgy room ... Man's Country also offered a [...] fake prison cell made of rubber bars. Many bathhouses sell food and drinks, cigarettes, pornography , sex toys , lubricants , and toiletries . Some bathhouses also provide non-sexual services such as massage and reflexology . Customers typically divide their time between

1060-426: A gay day" stating that if a special day for gays and lesbians was declared that "the next thing you know homosexuality will be mandatory." In response to the rejection of the proclamation, GALA decided to self-proclaim “Gay Day Anyway”, punctuated with a public rally and mock proclamation in the form of a special “silly city council meeting” held at Centennial Plaza with local actors playing the roles of city aldermen and

1166-463: A group of 120 supporters in the 519 Church Street Community Centre that he would campaign to defend his seat in the October provincial election . Murray vowed to stand up for civility and dignity. "Growing up as gay, I heard every ugly homophobic thing you can think of. I will stand up against every Tory that tries to take our rights away because that’s all they ever do." He was re-elected with 54.8% of

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1272-416: A gym's locker room or a small lobby. Many bathhouses also provide free condoms and lubricant . Some establishments require a piece of identification or an item of value to be left with the front desk on entry. Homosexualities emphasized the importance of a towel: Visiting a downtown gay bath was in many ways like revisiting a high-school gym – everyone wearing the same towel, in the same color, on

1378-518: A lack of funding and volunteers, as well as not fulfilling the mission to unify the community. SOC hosted its own Pride events in 2019 in the wake of the cancelled festival. Such events included a sober dance party and an informal discussion with Vivek Shraya , a trans artist and author. Official festivities were cancelled again in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . With pandemic restrictions still in place in 2021, Pride activities moved online with

1484-439: A major source of safer sex information, providing pamphlets and posting safer sex posters prominently (often on the walls of each room as well as in the common areas). In cities with larger gay populations, STD and HIV testing and counseling may be offered on-site for no charge. Glen Murray (politician) Glen Ronald Murray (born October 26, 1957) is a Canadian politician and urban issues advocate who served as

1590-639: A man interested in sadomasochism at the Lafayette two years earlier (he found the man "interesting" but the experience unappealing), and several men interviewed in the mid-1930s referred to experimenting in the baths and learning of new pleasures. In London, the Savoy Victorian-style Turkish Baths at 92 Jermyn Street became a favorite spot (opening in 1910 and remaining open until September 1975). The journalist A.J. Langguth wrote: "...[The baths at 92 Jermyn Street] represented

1696-427: A manner that allows or encourages customers to wander throughout the establishment; a space laid out in this way is often referred to as a "maze". Some bathhouses have a space where random, anonymous sex is all that can occur. These spaces—rooms, hallways, or mazes , sometimes with glory holes —have as their only illumination a (dim) red "Exit" sign, so one can have sex but one cannot see with whom. Other clubs, such as

1802-692: A period of time where Morrison and her family were threatened and her husband was assaulted over development-related issues. Murray maintains that the meeting was 'pleasant'. On August 18, 2010, Murray was first appointed by Premier Dalton McGuinty to cabinet as Minister of Research and Innovation and a year later as Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. He became Ontario Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure on February 11, 2013, in Premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberal government. As Minister of Research and Innovation Murray led Ontario's WaterTAP initiative. In support of

1908-977: A potential candidate for Mayor of Toronto in the 2010 municipal election . However, after provincial MPP George Smitherman confirmed his own intention to run for mayor, Murray announced in December that he would instead seek the Ontario Liberal nomination for the February 4, 2010 by-election to succeed Smitherman in Toronto Centre . Murray was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate at their nomination meeting on January 6, 2010. His stated priorities are building healthy, sustainable communities; providing quality, accessible health care; ensuring access to affordable housing; proposing innovative solutions to climate change; advancing human rights; and reducing

2014-539: A public area. This provides a place to have sex for those who could afford only a locker, and facilitated exhibitionism and voyeurism for those so inclined. Baths often have a (porn) TV room or snack bar where patrons can recuperate between orgasms. Some men use the baths as a cheaper alternative to hotels, despite the limitations of being potentially crowded public venues with only rudimentary rooms and limited or non-existent pass out privileges. These guys will actually call me at home or send me e-mails and we will make

2120-567: A raft by the name of S.S. Pisces. 1982 was Edmonton's first "Gay Pride Weekend" that took place from June 25–27. The theme of the weekend was "Pride Through Unity" and events were organized by seven local gay and lesbians groups. The weekend started with a drag show at local gay bar Flashback, sponsored by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, and later a Unity Dance at Phoenix Hall hosted by G.A.T.E. Edmonton that

2226-673: A sauna in Wellington Street , Collingwood . In many countries, being identified in such a sauna was still viewed by the press as scandalous. In Ireland in November 1994, the Incognito sauna made mainstream press as the gay sauna where a priest had died of a heart attack and two other priests were on hand to help out. Scott Capurro is known for his deliberately provocative comedy material and often refers to gay sexual culture including gay bathhouses. On being buzzed in,

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2332-415: A sauna normally needing the expense of undercover officers), a reduced likelihood of successful prosecution, concerns of being perceived as homophobic , and little public interest in victimless crime , gay saunas became free to operate without the risk of being raided by police. Also, police attitudes meant that they were more willing to turn a blind eye because they preferred such activity to take place in

2438-608: A significant majority of the votes in the Charleswood and St. James communities in the previous mayoralty election but could not translate that support in what was a close race against the rising popularity of the recently merged Conservative Party. The Liberals had held the seat by small margins in tight three-way races with the right-wing Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties. Murray has been involved in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention throughout his life. He

2544-407: A steam room (or wet sauna), dry sauna, showers, lockers, and small private rooms. In many countries, bathhouses are "membership only" (for legal reasons); though membership is generally open to any adult who seeks it, usually after paying a small fee. Unlike brothels , customers pay only for the use of the facilities. Sexual activity, if it occurs, is not provided by staff of the establishment, but

2650-542: A street address on the door. Bathhouses sometimes display the rainbow flag , which is commonly flown by businesses to identify themselves as gay-run or gay-friendly. Bathhouses commonly advertise widely in the gay press and sometimes advertise in mainstream newspapers and other media. In 2003 Australia began airing possibly the world's first television advertisements for a gay bathhouse when advertisements on commercial television in Melbourne promoted Wet on Wellington ,

2756-998: A time when homosexuality was strongly stigmatized and illegal. A tradition of public baths dates back to the 6th century BCE , and there are many ancient records of homosexual activity in Greece . In the West , gay men have been using bathhouses for sex since at least the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when homosexual acts were illegal in most Western countries and men who were caught engaging in homosexual acts were often arrested and publicly humiliated. Men began frequenting cruising areas such as bathhouses, public parks, alleys, train and bus stations, adult theaters, public lavatories ( cottages or tearooms ), and gym changing rooms where they could meet other men for sex. Some bathhouse owners tried to prevent sex among patrons while others, mindful of profits or prepared to risk prosecution, overlooked discreet homosexual activity. In New York City,

2862-560: A token of appreciation Murray was given an Eagle Feather by First Nations Leaders. The Eagle Feather stands as the highest honour with great cultural and spiritual significance. In 2003, Murray participated in the days of caring by the United Way in Winnipeg by funding a project to build an indoor playhouse. Murray provoked a revitalization plan to help create more affordable housing for low and moderate income citizens. The project

2968-533: A twilight arena for elderly men who came to sweat poisons from their systems and youths who came to strike beguiling poses in Turkish towels... although they were closely overseen by attendants, they provided a discreet place to inspect a young man before offering a cup of tea at Lyons ." Regulars included Rock Hudson . In the 1950s, Bermondsey 's Victorian-style Turkish Baths were rated by Kenneth Williams as "quite fabulous" in his diaries. Steambaths in

3074-605: A visiting fellow at Massey College . Murray became president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute in 2007. The Canadian Urban Institute is a Toronto-based urban policy institute conducting work across the country and around the globe. During Murray's tenure at the Institute became a national leader value planning, the application of return on investment models to infrastructure investment planning; cultural planning; and sustainable energy mapping. Murray

3180-451: A website. In 2013, Glen Murray invited the then-mayor of Caledon Marolyn Morrison to meet with him and discuss the future of the municipality, including development; something Morrison was against. Near the end of the meeting, Morrison alleges that Murray dismissed all staff members and attempted to intimidate her into moving forward with development, claiming that he could make 'complaints' about her 'go away'. This meeting occurred during

3286-506: Is between customers with no money exchanged. Many gay bathhouses, for legal reasons, explicitly prohibit and/or discourage prostitution and ban known prostitutes. Gay saunas have become important safe locations for men to meet and explore their sexuality, according to the LGBTQ+ community. These establishments first appeared in large European cities in the early 20th century, providing undercover and remote settings for same-sex interactions at

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3392-566: Is illegal, considered immoral, or viewed with hostility, this is a necessary safety precaution. Sexual encounters at bathhouses are frequently, but not always, anonymous. Some feel that the anonymity adds to the erotic excitement: that is what, for these patrons, one goes to the bathhouse for . Bathhouse encounters sometimes lead to relationships, but usually do not. Bathhouses are still used by men who have sex with men and do not identify as gay or bisexual , including those that are closeted or in heterosexual relationships. In many bathhouses

3498-442: Is not uncommon to see pornographic movies playing on wall-mounted televisions throughout the bathhouse. The same movies may be shown on smaller screens in the individual rooms, sometimes for an extra fee. Most men, beyond footwear, typically just wear the towel provided. According to bathhouse etiquette, it is perfectly acceptable, even friendly, to put one's hand under someone else's towel to feel his penis, which, if well received,

3604-541: Is one of the oldest gay saunas in Australia still in operation, having opened its doors to Adelaide's gay community in 1977. Gay saunas , as they are more commonly known in Australia and New Zealand, were present in most large cities in those countries by the late 1980s. As homosexuality was legalised in New Zealand and most Australian states during the 1970s and 1980s, there was no criminal conduct occurring on

3710-440: Is the first step in sexual intimacy. Some bathhouses permit and others not only permit but encourage total nudity. In some bathhouses nudity is forbidden in the common areas of the establishments. Some men may wear underwear or fetish-wear , but it is unusual for customers to remain fully or even partially dressed in street clothes. Bare feet are frequent, though some men prefer to wear flip flops or sandals , sometimes provided by

3816-687: Is the only pedestrian bridge with a restaurant on it in North America. Murray was an advocate of the proposal to create Red River College 's Princess Street Campus. The idea was to renovate an existing building on Princess Street as these buildings contained significant heritage value. This campus was selected to represent Canada at the Third International Green Building Challenge—Sustainable Buildings 2002, an internationally renowned forum that highlights environmentally friendly alternatives used in

3922-505: Is unclear how much of a role the events of April 4 played in the decision, the Edmonton Pride Festival was cancelled on April 10, 2019. The EPFS Board of Directors announced that following the results of their vote, the 2019 Edmonton Pride Festival would not go as planned. EPFS cited the "current political and social environment" would prevent them from hosting an enjoyable and safe festival. Additional factors cited include

4028-431: Is virtually impossible to monitor sexual activity in a bathhouse. However, while they acknowledge that closing gay bathhouses may force some men into unsafe or illegal situations in public parks and lavatories, they point out that they may be less likely to engage in anal or multi-partner sex, both of which put participants at greater risk for contracting STDs. Others counter these claims by pointing out that bathhouses are

4134-581: The 2004 Canadian federal election after several months of denying rumors to this effect. He ran as a candidate for the Liberal Party in the riding of Charleswood—St. James . On May 11, 2004, Murray announced his resignation as mayor of Winnipeg. He was one of the city's five longest-serving mayors. On June 28, 2004, Murray was defeated in his attempt to become a member of the House of Commons of Canada by Conservative Steven Fletcher . Murray had won

4240-406: The 2014 provincial election , in which Murray retained his seat with an increased majority, he was moved to the position of Minister of Environment and Climate Change. He resigned from cabinet on July 31, 2017. On April 29, 2020, Murray announced that he would be running to replace Elizabeth May in the 2020 Green Party of Canada leadership election after months of speculation. His candidacy

4346-610: The Everard (nicknamed "the Everhard") was converted from a church to a bathhouse in 1888 and was patronized by gay men before the 1920s and by the 1930s had a reputation as the "classiest, safest, and best known of the baths". It was damaged by fire on May 25, 1977, when nine men died and several others were seriously injured. The Everard closed in 1986. Also popular in the 1910s were the Produce Exchange Baths and

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4452-594: The Lafayette Baths (403–405 Lafayette Street, which from 1916 was managed by Ira & George Gershwin ). American precisionist painter Charles Demuth used the Lafayette Baths as his favorite haunt. His 1918 homoerotic self-portrait set in a Victorian Turkish bath is likely to have been inspired by it. The Penn Post Baths in a hotel basement (the Penn Post Hotel, 304 West 31st Street)

4558-586: The leadership of the Green Party of Canada , finishing fourth. In June 2022, Murray announced his candidacy for the position of Mayor of Winnipeg in the October 26, 2022 Winnipeg municipal election . He lost the election to Scott Gillingham . Murray was born in Montreal , Quebec to a Scottish father and a Ukrainian mother. While not being able to speak Ukrainian himself, he maintains close ties with

4664-617: The 1930s : The steambaths that had been well known to me were those of East Ham, Greenwich and Bermondsey. In the first two it was frequently possible to indulge in what the Spartacus Guide coyly describes as 'action', but behaviour at all times had to be reasonably cautious. In the Grange Road baths in Bermondsey, however, all restraint could immediately be discarded with the small towels provided to cover your nakedness." In

4770-1032: The 1950s, exclusively gay bathhouses began to open in the United States. Though subject to vice raids , these bathhouses were "oases of homosexual camaraderie" and were, as they remain today, "places where it was safe to be gay", whether or not patrons themselves identified as homosexual. The gay baths offered a much safer alternative to sex in other public places . In the late 1960s and 1970s, gay bathhouses—now primarily gay-owned and operated—became fully licensed gay establishments which soon became major gay institutions. These bathhouses served as informal gay meeting places, places where friends could meet, relax and have sex. Gay bathhouses frequently threw parties for Pride Day and were usually open, and busy, on public holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas , when some gay men, particularly those who had been rejected by their families due to their sexual orientation , had nowhere else to go. The American writer Truman Capote

4876-498: The 1970s bathhouses began to install "fantasy environments" which simulated erotic situations that would be illegal or dangerous in reality: Orgy rooms ... encouraged group sex, while glory holes recreated (public) toilets, and mazes took the place of bushes and undergrowth (in public parks). Steam rooms and gyms were reminiscent of the cruisy YMCAs, while video rooms recreated the balconies and back rows of movie theaters. A popular Chicago bathhouse called Man's Country provided

4982-523: The 41st Mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1998 to 2004, and was the first openly gay mayor of a large North American city. He subsequently moved to Toronto , Ontario , and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as a Liberal Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Toronto Centre in 2010, serving until 2017. In August 2010, he was appointed to the provincial cabinet as Minister of Research and Innovation. Murray

5088-606: The Continental Baths or the Club Baths of Washington, D.C., would have two or more bunk beds placed near each other, in a public area, thus providing a place to have sex for those who can afford only to rent a locker, and also maximizing the chances of being watched, for the exhibitionists so inclined. Rooms are usually grouped together, as are lockers. Bathhouses are frequently decorated with posters of nude or semi-nude men, and sometimes explicit depictions of sex. It

5194-579: The Delwin Vriend Defense Fund and a three-night film festival at Garneau Theatre . This year, despite objections of Alderman Ken Kozak, who said proclaiming a Gay Pride Day would be akin to “having a day for flying elephants,” City Council gave its approval for the Mayor Jan Reimer to proclaim gay and lesbian awareness day. However, Reimer was away on vacation and the acting Deputy Mayor Alderman Sheila McKay refused to sign

5300-611: The GALA '84 committee petitioned the City of Edmonton to declare June 27 as Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day, but it was rejected by Mayor Laurence Decore , with several alderman, including Julian Kinisky and Lyall Roper, speaking against the idea. GALA once again hosted Pride Week in 1985 with the years events including a jazz concert, a G.A.T.E. dance, a picnic in Rundle Park , and a wine and cheese event put on by Womonspace. Another request

5406-660: The Open Ontario plan to engage the global economy, Murray signed an agreement with Singapore on the development of clean water technologies that is the first of its kind in the world, and he completed an agreement to create the Ontario-Quebec Life Sciences Corridor to stimulate the flow of ideas and investment between these two robust innovation leaders. On Social Innovation, Murray collaborated with Ministers Hoskins and Broten on Ontario's first Open Source policy development plan, and launched

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5512-531: The Provincial Museum. The event was emceed by newly elected MP Svend Robinson from British Columbia. Robinson was also there to help celebrate the grand opening of the new Gay and Lesbian Community Centre (GLCCE) building located at 9917 112th Street. Once again, Mayor Terry Cavanagh and City Council rejected GALA's Pride proclamation request. Alderman Julian Kinisky even threatened to "run off to Australia where men were still men if Edmonton proclaimed

5618-661: The Social Venture Exchange. Murray also introduced an experiential learning program through the Ontario Centres of Excellence. Within weeks of assuming his new position Murray launched the McGuinty government's ground breaking 30% off Ontario Tuition grant. As the Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure, pushed by several cycling advocacy groups in the province, Murray spearheaded

5724-550: The Ukrainian-Canadian community. He attended John Abbott College and Concordia University and its School of Community and Public Affairs. Prior to entering politics, he was active in human rights and community healthcare. In 1987 he led, with Margie Coghill, the successful campaign to include sexual orientation in the Manitoba Human Rights Code. He helped establish Winnipeg's Village Clinic,

5830-461: The baths, even forming long-lasting friendships or relationships, many others do not, preferring, for various reasons, anonymity. But I've been to a sauna recently in New Zealand, where everyone just chatted away, which I found very strange. Um, but you know, that's because I guess it was a smaller city and people generally knew each other. In this highly sexualized environment a look or nod is frequently enough to express interest. In darkened areas of

5936-559: The city government to provide the first public funds and land for the New Canadian Museum for Human Rights . This project was dedicated to chronicling Canada's human rights journey and the global evolution of human rights in order to inspire visitors and take personal action in the preservation of Human Rights in Canada and around the world. In 2004, Murray worked with Mark Chipman to lead the establishment and construction of

6042-559: The civic government's commitment to establish a progressive and constructive relationship with the Aboriginal community. Cultural, demographic, and socio-economic challenges have been addressed as a way to foster effective urban planning and ensure the wellbeing of the Aboriginal people. Murray championed the establishment of the Thunderbird House in Winnipeg which serves as a place of healing and cultural preservation. As

6148-473: The customer has a choice between renting a room or a locker, often for fixed periods of up to 12 hours. A room typically consists of a locker and a single bed (though doubles are sometimes available) with a thin vinyl mat supported on a simple wooden box or frame, an arrangement that facilitates easy cleaning between patrons. In many bathhouses (particularly those outside the United States), some or all of

6254-409: The customer receives a towel (to wear, around the waist) and the key for his room or locker. The customer undresses, storing his clothing in the locker provided or room, and is then free to wander throughout the bathhouse which typically includes the amenities of a traditional bathhouse or steambath . In contrast with traditional bathhouses for bathing, the common areas of a modern gay bathhouse resemble

6360-465: The delivery community HIV prevention initiatives and coordinated the work of AIDS Service Organizations. A 1992 documentary film, A Kind of Family , followed the relationship of Murray with his foster son, a 17-year-old street kid. Murray lives with his partner Rick Neves. Murray entered the 1989 Winnipeg municipal election as a city councillor candidate of the Winnipeg into the '90s alliance. He

6466-502: The design, building and retrofitting of new construction projects from throughout the world. Murray was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for his outstanding contributions of citizenship and public service. Murray was succeeded by Sam Katz , who won the mayoralty vote over councillor Dan Vandal by a margin of around 43,000 votes. On June 22, 2022, Murray announced his candidacy for

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6572-477: The end of their associated festival week, Edmonton Pride hosted its parade near the opening of the event. However, unlike Pride Week in Toronto , which also had its roots in police protests against Operation Soap , the parade did not become a regular feature of the event until the early 1990s. 1991 saw the first official pride march, which was led by Michael Phair and Maureen Irwin down Whyte Avenue . One of

6678-607: The establishment including the mazes, video rooms, group sex areas, and the saunas or hot tubs (but not generally in the showers, toilets, hallways, gyms, café areas, and lounges), men are usually free to touch other patrons; it is expected, and often welcomed. A shake of the head, or pushing away the other's hand, means that the attention is not welcomed. I normally find people with groping don't go away. You really have to as they grope your crotch area grab their hand and push it away and there have been times when I've had to do that three, two or three or four times before they actually get

6784-620: The establishment, for foot protection. The room or locker key is usually suspended from an elastic band which can be worn around the wrist or ankle. Some bathhouses require customers to purchase yearly memberships and many offer special entry rates to members, students, military, or other groups. In some countries, bathhouses can restrict entrance to men of certain age ranges (apart from the general requirement of being an adult) or physical types, although in other places this would be considered illegal discrimination . Some bathhouses hold occasional "leather", "underwear", or other theme nights. In

6890-579: The event was led by the Pride Centre of Edmonton, the city's main LGBTQ2S+ community centre . The 2013 festival was opened with the raising of the rainbow flag at CFB Edmonton on June 7, the first time in Canadian history that the flag was flown at a military base . The parade on June 8 followed 102 Avenue between 107 Street and Churchill Square . An estimated 30,000 spectators turned out for

6996-575: The event. Performers at the parade event included singer-songwriters Rae Spoon , Jeffery Straker and Kim Kuzma . As of 2017, the Edmonton Pride Parade had 50,000 attendees. On June 9, 2018, a group of queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and people of colour from within the community temporarily stopped the parade, demanding law enforcement and military members be dis-invited from the parade and future parades. The protesters called for this demand due to community members feeling unsafe in

7102-576: The events that year was a bike-a-thon which raised money for the Delwin Vriend Defense Fund. Delwin had been fired earlier that year from King's University and was fighting his unjust dismissal, which would ultimately end up before the Supreme Court of Canada ( Vriend v. Alberta ). The theme for Pride in 1992 was “Pink, Pride, Power” and ran from June 18–27. A pride-a-thon was held on the 27th, once again raising money for

7208-511: The festival for 1990 was "Does your mother know?" and featured events such as a workshop for parents, information sessions and public forums about safe sex and testing, and a pride picnic at Rundle Park. An information session was also held at Centennial Plaza and was attended by gay Alderman Glen Murray from Winnipeg who spoke the need for human rights protections around sexual orientation in Alberta. Unlike many pride parades which are held at

7314-405: The first effort in 20 years to write a comprehensive cycling promotion strategy for Ontario. The 42-page document addresses the many outstanding issues for this rapidly growing means of transportation. The strategy covers education, infrastructure, legislation, enforcement, healthy communities, safer roads and tourism. The document promises annual action plans and a plan for more structured funding in

7420-628: The first integrated community based prevention, care, and treatment centre for HIV/AIDS in Canada. Subsequently, he became the Clinic's Director of Prevention and Outreach programs working street involved and homeless people at high risk for HIV infection. He was a founding member of the Canadian AIDS Society and worked as part of a team through the World Health Organization that developed an international strategy for

7526-508: The help of local organization, Fruit Loop, who created an augmented reality pride tour. The Augmented reality pride tour included over 50 performers and speakers and featured ten locations around Edmonton. In 2022, Edmonton Pride returned to Churchill Square under the new organization of Edmonton PrideFest Association. The four-year break was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the additional contributing factors. The Summer of Pride, in 2023, saw

7632-502: The main festival move to August, with over 80 Pride events preceding it throughout the summer. Gay bathhouse A gay bathhouse , also known as a gay sauna or a gay steambath , is a public bath targeted towards gay and bisexual men. In gay slang , a bathhouse may be called just "the baths", "the sauna ", or "the tubs". Historically, they have been used for sexual activity. Bathhouses offering similar services for women are rare, but some men's bathhouses occasionally have

7738-666: The mayor. Pride '90 ran from June 15–27, 1990 and was special because newly elected Mayor Jan Reimer became the first Mayor in Edmonton's history to participate in Pride festival activities, including a celebrity dunk tank event held as part of the “Something Wicked, Something Wild” party at the Northern Light Theatre. All proceeds from the event supported the Ross Armstrong Memorial Fund/Names Project Quilt. The theme of

7844-512: The meeting, causing tension with the Board. An EPFS member called the police on the basis that "members of the board felt unsafe" however SOC and RaricaNow felt the that EPFS calling the police was "a moment of pure irony" given that they were there to discuss the "history and relationship between police and Edmonton's LGBTQ community". The board meeting was then moved to a separate location, without SOC or RaricaNow representatives present. Although it

7950-483: The message. There's also been times when I actually just had to say to them to fuck off. Some establishments allow or encourage sex in specific group sex areas. In some jurisdictions such activity is prohibited, and sex must be confined to private rooms. Some forbid sex in pools for hygiene reasons. In the United Kingdom, the requirement is often set by the local authority's Environmental Health department. From

8056-462: The mid-1980s onward there was lobbying against gay bathhouses blaming them for being a focus of infection encouraging the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), in particular HIV , and this forced their closure in some jurisdictions (see Legal issues, below). In some countries, fears about the spread of STDs have prompted the closing of bathhouses—with their private rooms—in favor of sex clubs , in which all sexual activity takes place in

8162-615: The necessary steps for all community members to feel safe with their presence." In March 2019, Shades of Colour (SOC), an Indigenous, Black, and people of colour-centred 2SLGBTQ+ community group and RaricaNow, an 2SLGBTQ+ refugee advocacy group, submitted demands to the Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS) following the protests of the 2018 Pride Festival. Four representatives of SOC and RaricaNow were invited to an EPFS board meeting on April 4, 2019, to discuss their demands. Approximately 30 supporters showed up to

8268-673: The new MTS Centre in Winnipeg. Once the Eaton's site closed down in the downtown core of Winnipeg, this opened up the opportunity of situating an indoor arena to create a home for the Winnipeg Jets. In 2003, Murray spearheaded the creation of the Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge across the Red River in Winnipeg. This bridge has been recognized as a landmark structure as it connects Downtown Winnipeg with St. Boniface . It

8374-494: The open, and can be observed by monitors whose job it is to enforce safe-sex practices. However, proponents of bathhouses point out that closing these facilities does not prevent people from engaging in unsafe sex. Neither the claim that bathhouses are responsible for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, nor the claim that they are not, has been conclusively proven. However, it is known that STDs are spread via unprotected sex , and as part of their membership agreement, or as

8480-664: The portfolio of Minister of the Environment and Climate Change . He announced his resignation from Cabinet on July 31, 2017, and his resignation from the legislature , effective September 1, 2017, in order to become executive director of the Pembina Institute in Alberta. He resigned from the Pembina Institute in September 2018 after serving as executive director for one year. In 2020, Murray ran for

8586-402: The position of Mayor of Winnipeg in the election in the October 26, 2022 Winnipeg municipal election . An eventual field of eleven mayoral candidates made it onto the ballot. A September 29, 2022 story by Bartley Kives was released by CBC Manitoba that changed the tenor of the race. He narrowly lost the election to Scott Gillingham. On May 7, 2004, Murray announced that he would run in

8692-677: The premises of such "sex on site venues". In Britain , gay saunas were routinely raided by police up until the end of the 1980s; for example, raids in May 1988 on Brownies in Streatham resulted in the establishment's owner getting a six-month jail sentence and a £5,000 fine, and the Brooklyn House Hotel sauna in Manchester ). By the 1990s, with increasing scrutiny of the costs of such operations (charges of gross indecency in

8798-406: The presence of police as well as Pride originally being a "protest against police oppression". After a period of negotiation between the parade organizers and protest organizers, parade organizers agreed to the requests of the protest and issued a statement that it "agreed with the demands, and that police and military members would not march in the parade until the community feels that they have taken

8904-510: The proclamation. From 1999 to 2018, the event was organized by the Edmonton Pride Festival Society, a non-profit organization , and was often held in early June each year. As well, the Edmonton Pride Festival Society frequently chose to designate community groups, rather than individuals, as the grand marshals of its parade; in 2012, the parade was led by the trustees of the Edmonton Public School Board , and in 2013

9010-633: The return of the Womonspace wine and cheese event and the GALA dance and picnic and new Pride events included a coffee house performance at the Unitarian Church. There was also a croquet game between The Northern Chaps, Edmonton's Leather and Levi Club, and Guys in Disguise . GALA '89 ran from June 16–27, 1989 with the theme “Celebrate Our Differences.” The Pride Festival opened with a special concert by Lynn Lavner and David Sedera, held at

9116-457: The room: those who would like to be penetrated anally ("bottoms") will sometimes lie face down on the bed with the door open, while those who prefer to penetrate others ("tops") or to receive fellatio might lie face up. In the past, the baths served as community spaces for gay men. Even now, some men choose to go to the baths with their friends (even though they may not necessarily have sex with each other). While many men talk to each other at

9222-613: The rooms are freely available to all patrons. Some bathhouses have areas designed to facilitate impersonal sex. These areas – rooms or hallways – are illuminated only by a (dim) red exit sign. It is possible to have sex, but not to see with whom. Other bathhouses, such as the Continental Baths in New York or the Club Baths in Washington, D.C., have two or more bunkbeds in close proximity, in

9328-426: The same part of the body. There was no status consciousness in the social-stratification sense; the towel or loincloth created a sort of equal-status social group. Bathhouses are often designed with imagery and/or music to create surroundings that are arousing to the visitors. Bathhouses are usually dimly lit and play music, although an outdoors, enclosed rooftop or pool area is not uncommon. They are often laid out in

9434-503: The showers, saunas, and hot tub area and the main areas of the establishment. Customers who have rented rooms have free access to their room. Customers who have rooms may leave their room doors open to signal that they are available for sex. An open door can also be an invitation for others to watch or join in sexual activity that is already occurring. When a room is occupied only by a single person, some men will position themselves to suggest what they might like from someone joining them in

9540-502: The spring of 2014. Critics mention the document is short on detail and believe only large sums of money can make a difference. Advocates believe it is a first good step forward but are realistic that it will take a long time to convert Ontario into a bike friendly province, pointing out that the Netherlands, an inspiration for many bike advocates worldwide, is spending an approximate 400 million Euro on cycling per year. Murray ran as

9646-564: The tax burden. Accused by his opponents of lacking roots in Toronto, Murray pointed out that nearly half of Torontonians weren't born in Canada, and launched ProudToronto.ca to allow Torontonians, whether born in the city or recent arrivals, to share their stories. Murray retained the seat for the Liberals winning 47% of the vote. He defeated New Democrat candidate Cathy Crowe who came in second with 33% and Progressive Conservative Pamela Taylor (15%). On May 11, 2011, Murray announced to

9752-482: The vote, an increase of almost 8% from the 2010 by-election. After being elected as the MPP of Toronto Centre in February 2010, Glen Murray initiated a community engagement and planning process called the "Community Action Plan" in collaboration with local City Councillors, Kristyn Wong-Tam , Ward 27, and Pam McConnell , Ward 28. The process involves consulting residents through a series of Community Planning Meetings and

9858-408: Was re-elected in October 2011 , and appointed Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities . He resigned from cabinet on November 3, 2012, in order to run as a candidate in the 2013 Ontario Liberal Party leadership election . He became Ontario Minister of Transportation and Minister of Infrastructure on February 11, 2013. In a cabinet shuffle following the 2014 election , Murray was moved to

9964-795: Was a founding member of the Canadian AIDS Society he was also the Director of Health Education and HIV Prevention Services at the Village Clinic in Winnipeg. Murray was part of the World Health AIDS service organization's working group for the Global Program on AIDS. Murray was awarded for his efforts in 2003 by Egale Canada as he was the national recipient of an award for "Fighting for LGBT Justice & Equality." In 2004, Murray moved to Toronto and became

10070-455: Was a popular gay location in the 1920s despite a seedy condition and the lack of private rooms. The American composer Charles Griffes (1884–1920) wrote in his diaries about visits to New York City bathhouses and the YMCA . His biography states: "So great was his need to be with boys, that though his home contained two pianos, he chose to practice at an instrument at the Y, and his favourite time

10176-649: Was a regular at New York City baths in the 1970s, in particular the sauna at West 58th Street. Another service offered by the baths was voter registration . In the run-up to the 1980 election , the New St. Mark's Baths in New York City, with the assistance of the League of Women Voters , conducted a voter registration drive on its premises. In Australia, the first gay steam bath was opened in Sydney in 1967. This

10282-512: Was also the first year that the schedule of events was published in the Edmonton Journal . The Edmonton Journal continued to publish the events of GALA week in 1987. This included the popular Womonspace wine and cheese event, the return of the annual dance and picnic, and three plays: “Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are”, “Retrospective: A Dramatization of Our Gay and Lesbian History,” and “Fit for Life: An Evening of Skits”. GALA '88 saw

10388-574: Was appointed by Prime Minister Paul Martin as chair of a National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy in March 2005. In 2006, the Round Table released a report stating that Canada could reduce greenhouse gas emissions using existing technology. Murray led the development of a series of research papers that offered the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper a strategy to achieve

10494-528: Was attended by about 250 people. The first week long Gay and Lesbian Pride Week was held in 1983 and ran from June 25-July 3. Events of that week included a Lesbian book fair at Common Woman Books , an Art Appreciation night held at Flashback , multiple film nights, and a dance at Phoenix Hall. In 1984 Gay Pride Week turned into Gay and Lesbian Awareness (GALA), which was a combination of community groups G.A.T.E, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), Edmonton Vocal Minority Chorus (EVM), and Womonspace. That year,

10600-478: Was elected a city councillor at Fort Rouge ward in 1989 then re-elected twice. In the 1995 election, he defeated Terrence Halligan. He lobbied the provincial government to create a municipal property tax credit program for heritage buildings, a program which was approved with all-party support at the Manitoba legislature. In 1998, Murray left his councillor position to campaign as a Winnipeg mayoral candidate. He

10706-678: Was elected mayor on October 28, 1998, with 50.5% of the vote in a close race against grocer Peter Kaufmann , who received 45% of the vote. Murray was re-elected in 2002 over former councillor Al Golden. Significant Winnipeg events during Murray's term included the 1999 Pan American Games and the C5 Summit, a joint initiative of urbanist Jane Jacobs and Allan Broadbent which gathered the mayors of five major Canadian cities. The summit led to proposals that cities receive new and improved revenue streams, particularly from federal and provincial governments. The effort to achieve this "New Deal" for cities

10812-553: Was part of a bigger picture concept of helping to create a vibrant, safe, and healthy inner-city neighbourhoods. This was a joint venture between public and private financing. Due to Murray's efforts in preserving Winnipeg's historical downtown and his encouragement of high standards and creativity in design, Murray was made an honorary member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2002. Murray worked closely with Moe Levy and Gail Asper to lead

10918-534: Was submitted by Alderman Ed Ewasiuk for the city to declare a Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day but it was rejected "amid the giggling of some council members." GALA '86 included another week full of events including an art show in the AIDS Network foyer, a dance, a picnic, an information seminar on safer sex, as well as a public forum on “homosexuality and the family”, held at the University of Alberta . 1986

11024-572: Was the Bondi Junction Steam Baths at 109 Oxford Street . From 1972 through 1977 the following gay steam baths opened: Ken's Karate Klub (nicknamed "KKK"), later called Ken's at Kensington ; No. 253; King Steam; Silhouette American Health Centre; Colt 107 Recreation Centre; Barefoot Boy; and Roman Bath (nicknamed "Roman Ruins"). In Melbourne the first gay bathhouse was Steamworks at 279 La Trobe Street , which opened in 1979 and closed 13 October 2008. Adelaide 's Pulteney 431

11130-426: Was unsuccessful. Murray worked closely with Aboriginal communities to propose new approaches on issues such as jobs, recreation, and public safety. Formulated the city's urban Aboriginal Policy, First Steps: Municipal Aboriginal Pathways. This was a way to raise awareness surrounding Aboriginal people who live in the urban city of Winnipeg and create accessibility to civic services. This policy framework represents

11236-499: Was when the players were coming and going from their games." When a friend with "little experience but great desire" confided his homosexual longings to Charles Griffes in 1916, Griffes took him to the Lafayette so that he could meet other gay men and explore his sexual interests in a supportive environment: the friend was "astounded and fascinated" by what he saw there. The baths also encouraged more advanced forms of sexual experimentation. Griffes himself had had his first encounter with

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