Serving With Pride
P.O. Box 23 L7E 5T1 Bolton, ON, Canada

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the Bathhouse raids by the Metropolitan Toronto Police in 1981 in a project they named Operation Soap. It has been a day o...f remembering the horrible event that galvanized the LGBT community and my two friends, now gone, who were so affected by it. Peter Bochove was involved in many bathhouses over the years. George Hislop, another pioneer for gay rights, was also involved with many bathhouses. On February 5, 1981, The Richmond Street Health Emporium was raided. Peter was an owner of the establishment. Police entered the facility. Began smashing their way through doors, though they had been offered keys. The police so destroyed the beautiful, spa like bathhouse to the point it could never reopen. At the same time police were also raiding other bathhouses. George had been one of the owners of The Barracks on Winmer Street. Both these men and their employees were charged with keeping a common bawdyhouse. It was a horrible time for the many men who were charged. Almost 300 were charged in the raids. It was the largest mass arrest at the time. There were those who lost family and jobs due to the charges. It didn’t stop the community it brought it together! I miss George and Peter. They were amazing mentors. I learned a lot from listening to them, but also following their determination for a better world, for themselves and their community. There was anger but that did not stop the push for change. Both men had different styles of activism. Peter was harsh and often could come off as abrasive. He was a great critic of the police and made sure the corruption was noticed. George was a master at winning people over. He would always start difficult meetings with city officials and the police with a joke, relaxing the mood and making people more at ease. He never missed the opportunity to build relationships with people so they could see that the community was made up of human beings that were not much different than them. Both George and Peter worked often at times from both sides of the situations and in the end would win. I for the past several years have tried to carry on what these two men taught me. Keep the pressure on and take the opportunities to build better relationships. Working with police is never easy work and it will always be needed. There are victories and set-backs. Policing still has a long way to come, but along with strong community members to help push and guide the police service today, we will see the change that is still necessary. George would often quote Thomas Jefferson who said, The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. He would remind me that it will always be necessary to keep the pressure on and move to the better or we will lose what we have and have to fight for it all again. I am so very fortunate to live in a world that so many pioneers that helped make the world better for the LGBTQ+ community. Thank you for what you sacrificed and endured for us. It is our obligation to maintain and better life in our world so that your work was not in vain! These are links to biographies about these amazing men https://www.hasslefreeclinic.org/remembering-george-hislop https://www.hasslefreeclinic.org/remembering-peter-bochove

Exciting changes are coming! Read our latest newsletter to find out what they are. *Hint-more opportunities for you. https://mailchi.mp/7138bb270e20/exciting-changes-to-come

Kicking off #BlackHistoryMonth with a shout out to the Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) for the outstanding work they do for change, equity & inclusion in our profession. THANK YOU to Jackie Edwards & the whole Board of Directors. We celebrate you!

There is still room! January 28-29, Two Day 2SLGBTQ+ Peer Support Training (online through Zoom) offered by Mood Disorders Society of Canada http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event Great opportunity for this important training. Register today!

Our board of directors are getting pretty good at this Zoom thing. On the agenda? TRAINING, board reorg, advisory committee, AGM and gala!! Lots to tell you so keep us close in the coming weeks! Missed you Matt! #InspiringChange #StayProud

Our USA friends from Out To Protect Incorporated , TCOPS International and International EMS & Firefighters Pride Alliance hosted a survey to help research the status of mental health support services available to 2SLGBTQ+ public safety employees. The results are not surprising - While peer support programs are popular, 2SLGBTQ+ employees more often prefer to seek help outside of the agency. There are very few mental health services available specifically for 2SLGBTQ+ public... safety employees. To see the results of the entire survey please visit: https://www.comingoutfrombehindthebadge.com//mental-heal/ Serving with Pride has provided some expertise to Boots On The Ground - Peer Support for First Responders which means that call takers are sensative to the unique needs of 2SLGBTQ+ first responders. If you are a 2SLGBTQ+ first responder and would like peer support please consider BOTG as a resource. Thanks to our USA friends for researching and continuing to work for the mental health of our 2SLGBTQ+ public safety employees.

ATTN law enforcement professionals - CACP apology to the 2SLGBTQ+ community - Take action now. https://mailchi.mp//attn-law-enforcement-professionals-cac

A tragic loss to start 2021, our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Sgt Andrew Harnett and the entire Calgary Police Service. #HeroesInLife

Today we honour the memory of those who lost their lives due to transphobic violence. We encourage all police & law enforcement to take this opportunity to learn how you can help end trans-hate & discrimination. Visit: https://www.servingwithpride.ca/anti-trans-violence #TransDayOfRemembrance #TDoR2020

Holiday message from Serving with Pride - https://mailchi.mp//holiday-message-from-serving-with-pride

Our thoughts are with family, friends, OPP colleagues and the greater police family as they mourn the loss of PC Hovingh. We mourn with you. #HeroesInLife

Two members of our Board, Jean Turner and Ben Cruickshank met up with our 2020 Youth Scholarship winner, Jesse Castle and his partner Alyssa, for a great meal at the Cambridge Mill today. It was wonderful to get to know them - we can't help but feel optimistic with these two young folks coming up. And we got the official cheque presentation photo with a beautiful Grand River landscape!

With profound gratitude, we remember their service, we remember their courage, we remember their sacrifice. #RemembranceDay #CanadaRemembers (photo taken last night at Brantford, ON cenotaph)

SWP & CPFA acknowledge the integral role that families play in the success of law enforcement and will highlight 2SLGBTQ+ LE families who have the unique experience of navigating their work & personal lives, as part of a marginalized community. More information: www.servingwithpride.ca Canadian Police Family Alliance #community #lawenforcement #families #2SLGBTQ #lgbtqcommunity #police #policeofficers #photos #familyphotos

Educated, sensitive, compassionate, and professional response to hate/bias crime and incidents by each and every police officer and all personnel is not only desirable, it’s required. - Jean Turner, Co-chair, Serving with Pride From the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Media release: Ontario’s Police Leaders Release Hate/Bias Crime Resource Document. https://www.oacp.ca//media-release-ontario-s-police-leader Access the full document: https://www.oacp.ca//Hate%20Crime%20Report_October%202020.