Members the Toronto Women’s Bathhouse Committee, along with hundreds of other people and organizations, published an open letter demanding a public meeting with Mayor John Tory over the appointment of Myron Demkiw as Toronto police chief. Demkiv was involved in a 2000 raid of the Pussy Palace bathhouse, which was later judged to be a violation of the attendees’ charter rights. Mayor Tory offered a closed meeting with himself, Demkiw, plus Chanelle Gallant and JP Hornick of the Toronto Women’s Bathhouse Committee, which was rejected by the latter two. Members of the queer community wish to talk to the police service board to discern how this appointment came to be and address fundamental issues with the process.

This article is published in Xtra Magazine.