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Caviar and Criminals
PRIDE: Project Soapy Italian
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This week,Anthony and Dana take us to two very different chapters of LGBTQ+ history.
First, Anthony tells the story of Operation Soap, the infamous 1981 police raids on Toronto bathhouses that resulted in the arrests of hundreds of gay men. Often described as Canada's Stonewall, the raids sparked outrage, galvanized a movement, and transformed the fight for LGBTQ+ rights across the country. What began as a coordinated attack on a marginalized community became a catalyst for one of the most important moments in Canadian queer history.
Then, Dana explores the often-overlooked role of Italian Americans in the early Pride movement in New York City. From activists and organizers to neighborhood allies navigating cultural and religious expectations, she uncovers the stories of Italian Americans who helped shape the growing movement for gay liberation in the years following Stonewall.
From police raids and public protests to community organizing and cultural identity, this episode examines how ordinary people pushed back against discrimination and helped build the foundation for LGBTQ+ rights as we know them today.
Caviar & Criminals is a true crime and pop culture podcast hosted by Anthony Kurtz & Dana Parisi. New episodes every Thursday. Follow us on Instagram @caviarandcriminals • Contact: team@caviarandcriminals.com. Be Pretty & Petty.
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