FIVE PLACES THAT MADE LGBTTQ+ HISTORY IN OTTAWA

What: The Lord Elgin Hotel Where: 100 Elgin St. The Lord Elgin has been linked to the gay community almost as far back as the hotel’s opening in 1941, says Crawford. Its location was key, especially for government workers.

Pick’s Place, the downstairs tavern, catered to a more blue-collar crowd. Strict rules prevented patrons moving drinks from table to table, likely to discourage flirting and mingling. During the Cold War, plainclothes RCMP officers were known to go to Pick’s Place and hide behind newspapers to take photographs through peepholes. Another bar on the first floor, called “the library” was more upscale.

In the summer of 1975, hotel management tried to discourage gay patrons by imposing a stricter dress code. In 1981, the tavern was closed at 3 p.m. Where: 378 Elgin St.

In 1979, GO was located on the second floor of 378 Elgin at the corner of Gladstone. On Feb. 16, the building caught fire and the second floor was destroyed. At the time, members of the group were preparing for a national conference. They fled the building unharmed, saving some of the paperwork. Although faulty wired was blamed, some suspected arson. The suspect? A member of the group, who had a history of setting buildings on fire.

What: The Club Baths raid Where: 1069 Wellington St.

On May 22, 1976, Ottawa police raided the Club Baths, arrested 27 men and seized the membership list containing more than 3,000 names. The list was later returned, but it was believed police kept records. On May 24, Gays of Ottawa held a press conference to protest. The Ottawa Citizen decided not to publish the names. GO later held a protest at the Ottawa police station. The owner of the bathhouse pleaded guilty to a charge of “keeping a common bawdyhouse” and was fined $500 in a deal that ensured patrons weren’t sentenced. Two men pleaded guilty to “gross indecency” and two others to being “found-ins at a bawdyhouse,” but received absolute discharges.