LGBTQ Oral History Digital Collaboratory

Pussy Palace Oral History Project narrator, Renee Racine, was a security volunteer at the September 14, 2000, bathhouse — the night the event was raided by Toronto police. She later testified in court in defense of two fellow security volunteers charged with contravening the Liquor License Act in Her Majesty the Queen v. Hornick and Aitcheson (OCJ, 2001). Both on the stand in 2001 and on the record 20 years later, Racine recalls what it was like to discover a police presence in the bathhouse.  

Pussy Palace Oral History Project narrator, Renee Racine, was a security volunteer at the September 14, 2000, bathhouse — the night the event was raided by Toronto police. She later testified in court in defense of two fellow security volunteers charged with contravening the Liquor License Act in Her Majesty the Queen v. Hornick and Aitcheson (OCJ, 2001). Both on the stand in 2001 and on the record 20 years later, Racine reflects on the intentions of the Pussy Palace […]

We’re happy to present our brand-new series, On the Record, On the Stand! This 6-week series showcases excerpts from the 2021 oral history interview and the 2001 court testimony of Pussy Palace security volunteer, Renee Racine. Racine was present for the police raid of the September 14, 2000, bathhouse event and later testified for the defense during the civil proceedings brought against 2 fellow security volunteers. Stay tuned to see how Racine reflects on her experiences both then and now. See you next week!