Oral History Interview with John Gartshore (1984)
oral history, SM, bathhouse raids, Foolscap, Upper Canada College, University of Toronto, Air Canada, work, army, Letros, CHAT, homophile, Christianity, Episcopal, Chicago, Integrity
John Gartshore, a gay man age 58 at time on interview, begins the conversation outlining the his early realizations of him homosexuality at Upper Canada College. He continues onward choronologically, discussing his incomplete BA at Trinity College of University of Toronto, and involvement at St Mary Magdalene. He then explains beginning work at Air Canada (called Trans Canada Airlines at time of hiring) and then his being convinced to joi the army subsequently. Through the army, Gartshore was introduced to the Toronto gay culture – starting at Letros. Gartshore discusses his activism, through CHAT and later Courtwatch, throughout the interview, as well as his experiences consolidating his Christianity and queer identity, including his experience with the gay caucus of the Episcopal Church in Chicago and the formation of the Toronto Chapter of Integrity. Gartshore closes the interview with a brief recount of his experience with police entrapment at the bathhouse raids, and a story about his coming out at the workplace.
Foolscap Oral History Project
1984-11-15
John Grube
CLGA
PDF, WAV
English
sound and text
2016-034
Toronto, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s
Interview with Don Franco
oral history, sm, psychiatry, bathhouse raids
Don Franco, in his 60s at time of interview, discusses his youth, family and premature exit from school to enter the workforce. Don Franco attended Victoria College at UofT at the time of World War II, but was refused entry into the Air Force due to ‘psychological troubles’. In this interview, Franco recounts his experience seeing a psychiatrist due to his gay desires, and ‘emotional instability’. Later working as a teacher, Franco also discusses sublimating his sexuality into his work. Franco was associated with various important political organizations (including the CCF, NDP and CCYM) and important political figures. The interview also covers Franco’s interest in and experiences with S&M culture, and various encounters with the police as a result of this interest. His activism for the gay and S&M communities led to his arrest in the first Barracks raid, and his house later being raided on June 6th, 1979 (having been accused of being a ‘bawdy house’). Franco expressed his gratitude that the superintendent of the school board assured him he would not lose his job after these arrests, and for receiving financial support from other members of the community to assist with legal fees. Franco’s also discusses experiences with a manic depressive lover, and the subsequent depression he fell into. Franco contrasts the differences between S&M subculture and ‘Woodshed’ scene, particularly discussing ‘Woodshed Magazine’ and the prevalence of drag in the Woodshed scene.
Foolscap Oral History Project
1984-1-5
John Grube
CLGA
PDF, WAV
English
sound and text
2016-034
Toronto 1960s, 1970s, 1980s