Hanlan’s Point is once again fighting for its survival as a refuge for LGBTQ+ people.
The world’s oldest nude beach, Hanlan’s Point is a secluded spot on the tip of the Toronto Islands–just a short ferry ride from the city’s bustling downtown. For more than a century, the cove has served as a sanctuary for Toronto’s LGBTQ+ and alternative communities.
It’s also long served as flashpoint for battles between LGBTQ+ people and a political and business establishment intent on disrupting the small sanctuary, whether it be through harassment from law enforcement or threats of demolition in favor of capital.
The latest squabble pits Hanlan’s Point against plans to expand a nearby airport. Officials have devised plans to enlarge the runways at Billy Bishop Toronto City airport, which is separated by a mere fence from Hanlan’s. The end goal is to accommodate five times the number of annual passengers, from 2 million to 10 million people.
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The Financial Times has the story.
“More parks, less planes,” said Chrissy Jordão, an artist who frequents Hanlan’s. “This is a cash grab lining someone’s pocket. It’s not good for Toronto.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney initially expressed support for the proposal, but equivocated after public backlash. But the country’s most prominent right-wing pol, as well as Toronto’s business community, remain firmly behind the idea.
After 100 years of threats, LGBTQ+ people are used to Hanlan’s being on tenuous ground. Once again, Toronto’s queer community is gearing up for a fight to save the beloved spot from erosion.
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A proud history of pushing back
Designated as the world’s first nude beach in 1894, Hanlan’s Point attracted artists and bohemians at the turn of the century. But in 1930, the Toronto City Council passed a law banning nude sunbathing. In an act of defiance, it’s believed that gay men still partook in the ritual on small sections of the beach.
Like many queer oases, Hanlan’s offered a remote respite for LGBTQ+ people experiencing persecution. The Friends of Hanlan’s outlines the spot’s queer history, comparing it to Provincetown or Fire Island. Even as shoreline cottages were torn down in the mid-20th century, the community persisted.
In 1971, Canada’s first Pride event was held at the cove. Then for the next 30 years, the community faced harassment from law enforcement. The Toronto Police arrested hundreds of gay men through entrapments and undercover stings.
Yet, Hanlan’s remained a haven for queer people, including those living with HIV. In 1999, a gay lawyer crafted a plan to renew Hanlan’s clothing optional status. After three years of pilot programs, it was made permanent in 2002.
With options for legal pushback decreasing, officials have turned to demolition in the name of economic development. In 2023, beachgoers successfully pushed back against a plan to build an outdoor cancer venue on Hanlan’s.
“While some parts of Hanlan’s queer history, like the destruction of the gay summer colony or the arrests of hundreds of queer people, can’t be reversed, we can make sure that the same injustices don’t happen again,” say the Friends of Hanlan’s.
Today’s battle
Amid a barrage of threats from Tr*mp, Mark Carney has turned to the rest of the world. He wants to attract $1 trillion in foreign investment. “Can Mark Carney Tr*mp proof Canada’s economy?” asks the FT.
Part of that effort could involve expanding Billy Bishop Airport, which currently offers flights to 20 Canadian and nearby U.S. cities. Ontario premier Doug Ford, the brother of pugilistic former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, says expanding Billy Bishop would generate up to $140 billion over 25 years.
Since assuming office in 2018, Doug Ford has made little effort to prioritize the LGBTQ+ community. While some outlets have praised him for avoiding ad-hominem attacks, he hasn’t extended political capital to help, either.
When it comes to environmental issues, Ford is always on the other side. His right-wing government has opened up protected lands for housing and development, and tried to tear up Toronto’s bike lanes.
History indicates the latest efforts to tear up Hanlan’s Point will also be unsuccessful. Another battle is brewing.
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