Ontario Premier McGuinty’s government under fire over live gay sex shows
Image via WikipediaOntario Premier Dalton McGuinty is being accused of an “absolute disrespect” for the law after a revelation that his government stopped Toronto police from shutting down a hard-core homosexual club that has flouted the law by offering live sex shows with men performing anal and oral sex on stage.
The private club, called “Flash on Church,” opened in Toronto’s gay neighborhood in December, and drew attention in February for staging an “X-rated Dance Party featuring sizzling live-sex show,” according to a poster promoting the event.
City officials fumed after complaints were filed following the first show; but according to Tim Lambrinos of the Adult Entertainment Association of Canada, the provincial Crown attorney – who works for the Attorney General of Ontario, Chris Bentley – told police not to take action.
Lambrinos, whose group opposes the club, said there had been five different complaints sent into 51 division, along with a video of the sex shows. One of the complainants said a male performer looked to be about 14 years old, though the performer claimed to be 19.
“[The staff sargeant] told me that if this type of activity was happening at a straight strip club, that he would be instructed to put the chains on the doors that evening,” Lambrinos said. “And he said that they took this up with the Crown attorney, [who] said that they didn’t feel that there was anything in violation of the Criminal Code of Canada and they were not to lay any charges.”
According to Lambrinos, the Crown “felt that the community, the general community, felt it was in compliance with their standards. … My interpretation is that community standards applies to a municipality. … It’s not just a street.”
He said the policy manager at the City of Toronto told him that “the police have had their wrists slapped several times about the gay community, bathhouses, and things. So they’ve got a word that they don’t want to upset [the gay community].”
Brian Rushfeldt, president of Canada Family Action, told LifeSiteNews it’s “really repulsive” that the government “actually would step in and stop the application and prosecution of lawbreakers. … That in itself is a violation of the law.”
Rushfeldt said he’s not surprised at the government’s behavior given that it already allows homosexuals to break the law by marching down the streets nude during Toronto Pride and other rallies, even while children are present.
When it comes to homosexuals, he said, “McGuinty and his group will violate whatever laws they want and have no respect for the law of the land.”
LifeSiteNews related details of the situation in an email to a spokesman for the office of the Attorney General of Ontario and asked why the government has not taken action.
AG spokesman Brendan Crawley’s response indicated what appears to be a catch 22 situation for whistle-blowers of the alleged illegal acts taking place at the club. Crawley pointed back to the police as being responsible for all decisions on the laying of charges.
The AG rep wrote, “It is the responsibility of police to investigate alleged offences under the Criminal Code, make decisions on whether or not to lay charges, and lay charges if they decide they have reasonable and probable grounds to do so.”
Crawley added that any questions about the laying of charges “should be directed to Toronto Police Services” and “If anyone has any information regarding an alleged criminal offence, they should bring it to the attention of the police,” which Lambrinos stated he has already repeatedly done.
Licensed only as a restaurant, “Flash on Church” has faced infractions for operating without appropriate licenses, including licenses for its male exotic dancers.
But owner George Pratt argues that they do not need licenses because it is a private club. Members sign wavers stating they are not offended by male nudity or sexual activity. They have signed on 3,000 members so far who pay $50 yearly.
Lambrinos said he’s considering holding a public meeting on the issue, where he would show the video of the sex show to stir up reaction in the community.
He said the club looks bad on their industry and is pushing boundaries they don’t want to cross. “This is an industry that doesn’t want to go there. We don’t want to hold live sex shows,” he said.
“There isn’t a demand for that.”
According to Rushfeldt, “The fact that they continue to flaunt the law and break the law with no consequences in Toronto is absolutely disgusting.”
“It tells me that Toronto has become a lawless city, under the support of a bunch of lawless people in the justice department there,” he continued. “This is just another highlight of [McGuinty’s] absolute disrespect for the law.”
