Toronto strip club hosts vaccination clinic targeted at sex workers
More COVID-19 vaccines were available at a different kind of Toronto hot spot on Friday—in this case, a storied Toronto nightclub, as part of a clinic hosted by an advocacy group for sex workers.
The Zanzibar Tavern’s marquee announced its latest attraction: “Get vaxxed with Maggie’s Toronto”, a community advocacy group run by and for sex workers, which is putting on a low-barrier clinic where clients can avoid potential stigma by not even giving their real name.
“They don’t need to give their address, they don’t need to give their OHIP, they can give a name of their choice,” said Jenny Duffy, a board member of Maggie’s.
A line-up had formed on Yonge Street well before the clinic opened at 1 p.m., with each person hoping to get one of the 400 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on offer.
The project is an unlikely partnership between Maggie’s, Zanzibar Tavern, Sherbourne Health Centre and the Catholic Network Unity Healthcare.
“It’s a challenge to political leaders and a demonstration that our workspaces are legitimate workspaces,” said Duffy.
That’s a response to what she called “degrading remarks” by Premier Doug Ford last year, when documented outbreaks at adult entertainment venues, including at the Brass Rail, prompted the premier to make jokes.
“I feel sorry for the people, when they go to their house tell them you’ve been at the Brass Rail, that’s who I feel sorry for. The spouse. Seriously. Man, I wouldn’t want to be on the end of that one,” Doug Ford said at the time.
The clubs were shut down, though a survey of euphemistic online ads — some offering “female entertainment” — suggest the exotic dancing and sex worker industries continue underground.
One reason, say advocates, is that the workers in these cash-based businesses have found it difficult to qualify for CERB payments.
“They’re mostly on welfare, and seeing as many clients as they can because there’s no other choice,” said Valerie Scott of Sex Professionals of Canada.
She said the reason is that many sex workers don’t want to risk filing taxes and alerting any level of government that they are sex workers.
But that carries risks that make the vaccinations extremely necessary, Scott said.
"As a sex worker, you can't maintain a distance of six feet," she said.
The clinic at Zanzibar is the third such clinic operated by Maggie’s — at the first two, more than 1,000 doses were given out, organizers said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.