Resisting Police in Queer Spaces : From Public Sex to Pride Parades

Pairs resistance to police intrusion in queer public spaces against the tension of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans communities’ assumed need for police protection.

Resisting Police in Queer Spaces offers a compelling account of the determined and resilient efforts of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans communities to carve out and maintain vital public spaces. It charts the history and contemporary realities of their activism in the face of significant and often oppressive police intervention. By analyzing a range of community organizing strategies and specific instances of police action, Alexa DeGagné reveals the ways in which these communities have navigated and challenged attempts to marginalize their presence in public life. The book also thoughtfully explores the internal complexities and at times conflicting perspectives within these diverse communities, particularly concerning interactions with law enforcement. Through case studies, Resisting Police in Queer Spaces illustrates the unwavering commitment to build and safeguard queered publics—spaces of belonging, resistance, and cultural expression. This insightful work is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the ongoing struggles for social justice, the dynamics of Two-Spirit, queer and trans activism, and the need for police abolition.