AGCO targets gay philanthropy

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says some charitable fundraising in Church St bars may be illegal.

During an inspection of the Black Eagle on Mar 27 an AGCO inspector told management that events including raffles, 50-50 draws or any lottery events areillegal unless the recipient charity has a licence.

Nobody from the Black Eagle would comment, but several event promoters told Xtra the bar was forced to take down posters for Mr Leatherman Toronto (MLT) events benefitting the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).

Lisa Murray, a spokesperson for the AGCO, confirms that such events are illegal, but denies the Eagle was forced to remove the posters.

"Our inspector was at the Black Eagle and he had a couple of trainees with him," says Murray. "Someone saw a poster promoting ACT's draw. There was no mention of a licence on the poster. They would not have told them to take the posters down. All the inspectors would do is advise the establishment to check that you're not promoting something that's problematic." See AGCO targets gay philanthropy