Queer West Arts and Cultural Centre

Arts - Culture - Films - Music - Theatre - Community Events

Located in West Central Toronto, Ontario Canada

Building a Community
Strengthening the City

We allow our ignorance to prevail upon us and make us think we can survive alone, alone in patches, alone in groups, alone in races, even alone in genders.
- Maya Angelou

Frequently Asked Question "I want to meet other lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans people and I’m tired of the bar scene. Where can I meet people like myself?" A. There are numerous Social Clubs, in the city. Many of them meet though Queer West Arts and Cultural Centre.

We produce Bent Expressions performing arts festivals for the purposes of educating and advancing the public's understanding and appreciation of performing arts and to educate artists through participation in such festivals and related workshops. Organized by Queer West's Arts Collective

We produce shOUT! . a monthly Open Space technology series of "Unconferences" A Participant-Facilitated Discussion. It offers a safe, secure, positive space for Queer Young Adults, their Friends and Allies.

We produce annual Queer West Arts Festival that arrives for a week of music, dance, drama, laughs, film, books, and, of course, cabaret!

We produce The annual Queer West Film Festival This year dedicated to Queer Young Adults in keeping with the over all theme of annual Queer West Arts Festival in 2010 .

We produce Wilde Chats Queer men creating community.

We produce Bent Expressions Newspaper One of gay Toronto's leading media publication, with the hottest happenings in the coolest places. Free subscription and membership in our Arts Collective. The Bent eBlast

We host Gay West Bicycle Club The largest Gay and Lesbian cycling club in Eastern Canada. Now in it's seventh year. Seasonal April to Oct. Join in the fun on 6th Annual 54K QWF Toronto Pride Ride Sunday June 27, 2010.

We team-up Directory By supporting and collaborating independent west end LGBT community groups, businesses, organizations and their events, as an umbrella organization.

TESTIMONIALS: Bqueer.com: " One of the most extensive and interesting website guides to the Toronto Gay and Lesbian scene I've come across." Girlsport.com Montreal Lesbian travel site: "In recent years tons of hip bars/restos/shops that cater to or favor a homo clientele have opened up shop, Toronto's second gay village. Queer West listings and entertainment section is excellent!

"Humourous guff in NOW magazine story March 11, 2010 Queer vs Queer. West Central Toronto doesn't depend on NOW for publicity. Are they only discovering us, after being here, more than ten years? It's great to have other queer neighbourhoods in the city. It’s nice we are no longer dependent on the so called traditional gay village. Erroneous to call Church, Parliament and Sherbourne St. the eastside. The Eastside is Carlaw and Queen, not much there at the moment. You can be queer eat, drink and dance anywhere in the city. It's a shame, that fact isn't promoted by tourist bureau, instead we have Church St. gay business owners continually trying to divide the new queer districts" Michel F. Paré, Toronto gay archivist, activist.

"I feel far more welcome and visible on the Queer West scene. I find that Queer West Organization holds an attitude that’s quite the opposite to Church St’s — it encourages queers to come as they are, without fear of having to fit in with the crowd. Probably as a result the west-end scene is a lot more racially mixed and there’s more room to express yourself both as ethnic and lesbian." Parul Pandya, Toronto Writer raised within a Hindu tradition,

“West Queen West is an unpretentious neighbourhood,” says renowned Toronto artist Kris Knight. “It’s another option for gays who want something different than the Village.” The queer small community is pretty tight, but very accepting and open, according to Kris, “Here, people have a strong tie with a creative field of work.”

"I am so happy to be a part of the Queer West Organization, I love the events, the bars, art galleries, restaurants, shopping and the general attitude of the residents here (or just sitting on my front steps, people watching, and realizing that not even TV can create such entertainment). The people are vibrant, intense, scary, funny, friendly and diverse." Nick Watson Toronto Parkdale 26, ASL English interpreter, May 2009.

"Thank You, Michel for putting a lot time, energy and love into the Queer West Organization" John Colautti Former board member, Toronto Parkdale May 2009.

"I think this (new Queer West shOUT Youth Unconferences) is so brilliant I am so proud of you Michel, and you should be proud too of the fantastic work you do in the community. You do it with passion and zeal, and not for your own glory, and i really, REALLY admire that!!!!!" Thomas Gonder, 38 Marketing exec. Toronto Dovercourt. February, 2010.

It's important to have a group ShOUT in the west end. Paul Pighin, Toronto gay activist and Consituency Assistant Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park. Pighin first openly HIV-positive person ever, to run for public office in Ontario. February 2010

"The area's relaxed attitude of acceptance is exactly what appeals to me it's a mixed crowd. The younger generation that doesn't seem to have qualms about mixing with straight people." Monica Mitchell 30, Toronto Parkdale, June 2009.

Queer West Arts and Culture Centre is the hub of community life in Toronto's new edgy Queer West Village Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer (LGBTT2sQ) communities and our allies and friends have always found a welcoming place at QueerWest.org PH: 416-879-7954. Mail: Box 204 Stn C. Toronto ON M6J 3M9 queerwestinfo@gmail.com Queer West Arts Festival and Film Festival: Jaclyn Isen: qwshout@gmail.com