Queer West Board of Directors

A powerful movement for social change

Gay West Community Network Inc. (queerwest.org) is a not-for-profit organization serving in west central Toronto, Ontario, since 2000, managed by a Board of Directors. The Queer West Arts Collective: is responsible for performing arts events and 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. We also host the Gay West Bicycle Club, the largest LGBTQ bicycle club in eastern Canada with 65 members. As well as our new ShOUT Queer Youth & Young Adult Program. We publish the Bent Expressions newspaper, a social enterprise of Queer West.

We are inspired by QueerWest.org ideals of openness, innovation and participation. We welcome new ideas and new faces in our Arts Collective and serving on our Board..

Incorporated on April 7, 2008 Gay West Community Network Inc. (legal name), as not for profit organization in Ontario #1752698, hereafter to be known as Queer West.

The Inside Story an independent newspaper published since 1996 and was not originally associated with Queer West. It was hosted on site for community entertainment, news and information. It was offered as donation to Queer West on Nov 11, 2008.

It became the Bent Expressions Newspaper and Bent eBlast (Newsletter) a social enterprise of Queer West with full Board approval on May 5, 2009. The name was change in July 2009 and a new logo created.

The Board

Philip Cairns
1st Vice President

Philip is on Board of Directors of Spencer Avenue Co-operative Homes. He writes plays, performance-pieces, short stories and poetry. He has performed his own work in festivals, cafes and theatres all over Toronto.

Philip has performed his writing at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, A Space, Free Times Cafe, Clinton’s, The Black Swan, Renaissance Cafe, The Theatre Centre and Paddy’s Playhouse. He has acted in scores of small theatre productions and numerous independent films.

He is also a visual artist having recently had a one-man exhibition at Artcetera Gallery in Toronto plus numerous other solo and group shows in Toronto and Edmonton. Philip will be busy organizing Queer West Arts Collective, poetry and spoken words events in 2010. He is Reiki Master, enjoys Tarot card reading, writing, and classic films. Phiilp was appointed to Board of Directors, on Friday July 24, 2009. He became 1st Vice President on January 8, 2010 www.myspace.com/philipcairns Email: moonlake [at] gosonic.ca

Jaclyn Alia Isen
2nd Vice President and Treasurer

We are thrilled to have Jaclyn Alia Isen, a smart caring Generation-Y volunteer as new member of the Board of Directors. She joined the Queer West Arts Collective in November 2009. Jaclyn has an M.A. Degree in Women’s Studies and Feminist Research, and Honors BA, Science Biology and Women’s studies, University of Western Ontario. Graduating in 2008.

She has great deal of experience in developing community-based arts programming as the former Community Outreach and Programs Coordinator for Red Tent Sisters; a feminist bookstore and workshop space specializing in women’s sexual and reproductive needs.

She has worked as a volunteer with the Toronto International Film Festival and as a youth counselor at Camp Timberlane in Haliburton ON with young girls 13 and 14. Jaclyn has a passionate interest in and working knowledge of a wide range of themes, pertaining to gender and sexuality.

She will be a valuable resource with her connection to queer and feminist scholars working in pertinent areas in the arts and humanities. Jaclyn is Program Manager of Queer West’s new Youth Program, ShOUT. She is busy assembling a team of Volunteers, to work with her as Facilitators on the project. Jaclyn was appointed 2nd Vice President and Treasurer, January 8, 2010 Email: qwshout [at] gmail.com

Michel F. Paré
President & Secretary

Michel François Paré - Better know as Michael, founded Gay West Community Network in 2000 and is the visionary behind it all. Since then, he has steered the organization, though years of unprecedented growth. Paré is an advocate for our West Toronto queer community, and a strong proponent of creating change, by bringing people together.

Publisher of Bent Expressions Newspaper, which he started publishing in 1996 as an independent paper. It is now a social enterprise of Gay West Community Network Inc (Queer West). He was instrumental in establishing the Queer West Village, including naming it

Founder Queer West Arts and Cutlural Centre. Founder of Queer West Fest. Founder Gay West Bicycle Club. Co-founder of shOUT Queer Youth Program. Founder Wilde Chats Philosophy Cafe. Founder Queer West Arts Collective. Co-Founder Queer West Film Festival. Michael was long time member of the former Parkdale Gay and Lesbian Association. Former director Fort York Food Bank.

One of the past Presidents of Gay Equality in Mississauga and later was the Founding Chairman of GALA WEST Gay and Lesbian Association West, that served the Etobicoke/Mississauga area.

Michael 58, considers himself a happy gay senior, he has been a gay rights activist in Toronto, for close to 30 years. He lives, works and plays in the old Bockton Village Triangle (Dufferin and Dundas W. in the Queer West Village) Holds double Master degrees in Information Science and Philosophy. Michael works for himself as a backend, web content editor / designer, three days a week..

He enjoys year round cycling, community organizing and running a philosophy cafe. Michael has served on the Board as 1st Vice President and was interim President Jan 12, 2009 to December 2009. He was elected President and Secretary January 8, 2010. queerwestinfo@gmail.com

If interest in joining the Arts Collective or serving on the Board. Email queerwestinfo@gmail.com |416-879-7954 | About the: Collective Board meetings are held every two months.