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West Toronto Pride Festival is now an
annual celebration of events happening in gay Toronto' queer west-end
of city. It's organized by Gay West Community Network a centre serving
the LGBTTIQ community since 2001. West Toronto Pride Festival
Committee is a non-profit, volunteer based organization
Five years ago, there was not much happening in the queer west end of our
city. "My, how we have grown since then." There were over 20 alternative
to Toronto Pride events held in the Queer West Village events in 2005. Unlike
Pride Toronto, which is a huge stage-managed national tourist attraction.
West Toronto Pride Festival is a series of small queer neigbourhood events,
inclusive, democratic, outrageous - and positively revolutionary. West Toronto
Pride Festival was not associated with the Pride Toronto Organization in
2005.
Toronto's first Pride Bicycle Ride 2005 and West Toronto Pride Festival
On June 11th, 2005 a dozen riders left Sunnyside Cafe shortly after 10 A.M.
on their way to the Eastern Beaches, as part of the 1st annual Pride Ride. The
event was organized by B. Dunn ride leader with the Gay West Bicycle Club.
Despite the plus 30 degree temps, we all made it. Once we reached our destination
in the Beaches we had a great lunch on the boardwalk to fuel up for our ride
back west. This was the first Pride Ride and from all accounts from those in
attendance it was a great success, with many looking forward to the next one
on the second weekend of July. It was leisurely paced with us arriving back
in the Parkdale area shortly before 3pm, an hour before Parkdale Pride began.
The Queer West Fest a one day event June 11, 2006 ( Pride Toronto West) began
at 4pm after a few musical and BBQ technicalities. It was a fun filled afternoon
of activities for everyone, drawing the biggest crowd yet. There were performances
by Tantrum, Broadband, Last Nerve Productions, and I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble
along with musical interludes by local DJ's of course the great BBQ, salads
(courtesy of The Drake Hotel) and pastries (courtesy of Dufflet's) were a hit
again this year, along with the excellent array of raffle prizes donated by
local area business owners. A good time was had by all in attendance. MC and
musical interludes by DJ Triple-X. Vegetarian food alternatives were included
as well. The event was held in conjunction with the The Parkdale Community Health
Centre
With no sign up and free admission, we made it easy and accessible
for you and your family to spend a joyous day of fun outdoors. Volunteers
were welcome to help with setup, cleanup and raffle organizing.
We have some exciting plans for Pride Toronto
West in 2006 in the works ( Beer Garden sponsor and new location
larger venue for Pride Day, and more live music events thoughout the
Queer West Village, merchandise, community fair booths. Perhaps teaming
with Pride Toronto Committee, as a seperate community partner?) We are
100% committed to keeping the Festival free of charge for everyone.
The
Queer Village in Toronto West is comprised of four diverse neighbourhoods,
Dupont, High Park, Parkdale, The Annex and Trinity Bellwoods-Spadina.
Gay Pride is our day to say, “We’re here. We’re proud
of who we are. We’re celebrating ourselves, no matter what the
rest of you think.”
Mission Statement
West Toronto Pride Festival Committee believes
that providing a safe and nurturing environment for individuals, groups
and organizations is the key to keeping our community alive and vibrant.
It is our goal to foster individual empowerment and to give everyone
a better sense of the queer community spirit in Toronto's queer west
village neighbourhoods. We do this by organizing and sponsoring community
activities and by increasing public awareness and understanding of gay,
lesbian, biexual, transgendered and queer lives. In the spirit of Stonewall,
West Toronto Pride Festival Committee welcomes the participation of all,
regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status,
national origin, physical, mental or developmental ability, race, religion
or sexual orientation. Only by standing together can we make a difference.
Eat, Drink and Be Merrier with Businesses and Organizations
that support our Pride Festival
The organizers would like thank, the many volunteers,
DJ's, community organizations, media publications and friendly business
donors, that made Pride Day and the Pride Bike Rally a success in 2005.
Ali Roti Shop, 1500 Queen St. West, 416-536-4138
Bacchus Roti Shop, 1376 Queen St. W., 416-532-8191
Gladstone Hotel
1249 Queen Street West, 416-535-8089
The T Shirt Shop, Parkdale
Easy - a funky luncheonette at 1645 Queen St. W., 416-537-4893
Cadillac Lounge,
1296 Queen Street West. 416-536-7717.
Gay West Community Network
Festival organizers, Queer West Village Toronto,
Dufflet Pastries
David Jones, retail store manager 787 Queen Street West 416-504-2870.
Rhino's Bar & Grill 1249 Queen Street W.
Rustic Cosmo Cafe. 1278 Queen Street W., 416-531-4924.
Mitzi's Sister bar/restaurent., 1554 Queen Street West, 416-532-2570.
Mezzrow's Jazz Club- 1546 Queen W. 416-535-4906.
NOW Toronto's
Entertainment Weekly.
Parkdale Liberty Newspaper, Steve McKinley editor,
365 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-943-7300
"I'm With Stupid" T-Shirt
Shop 1300 Queen Street W. 416. 537-6812. (now gone out of Business)
The Drake
Hotel Jeff Stober, manager/owner,1150 Queen Street
West, Toronto, 416-531-5042.
Parkdale
Community Health Centre Festival organizer, Parkdale Pride
Parkdale
Village B.I.A. Mark Smith, 1313 Queen Street West. Toronto, Ontario.
416-536-6918
St.
Joseph's Women's Health Centre Festival organizer, Parkdale Pride
Sunnyside
Pavillion Cafe 1755 Lakeshore Blvd W. (for Pride Ride, June 11)
Guide & History
About Festivals: Overview
| Festival
2005 |
Festival 2006 |
Festival 2007 | Festival
2008 | Festival
2009 |
Festival 2010
About our Film Festivals: Overview
|
Film Festival 2008 |
Film Festival 2009 |
Film Festival 2010
Around the Village:
Contact Us | Accommodations
| Nightlife
|
History Queer Festivals Toronto |
Press Room | Sponsors
| Travel
Info | Queer
West Village Links: International
Queer Arts Festivals
Copyright 2010 Gay West Community Network Inc.
Get Social - Join us on:
West Toronto Pride Festival is now an annual celebration of events happening in gay Toronto' queer west-end of city. It's organized by Gay West Community Network a centre serving the LGBTTIQ community since 2001. West Toronto Pride Festival Committee is a non-profit, volunteer based organization
Five years ago, there was not much happening in the queer west end of our city. "My, how we have grown since then." There were over 20 alternative to Toronto Pride events held in the Queer West Village events in 2005. Unlike Pride Toronto, which is a huge stage-managed national tourist attraction. West Toronto Pride Festival is a series of small queer neigbourhood events, inclusive, democratic, outrageous - and positively revolutionary. West Toronto Pride Festival was not associated with the Pride Toronto Organization in 2005.
Toronto's first Pride Bicycle Ride 2005 and West Toronto Pride Festival
On June 11th, 2005 a dozen riders left Sunnyside Cafe shortly after 10 A.M. on their way to the Eastern Beaches, as part of the 1st annual Pride Ride. The event was organized by B. Dunn ride leader with the Gay West Bicycle Club. Despite the plus 30 degree temps, we all made it. Once we reached our destination in the Beaches we had a great lunch on the boardwalk to fuel up for our ride back west. This was the first Pride Ride and from all accounts from those in attendance it was a great success, with many looking forward to the next one on the second weekend of July. It was leisurely paced with us arriving back in the Parkdale area shortly before 3pm, an hour before Parkdale Pride began.
The Queer West Fest a one day event June 11, 2006 ( Pride Toronto West) began at 4pm after a few musical and BBQ technicalities. It was a fun filled afternoon of activities for everyone, drawing the biggest crowd yet. There were performances by Tantrum, Broadband, Last Nerve Productions, and I Furiosi Baroque Ensemble along with musical interludes by local DJ's of course the great BBQ, salads (courtesy of The Drake Hotel) and pastries (courtesy of Dufflet's) were a hit again this year, along with the excellent array of raffle prizes donated by local area business owners. A good time was had by all in attendance. MC and musical interludes by DJ Triple-X. Vegetarian food alternatives were included as well. The event was held in conjunction with the The Parkdale Community Health Centre
With no sign up and free admission, we made it easy and accessible for you and your family to spend a joyous day of fun outdoors. Volunteers were welcome to help with setup, cleanup and raffle organizing.
We have some exciting plans for Pride Toronto West in 2006 in the works ( Beer Garden sponsor and new location larger venue for Pride Day, and more live music events thoughout the Queer West Village, merchandise, community fair booths. Perhaps teaming with Pride Toronto Committee, as a seperate community partner?) We are 100% committed to keeping the Festival free of charge for everyone.
The Queer Village in Toronto West is comprised of four diverse neighbourhoods, Dupont, High Park, Parkdale, The Annex and Trinity Bellwoods-Spadina. Gay Pride is our day to say, “We’re here. We’re proud of who we are. We’re celebrating ourselves, no matter what the rest of you think.”
West Toronto Pride Festival Committee believes that providing a safe and nurturing environment for individuals, groups and organizations is the key to keeping our community alive and vibrant. It is our goal to foster individual empowerment and to give everyone a better sense of the queer community spirit in Toronto's queer west village neighbourhoods. We do this by organizing and sponsoring community activities and by increasing public awareness and understanding of gay, lesbian, biexual, transgendered and queer lives. In the spirit of Stonewall, West Toronto Pride Festival Committee welcomes the participation of all, regardless of age, creed, gender, gender identification, HIV status, national origin, physical, mental or developmental ability, race, religion or sexual orientation. Only by standing together can we make a difference.
The organizers would like thank, the many volunteers, DJ's, community organizations, media publications and friendly business donors, that made Pride Day and the Pride Bike Rally a success in 2005.
Ali Roti Shop, 1500 Queen St. West, 416-536-4138
Bacchus Roti Shop, 1376 Queen St. W., 416-532-8191
Gladstone Hotel 1249 Queen Street West, 416-535-8089
The T Shirt Shop, Parkdale
Easy - a funky luncheonette at 1645 Queen St. W., 416-537-4893
Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen Street West. 416-536-7717.
Gay West Community Network Festival organizers, Queer West Village Toronto,
Dufflet Pastries David Jones, retail store manager 787 Queen Street West 416-504-2870.
Rhino's Bar & Grill 1249 Queen Street W.
Rustic Cosmo Cafe. 1278 Queen Street W., 416-531-4924.
Mitzi's Sister bar/restaurent., 1554 Queen Street West, 416-532-2570.
Mezzrow's Jazz Club- 1546 Queen W. 416-535-4906.
NOW Toronto's Entertainment Weekly.
Parkdale Liberty Newspaper, Steve McKinley editor, 365 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-943-7300
"I'm With Stupid" T-Shirt Shop 1300 Queen Street W. 416. 537-6812. (now gone out of Business)
The Drake Hotel Jeff Stober, manager/owner,1150 Queen Street West, Toronto, 416-531-5042.
Parkdale Community Health Centre Festival organizer, Parkdale Pride
Parkdale Village B.I.A. Mark Smith, 1313 Queen Street West. Toronto, Ontario. 416-536-6918
St. Joseph's Women's Health Centre Festival organizer, Parkdale Pride
Sunnyside Pavillion Cafe 1755 Lakeshore Blvd W. (for Pride Ride, June 11)
Guide & History
About Festivals: Overview | Festival 2005 | Festival 2006 | Festival 2007 | Festival 2008 | Festival 2009 | Festival 2010
About our Film Festivals: Overview | Film Festival 2008 | Film Festival 2009 | Film Festival 2010
Around the Village: Contact Us | Accommodations | Nightlife | History Queer Festivals Toronto | Press Room | Sponsors | Travel Info | Queer West Village Links: International Queer Arts Festivals
Copyright 2010 Gay West Community Network Inc.