Queer West Toronto decidedly progressive and countercultural
bent.
OUTeXpressions Newspaper, a social enterprise of QueerWest.org.
Located in edgy, artsy, booming Queer West Village, which has room for everyone:
Hot indie music scenes, celebrity-chic shopping, all-night dance parties and
an uber-cool mixed crowd. We are an Exclusive Media Publication.
Listing only the hottest happenings, in the coolest places. Girlsport.com
Montreal: 2010 "Calling itself Toronto's
second gay village, the city’s west end is an Absolute Hothouse for
LGBT life. In recent years tons of hip bars / restos / shops that cater to or
favour a homo clientele have opened up shop, and you’ll find them all
via QueerWest.org. Their listings section is excellent!
OuteXpressions has been tearing up gay Toronto for 10 years, finding cool stuff,
we think you'll enjoy. Copyrighted 2010. All Rights Reserved. Masthead
Get our Free: Bent
eBlast Hey! Get Social. You can now join us on Twitter
Contact: Michel outexpressions@gmail.com
5th Annual Toronto Queer West
Arts & Culture Festival
Theme: Queering Boundaries
Saturday August 7 to Sunday August 15, 2010
(By Parul
Pandya, Queer West Media Spokesperson and Casey
Reid Program Director, Queer West Film Festival.)
August 2010 will mark the 5th annual QUEER
WEST ARTS FESTIVAL- this year QUEERING BOUNDARIES will be the vision to
initialize a wide-scale community reinvention. Though it is certainly important
that gay, lesbian, bi & trans individuals express individualities, uniqueness
and differences, this year’s festival will promote a central platform to create
inclusiveness and communication between these groupings. Limits typically placed
on a queer identity will be explored and re-explored in an effort to move away
from "Queer" as a singular, often fixed, and essential identity.
The Queer West Toronto community is committed to ushering in a necessary and
more contemporary attitude in reaction to the ever-changing threads of fiber
that fashion the notion of “queer” in its entirety. The festival will view the
complexity of queer identity beyond set places, spaces and community settings
and bring diversity to the forefront of all programming. Art and performance
will be utilized as the vehicle to show queer identity as a contested space.
Though the theme is Queer Boundaries, where and how those boundaries are formed
is subjective. The Queer West community emphasizes a sharing of space and the
exchanging of ideas as a political act, within and outside of the Queer West
Village.
Though queers may converge and diverge on particular spaces to create a community,
the heart of the festival is to emphasize however different our identities,
we all share our humanity. To mark this historic event, Toronto's "West
End" will be (re)claimed, (re)presented and (re)named as "queer"
over the course of 8 days (Saturday August 7 to Sunday August 15, 2010). Artists
and performers will convey genuine and relative ideas across multi-disciplinary
forms to entertain, educate and enlighten.
about our queer west end neighbourhoods
Compiled by Michel F. Paré, ML.S M.Phil © Copyright 2010
Newly claimed 'queer' neighbourhoods and are emerging on Queen Street West
and Dundas St. W. in west central Toronto. . A renaissance is starting,
the two neighbourhoods are becoming vibrant alternative communities and have
recently developed a mix of galleries, cafés, restaurants and boutiques to serve
an increasingly visible queer clientele. We are not a designated tourist area
like gay Toronto village and prefer to be referenced as Queer West Toronto,
Ontario
Out of Town Visitors
Do yourself a favor: shuck those glossy, brochure vision of soul-sucking Ma
and Pa merriment, and instead embrace the edgy, artsy, booming Queer West Village,
that has room for everyone: hot, indie music scenes, celebrity-chic shopping,
all-night dance parties and an über-cool mixed crowd.
The Queer West Toronto, has always been home to the underground alternative
scene; dark raves, electro-sexual, queercore, goths, punks, hard rock, metal,
and fetish nights at the Velvet Underground 510 Queen St. W., Neu+ral
349A College St., Bovine Sex Club 542 Queen St.W., Savage Garden
Toronto’s oldest goth nightclub, 550 Queen St. W. and the Dance Cave 529
Bloor St. W.
In this Queer West district you will find an edginess, to the neighbourhoods
that are a rich mix of ethnic populations, gay and straight, young and old,
decidedly progressive and countercultural bent.
Small-business owners moved a few blocks west to a more affordable area and
the neighbourhood flourished, never losing its “indie” identity. As a matter
of fact, small galleries featuring local talent were here long before the first
trendy bar opened, consequently attracting the hip and artsy, the young and
trendy.
There are no purely gay bars in this part of town; instead there are mixed
events and venues that provide a safe and welcoming place to party and be yourself.
As well, there are several funky dining establishments and accommodation options
so you can actually plan a full itinerary in QW.
Queer West Toronto is more of an attitude than an identity—new and radical
with a thriving underground gay scene. “I like the diversity here,”
explains local Tom Riley, who has lived in the area for 10
years. “This is a fairly tolerant in terms of ethnicity's. As for
its attitude toward the gay community…I've had no adverse reactions.”
"I feel far more welcome and visible on the Queer West scene. I find
that Queer West 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 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 community, 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." N. Tricky A. Watson
Parkdale 26, ASL English interpreter. queercupcakes.blogspot.com
The West Queen West strip (sometimes called “Queen West Queer”) suddenly exploded
with the arrival the ever-so-funky venue/hotel The Drake (1150 Queen
W). The boutique concept rooms have been featured in magazines, on television
and most recently on international flights.
The hip and happening migrate here nightly to be seen or to catch the hottest
acts in the city. A cluster of other equally trendy venues soon opened in the
vicinity, including The Beaconsfield (1154 Queen W), Lot 16 Bar
(1136 Queen W) and the gay-owned Beaver
Cafe (1192 Queen W).
Walk past Queen West club like The Social (1100 Queen W.) any given
night and there they are, smoking in packs on the sidewalk, skinny jeans, thick-rimmed
glasses, ironically ugly cardigans and greasy hair all congealing into a look
both meticulous and haggard. Inside, they dance to Madonna and Goldfrapp, Souljah
Boy and Faster Pussycat, stopping occasionally to sip bottles of 50 and to pose
for photos, that will appear the next morning on blogs like Blogto.com. Just
don't call them hipsters, please.
The queers are now migrating even further west along Queen Street into the
heart of Parkdale. This area is still gritty enough to provide an edge,
yet hip enough for some gentrification to occur alongside traditional Parkdale
establishments. It’s not uncommon to see same-sex couples strolling hand-in-hand
without anyone skipping a beat.
One of the most popular neighbourhoods in Queer West Toronto is Parkdale. Happening
entertainment venues include the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W), Rhino
(1249 Queen W), long-time mainstays of the area that continue to attract devotees
to their premises. Last year “The Caddy” doubled its patio
size, making it one of Toronto’s largest. Rhino also underwent a facelift
and now sports new décor with changing art exhibits. As for Stone’s
Place, it’s their eclectic and often gay events that make it interesting.
across the street.
Further along is the discreet Café Taste (1330 Queen W). Not to be missed are the great affordable eats at Bacchus Roti (1376 Queen W), regularly voted as one of the best places in the city to buy a roti. Two recently opened establishments are Chino (1378 Queen W), offering Asian cuisine, and Mother India (1456 Queen W), with delectable Indian flavours.
For a quick pint be sure to stop by Not My Dog (1510 Queen St W), a tiny spot with a big attitude. This area is locally known as Little Tibet with the large Tibetan population adding character and flavour to the area, including Tibet Kitchen (1544 Queen W). Mezzrow’s (1598 Queen W) and Mitzi’s Sister (1554 Queen W) are two long-time watering holes that attract the neighbourhood night-owls. Mitzi’s is gay-owned and operated, and Mezzrow’s proudly displays a Pride sticker in their window.
 Poor John’s Café (1610 Queen W) is a cozy little shop offering an assortment of baked goods, sandwiches and other delicacies all made onsite. There’s also free WIFI to keep you connected. Rice and Noodle (1690 Queen W) is a great stop for take out before heading down to the lake or over to High Park. Finally on the south side of Queen just before Roncesvalles is Easy Diner (1645 Queen W), around for quite some time and still attracting crowds, especially on weekends when there’s generally a line up. While you’re in this block, be sure to browse the multitude of antique shops. Twenty-something Jonathan who recently moved to the neighbourhood enjoys the alternative scene without the attitude. “I like being able to step outside my door and have options of where to go for queer happenings without having to make my way to the old Gay Village, which is so mundane anyway.”
There are several accommodation options in the area, including the swanky Old
Mill Inn and Spa (21 Old Mill Rd) right on the Bloor subway line. This magnificent
59-room, 4-star hotel (circa 1793!) is a historic country retreat along the
banks of the city’s Humber River. Those seeking something lighter on the
pocketbook should check out Palmerston Inn B & B (322 Palmerston
Blvd) or Toronto Townhouse (384 Clinton Avenue). There’s also the
economical Travelodge Toronto Downtown West (621 King Street W) with
free parking, Internet and breakfast. Day’s Inn (14 Roncesvalles
Ave) has great views of Lake Ontario. Be sure to check out other
places to stay in the Queer West, Toronto.\
 Liberty Village is a neighbourhood in The Queer West Toronto (King St &
Dufferin area). A new 45 acre neighbourhood with easy access to downtown
Toronto, as well as the Lake Shore and Gardiner. Nearby is the Martin Goodman
trail - ideally suited for running, biking or rollerblading. Liberty Village
is unique is a new development project in that it is encompassed with century-brick
warehouse buildings now converted to office and recreational use. Numerous amenities
such as a sizable 24 Hour Dominion grocery store, video stores, health club,
cafes, restaurants, design stores, are all within a short walk. This is an ideal
new neighbourhood in downtown Toronto. It is bounded at the north by King Street
West, the west by Dufferin Street, the south by the Gardiner Expressway, the
east by Strachan Avenue, and the northeast by the CP railway tracks. Liberty
Village BIA
Liberty Village is also known for its successful Art and Design studios.
Many Canadian and US design firms have located to Liberty Village, creating
many jobs for the increasing number of citizens that have moved into the growing
neighbourhood.
Gays and Lesbians are now hanging out along Dundas Street W., between Gladstone
and Lansdowne, where it's cheap in the western end of Little Portugal
(Rua Acores). Places that queers love so much. José Ortega opened Lula
Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, a nightclub specializing in world music
and jazz, on Dundas West in 2002, the street was a low-rent zone of bakeries,
car garages, sheet metal and plumbing suppliers and a rash of Portuguese sports
bars. "Seven years ago, the area had this ugly-duckling vibe,"
Ortega said. "But ... it felt more authentic, more real, a working-class
neighbourhood where artists and bakers and construction workers and store owners
come and do their work."
Mr. Ortega has created brightly coloured street banners for Dundas Street West,
which feature a pair of open hands cradling a neighbourhood growing beneath
a golden sun. "That's what I think of the neighbourhood,"
Mr. Ortega says from his art studio on Dundas West. "It is vibrant, on
the cusp of change, but still friendly and unpretentious.
Last fall Alison Smith Gallery opened at Dundas West and Gladstone,
it was the latest sign of the once-homely neighbourhood's transformation. West
Side Stories, an LGBT video store at 1499 Dundas St. W. at Dufferin,
all opened within the year. Grain, Curd & Bean, 1414 Dundas
Street, a high-end cheese shop, specializes in three things: bread, cheese and
coffee. More specialty store than cafe, this new spot does have some stools
by the front window, but, generally, it's more of a take out spot than somewhere
to meet-up, surf WiFi or otherwise pass the time.
 She Takes the Cake - Hipster Cafe-Sandwich-Bakery Shop (Street
Map) 1600 Dundas St. W. 416-538-2253. Owners Adrienne and Peter Weinberg
are very gay positive, how could they be anything but, as Adrienne puts it "our
bake shop is in the Lesbian capital of Canada." The Dulce De Leche Cheesecake
is to die for, as well as the chocolate bouchon which is a combo of brownie/chocolate
cake. Decadent indeed. They also sell fresh Gryfe's bagels. Fair Trade coffee,
expressos, hot chocolate and amazing variety of teas.
 The place is a few away doors from Central Spa Bathhouse 1610
Dundas Street W. at Brock.Ave. Zoots Cafe, 1438 Dundas Street
West one business west of Gladstone north side of street in a former shoe store,
is full of character and as much as I would love to keep this wonderful finding
all to myself, I have to recommend that you check it out next time you're in
the neighbourhood. Bonus: An amazing treasure trove/vintage store in the back
for those who get too overcaffeinated and get an urge to get up and shop.
The owners Shawn and Melanie are so easy going and welcoming that the
feeling is that you are visiting friends The friendly lesbian Suzette,
who works part-time as counter help. Told me, she use to work at Cock and Tail
bar on Queen West. But this place is more fun and laid back. Zoots is drawing
in a huge lesbian, gay men and queer friendly straight crowd, who mostly sip
lattes, type in their Mac's and gossip with friends, maybe because of Suzette.
Nice assortment of munchies from cakes, bagels to expresso, to while away the
time.
Smith's gallery is the third to open on the strip - after Wil Kusey's LE
Gallery to the east and Jessica Bradley Art + Projects to the west.
Ms. Bradley, a former curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Ontario,
was drawn to the Dundas and Dufferin area three years ago for similar reasons.
"I could see what was going on, down on Queen Street, where the rents
were doubling and tripling, driving the galleries out. ... When I saw this space,
I just thought it was in the right zone."
 NACO’S Gallery 647-347-6499 at 1665
Dundas Street West, opened across from St. Anne's Portuguese Catholic Church.
Naco gallery aim is to promote culture and enrich community. One way this will
be accomplished is through the promotion of local emerging and established visual
artists, showcasing video and new media, hosting book readings and other cultural
events. As a gallery, their aim will be to promote low rates of a professional
gallery wall space. With a progressive and collaborative outlook, they hope
to invite artists who are interested in showcasing their work to contact them
NACO Gallery Café serves Mexican inspired Cuisine with an emphasis on
healthy, tasty food. They are offering imported food and coffee from Mexico.
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is served during special events and
regular hours. Naco
Gallery on FaceBook
The owner of Naco Gallery, Julian Calleros said "The word Naco in
old Mexican Spanish used to mean a low-class, no-class or low educated person.
Today, the meaning has changed and everybody, regardless of skin colour, economic,
age social and cultural background can be Naco. Nowadays, some people are proud
to be Naco and in some cases it is becoming a part of the self identity in various
social and economic spheres. It is common to hear someone saying “I am naco,
but rich”, or “I am proudly naco” or “I am cool and naco”.
Julian who arrived in Canada when he was 17, nine years ago is an out
and proud gay Mexican, very supportive of queer artists, being one himself.
He plans many shows for queer Latin artists living in the Queer West Village.
Many Mexicans live, work and play a little further north up around Dufferin
and Bloor St. W., and Calleras hopes many of them, will start coming down to
his gallery.
The Hen House opened late fall 2008, 1532
Dundas St W. 416-534-5939 on north side. Wondederful little cozy bar. Mixed
crowd. Owned by two lesbians. Domestic beer is cheap, $5 a bottle and only Cameron
Ale on tap at $5.50 a pint. Open 6 PM to 3 AM, best to go Friday or Saturday
night, when the 1950 juke box is jumping. Cash only. $$ Affordable Little Portugal
(Rua Acores) neighbourhood. Queer West Toronto, Ontario.
For more on the Little Portugal neighbourhood, see this recent news story: Wednesday
June 17, 2009 - CTV News Channel - Toronto's other gaybourhood shows its stripes
with Queer West Fest: Saira
Peesker cp24.com
Queer West Toronto, Ontario is located along Queen St W., in High Park/Parkdale and Trinity Bellwoods, making this is one of the largest queer neighbourhoods in North America. Toronto's QWT boasts some of the most beautiful parkland and nature trails in the city. Although known mostly for its wild nightlife, there are dozens of bistros, boutiques, antique shops, galleries and book stores galore, mixed in with trendy cafés and restaurants providing the perfect meeting place to chill or hang out with friends. It’s a bohemian paradise with extraordinary ethnic diversity that offers gay visitors amazing cuisine, affordable prices, and dining among interesting, historic neighborhoods. Queer West - Photo Albums
IF YOU COME
Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has service on nearly every major airline. Toronto is also severed by VIA Rail. As well, it’s within easy driving distance of many eastern Canadian and US centres. Over View of The City of Toronto, Ontario
EAT:
Beaver Café, 1192 Queen Street West, 416 537-2768 – Serving healthy creations during the day and providing queer entertainment at night. Complete meals for around $10.00. Check local listings for evening events
Easy Restaurant, 1645 Queen Street West, 416 537-4893 – A diner of sorts serving huge mouth watering portions. Their specialty is breakfast and located steps from the lakefront so you can walk it all off afterward. Complete meals for around $15.00. Licensed but not open in the evenings.
Mitzi’s Café and Mitzi’s Sister – the cozy Café in picture (100 Sorauren Avenue - 416 588-1234) is a haven for weekend brunch. Complete meals for around $15.00. The bigger Sister (1554 Queen Street West - 416 532-2570) offers an assortment of meals and is a hotbed for local evening entertainment. Serves upscale pub-grub with complete meals including beverage for around $20.00. There’s never a cover charge and both gay owned.
There are now over 70, safe friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants, where owners, welcome all orientations. There have been no reports of gay bashings since 1978, in the QWT. For travel visitors, there are now over 500 queer events in theatres,cinemas, galleries, bars, cafes, Restaurants and the community every day of the week, in Queer West Toronto, Ontario.
FESTIVALS:
We host The 5th annual Queer West Arts & Culture
Festival. It creates environments where artists can explore queer
culture and take risks, the festival cultivates creative synergies, thought-provoking
displays, social commentary, and new possibilities for inhabiting sexuality
and gender. Theme: 2010 Queering Boundaries.
Queer
West Arts Festival questions and inspires, celebrates and expands the spectrum
of queer expression. The Festival is one of the
largest of three International Queer Arts Festivals in all of Canada.
Runs for eight days in the Queer West Village, Toronto Ontario. From Saturday
AUGUST 7 to Sunday AUGUST 15, 2010 For more
information contact: Phone: 416-879-7954 Jaclyn Isen, Queer West Vice President
and Festival Coordinator - queerwestfest@gmail.com
MARRIAGE:
It's official! At 6:09 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2005, the Equal Marriage Bill was proclaimed into law in Canada, making it legal for same-sex couples to exchange vows from coast to coast. Two years previously, the Province of Ontario, announced the legalization of same-sex marriage on July 12, 2002, and as a result hundreds of couples from around the world have come to Ontario and other regions of our province to legally exchange vows.
Marriage requirement for the Province of Ontario: Marriage licenses, valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date of issue, cost about $83 and are available from any municipal office in Ontario. Both parties must sign an application form and submit it in person, along with a passport or birth certificate and one other photo I.D. There are no residency or citizenship requirements, and a blood test is not required.
Same sex marriage information and requirements for Province of Ontario and City of Toronto, official government websites. Gay Weddings Toronto Inc. Wedding planners: traditional, contemporary and post-modern services. Telephone: 416 969 9191 Email: info@gayweddingstoronto.com | www.gayweddingstoronto.com/
PRAY:
Christos Metropolitan Community Church A friendly Christian church for all people, with a special outreach for the GLBT community for 18 years. Worship services are held each Sunday at 7 pm. at Trinty-St.Paul's United Church, 427 Bloor St. W. 416/925-7924 ChristosMCC.com The Annex neighbourhood
Emmanuel-Howard Park United Church, Welcomes all people of all ages,
races, genders, sexual orientations. Besides usual church programs and services,
it offers advocacy for refugees and recent immigrants. EHP is located at 214
Wright Avenue, at the corner of Wright and Roncesvalles in the city's west end.
To reach us by subway, go to the Dundas West Station, and get on the 504 street
car. Get off in front of the public library at Fern. The church is half a block
north on the west side. 416-536-1755: www.ehpchurch.org
| Minister Philip Cable:cable.philip@gmail.com.
St. John's Anglican Church - 288 Humberside Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. Telephone: 416-763-2393 The parish of St. John's serves the neighbourhoods of historic West Toronto (Parkdale-High Park) including the Bloor West Village. St John's, is a church that welcomes and affirms gays and lesbians.
SLEEP:
Day’s Inn Toronto West Lakeshore, 14 Roncesvalles Ave, 416 532 9900, Rates from $74.00 to $169.00 depending on season. A five-minute walk to Sunnyside Beach at Lake Ontario, and includes breakfast. daysinn.ca
Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St W, 416 531 5042, 19 rooms. Chosen by Travel and Leisure Magazine is one of the world's top 500 hotels in 2006. Rates from $179.00 to $289.00 for individually artist designed rooms. Choose based on your mood swings at check-in time. thedrakehotel.ca
The Old Mill Inn & Spa, 21 Old Mill Road, 416 236 2641. In 1793
the Kings Mill - the forerunner to Today's Old Mill - was built in order to
process lumber for the first homes in Toronto. Rates from $219.00 to $659.00
depending on season. A classic addition to the historic Old Mill Restaurant,
Meeting and Conference facility. On the banks of the Humber River. Right on
the Bloor Subway line. This exclusive Boutique Inn incorporates, 59 beautifully
appointed rooms and suites, together with a pampering Spa. oldmilltoronto.com
Young Man - Global Village Backpackers Youth Hostel is the place you should
go. Young man, there's no need to feel down. You can get yourself clean.
You can have a good meal. You can nap whenever you feel. Cost: $24.50 (dorm);
$150.00 (weekly dorm rate); Queer West Toronto's Original and Largest Backpackers
Hostel offers the ultimate Downtown Experience in the heart of Canada's most
vibrant city! Now GVB is your home in Toronto, and the perfect hub for independent
youth and student travellers. Global Village Backpackers, just steps away from
all Toronto's top tourist attractions and Queer West's Entertainment District.
Facilities include 24 hr reception, Free breakfast, Free wireless internet,
huge common areas, self-serve kitchen, laundry, daily tours, stunning outdoor
patio and Toronto's only in-house Backpackers Departure Lounge, a fun place
to hang. GBV .460 King Street West, at Spadina.Tel: (416) 703-8540 Fax: (416)
703-3887 Tollfree: 1 (888) 844-7875 Website: www.globalbackpackers.com
VIDEO TOUR:
Video Tours of Gay Toronto's - Queer West neighbourhoods. Toronto's
queer west end, is not so much a part of the city as a collection of small villages.
Parkdale in the heart of Queer West Toronto, is one of the oldest neighborhoods
in the city dating back to 1879.
Parkdale Running through the village is a beat driven queer street
which, defies the ordinary Canadian stereotype with its live lingerie models
and progressive music scene
Queen Street West
In the 1920's, Kensington was know as the Jewish Market. Today, you can sense
the city's funky, multicultural mix in shops packed with goods from Europe,
the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America and Asia. Kensington
Market No other neighborhood has quite as much charm as The Annex
in Toronto. Unique shops and abundant ethnic restaurants reflect its artsy,
diverse population.
Annex Part of Toronto's queer west end includes the, quintessential
Chinatown that rivals all other chinatowns around North America. Chinatown
Liberty Village in Parkdale, has become a haven for artists, actors
and other madly creative types. Liberty
Village Funky stores on West
Queer West
Street Map to Queer West Toronto, Ontario gaybourhoods (The
Map)
Copyright 2010 Gay West Community Network Inc.
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