History of Gay Mississauga Compiled by Michael F. Paré,
ML.S - M.Phil © Copyright 2012 torontodigitalq@yahoo.ca
Mr. Paré is one of the nine founding members of queerwest.org
(View of the now defunct Gay Equality in Mississauga social group, marching in Toronto Pride parade in 1990. An old boyfriend of mine, 23 year old Robert (Rob) MacDonald, wearing a blue T-shirt and shorts, is helping to hold the banner at the other end is Ross Chapman in white shorts, fomer Treasurer of Pride Toronto, but when I knew Chapman he was a shy geeky guy with no personality. He's not shy anymore, but still has no personality. Photo by Michael F. Paré)
At present there are no gay bars in Mississauga, which is hard to believe. Mississauga is Canada's 6th largest city with population of more than 700,000. Mississauga is the home to Pearson International Airport, Canada's largest airport and only city in GTA, with access to seven major highways.
Gay bars in Mississauga come and go fairly regularly. Eager Beaver in Brampton, gay owned and operated, lasted a couple of months from September-December 2003, then went out of business. The owner of Sapphire Bar's at Dixie Rd and Matheson , attempted to start one in 2003, the bar is still there, the gay and lesbian patrons scattered.
There not much for the GLBTQ community in Mississauga there is no social clubs to strengthen the community.
Many years ago Mississauga queer community had a strong political voice with a group called GEM ( Gay Equality in Mississauga) GEM folded in 1992, it hung around for about 15 years. I belong to GEM, they were glorious days, what with political activism and monthly community dances, held at the Unitarian Hall, South Service Road off Highway 10 and QEW. I marched in several Toronto Pride parades with GEM. Oh, for the good old days! ...Michael
Hey!
ReplyDeleteWe've responded to the lack of Gay-positive spaces in Mississauga and through the East Mississauga CHC and the Peel HIV/AIDS Network we've started up a monthly get together called QXposure and a Parents and Friends/Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). We're on Facebook, we're fun and we always have food! :)
Check us out and let us know what you think, we're open to feedback. Also our blog is kept fairly up to date: www.qxposure.blogspot.com (yay bloggers!) or you can email us at qxposure@hotmail.com
Love Queer West Blog! Thanks for doing a great job!