Queen West's Queer West Fest, Jun 15 - 22
by Fred Kuhr / Xtra / Thursday, June 07, 2007
Title of full column is Pick of the Crop - PRIDE 2007 / Toronto isn't the only Pride on offer.
Toronto's Queen West area is sometimes referred to as the city's second gay village and is deserving of its own Pride festivities, say organizers of the new Queer West Fest.
Not that Pride is a new phenomenon on this side of town. Last year, it was called Parkdale Pride, a name that made it sound like it was limited to that neighbourhood.
There's no parade down Queen St. Rather, there are events at a handful of the many queer and queer-friendly businesses in the neighbourhood. These include the official launch party at Rhino Bar And Grill (1249 Queen St W) and the Mix And Mingle Community Fair at the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St W).
Dunn says the use of the word "queer" in the festival's name is not just a play on the word "Queen." It's also a more apt way of describing the neighbourhood, its businesses and its Pride.
"While the Church-Wellesley Village is more male dominated, Queen West is much more mixed," says Dunn. "Not just that we have more lesbians here. We also mean queer in the sense that things are much more odd here."
Queer West Fest is also a way to get more people to realize that there is indeed a second gay village to be explored all year long.
For more information and a schedule of events go to Queer West Fest - Overview.
by Fred Kuhr / Xtra / Thursday, June 07, 2007
Title of full column is Pick of the Crop - PRIDE 2007 / Toronto isn't the only Pride on offer.
Toronto's Queen West area is sometimes referred to as the city's second gay village and is deserving of its own Pride festivities, say organizers of the new Queer West Fest.
Not that Pride is a new phenomenon on this side of town. Last year, it was called Parkdale Pride, a name that made it sound like it was limited to that neighbourhood.
There's no parade down Queen St. Rather, there are events at a handful of the many queer and queer-friendly businesses in the neighbourhood. These include the official launch party at Rhino Bar And Grill (1249 Queen St W) and the Mix And Mingle Community Fair at the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St W).
Dunn says the use of the word "queer" in the festival's name is not just a play on the word "Queen." It's also a more apt way of describing the neighbourhood, its businesses and its Pride.
"While the Church-Wellesley Village is more male dominated, Queen West is much more mixed," says Dunn. "Not just that we have more lesbians here. We also mean queer in the sense that things are much more odd here."
Queer West Fest is also a way to get more people to realize that there is indeed a second gay village to be explored all year long.
For more information and a schedule of events go to Queer West Fest - Overview.
Thanks, Don , for commenting on my blog post about Gay Pride 2007, a listing of events.
ReplyDeleteI always like to promote Queer Pride and alternative gay life styles like leather.
The information you provide here is awesome. I really am in awe of your efforts to link all of the various queer interests.
Mega hairy muscle hugs of appreciation. One in queer pride, living and enjoying our diversity.