History of Gay Barrie Ontario Compiled by Michael F. Paré,
ML.S - M.Phil © Copyright 2012 torontodigitalq@yahoo.ca
Mr. Paré is one of the ten founding members of queerwest.org
Barrie is a city of 128,430 residents (Census Canada 2001), the 35th., largest municipality in Canada. It is located on Kempenfelt Bay an arm of Lake Simcoe in Central Ontario. It is the county seat of Simcoe County. The city's north and south ends are separated by a deep valley which contains the downtown area along Kempenfelt Bay.
At the north end of Barrie is the Highway 11 and Highway 400 interchange. Many consider this the gateway to northern Ontario resort destinations.
Tourism plays an important role in the local economy. Barrie's waterfront is at the heart of its tourism industry, with events like the Kempenfest Arts and Crafts festival attracting more than 300,000 people. Recreational activities include skiing at nearby Horseshoe Valley , Snow Valley, Mount St.Louis Moonstone, and Blue Mountain as well as boating in Kempenfelt Bay.
The city also boasts several beaches including Minet's Point Beach, The Gables, and Centennial Beach. Barrie's waterfront is currently under heavy construction, with the relocation of several roadways to provide more greenspace and parklands along the lakeshore. Being strategically situated between Toronto and Muskoka on Highway 400, Barrie is also considered the gateway to northern Ontario resort destinations (referred to as cottage country).
I have been doing research on Gay Barrie Ontario. I sent a few feelers out to Toronto's Christos Metropolitan Community Church, MCC Simcoe (website is closed, is the church congregation gone too?) and the LGBTQ group at Barrie's Georgian College about three weeks ago, but nobody replied.
Barrie Ontario, probably has a big LGBT population. One could estimate it as 10% of the city population, or roughly 12,000 dykes and homos. So what are they doing community wise. Not much it appears. Unless they are out in the countryside at night, in some wooded area with a can of bug spray, swapping spit and playing peek-a-boo?
The best gay bar Barrie was the Spot, but that closed several years ago. Club C'est La Vie (Alternative Adult Theme Club) closed on Oct 5, 2006 Posted their web site is this notice, "We no longer own the property at 23 Collier St. The City of Barrie has Expropriated the property leaving the Club with no place to go As of October 16th we have not been compensation for the Building or the Club. We are waiting for compensation has we have been working on a new location or a Temporary location until a hearing is set to get a fair settlement under the expropriation act. The City of Barrie has not complied with the expropriation act by finding the Club a new location or cost of damages."
No exclusive gay bars exist in Barrie anymore, but there are many gay friendly places. If you want a fierce cocktail visit Oscar's at 52 Bayfield Street and Collier or Manhattan's 147 Dunlop St. East. For fabulous eats in a lounge/jazz environment check out Fitzy's Crab Shack (143 Dunlop Street East) located right beside Manhattan's. All 3 of these establishments are located in the downtown core.
Saturday night dancing? Then you you have to hit up the Queens Hotel, 94 Dunlop Street East. Mixed College crowd? Then your off to the Roxx nightclub, 46 Dunlop St. West(both owned by the former Mayor).
Since Club C'est La Vie" closed I have received word that the Monthly Oro Dances (Oro Medonte Community Centre(arena). Hwy 11 and the 4th Line of Oro)once hosted by G.L.A.S(Gay & Lesbian Alliance of Simcoe County ) pre-spot days have once again returned to Simcoe County.
Also the Barrie boys hang out in the gay.com/chat "Northern" chatroom...may be a good option if your looking for a date, hook up or more information on their scene. You must be a member to enter chat rooms.
Barrie's last Pride Day celebration was in 2004, nothing has happen since, shame really. Can't these 12,000 fags get their act together for 2007?
The only group that is active is The AIDS Committee of Simcoe County, they have event, planned for Wednesday April 18 to Friday April 20, 2007 - Opening Doors Conference at Bayview Wildwood Resort, 1500 Port Stanton Pkwy. Severn Bridge, ON 1-800-461-0243 and Saturday September 29, 2007 - Walk For Life on Centennial Beach, Time: Starts at 6:30 PM.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - Barrie Jazz and Blues Festival presents Barrie Cares Heritage Park, Barrie. Time: 12:00PM - 10:00 PM.
Barrie Cares is a fundraisier in support of the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Bringing HIV/AIDS Awareness locally and globally is a daunting work that has been the mission of both the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
The theme for the first annual Barrie Cares is Women and HIV. Will highlight the issues of both Aboriginal and African women as they really are. Some of the days activities will include a luncheon, invited guest speakers, a fashion show and of course many musical acts throughout the day.
* Schedule of times and guest speakers to follow. Please visit their web site again for updates on this event as well as some of our other events that are listed.
* All listed events are subject to change. For further info contact ACSC @ 722-6778 or email to acscexecutivedirector@rogers.com The AIDS Committee of Simcoe County http://www.acsc.ca/
City of Barrie homepage: http://www.city.barrie.on.ca/
Memories is the place these days on certain nights and times in Barrie.
ReplyDeleteLive just near Barrie in a place call Orillia. Even the group here has reach the same wave length of Barrie.
Our urban communities near Toronto are awful even those who are gay.
Our AIDS Committee of Simcoe County have changed for the bad.
When you ask a question no one gets back to you.
Once was a volunteer for the AIDS Committee of Simcoe and now disappointed of the changes.
There use to be sub groups of caring Volunteers of the AIDS Committee that where let go or at least the group depleted.
In our group of caring volunteers where many deversed people in different work experiences. In our group was Fireman, Personal Support Worker, Counsellor, Nurse, Person living with the virus, etc and we find the time from our work schedule to meet. Sit try to think of ideas to help those living with HIV and AIDS. Visited many high schools for education programs. Joined into the Hospice Simcoe care giver core program for education on HIV and AIDS. Even Huddled for fund raising events. Now it seems to be all gone!! When ask the question no one answers you back. Breaks my heart!!
When I was part of the group of volunteer use to make home visits those in need living at home with HIV and AIDS. You should hear that story from a volunteer. I teach you how one Volunteer gave compassion to a young person in final stages of AIDS. Family dynamics played a key factor as well. Just need someone to come along help them through the journey of understanding HIV AIDS and loosing a family member.
Lots to say coming a once active Volunteer that AIDS Committee of Simcoe let fall through the cracks and when reaches out no one anwers or help pull back through the cracks.
Well enough said from a home town (well its a city now) of Orillia.
One day a volunteer for Hospice Simcoe and Aids Committee of Simcoe County call as a client and family needed some help. I agreed would do my best to help.
ReplyDeleteUpon arriving I gave a call to the client's home. A voice answered with a replied, No visit today as my son's request. OK thank I replied. Well since was in the area thought find the location in case have to make a visit at another time. Discovering where the location was noted a small tiny woman watching me in the living room window. Thought must think I going to break! stopped the car walked up to the door introduced myself. A mother's cry of help replied, my son does not want any visits right now. Totally reasured her that what I had on my mind. Short time past when the mother invited me in to the kitchen for nice hot cup of tea. That was the beginning of our get to know each other. Mother was frailed and exhausted.
On my next visit met the father. On the next visit met the Sister. All the times was visiting the family in the mist curiousity was lurking from behind Someone was listening my voice during the visits with family.
On my next visit it all happened.
Come down the stairs replied this tired worn out voice.
Mother in a panic trys to give details of what to expect will happen. I reasured the mom it was ok that will handle it alone. Walking in the room noted a hospital bed under a window, someon lying there with a red baseball cap on, machine for suctioning, supplies for dressings, fireplace on one wall and array of pictures. Suddenly I hear a huge spit of greenish gue come flying my way. Stopped at my feet so put on some gloves, grabbed a klneex scooped up the flem and through into the garabage can. Well whats next I replied. Not once did show my true feels of that was awful! Face of daggers looked at me with nothing to say if I should be able to read his mind. I replied, anything I can get you or help you with. No in a cruffled voiced. Returned to upstairs where the family where waiting to hear I will not be returning as happened with the other volunteers. My response was I will see you the next visit. I will take care of your son's needs first and than as a family meet at the table for tea and open for topics to their son in general.
Each visit took care of their son's needs and spent time with talking, reading to him. He would fall asleep and up the stairs to meet with the family and tea.
Topics where good ones
My son is gay
Our son came home to die or should say spend his final moments with family
My son has a partner what do we do as wants to visit
Live in a small community and noisy neighbors
Everyone stares at us as we come and go
Boy did I have my work cut out as a caring individual and did I mention a volunteer for the Aids Committee of Simcoe County and Hospice Simcoe. Lots more to this story as a Volunteer who cared right to the end of life.
Took care of the person with AIDS
Family dynamics
Speaking at the funeral and doing one last request to a famulous person his ulogoy. Family gethering of at the end of the funeral to meeting once a month to keep in touch. Help with the greiving aspects of the family.
Time spread so fast and time of carreer changes for me lost contact with the family. Always a place in my heart and memories! Today wonder how is the family!!
More of the story just have to ask me to write somemore and as a volunteer should would. Hopes that someone will have the experience I did. It will become your teaching tool to help others. Education to help those understand HIV and AIDS.
I also carry the story of two more close friends past away to AIDS. Actually those friends where my lovers Nephew and Nephew inlaw.
Orillia a small community how took care of someone with HIV and gave up on his life. I changed all round for him one day! Time to leave the bed and live life to the fullest. Ten years of friendship and volunteer to make it happen.
Hugs
Paul
A volunteer with a compassionate heart! Never to full to share!
"Paul
ReplyDeleteA volunteer with a compassionate heart! Never to full to share!"
Paul said in his two comments. But his blogger profile is hidden. Never to full share en? Come on Paul "enable your profile" What are you afraid of, I ask politely?
Don Q., editor