TORONTO GETS ITS PRIDE ON By Doug Ross June 2007 issue
Outlooks is Published in Calgary, Alberta
below is a excerpt from full story
Queer activity for the near future, our local numbers are steadily growing, which is causing a little stress at its seams. But actually that kind of expansion is a good thing, so out-of-towners are encouraged to check out the radically diverse and very tolerant neighbourhood located along Queen Street West with its thriving underground gay scene that has recently been recognized as a viable “ghetto” alternative.
That funky area’s edgy attitude and discreet, but still significant, gay presence exploded a few years back when The Drake became the hotel/hotspotdu- jour for visiting Hollywood royalty and other “see and be seen” hipsters sporting a metrosexual vibe.
Then not to be outdone, the city’s oldest hotel,The Gladstone—also located along that same gritty, but cool west end strip—underwent renovations wherein a local artist individually designed each room. How chic is that?
Also nestled amongst that area’s fluid mixture of ethnicities and sexualities can be found some very tasty eateries and bars—Lot 16, the Beaconsfield, Beaver Café—that provide plenty of music, martinis, munchies and madness.
On June 16, the Gay West Community Network presents its annual Queer West Fest event that boasts a big attitude with an alternative bent that celebrates all things queer positive. And then that same organization teams up with the Aids Committee of Toronto to present its special Pride Edition of Java Knights on June 19. JK is a monthly forum that features discussions on topics from sex to politics and everything in between.
The non-profit Gay West Village Bike Club presents its Pride Ride 2007 on June 17 that takes place along the waterfront from Sunnyside to the Beaches located at the eastern end of the city. So grab your water bottle and your vitamins and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun and exercise within a positive social atmosphere. Wow, so many great events—yet June only has thirty days!
So plan your Toronto escapades wisely, remember to play safely and have a fabulous Pride!
Link Outlooks Canada June 2007 edtion in PDF format.
Queer West Fest:: Toronto
[Some great Canadian gay press as been appearing this month about Gay Toronto's - Queer West Village and the new Queer West Fest and deservedly so. Which makes me wonder why Toronto's new Proud FM 103.9, bumped two of the QWF festival organizers off the Maggie Cassella show at at 6 pm on Thursday June 6th., for no apparent reason. How provincial... D.Q)
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