There's something about Gay Barrie Ontario

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/