What does the future hold for Gay Toronto's new Queer Villages?
(Street Sign - Queer Toronto Ontario villages)
First Church Street, then the Queer West Village - as gentrification expands, where will Toronto's next gay enclave be? Can the gay community (and the city) survive without gaybourhoods? Join the discussion at Java Knights, a monthly gathering and public forum.
The closest most gays and lesbians ever come to finding a promised land is moving to a Gay Ghetto -- an urban neighbourhood that is populated by, and reasonably tolerates, a large number of queers. For years, Toronto's Traditional gay village was kept lively and relevant by a constant stream of young queer migrants arriving from uptown Toronto, rural Ontario, and new Canadians. And for years, young queers moving there could rely on three things: cheap apartments, low-paying retail jobs, and lots of other young queers with cheap apartments and low-paying retail jobs with whom they could swap spit and various sexually transmitted diseases.
The decline of the gay ghetto also may have political implications. In the past, gay activists had a critical mass of young people who could be organized to protest abuses. It is much more difficult to convince older wealthy gay people to hit the streets chanting slogans.
As the ghetto becomes more exclusive, regular gay and lesbian Americans and Canadians are forced to search for new neighbourhoods that are inclusive. For gays who enjoyed living in the traditional gayborhood, moving dramatically changes their quality of life.
This will be a philosophical discussion on GLBTQ new homesteads in city. The Q & A discussion, is a serious look at finding out why this is happening, and is it a good thing or bad thing?
We will be showing one or two of "Queer In the City Video's" ( 9 minutes each) recorded by the GLBT Historical Society. San Francisco CA in 2007 IV Clips 01, 14 and 15 of 15 - Queer Neighbourhoods of the Future. Panel Discussion and Q & A will follow videos.
Guest Panelists: 
Kevin Stolarick, (biography) PhD., MaRS Centre, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, former Pittsburgh resident now living in Toronto. Long-time research associate of Richard Florida (author of the Creative Class), collaborator of several projects with Dr. Gary Gates co-author of The Gay and Lesbian Atlas who is widely acknowledged as the nation's leading expert on the demography and geography of the gay and lesbian population. Stolarick is current Associate Director of the new Martin Prosperity Institute, Toronto.
John Colautti - Former co-ordinator of the Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area. Former president of the Parkdale Village Resident’s Association and one of the Founding members of the Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation. John has been living in the Parkdale-High Park area for over 18 years with his life partner (Greg M.) and has been an active member of the community. John is now with Toronto Parkdale, Business Improvement Association (Parkdale BIA)
Dawn Chomitsch: While Dawn Chomitsch's roots are in northern Ontario, she now considers Queer Toronto her home. Educated in classical music performance, Dawn has been a percussionist in musical theatre and orchestras for over 15 years. Her love of film and desire to highlight women's contribution to the medium, as well as her determination to be active in the queer community came together with the opening of West Side Stories. Dawn lives with her partner, Nicole and their plants.
Tanya White: Tanya was born and raised in Sudbury Ontario. Worked in the Tattoo industry for 7 years moving on to become a certified Forklift, Reachtruck, Electric Pallet Jack, and Order Picker driver. After spending 34 years living in a small town decided to move to Queer Toronto. After a few months of living here decided to open up West Side Stories Video with business partner Dawn Chomitsch. West Side Stories Video is Toronto's first video rental store catering to WOMEN and the LgbT community, 1499 Dundas St. W., Queer West Village Toronto, Ontario
Michel Paré - A graduate of Ryerson University, is the founder of Gay West Community Network Inc, grew up in Parkdale High Park, Bloor West Village in the late 60's. Michel has been instrumental in establishing the Queer West Village and a ten member Board of Directors to govern The Network. He has been a gay rights activist in Toronto, for close to 28 years. He is a former director of the Fort York Food Bank. Former president of Gay Equality in Mississauga and Gay and Lesbian Association West, both of which have long since gone in the history books. Paré now works part-time as an web editor for a Canadian Environmental Policy Institute. In his spare time, freelances as a dating coach and occassionally writes for the Inside Story Newspaper. Previous career, running his own Toronto management and consulting (Professional Organizing) business called, Intergrated Services. Currently He is the Executive Director of Gay West and a board member.
Moderator: Rui Pires, ACT Toronto.
RSVP by email: javaknights@hotmail.com or Call 416-551-1709 Web
The Details - One and all welcome to attend. Tuesday January 29, 2008. Hosted by Gay West Community Network and ACT Toronto. Gladstone Hotel Art Bar - 1214 Queen St W at Dufferin - Hotel no. 416 531 4635 - FREE, fresh finger food served and soft drinks, cash bar from 7 PM to 9 PM. Street Map Queer West Village, Toronto Ontario. (posted by D.Q.)
Homepages:
Java Knights http://gaywest.905host.net/files/javaknights.php
Gay West Community Network: http://gaywest.905host.net/
Act Toronto: http://www.actoronto.org/
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