Queening Out!

Queer space is everywhere, and so is queer history.
Step beyond the Village and uncover overlooked places where Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities found connection, built community, and claimed space in the city.
Journey from Bay Street through Chinatown and discover the bars, bathhouses, restaurants, community centres, and parks that became queer spaces, including the starting point of Toronto’s first Pride march. Hear how the former Toronto Coach Terminal became a place of arrival and support for gay men coming to the city, and uncover the history of the Continental Hotel, where working-class lesbians and Chinese men formed unexpected relationships.
Along the way, we’ll encounter spaces of queer joy and creativity, from drag shows and dim sum to the legendary Vazaleen parties at the El Mocambo. We’ll also share stories of queer Asian Torontonians who organized, built community, and fought for visibility in both queer and Asian spaces across the city.