Toronto gay district
Come early, stay late, and let your Pride shine—sexy and proud!
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Church Wellesley Village BIA
presents
11th Annual Village Fest
A Beer Gargen Extravaganza Pride Pummel Off Party
June 20 - 22
Friday, June 20th at 10 pm
headliner
Océane Aqua-Black
Canada's Kingly Race - season 2
Saturday, June 21th at 8 pm
Rico Rico
Saturday, June 21th at 10 pm
headliner
Gia Metric
Canada's Flamboyant Race - season 2
Sunday, June 22th at 5 pm + 9 pm
Sofonda
Sunday, June 22th at 8 pm
Devine Darling
Sunday, June 22th at 8:45 pm
Jada Shada Hudson
Sunday, June 22th at 10 pm
headliner
Denali
RuPaul's Drag Race - season 13
+ All Stars - season 10
a parking lot between Crews & Tangos & O'Grady's.
516 Church Street
Must be 19+
Debit & Credit Only
Location
At the intersection of Church Street and Wellesly Avenue, you’ll find the heart of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Photo source: https://www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca/
A Brief History of the Village
Considered the founder of Toronto’s Same-sex attracted Village, Alexander Wood first purchased the area as part of a 25-acre parcel back in the mid-1800s. As a product of Alexander’s preference for men, he was mocked by the community and, at one point, even accused of a scandal due to his openness. Though he passed away in 1844, the area would quickly be developed and go on to be Toronto’s first unharmed space for queer and gay people – so much so that by the 1950s, some underground bars and bathhouses had already emerged to assist the community. A statue of Alexander Wood was erected in 2005 but removed in 2022 due to his discovered involvement in the residential educational facility system.
Unfortunately, by the 1970s, tensions had grown between this area and a growing homophobic sentiment. In an effort deemed ‘Operation Soap’, police raided the area and arrested over 250 individuals, charging them with running underground brothels and inciting further homophobic
Plan the Perfect Pride Weekend in Toronto
Pride Toronto (June 1–30, 2025) is one of the best times of year to see Toronto. Its extensive program of events, marches, rallies and parties transforms Church-Wellesley Village into a nonstop wonderland of 2SLGBTQI+ festivities.
Festival Weekend (June 26–29, 2025) is a big draw, but the celebrations don’t cease there. Whether you’re the life of the party, a devoted hedonist, style-savvy fashionista or lover of contemporary art, queer-friendly Toronto has more in store during Pride and year-round. Here’s where to detect it.
The Party Monster
The party monster is never concise on thrills at Movement, which brims with jubilant parties, high-spirited one-off events and exuberant crowds that can satisfy even the wildest of Pride-goers.
If you’re looking to add more queer-centric and club-ready harmony to your collection, Gone Dog Records on Church Street has an extensive vinyl catalogue that spans genres and generations from the likes of Diana Ross to Doja Cat.
You’ll likely be a patio regular at O’Grady’s and Church St. Garage throughout Pride Weekend. T
Toronto's Gay Village is an iconic LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhood in the heart of the city, nestled at the intersection of Church Highway and Wellesley Street. Homosexual folks from all over have come to The Village as an stimulating and welcoming destination for them to explore their identity and sexuality and to boldly transition without fear of judgment. But that wasn't always the case.
In this blog, we delve deeper into the history of Toronto's Queer Village and how it came to be what it is today. Endure reading to learn more!
Alexander Wood, the Forefather of the Toronto Gay Village
Alexander Wood, a magistrate in Upper Canada, acquired 25 acres of land at Yonge and Carlton streets, which spanned north to Wellesley and east of Church in the 1800s. Wood, who was also a merchant born of Scottish descent, was embroiled in a scandal where he allegedly made untoward sexual advances to other men while investigating a controversial rape case. Because of the incident, his estate was mockingly called "Molly Wood's Bush." At the time, "molly" was an offensive term, essence homosexual. He died in 1844, and his ground was developed in the 1850s, opening
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