Placemaking

Popular queer spaces in Toronto during the 1970s and 1980s

The Church & Wellesley neighbourhood. Nicknamed “The Ghetto”, when it came to predominance in the 1980s is now known as “The Village”.

There is much analysis as to why Church & Wellesley became what it is. Many point to the nature of its affordable, high-density, mixed-use infrastructure. Others point to its proximity to Yonge St, the former dominant centre of queer Toronto. The area is also well connected by transportation lines, the University of Toronto, the downtown core, and popular cruising spots in Toronto. However indisputably, the demographic characteristics of this neighbourhood began to differ from the rest of the city.

Notable places of queer gathering include bathhouses, clubs, community centres, and gay-oriented shops. Unofficial spaces most notably were cruising spots spread throughout parks, beaches, and streets in Toronto.

Queer Toronto nowadays is different than it was. LGBTQ2S+ life is not as concentrated in Church & Wellesley, with areas like Queen Street West by Trinity Bellwoods Park emerging into prominence as “Queer West”. As queerness has entered the Canadian mainstream, Queer Toronto finds itself becoming more and more integrated with the rest of the city.