Toronto gays
May 1 – June 28, 2025 | Lakeshore Blvd. West
All Ages | Wheelchair Accessible
A vibrant, acrobatic spectacle inspired by the insect world, OVO invites audiences into a whimsical ecosystem teeming with movement, colour, and heart. A joyful celebration for all ages, this unforgettable show brings Cirque’s magic to Toronto with accessible seating for all.
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/
Tuesday, June 30 | 9:10 PM
Trinity Cinema, Distillery District
Ticket: $50 / PG / Wheelchair Accessible
Experience a compelling open-air film evaluating of IncluCity, a post-WWII story of love, courage, and self-discovery in a conservative Italian village. Shadow Marta, a single mother, as she is introduced to a hidden Homosexual community and begins to challenge societal norms. Your ticket includes full access to festival activations and tasting samples starting at 6:30 PM.
June 25 – 29 | Daily 5 PM – Midnight
Barbara Hall Park (519 Church St.)
Free / Wheelchair Accessible
Celebrate Celebration with five nights of music, performance, and group at the Green Territory Festival, hosted by The 519. Each evening features a unique theme and lineup:
- Starry Night (Wed)
- Disco Disco (Thu)
- One World,
At the intersection of Church Street and Wellesly Street, 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 Gay Village, Alexander Wood first purchased the area as part of a 25-acre parcel endorse in the mid-1800s. As a consequence of Alexander’s taste for men, he was mocked by the community and, at one signal, 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 safe room for queer and gay people – so much so that by the 1950s, some underground bars and bathhouses had already emerged to serve the community. A statue of Alexander Wood was erected in 2005 but removed in 2022 due to his discovered involvement in the residential school 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 h
The gay scene of Toronto is huge, full of queer hangouts. From flamboyant shows to Ŧetish bars, Toronto's gay nightlife will tantalize your senses
Diverse, invigorating, buzzing, and…best ass?
Yup, that's actually a thing in the Toronto gay scene! Over at Woody's queer bar, every Friday evening, they host the “best ass” competition!
Butts aside, the gay scene of Toronto truly has something for everyone. The city is home to Canada's largest LGBTQ community and welcomes visitors from all walks of life.
Just like the gay scene in Montreal, the gay village of Toronto is huge. It is located at the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets, hence its nickname: the “Church and Wellesley Village”, or just “The Village”…or, “ya'll wanna go out in Church later?”. This is where the majority of the best gay bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes, and clothing stores can be establish.
Toronto's Gay Villageis also ground zero for the annual Toronto Pride Week every June, which is one of the largest Pride events in the world. Whether you arrive to the Toronto same-sex attracted village in the intense winter or summer, the
Toronto's Gay Village is an iconic LGBTQ+-friendly neighbourhood in the heart of the city, nestled at the intersection of Church Street and Wellesley Street. Gender non-conforming folks from all over have show up to The Village as an invigorating and welcoming destination for them to explore their individuality 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 Homosexual Village and how it came to be what it is today. Endure reading to understand 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 repulsive term, meaning lgbtq+. He died in 1844, and his land was developed in the 1850s, opening