Queening Out — heritagetoronto.org

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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.

This emerging historian tour will be led by Simon Liao, an award-winning architectural designer and community researcher based in Toronto. Working across architecture, public art, and community engagement, Simon centres collective memory, belonging, and imagination through inclusive, community-driven design. His work has been published, presented, and exhibited internationally.

Current or future events in the same event series will appear here.

Emerging Historian Jingshu Yao in front of Cecil Community Centre, on the Changing Chinatown Tour, June 02, 2024. Image by Rachna Shah .

The El Mocambo, ca. 1940s. Image by E.L. Ruddy Courtesy of the City of Toronto Archives

Tour participants, 231 Mutual Street, It Takes A Village, June 6, 2026. Image by Oscar Akamine.

Registration

This tour is provided for $8.00/person. The total cost is $10.05 (includes a $2.05 transaction fee). Please note that space is limited on our tours. You may not be able to join a tour group if you have not registered ahead of time through our website.

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Accessibility

This tour is approximately 2.2 kilometres in distance and takes place predominantly on paved city sidewalks and streets.

Public washrooms are available along the route at OCAD University, University Settlement and the Cecil Community Centre.

FAQs

What should I do if I can’t find the group at the start location?+

Our staff and volunteers will be at the tour’s starting location 30 minutes prior to each tour. Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the tour to allow time for check-in. Feel free to call us at (647) 542-3450 if you are having trouble finding the start location.

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