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Toronto Gay City Guide: Finding Your Place in the Gay Village City

Located on the northwestern shore of beautiful Lake Ontario, Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and a diverse, multicultural city with a thriving and vibrant LGBTQ community. Toronto is in fact home to Canada’s only “Gay Village”, which is one of the largest, most unique, and welcoming LGBTQ communities in the world. Truly, it would be a wonderful city to call home!

A Brief History of Toronto

The history of native peoples living in the area that is now Toronto dates back to almost ten thousand years. Modern-day history, however, began in 1615, when a Frenchman named Etienne Brule discovered the area. Eventually, trading posts were established in the area, and the population began to grow.  In the 1830s, Toronto was officially incorporated as a city, and by 1867 had grown so much that it was named the capital of Ontario. Over the years, the city suffered from several large fires, but always rebuilt and came back stronger than ever with a continually growing population, thriving industry, innovation, and strength from its diverse, multicultural population. Today, Toronto remains a thriving city and a major financial center – the fifth largest city in North America, in fact.

A Few Fun Facts About Toronto

  • Toronto is the only Canadian city with seven major league sports teams.
  • Toronto is a city of trees – over 10 million of them, in fact.
  • Toronto truly is a multi-cultural city – over 180 languages and dialects are spoken there.

Read more fun facts about Toronto here.

A Look at Toronto’s LGBTQ Community

The 519

The 519 is an LGBTQ community meeting place in Toronto with the mission of providing a supportive environment responsive to the needs of the LGBTQ community in the greater Toronto area. By providing advocacy, resources, supports, and accessible safe spaces and opportunities for connection, The 519 is committed to making Toronto the best city it can be for the LGBTQ community, and its friends and allies.

Toronto PFLAG

Toronto PFLAG is Toronto’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG has 500 chapters with more than 200,000 members in the United States, and it plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community, friends, and allies.

What’s the Weather Like in Toronto?

Toronto has what is known as a semi-continental climate. This means that residents can expect to experience four distinct seasons, with spring and fall typically being mild and pleasant and bringing beautiful fall leaves and vibrant spring blooms. Toronto typically has warm and humid summers and cold winters. In the winter, Toronto receives about 45" of snow, with an average temperature around 22°F. In the summer, highs usually reach around 81°F. Toronto receives an average of 31.5 inches of rain per year.

The Best Events in Toronto

Pride Toronto

Held in June of each year, Pride Toronto is the city’s annual pride celebration, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the LGBTQ community in the greater Toronto area. It is one of the largest organized pride festivals in the world. Attendees can enjoy performances on several stages, parades, events, networking opportunities, parties, and more. You won’t want to miss your chance to join in the festivities too!

Inside Out Film Festival

The Inside Out Film Festival is an annual festival held in Toronto to showcase films by and for the LGBTQ community and is Canada’s largest such festival. The mission of Inside Out is to challenge attitudes and change lives through film.

Where to Live in Toronto

For those who want a neighborhood that is the very definition of a “gayborhood”, then Toronto is the city for you. Toronto is in fact home to Canada’s largest gay community, known as “The Village”. Centered in downtown Toronto at the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets, The Village is full of cafés, restaurants, LGBTQ shops, bars, nightspots, and more. You would be hard-pressed to find a more LGBTQ-oriented community in Canada or anywhere else. Because space is at a premium, condos, lofts, and studio apartments are very popular home choices in The Village. The median list price in The Village last year was 563,482 Canadian Dollars.

Arts and Entertainment

 The Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is a world-renowned museum of art, culture, and natural history in Toronto. It is one of the largest museums in North America and the largest in Canada. It attracts more than one million visitors a year. You won’t want to miss your chance to visit and be inspired too.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

The Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is one of the world’s largest-running and largest queer theatres. Centrally located in the Gay Village, the theatre has two stages which regularly show cutting-edge LGBTQ performances. 

Parks and Recreation

OutSport Toronto

OutSport Toronto is a community-based amateur athletic association serving the greater Toronto area. Its mission is to serve and support amateur LGBTQ sports and promote health, well-being, and community for LGBTQ members, regardless of ability or aptitude. Multiple sporting organizations across the city, including the Toronto Gay Hockey League, Toronto Gay Football League, Toronto Gay Sailing Club, Toronto Gay, and Lesbian Tennis Association, and more participate. Truly, everyone can find their place here and can enjoy healthy exercise while making friends and building community through sport.

Toronto Botanical Garden

The Toronto Botanical Garden is often called “The Little Garden with Big Ideas”. It may sit on only four acres, but within those four acres are 17 themed “city-sized” gardens for visitors to enjoy. The Botanical Garden is a beautiful and enchanting place to spend an afternoon enjoying nature’s beauty in a unique way.

Toronto Nightlife

Crews and Tangos

Crews and Tangos, often referred to as Crews is an LGBTQ bar located in a converted Victorian house that is well-known for having some of the best drag shows in the Gay Village – and even better, those shows are offered seven days per week. The bar also offers regular karaoke nights, two dance floors, strong drinks, and great music. There’s truly something for everyone. 

Woody's

Woody’s is truly a local institution in Toronto’s Gay Village. Woody’s is known for its laid-back atmosphere, is friendly staff, it’s fun theme nights, and for being one of the most popular spots in the area to enjoy an evening out.

Pegasus on Church

Pegasus on Church is well known for being one of the friendliest LGBTQ bars in Toronto. It also offers plenty to do, with four pool tables, pinball machines, dartboards, video games, weekly euchre tournaments, and more. It’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the evening!

Contact a Toronto Realtor Today

If you’re interested in calling Toronto home, there’s no time like now to get started searching for the perfect house in a neighborhood you’ll love. Finding the right realtor will be a key piece of making your home-buying experience all that you want it to be. Contact a Toronto gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!

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