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Who's who - Queer West Toronto - Board
of Directors
"Our door is always open to new
possiblities"
A powerful movement for social change
Queer West faces many challenges, building a new queer community in West Toronto, where there was none. It's a brave new world. All of our work is being done by many, many thoughtful committed volunteers. The principles described here have helped us overcome some of the most difficult challenges, and move forward with our work. Throughout our short history, the learning and organizational change, prompted by the inclusion of new voices, has been powerful and rewarding. We hope these strategies will be useful to others in building a powerful movement for social change.
Queer West - (Incorporated as Gay West Community Network Inc.) Now governed by a ten member volunteer Board of Directors. A not-for-profit centre, that produces performing arts festivals and outreach programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, questioning and two-spirited (queer community). Connecting residents, business and community groups in High Park, Liberty-Parkdale, Davenport, Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario since 2001 Incorporated as a Charity on April 7, 2008. Charitable registration number: Pending
Our New Website and Domain Name coming in September QueerWest.org
Board Officers
Bryen Dunn
President of the Board of Directors
Founder of Dunn Write Communications. Bryen spends most of his time as
Toronto freelance journalist; writing about adventure travel, ecotourism,
lifestyle and entertainment, while traveling in Canada, Europe and United
States. He has been writing for over 15 years for trade and consumer publications,
both online and print. In addition he has worked with many tour operators
and tourist boards to assist with marketing and promotional initiatives.
In his spare time, works as music promoter in his alternative business
venture Triple-X Productions. Putting on music events such as Queer West
Fest Toronto and Parkdale Youth Festival. Bryen is a member of Pride Toronto
programming and media committees. He served for many years, on the Board
of Directors of Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation. Toronto.
He regularly hosts the weekly program, Sex City on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto.
Bryen has lived in Parkdale for over two decades and is an avid year daily
round commuter cyclist. A graduate of Humber College he enjoys camping,
travel, writing and DJing. Bryen was elected President on April 28, 2008.
Michael Paré,First Vice President and Executive Assistant to the President
The visionary behind it all. Michael founded Queer West in 2001 Since then, he has steered the organization, though years of unprecedented growth. .Michael is the "bridge builder" the one who can enable good things to occur...the one who uses life lessons to be compassionate in regards to others and to actually see ways in which He can bring about warmth and agreement. Michael suggested the new Board elect Bryen Dunn as their first President. Michael has over 25 years experience in management consulting and professional organizing. Currently, part-time web content editor at one of Canada's leading Environmental Research Foundations. Publisher, Inside Story Newspaper and Digital Queeries magazine. Michael has been instrumental in establishing the Queer West Village, including naming it and has been a queer rights activist in Toronto, for close to 28 years. Founder of the annual Toronto International Queer West Film Festival. Founding Chairman, Gay and Lesbian Association West. Past president of Gay Equality in Mississauga and former member of Parkdale Gay and Lesbian Association. He served for many years, on the Board of Directors with the Fort York Food Bank. Michael is a graduate of University of Toronto with a Masters degree and now lives in Dupont ward 18. Michael enjoys year round commuter cycling, computer technical reading and community organizing. Michael was elected First Vice President on April 28, 2008
Second Vice President
We are thrilled to have Shani on the new Queer West Board of Directors, at this important time. Gender parity is strongly encourage to aid in maintaining equal representation on Queer West's Board. Shani is Operations Manager, Silver Lining Ltd. Has over 15 years of management experience in Marketing, Sales, Corporate Training, Web Development, Research & Development, and Operations Management. Shani has worked in the Mining, Advertising, Franchise and Call Centre industries. When she’s not working, Shani enjoys writing and has written for several magazines including Target Marketing, Job Postings Magazine, Native Careers and CanCon. Shani is a volunteer for Surrey Place at Women's College Hospital and OneMatch (Canada's Stem Cell & Marrow Network) A published poet and is working on a novel which she hopes to have completed by her 80th birthday (hey, she’s a realist!) Shani holds a BA in Anthropology from University of Toronto. Shani was elected 2nd Vice President on April 28, 2008
John ColauttiTreasurer
We welcome John and know that he will be a dynamic member of the Queer West Board. John is presently, Mutual Fund Representative with World Financial Group Securities of Canada Inc.. John has been living in the Parkdale-High Park area for over 25 years and has been an active member of the community working with diverse interest groups. A candidate in two Municipal Elections. His background includes Alternative Dispute Resolution in Urban & Community Planning. John is a former president of the Parkdale Village Resident’s Association, and was former constituency assistant to a Toronto City Councillor (Ward 14 Parkdale-High Park). John was instrumental in establishing the new Board of Directors in October 2007. John sits on a number of community boards including Art Gallery 1313 and is an active member on the Parkdale Housing Committee. John was elected Treasurer, on April 28, 2008
Catherine Jean NashSecretary
We are honoured to welcome Catherine Jean Nash to our Board of Directors. Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Brock University in St. Catharines Ontario. Her area of interest is urban social and cultural geography with a focus on sexuality, gender and space, as well as queer, feminist and trans geographies. Professor Nash currently teaches Social Justice Theory. Her membership on the Queer West Board reflects her ongoing commitment to and interest in the historical and cultural availability and accessibility of urban space for all individuals. Professor Nash holds a Ph D. and M. PL from Queen's and LLB University of Ottawa. Professor Nash was elected Secretary on April 28, 2008
Board Members
Nate FuksChair, Queer Peers Committee
We are fortunate to have Nate devote his time, passion, and intelligence to the leadership of Queer West Board of Directors. Nate is Toronto Senior Consultant, Strategy and Operations, Deloitte & Touche (Consulting). Nate is fluent in English, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian. Past President of the Orthodox Union's, International Humanitarian Help foundation. Fund-raising, community development, and awareness building experience, were an important part of Nate’s decision to join the Queer West's Board of Directors. Nate has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, York University, specializing in Finance, Marketing and Strategic Management. Nate also has a Master of Science degree Economics and a Master of Science degree, Computer Science from York University. Hobbies: Volunteering, Investment, Educational Reading, Martial Arts (Capoeira) and Gym. Nate was appointed to the Board on April 28, 2008
Tam Khuu
Queer West is delighted that Tam has chosen to join our Board of Directors.
Tam is a Manager, Revenue Reporting, of a Toronto entertainment company.
Tam holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brock University and
has over 9 years of experience in the accounting sector. She has worked
in public practice auditing private owner-managed companies, multi-million
dollar public organizations , and not-for-profit entities, and in the
last 6 years has occupied progressively senior accounting roles in industry
for various organizations. Tam enjoys wall-climbing, badminton, yoga,
travelling, and participating in races for charity. Tam was appointed
to the Board on April 28, 2008
Warren Kennedy
We are very excited about Warren, joining our Board of Directors. Warren
is a Manager – Residential Relocations, Armstrong Moving & Storage Ltd
(Mississauga branch) Publicly elected and re-elected having served two,
three years terms as a Public School Board Trustee representing the largest
municipal electoral ward in the City of Mississauga. His background includes
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution. Warren is a graduate of University
of Toronto (Mississauga), Undergraduate Studies - BA (Management &
Political Science). Warren's hobbies: Collector, Wines of the Old World.
Warren was appointed to the Board on April 28, 2008
Forest Lightbody
A Parkdale artist, event producer and dj. In Septembr Forest will work
for Alternavox Radio Station, and become their first roving live internet
podcaster, covering Toronto's club scene. While still attending high school
Forest co-authored a play in 1992 with four other students entitled “Not
So Straight Forward”. It toured Toronto to raise funds and awareness
on the lack of resources available for queer youth within the Toronto
School Board. It resulted in the creation of the Triangle Program, Canada’s
first and only LGBTQ high school. Forest has a passionate interest in
film and is a graduate of a Toronto film school. A long-time volunteer
and member of Inside Out Film Festival and the former OM Festival organized
by Sumkidz a group of artists and activists living in and around Toronto
Ontario. In June 2008 as co-founder and program manager of the annual
Toronto International Queer West Film Festival. We are extremely pleased
to have our newest director, Forest Lightbody on the Board. His wide-ranging
experience in the film industry will undoubtedly prove to be extremely
valuable as Queer West continues to evolve and broaden internationally.
Forest was appointed to the Board on August 11, 2008
History of Gay Toronto and the Birth of Queer West Village
Our New 2008 Charter in PDF format Queer West Bylaws Ammended and Approved July 18, 2008. Requires an Acrobat Reader plugin.
Queer West - Mission & Vision Statement: Click Here
Queer West - Contact Us: Click Here
Board meetings are usually held on the 2nd Monday of every month ( subject to change) from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM) .Next Meeting The Friendly Restaurant, 1116 Queen St. W., on Monday September 15, 2008. If you wish to attend a Board meeting as a guest, please email or call first: gaywest_toronto@yahoo.ca or 416-551-1709
