Frequently Asked Questions

• Who runs Gay West?
Gay West Community Network Inc. - is an all-volunteer driven not-for-profit centre, connecting queer residents, business and community groups in High Park, Liberty Parkdale, Davenport, Trinity Bellwoods west central Toronto, Ontario neighbourhoods since 2001. (Approved as a charity April 7, 2008 - Ontario Corporation Number 1752698) Governed by a nine member Board of Directors: Shani Betz, John Colautti, Matthew Cutler, Bryen Dunn, Gilbert Estephan, Nate Fuks, Warren Kennedy, Catherine Jean Nash and Michel François Paré. The Board is made up of business professionals, community leaders and gay rights activists, from the greater Toronto region.


• Does Gay West take student placements?
Gay West Community Network does not take student placements, We do not have community office. We are only on the web for now. This may change when the new Board of Directors starts to run the organization after January 31, 2008.


• What kind of clubs do you have?
Gay West Community Network is not a club, it's a GLBTQ centre (on the web for now). Our community partners Club & Group Directory


• Is there any clubs for Teenagers?
Yes. The City of Toronto, Parks and Recreation has a program for young GLBTQ youth 15 to 24 yrs of age in Toronto West. Visit Queerwest


• How much is Membership?
Membership in all clubs and groups is free. In some circumstances, may ask for a donation for rental space only or for some special activity. Anyone can subscribe to our free bi-weekly e-newsletter for news and events.


• Why aren't there more clubs?
We started a few clubs to get the ball rolling. It's not up to us to continue invent new groups for the community. The westend had no LGBT type groups before 2001. If they did it was run by one person and fold up up when they left. We welcome people with new ideas to start other new clubs. Did you check our "groups page" maybe there's a new one starting, not listed here. Why not start your own? We would certainly support your idea. Here is some helpful tips on  Starting Your Own Social Club or Starting Your Own Support Group.Wish list: Lesbian support club, A club for seniors. More sports clubs. Clubs for ethnic diversity. Religious clubs. The list can be endless.


• Are Gay West  activities held only in specifically "gay venues?"
There are no gay bars in the queer west end of the city, that's what is unique about it. A new trend has been growing over the past few years, spearheaded by a younger generation of gays and lesbians, who either feel left out of the mainstream gay culture or don't feel the need to sequester themselves from the straight world. Bars, cafes and restaurents in the west-end of the city welcome eveyone. Many of our events are held in these venues. About The Village or visit our nightlife page


• How much traffic does the site get?
We like to crow too. Our website gets an average of 15,000,000 visitors a year, from around the world looking for clubs, support groups, news and information, just like you are today. They spend an average of 8 to 53 minutes on the site. That's because this is not an exclusively gay website.



• History of Gay West site?
10 years ago Michel Paré started the site and the organization. Gay West has a Gold plan with ivardesign.com and owns 905host.net and gaywest.ca as it's domain name until June 2009. The site design and maintaince is being looked after by ivardesign.com. .



• Do you accept Advertising?
No decision, at this time has been made, whether to accept paid commerical advertising. For now it will remain free public service and carry no advertising as it has in the past



• What is the meaning of the colours on your Web site?
Blue - Peace, calming, harmony, health, wisdom, kindness, sincerity, fidelity, immortality, unity, trust, truth, order, loyalty, sky, water.



• Do I have to be out of the closet?
When you wish come to community group meeting or event, you will not be asked whether you are out or not out. If you decide to attend their social hour or activities, then you are an individual who is comfortable being seen out on the town with a group of gay people, regardless of who you are.


• Do I have to be single to join any club?
No, you do not need to be single. Gay West Community clubs are open to both single and partnered individuals and their friends, who are looking to meet other people in a fun, laid-back setting.


• What's the Builders Club Team?
The Team is the secret of our success. These are the people behind the scenes. Many gay social clubs fold because one person runs them. Gay West is different, the Founder believes that there is strength in diversity; the more clubs and support groups started,  the faster the community will grow and prosper. No void will be left as in the past. Each club or group  has leader and run independent of Gay West. These people form the Steering Committeee for Gay West Community Network.


• Are the attendees socially impaired wallflowers?
NO WAY! Our community partner clubs; are chock full of vivacious, intelligent, fun loving and successful social individuals. People just like you!


• Do you have a political agenda?
We support no political party or organization. Our communities main purpose is about friendships, making connections and having fun. Strengthening the city and building a community centre.


• Do you run dating clubs or sex services?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! We do acknowledge that intimate, romantic relationships or platonic friendships may develop within the groups and social clubs.


• What area do you serve and where's your village located?

From Jane Street to Lakeshore Blvd and east to Spadina Avenuet and north to Bloor Street and south to King Street. The Gay Toronto's - Queer West Village is comprised of four neighbourhoods: Dupont, High Park, Parkdale and Trinity Bellwoods. Queer West Village Map

• Do you give out personal information?
NEVER. Gay West  respects your confidentiality and never passes along your personal information to others without your specific permission. We never sell or trade mailing lists. See our Privacy Policy


• What are  clubs age limits?  16 and up Bike club. Wilde Chats, all ages. City Teen program ages 15 to 24. Our annual Queer West Fest (community all ages) all other events 19+. All other clubs 19+ drinking age as events are sometimes held in bars.
  

Gay West Site Map