Slideshow Music: Younger Queers in the west end of the city are into electro-sexual, classic new wave and street beats, punk, current indie.

One and All Welcome at Java Knights Forum: Guest Speakers to Sex Workshops and everything in between

A nice opportunity to communicate worthwhile thoughts, in a rather delirious world, that is much in need of a new focus

Gay West Community Network Inc and ACT Toronto collaborated in 2006 to initiated a series of monthly community forums to stimulate a needed dialogue amongst west end individuals on issues ranging from racism, body image, family, aging, inter-racial coupling, and the important role of having fun plays in our lives. ACT Toronto has a mandate to be present throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and felt that by aligning with Gay West it would be an excellent opportunity to reach a new audience that doesn’t frequent the downtown core regularly. So each monthly event generally consists of some form of presentation, guest speaker or performance.

Why should I attend? Men and women choose to take part in our workshops and discussion group for a whole variety of reasons. These include to: (1) Gain peer support. (2) Build on communication and other skills. (3) Increase knowledge and obtain information. (4) Increase self confidence and self esteem. (5) Meet new people.(6) Share personal experiences in a safe and supportive environment. (7) Java Knights is not a dating club but its a great place to make new friends. We do acknowledge that many intimate, romantic relationships and platonic friendships have develop within the group. Attending at Java Knights event is a nice opportunity to communicate worthwhile thoughts, in a rather delirious world, that is much in need of a new focus

Backroom 411: Surprisingly more and more of Toronto's social élite are now being seen in audience at a Java Nights event from politicians to peace activists to community gurus to Business leaders.Cheri DiNovo, MPP for Parkdale-High Park, James Loney, Canadian peace activist, Glen Murray, formerly the Mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba he was the first openly gay mayor in a large North American city, Kevin Stolarick, Associate Director of the new Martin Prosperity Institute, Toronto, Catherine Jean Nash, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Brock University, William Payne, interim Program Coordinator, Christian Peacemakers Teams Canada and John Colautti Toronto politician, Parkdale BIA. Queer Torontonians have learned about Java Knights Public Forum from feature articles and broadcasters: Toronto Star, NOW magazine, Xtra gay and lesbian newspaper, Blog TO, Rogers TV, The Globe and Mail, fab magazine, CIUT.fm 89.5

Testimonals : Thanks so much for inviting me Bryen...I thought it was terrific and so were the other authors on the panel! The audience was great. Please tell the emcee (Rui Pires) for the evening that I loved and appreciated his enthusiasm! Kudos to you for such a successful event! (Donald D'Haene, author) Hi Bryen. I just wanted to thank you again for including me in such a wonderful event last night!! It was such a great crowd and really lovely to read with such amazing authors. Thanks for thinking of me and for organizing such a fun evening! I look forward to hearing about other events you organize, and hope our paths will cross again soon. Feel free to let me know if you ever end up needing authors to read in anything else you are organizing! I would love to participate again. Best wishes, (Debra Anderson, author) Bryen, what a wonderful event, and how well coordinated and how welcome you made us feel. Thanks so much, it was a privilege! (Pat Capponi, author) The evening was a blast. I'm very impressed that you can get people out on a horrible cold and wet Tuesday. You might restore my faith in grass roots organization. Those people were really fun and happy to be there. I look forward to receiving notice of upcoming events. (Jeffery Round, author)

Tuesday May 27, 2008 - " A Gay & Lesbian Travel Discussion with Panel of Experts"

Julia Steinecke

Julia Steinecke, born in Kapuskasing and now lives in Toronto. is the publisher of Flying Camel Press. She writes poetry, prose, travelogues, and the Pink Planet a lesbian and gay travel column, which appears on the second Saturday of every month.in the Toronto Star. www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/94592

She is also half of the Zwei Teriak1 performance poetry duo, with Terence Go. Visit her at www.JuliaSt.net On top of all that, Julia hosts, In Other Wor(l)ds on CKLN 88.1, Ryerson University's radio station. Her prose reflects her multifaceted traveller's lifestyle in dramatic and witty ways. pages.interlog.com/~julia/

Greg Kozdrowski

Greg Kozdrowski is the Managing Director of Toronto-based Rainbow High Vacations and the gay and lesbian travel site Conxity.com. Conxity is the first to let consumers book “mainstream” and queer travel options on a single site. Rainbow High Vacations/Conxity is located in Toronto’s old traditional gay neighbourhood at 506 Church Street. The company is owned and operated by gay men and lesbians who are experts in both gay travel options as well as the issues that gays and lesbians encounter as they travel around the world. www.conxity.com/index.php | www.rainbowhighvacations.com

More Panelist to be added. Panelist will speak for 5-10 minutes each, followed by questions from the audience.

THE DETAILS: Gladstone Hotel Art Bar - 1214 Queen St W at Dufferin -- FREE, fresh finger food served and soft drinks, cash bar. Event runs from 7 PM to 9 PM. Street Map Please RSVP- ASAP seating limited to 30 - Bryen javaknights@hotmail.com or Call 416-551-1709.

Upcoming Java Knights Events

Tuesday June 17, 2008 - 7 to 9 PM. An International Lesbian and Gay Human Rights Panel Discussion Find out about equality issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and their liberation from all forms of discrimination in other countries. Learn about supportive and education programs, protest actions, diplomatic pressures, from international organizsation's representatives on the panel. Followed by a Q & A from the floor.

Tuesday July 29, 2008 - "Toronto Wards Island" - 7 PM - 9 PM. Celebrating the Body Erotic. ACT Toronto provides ferry tickets and picnic

Tuesday August 26, 2008 - 7 to 9 PM - Picnic & Sex Health Trivia contest Hosted by Rui Pires

Tuesday September 30, 2008 - 7 PM - 9 PM Art Panel Discussion - Nuit Blanche Queer Arts panel (panelists TBA)

Tuesday October 28, 2008 - 7 to 9 PM Gay Before Halloween Party- (event description tba)

Tuesday November 25, 2008 - 7 PM - 9 PM World AIDS Day workshop and candle light vigil hosted by Rui Pires

December 2008 - Happy Holidays

Events & Guest Speakers - 2008

Tuesday Jan 29, 2008 The Future of Queer Neighbourhoods in Toronto? Panel Discussion Stories in newspapers and blogs.Toronto Star - Somewhere beyond the rainbow and Java Knights panelists: queerwestvillagetoronto.blogspot.com/2008/01/are-traditional-gay-enclaves-pass-panel.html and queer diaspora http://sexgeek.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/from-gaybourhood-to-queer-diaspora/

Tuesday Feb 26, 2008 - Kundalini Yoga Workshop With Rosanne McCollum www.brahmanandayoga.com
Tuesday Mar 25, 2008 - Gay Literary Book Slam & Authors Panel discussion: Jeffery Round, Todd Klinck, Donald D'Haene, Pat Capponi and Debra Anderson.
Tuesday Apr. 29, 2008 - Food for the Masses: A Nutrition Night with Gladstone Chef Marc Breton and Toronto Nutritionist Christine Nightingale.

Events & Guest Speakers - 2007

Tuesday Jan 30, 2007 - Linda Eales, Toronto BodyTalk Workshp .www.bodytalksystem.com
Tuesday Feb 27, 2007 - Gay & Bisexul men's relationships, when does the condom come off? Rui Peres
Tuesday Mar 27, 2007 - Michael Battista, Toronto same-sex immigration lawyer www.jordanbattista.com
Tuesday April 24, 2007 - Gladstone Hotel Spa Suite experts, Aniko and Ariel www.thespasuite.net
Tuesday May 29, 2007 - Tough Guise: An Evening of Film and Discussion with Paul Baines www.aml.ca
Tuesday June 19, 2007 - Queer West Fest (edition) Book Readings and Discussion with author Steven Bereznai www.stevenbereznai.com
Tuesday July 31, 2007 - Toronto - Wards Island yoga workshop with instructor Jason Thompson.
Tuesday Aug 28, 2007 - Sex Charades (ACT Toronto, Rui Pires) & Wilde Chats (Michael Paré) in Trinity Bellwoods Park
Tuesday Sept 25, 2007 - Queer Art Panel Discussion with panelistsRoy Gibb | Lisa May Loveless | Leif Harmsen and Andrew Montague Cecil
Tuesday Oct 29, 2007 - 7 pm Wilde Chats (Michel Paré) 8:30 pm to 10 pm guest speaker Queer stage artist Keith Cole
Tuesday Nov 27, 2007 - 7 pm Wilde Chats (Michel Paré) 8:30 pm to 9:30 A night of film/discussion in preparation for World AIDS Day 2007
Tuesday Dec 25, 2007 - Christmas Break - No session held.

Events & Guest Speakers - 2006

Tuesday Jan 31, 2006 - Come As Your Are Store on Queen W. - workshop on the use of sex toys
Tuesday Feb 28, 2006 - The Wet Spots a singing bisexual husband-and-wife team followed by lively converstion cafe on gay village life.
Tuesday Mar 28, 2006 - Paul Barber ( Massage Practitioner) a workshop on getting to know your inner self.
Tuesday Apr 25, 2006 - Stefani Chan from Soul Space - Discussions on health, reiki, yoga and chakra.
Tuesday May 30, 2006 - Miguel Pascoe, Dream Coach (Shamanic Path) www.kachina.ca
Tuesday June 2, 2006 - Milena Vigliotta - holistic psychotherapist, workshop on Tantric Sex,
Tuesday July 25, 2006 - Svea Vikander - female artist + photographer + intern psychotherapist. www.sveavikander.blogspot.com
Tuesday Aug 29, 2006 - Toronto - Wards Island yoga workshop.
Tuesday Sept 26, 2006- Satyam and Freedom Malhotra, workshop www.memagic.com
Tuesday Oct 31, 2006 - Gay Horror - Literature and Film discussion with writer R.M. Vaughan www.rmvaughanink.blogspot.com
Tuesday Nov 28, 2006 - The Best (and Worst) of Sex in the West End with Rui Pires
Tuesday Dec 26, 2006 - Christmas Break - No session held

Nota Bene: The inclusion of links from Java Knights web page, does not imply endorsement by the Gay West or ACT Toronto. We make no endorsement, express or implied, of any links to or from its site, nor are we responsible for the content or activities of any linked sites. Any questions should be directed to the administrator(s) of the above or any other specific sites.

Contact Us - - - Java Knights Group - Bryen Dunn javaknights@hotmail.com (416-551-1709) and / or Rui Pires, AIDS Committee of Toronto, www.actoronto.org | 416-340-8484 (247) or Email Rui Pires rpires@actoronto.org