Exciting and Worthwhile Growth

Gay West Community Network, works to bring together the geographic width and the demographic depth of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied communities in West Toronto, Ontario. ( High Park, Dupont, Parkdale, and Trinity-Bellwoods, neighbourhoods) We encourage and assist individual GLBTTIQ members of the community and gay positive organizations, churches, businesses and other community groups, to develop direct participation in the processes that will affect our lives.

Gay West will work to enable Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexuals, Transgender and questioning West Torontonians to take the lead in building their own future. Gay West's Founder believes, if all groups are under one umbrella, the transition to our own centre, some time in the future makes sense, in strengthening our community

Gay West's volunteers have been working hard since 2001, to promote an active community in all neighbourhood's in West Toronto. One facet of this effort will be to produce experienced and emerging GLBTTIQ leaders. To come together, for training and networking for this exciting and worthwhile growth.

A Progressive Community in West Toronto

The idea behind Community Partner Program, is to encourage community building, by forming partnerships with community members in Gay Toronto's - Queer West Village working to strengthen the GLBTTIQ community locally. In the second year, the program has been very successful. The model we developed, was to start a Club Builders Team, leaders of our Community Partners ( a local committee ), and provide that committee with support in the form of one-on-one conversations, exchange of ideas and hold meetings. We seize every opportunity to talk with people and share your goals. We build awareness and a widening network of supporters. We encourage community people to start their own Community Partner club or group etc.

Gay West Community Network (GWCN) has plans to become become Gay Toronto's first non-profit (lgbttiq) Community Centre. We will also be hosting performing and visual arts festivals and educational workshops. Run by a new talented and dedicated nine member, volunteer Board of Directors. Who are deeply committed to the success of GWCN. The new Board will begin to hold their meetings on January 31, 2008, on the last Thursday of every month 7 pm to 8:30 pm, at Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre (CRC), 220 Cowan Avenue, Toronto Parkdale, Ontario. Please note GWCN is not associated with the Parkdale Masaryk-Cowan CRC

A powerful movement for social change

Gay West Community Network will face many challenges, building a new queer community in West Toronto, where there is 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.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Gay West Community Network is to achieve respect and equality within a supportive environment, it responds to the needs of the local neighbourhood and the broader Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTTQ) communities in West Toronto Ontario.

Vision Statement

Our vision is a community that promotes positive attitudes and eliminates discrimination toward people of all sexual orientations; Inspires change through positive educational effort. Provides social, recreational and cultural opportunities for our members and the larger community.

We will set out to produce performing arts festivals for the purposes of educating and advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of performing arts and to educate artists through participation in such festivals and related workshops.

Gay West Site Map