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Group of people walk down a street. Brick walls on the right are painted in rainbow colours.

It Takes a Village

Date

June 24 at 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Location

Start Point

Paul Kane House Parkette (58 Wellesley St E)

End Point

City Park Co-Operative Apartments (51 Alexander Street)

Cost

$10.05 per person

Registration

Please register below.
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June 24 at 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Come out and discover the stories of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community!

Join us on a guided walk through Church-Wellesley Village to explore the powerful legacy of Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community and learn about efforts to strengthen the neighbourhood today and build the community for the future. From the resilience shown during the Bathhouse Raids and the AIDS epidemic to the joy and connection found at spaces like the Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and the St. Charles Tavern, this tour traces the landmarks of both struggle and celebration.

This emerging historian tour will be led by Ella Miller, a local writer and editor who specializes in reporting on queerness, disability, and rural living. A recent graduate from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor’s of Journalism and a minor in 2SLGBTQIA+ studies, Ella has led tours at the Old Stone Mill National Historic Site in Delta, Ontario, and the Rogers Centre with the Toronto Blue Jays. Ella is passionate about local history and has been involved in archival and education work since she was 10 years old.

Group of people stand looking towards large multi-storey mural painted on the side of a brick building depicting person wearing long black gloves with arms raised and police cars.
Tour participants, Bathhouse Raids mural, August 6, 2022. Image by Ashley Duffus.
Image of a large group of people gathered in a park-like setting with mature trees visible in the background. Group is lightly-attired and their backs face the camera.
Pride tour, Barbara Hall Park, August 2, 2018.
Tour participants read plaques on concrete pillar.
AIDS Memorial, Barbara Hall Parkette, June 15th, 2019. Image by Hanifa Mamujee.
Image of a street sign which reads Church-Wellesley Village / Church St. / 548A. The sign appears above a walk signal with pedestrian figure activated. In the background a multi-storey apartment building appears.
Church Street sign, August 6, 2022. Image by Ashley Duffus.

Registration

This tour is provided for $8.00/person. The total cost is $10.05 (includes a $2.05 transaction fee). Please note that space is limited on our tours. You may not be able to join a tour group if you have not registered ahead of time through our website.

Paul Kane House Parkette

58 Wellesley Street East
Toronto, M4Y 1G2 + Google Map

Accessibility

This tour is approximately 2 kilometres in distance and takes place predominantly on paved city sidewalks and streets.

For access to public washrooms, there is a Second Cup across the street from Glad Day Bookshop on Church Street. Additionally, there is also a Starbucks on Church Street between stops #2 and #3 on the tour. There is also a Loblaws on Carlton and Church between stops #4 and #5 of the tour.

FAQs

Our staff and volunteers will be at the tour’s starting location 30 minutes prior to each tour. Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the tour to allow time for check-in. Feel free to call us at (647) 542-3450 if you are having trouble finding the start location.

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City Park: Mid-Century 2SLGBTQ+ Heritage

City Park was the first Mid-Century Modern high-rise project in downtown Toronto. The apartment complex was vital to the development of the Church–Wellesley Village in the 1950s.

Paul Kane House Parkette

58 Wellesley Street East
Toronto, M4Y 1G2 + Google Map