Toronto’s Church and Wellesley Village has long been a central gathering place for the city’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community—with nightclubs, bars, community spaces and stores created for and by members of the queer community. But how did this unique neighbourhood come to be and what exactly does it mean for a space to be queer?

Join the Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) on a walk as we explore the evolution of queer spaces in the city through the buildings, landscapes and art of the Church and Wellesley Village. They will share some of the many stories behind the Village’s built environment and the forces that shaped it, while also speaking to the history and increased visibility of queer spaces in the city. Along the way, the tour will see how buildings—from old Victorian homes to mechanic shops—have been transformed into safe spaces for the queer community and explain the meaning behind the signifiers used to identify them. The tour also see some examples of purpose built queer spaces and how they incorporate symbolism to provide visibility within the built environment. And no tour of the Village would be complete without also delving into some of the questions facing the neighbourhood today, from the relationship between built vs. intangible heritage, to development pressures and inclusion.

Accessibility

TSA strives to host inclusive, accessible tours that enable all attendees to fully engage with the experience. Their Walking Tours take place on mostly flat terrain, such as city sidewalks and paths. To notify us of any accommodations you may need, or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact them at tsa@torontosocietyofarchitects.ca.

Logistics

 All TSA Walking Tours require prior registration. You can register online anytime prior to the start of the tour and walk-ins will be accommodated, unless they have reached capacity. Exact change is required for any tickets purchased at the tour ($15, HST included). Please note the TSA Membership discount is only available for tickets purchased online.

All tours are 1.5-2 hours long, and include mostly exterior stops. Your tour guide will be equipped with a microphone and speaker system to ensure you’re able to hear the tour clearly.

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the tour begins for your tour guide to check you in. We encourage you to go paperless — we can use either your digital ticket or your name for check-in.

Our tours take place rain or shine, so please double check the weather on the day of your tour and dress appropriately. Should inclement weather require tour cancellation, we will reach out in advance of the tour to the email/phone number you shared when registering.

Thank You!

TSA Walking Tours are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ontario Association of Architects and the passion and dedication of our volunteer Tour Guides.