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{{Infobox settlement
]
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
Le '''Village gai''' is the ] of ], ], ]. It is located on ] downtown, centred on ] ] station, in the Ville-Marie borough of the city. The Village runs approximately from rue Saint-Hubert to avenue Papineau, a distance of nearly two kilometres, making it the largest in North America in terms of area.
| name = The Gay Village
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'''Gay Village''' (often simply known as "the Village"; {{langx|fr|'''Le Village gai'''}} or simply '''''Le Village''''') is a neighbourhood delineated by ] and Atateken Street in the ] of ], ], Canada.
Formerly a poor working-class neighbourhood, part of the Centre-Sud area of the city, the area was occupied by the ] and ] community after the expulsion of gay businesses from an area closer to boulevard Saint-Laurent. The area has been considerably brightened up, thanks in part to recent investment from the various levels of government.


The entire Village is bordered approximately by ] to the west, ] to the east, ] to the north and ] to the south, making it the largest ] in ] in terms of area. It is served by the ] and ] ] stations.
Indeed, despite repression as late as the early ], recent government support of the Village cannot be overemphasized. All three levels of government are aggressively promoting the Village, the accepting climate of Quebec, and gay life in Montreal as a ] attraction. In recognition of the Village's importance to the city, the borough of Ville-Marie recently hung a ] in its council chambers, to say nothing of the recently rebuilt entrance to Beaudry metro, decorated with rainbow pillars. The Village is specifically marked on official city maps.


Originally a poor working-class area, the ] neighbourhood became increasingly attractive to the ] and ] community after the migration of many ] businesses from other parts of the city. The area has become considerably ], due in part to significant investment from the various levels of all governments. All three levels of government are aggressively promoting Montreal's gay life as a ]. In recognition of the Village's importance to the city, the Ville-Marie borough has displayed a ] in its council chambers and redecorated the entrance to the Beaudry Metro station with rainbow pillars. The Village is specifically marked on official ]s as "''Le Village''".
Finally, the governments lent their support in securing the ] for ]. The city later lost the right to hold the Games under that name because the ] considered their plans too ambitious. Instead, Montr&eacute;al Rendez-Vous 2006, the first edition of the ], will take place in Montreal, with the 2006 Gay Games being moved to ].


==History==
The city government came under criticism recently for cutting funding to the ] ] celebrations, which nevertheless are ranked among the largest in the world.
The first recorded gay establishment in North America was Montrealer Moise Tellier’s apple and cake shop on Craig Street (now ]) in 1869.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burnett|first1=Richard|title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAY MONTRÉAL AND WALKING TOUR|url=http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/brief-history-of-gay-montreal/|website=Tourism Montreal|access-date=1 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082853/http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/brief-history-of-gay-montreal/|archive-date=2 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Originally named after a little wrestler named Dave who used to wrestle outside the pubs during the summer months.
In addition to a small scene in ], there were traditionally two concentrations of establishments where gays were welcomed (by the 1970s, these had become openly gay businesses), which mirrored Montreal's more language-segregated culture. These were ] (mixed, but mostly anglophone) and ] (mixed, but mostly francophone):


===Downtown Montreal===
Gays and lesbians live all over the highly accepting city, so their residential density in the Village is only slightly higher than elsewhere. However, the Village contains a variety of shops and services targeting the community, and so serves as an entertainment and tourism epicentre rather than as a gay neighbourhood strictly speaking.
The west end of Montreal's downtown had bars on ] and ], with ] west of ] as a gay residential neighbourhood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.go-montreal.com/areas_village.htm |title=The Village Comes Out: A Quick History |access-date=2008-03-28 |author=Andrea Zanin |work=Go-Montreal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328224920/http://www.go-montreal.com/areas_village.htm |archive-date=2008-03-28 }}</ref> By the 1950s, ] (now ]) was seen as an area where men could meet and cruise{{Citation needed|date=May 2009}} and the centrally located Dominion Square Tavern was known as a place where gays could meet (it still exists today, but has lost its gay clientele). By the late 1960s and early 1970s, many gay-owned or gay-open businesses existed and it became the city's main gay concentration, though it was still relatively marginal and kept discreet. The businesses consisted mainly of clubs where men could dance.


===The Main===
The Village contains a wide variety of nightlife: bars and discotheques catering to all tastes (Montreal has more gay bars and discotheques than Paris, and as many as San Francisco or New York), including three very large entertainment complexes, one of which is the largest of its kind in the world. There are also a wide range of boutiques, restaurants, caf&eacute;s, bed-and-breakfasts, and hotels. The city also contains a number of gay establishments outside the Village proper.
], the strip of businesses on ] and east along ] East, an area which was known as the ] of sexual services and businesses.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Montreal's gay village : the story of a unique urban neighborhood through the sociological lens|author=Hinrichs, Donald William|date=2011|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-1462068371|location=Bloomington, Ind.|oclc=776716116}}</ref> The east had a more ] clientele. Here, the businesses consisted mainly of taverns, often featuring ] shows.


===Closure of gay businesses in the past===
The Association des Commer&ccedil;ants et Professionels du Village (Village Businesspersons and Professionals Association) represents the businesspeople of the Village. The Centre communautaire des gais et lesbiennes de Montr&eacute;al (Montreal Gay and Lesbian Community Centre) is currently constructing a new office space in the Village.
The businesses in these two areas came under regular repression, particularly before Montreal's ] ] and the ] in 1976. The Aquarius Sauna on ] was raided in February 1975, followed by six gay and lesbian bars in October 1975, the "Les Bains Clubs" on January 23, 1976 and the Cristal Sauna on February 11, 1976. Because of the increased police repression, the Gay Coalition Against Repression was formed and hosted what was then the largest gay demonstration in Canada on July 19, 1976. In mid-March 1987, the 456 Sauna (formerly the historical Neptune Sauna), the "Taureau d'Or", "Studio 1", "Club Stork", "le Jilly's" and many other businesses were raided and a number of owners had to shut down after dubious accusations that led to a number of owners and clients being arrested.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409014956/http://www.fiertemontrealpride.com/fr_histoire.htm |date=2010-04-09 }}</ref>


===Development of the Gay Village===
]
Originally, there were only a handful of establishments located in what is now the Gay Village. In the early 1980s, some bars opened along ], between ] and ], in Montreal's ] area. Eventually, a new generation of gays also moved into the neighbourhood, both ] and francophone, including many came from other parts of Quebec. This was encouraged by the creation of a "]" in the vicinity of the ] campus.
]

The name ''Le Village de l'Est'' ("the East Village") was coined in an advertisement by one of the owners of K.O.X., a very popular bar/club at the time. After having lived in ], it was his intention to create a strong vibrant gay community similar to the ] in Manhattan. The name was created to differentiate itself from the traditional downtown scene. Eventually, the name became known simply as "The Village" and it became Montreal's main gay residential and commercial district. However, its success also caused the near-disappearance of gay businesses from other areas of the city.

By the 1990s, the Village began expanding along Amherst (now Atateken) Street, with the departure of many antique shops and the emergence of more gay-owned and gay-operated businesses. By this time, the Village had become well established, gaining political recognition and acceptance by the ] as well as by heterosexuals. By gaining popularity, the area has generally thrived, having been beautified and having housing renovated. Almost all gay businesses in Montreal are now located in this area.

], the city's main LGBT-oriented ], moved to the village in 2001, from its prior location on Saint-Laurent, but closed in 2002 due to declining sales.<ref name=landrogyne> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227053051/https://www.fugues.com/235133-article-landrogyne-ferme-ses-portes.html |date=2021-02-27 }}. '']'', July 25, 2002.</ref>

Although many ] individuals reside and are very present in other parts of Montreal, the Gay Village remains the heart of Montreal's LGBT community. Every summer, St. Catherine Street becomes a pedestrian mall that is decked out with many pink balls strung overhead.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aireslibres.com/ |title=Aires Libres (Sainte-Catherine Street for pedestrians |access-date=2011-05-23 |archive-date=2014-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508214711/http://www.aireslibres.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many bars and restaurants provide outdoor terraces for their patrons at this time. Major events that are held in the Village include ] (Montreal's Pride festival) and ''Le Festival International de Montréal en Arts''.<ref></ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Canada}}
*]
*]
*], Montreal's former Pride event (1993 to 2014)
*]
*]
*]
*]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* in 2001. {{in lang|fr}}

{{Geographic Location (8-way)
| Centre = ] Gay Village
| North = ] ] (])
| Northeast =
| East = ] ] (])
| Southeast =
| South = '']''
| Southwest = ] ] (])
| West = ] ] (])
| Northwest =
}}
{{MontrealNeighbourhoods}}
{{LGBT in Canada}}

]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 02:33, 23 October 2024

Neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
The Gay Village French: Le Village gai
Neighbourhood
A partial view of Montreal's Gay Village, with Beaudry Metro station to the left.A partial view of Montreal's Gay Village, with Beaudry Metro station to the left.
The Gay Village is located in MontrealThe Gay VillageThe Gay VillageLocation of the Gay Village in Montreal
Coordinates: 45°31′08″N 73°33′21″W / 45.518825°N 73.555798°W / 45.518825; -73.555798
CountryCanada
ProvinceQuebec
CityMontreal
BoroughVille-Marie
Postal CodeH2K, H2L
Area code(s)514, 438

Gay Village (often simply known as "the Village"; French: Le Village gai or simply Le Village) is a neighbourhood delineated by Saint Catherine Street East and Atateken Street in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The entire Village is bordered approximately by Saint Hubert Street to the west, De Lorimier Avenue to the east, Sherbrooke Street to the north and René Lévesque Boulevard to the south, making it the largest gay village in North America in terms of area. It is served by the Beaudry and Papineau metro stations.

Originally a poor working-class area, the Centre-Sud neighbourhood became increasingly attractive to the gay and lesbian community after the migration of many LGBTQ businesses from other parts of the city. The area has become considerably gentrified, due in part to significant investment from the various levels of all governments. All three levels of government are aggressively promoting Montreal's gay life as a tourist attraction. In recognition of the Village's importance to the city, the Ville-Marie borough has displayed a rainbow flag in its council chambers and redecorated the entrance to the Beaudry Metro station with rainbow pillars. The Village is specifically marked on official city maps as "Le Village".

History

The first recorded gay establishment in North America was Montrealer Moise Tellier’s apple and cake shop on Craig Street (now Saint Antoine Street) in 1869. Originally named after a little wrestler named Dave who used to wrestle outside the pubs during the summer months. In addition to a small scene in Old Montreal, there were traditionally two concentrations of establishments where gays were welcomed (by the 1970s, these had become openly gay businesses), which mirrored Montreal's more language-segregated culture. These were Downtown Montreal (mixed, but mostly anglophone) and The Main (mixed, but mostly francophone):

Downtown Montreal

The west end of Montreal's downtown had bars on Stanley Street and Drummond Street, with Shaughnessy Village west of Guy Street as a gay residential neighbourhood. By the 1950s, Dominion Square (now Dorchester Square) was seen as an area where men could meet and cruise and the centrally located Dominion Square Tavern was known as a place where gays could meet (it still exists today, but has lost its gay clientele). By the late 1960s and early 1970s, many gay-owned or gay-open businesses existed and it became the city's main gay concentration, though it was still relatively marginal and kept discreet. The businesses consisted mainly of clubs where men could dance.

The Main

The Main, the strip of businesses on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and east along Saint Catherine Street East, an area which was known as the Red-light district of sexual services and businesses. The east had a more francophone clientele. Here, the businesses consisted mainly of taverns, often featuring drag shows.

Closure of gay businesses in the past

The businesses in these two areas came under regular repression, particularly before Montreal's Expo 67 World's Fair and the Olympic Games in 1976. The Aquarius Sauna on Crescent Street was raided in February 1975, followed by six gay and lesbian bars in October 1975, the "Les Bains Clubs" on January 23, 1976 and the Cristal Sauna on February 11, 1976. Because of the increased police repression, the Gay Coalition Against Repression was formed and hosted what was then the largest gay demonstration in Canada on July 19, 1976. In mid-March 1987, the 456 Sauna (formerly the historical Neptune Sauna), the "Taureau d'Or", "Studio 1", "Club Stork", "le Jilly's" and many other businesses were raided and a number of owners had to shut down after dubious accusations that led to a number of owners and clients being arrested.

Development of the Gay Village

Originally, there were only a handful of establishments located in what is now the Gay Village. In the early 1980s, some bars opened along Saint-Catherine Street East, between Berri Street and Papineau Avenue, in Montreal's Centre-Sud area. Eventually, a new generation of gays also moved into the neighbourhood, both anglophone and francophone, including many came from other parts of Quebec. This was encouraged by the creation of a "Latin Quarter" in the vicinity of the Université du Québec à Montréal campus.

The name Le Village de l'Est ("the East Village") was coined in an advertisement by one of the owners of K.O.X., a very popular bar/club at the time. After having lived in New York City, it was his intention to create a strong vibrant gay community similar to the East Village in Manhattan. The name was created to differentiate itself from the traditional downtown scene. Eventually, the name became known simply as "The Village" and it became Montreal's main gay residential and commercial district. However, its success also caused the near-disappearance of gay businesses from other areas of the city.

By the 1990s, the Village began expanding along Amherst (now Atateken) Street, with the departure of many antique shops and the emergence of more gay-owned and gay-operated businesses. By this time, the Village had become well established, gaining political recognition and acceptance by the LGBT community as well as by heterosexuals. By gaining popularity, the area has generally thrived, having been beautified and having housing renovated. Almost all gay businesses in Montreal are now located in this area.

Librairie L'Androgyne, the city's main LGBT-oriented bookstore, moved to the village in 2001, from its prior location on Saint-Laurent, but closed in 2002 due to declining sales.

Although many LGBTQ individuals reside and are very present in other parts of Montreal, the Gay Village remains the heart of Montreal's LGBT community. Every summer, St. Catherine Street becomes a pedestrian mall that is decked out with many pink balls strung overhead. Many bars and restaurants provide outdoor terraces for their patrons at this time. Major events that are held in the Village include Fierté Montréal (Montreal's Pride festival) and Le Festival International de Montréal en Arts.

See also

Notes

  1. Burnett, Richard. "A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAY MONTRÉAL AND WALKING TOUR". Tourism Montreal. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  2. Andrea Zanin. "The Village Comes Out: A Quick History". Go-Montreal.com. Archived from the original on 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2008-03-28.
  3. Hinrichs, Donald William (2011). Montreal's gay village : the story of a unique urban neighborhood through the sociological lens. Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse. ISBN 978-1462068371. OCLC 776716116.
  4. Fierté Montréal site History page Archived 2010-04-09 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "L’Androgyne ferme ses portes" Archived 2021-02-27 at the Wayback Machine. Fugues, July 25, 2002.
  6. "Aires Libres (Sainte-Catherine Street for pedestrians". Archived from the original on 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  7. Festival International de Montréal en Arts

References

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Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (Montreal)
Quartier Latin (Montreal) Gay Village Sainte-Marie (Montreal)
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