Oh man...
Mood:
happy
Yesterday was great. I was surprised though. EVERYTHING was so sexualized, but I guess when you go to an area where people define themselves through their sexuality, that is going to be the outcome. It was such a freeing feeling. For example, while we were sitting in Zelda's we all were really open when talking about our sexuality and previous sexual experience. Nothing seemed forced or awkward.
In every store we went into, people were so chatty and friendly, another thing I wasn't used to. Around where I live, I am used to walking into stores with my head down and no one giving a damn about you. The people we met were so genuine and wonderful.
The only time I felt myself being, not necessarily judgemental but I felt myself begin to stare, was when a crossdresser came in and sat at the bar. It wasn't that I was uncomfortable with their choice of lifestyle, but it was more like the person was something I didn't see in everyday life so that lifestyle interested me.
I loved it. I mean where else can a person bring in his pet dog to work and no one cares?
PS. The dog was chewing a toy shaped like a penis... ;)
-Amber
Before adventure thoughts
Mood:
a-ok
We are planning our visit to Church st. and are writing a little piece on what we expect to see and experience during our visit. A friend of mine is gay and when I visit him in the city, generally we will go for a walk and a coffee on Church St. It's a place for gay people to feel comfortable being gay without being descriminated against. They can be comfortable walking holding hands and showing public affection like straight couples do without being stared at or whispered about, or feeling like they are making a statement. What I expect to see when we go to Church St. is fairly similar to what we would see in other areas of Toronto (shops, cafes, bars) but with more gay men in them. I love the bookstore they have on Church st. It's filled with books on Art, Mythology, Religion and books on Gay Culture. Generally I think that people will be fairly friendly. The restaurants and the cafes have a slightly upscale classy feeling to them. The Starbucks has all leather couches and nice table lamps and the restaurants are named after great gay writers ("Oscar's" after Oscar Wilde) with the "Bosie" room named after his lover. I find this to be a very culturally rich area of town. At night it becomes a party (last time I was there I saw someone dancing on a table on the patio of one of the nightclubs) but that was during a festival. I havent really experienced Church St. at night. There is an air of sexuality that lingers over Church st. and a sort of vibrance with color and rainbow flags hanging everywhere. It's a fun place.
-Jess
First Blog Entry
Mood:
chatty
I am starting to get really excited about the trip. I have been googling alot and looking over all the things we can do, and I can't see us doing it all in one trip. I have never been to Church so I don't know. Most of my experience in Toronto are in really specific areas and I am always really antsy about getting exposed to new area. Put me on Queen Street I will strut, put me on St. Clair and I can show you the works but I have no idea about Church-Wellesley. I feel really out of my comfort zone, and I am not even there yet. I think it will go well though. I hope.
-Amber