Best Queer-Safe Activities to Do in Vancouver this Fall
In an effort to welcome the community, many LGBTQ+ spaces have opened up in the form of bars, nightclubs, community centres, and places for games since the first pro-LGBTQ legislation in 1969.
Now, the major cities of Canada are home to many gay-safe and primarily LGBTQ neighbourhoods. Examples include Bank Street Gay Village in Ottawa and Davie Village in Vancouver. Here, there are plenty of groups to join, such as the Vancouver Gaymers, a game group for LGBTQ folks who love board and video games and all things ‘geek’.
As well as groups for LGBTQ-friendly gamers, there are also LGBTQ-friendly bars with games and e-sports.
In recent years, e-sports games and e-sports betting have become increasingly popular. This is because e-sports attracts many different sports fans as the games incorporate popular international sports such as football and they are widely accessible, so more people are able to watch live and play e-sports games. Streaming platforms such as Twitch have also made e-sports and gaming popular in the online gaming community which has enabled venues to profit by adding e-sports facilities into their bars and clubs.
For those who don’t play, it is easy to use the internet to find information about how e-sports work. There has been an influx of blogs and information sites with this information due to e-sports’ increasing popularity. Over the last year, e-sports viewers had an increase of 4.1%, solidifying its popularity in the online market. For instance, at https://thunderpick.io/blog/, e-sports fans can find information on learning the best methods to play e-sports and updates on tournaments and e-sports games.
Gaming is all in good fun, but whether you’re searching for something different in a fun place to hang out or somewhere with LGBTQ events this summer, we’ve got you. Here are 5 of the best queer-safe things in Vancouver for you to try.
Visit the Queer-Friendly Jim Deva Plaza
Located right in the middle of the rainbow crosswalks in the neighbourhood of the Davie Village, the plaza sits. It is named after LGBTQ+ activist Jim Deva, who was a long-time community activist, founder of Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, and advocate for Vancouver’s LGTBQ2+ community. The plaza is perfect for those seeking wholesome activities in a queer-friendly place. In fact, the plaza has many activities taking place where you can paint at ‘Art in the Heart’ over five Thursday nights from 6-8 p.m. until September 8, 2023.
If you’re a pop music lover, the Pop Queen Cardio workout classes are coming to the plaza from 6-7 p.m. on allocated dates which can be accessed and registered for online.
If you already visited Jim Deva Plaza, you have to take a trip to the late activist’s LGBTQ bookshop. It was opened in 1983 by Deva and Bruce Smyth. Located at 1238 Davie Street, Little Sister’s is a haven for the queer community, offering genres of queer books for all ages, and resides on an LGBTQ-friendly street, so safety is a promise.
Taking a trip to the store is a great way to embrace Vancouver’s LGBTQ history. The store faced outrage and abuse in its previous location from anti-LGBTQ harassment but is fortunately still thriving. The store is now run by General Manager Don Wilson since Jim Deva passed away in 2019 and co-founder Mr Smyth retired in 2016.
Enjoy a Drag Show at Numbers Cabaret
You cannot visit Vancouver without going to a gay bar or a drag show, so why not do both? Numbers Cabaret is located at 1042 on the famous LGBT hub of Davie Street in the West End area. It is referred to as Vancouver’s ‘longest-standing gay-friendly bar’, and has been open for over 50 years.
Tables at the bar can be booked via request, and the bar has several areas for a safe and fun night: The main dancefloor where the DJ and bar stand, ‘The Pit’ below the dancefloor can be booked privately. The website does not feature a drinks menu, but a quick browse online alerts you to the array of cocktails served at Numbers and the frequent drag shows that are held here!
However, if you’re not looking to catch a drag show, Davie Street and the West End area have plenty of other queer-friendly bars and clubs to choose from if you want to dance the night away!
Be Car Free
Fall in Vancouver heralds the popular Car Free days - when main streets are closed off and vendors, crafters, and more set booths up all long the street . There’s a Car Free Day in the famous Davie Street West End area that’s bound to bring out the LGBTQ community. If you’re in Vancouver on the September 24 weekend be sure to plan to hit Davie St. Better yet, why not book a room at the Sylvia Hotel right on Vancouver’s lovely English Bay. Davie Street is a short walk away and after all the activities of the day you can finish in the famous Sylvia Hotel cocktail lounge listening to blues and sipping on a Black Manhattan. Tell the bartender we sent you!
