Beyond The Dancefloor

Dana Giblin

Queer clubs and bars have played an important role in the community as they have served as a safe space for queer people to freely express themselves without fear. Historically, they gave queer people the freedom to feel comfortable about their sexuality during a time where it was illegal to be gay and not safe to be openly queer in public. Queer clubs helped build community and an unspoken but communal bond with one another as everyone there has a deep understanding of each other to a certain extent. It’s important to be aware of the cultural and historical significance of queer clubs and respect them as they are more than just a club, but a safe space for queer people to exist without fear.

Toronto has always had a lively queer scene with clubs like Club Manatee, St. Charles Tavern, Quest, and more being a substantial aspect of Toronto’s queer history from the 1950s to 1980s. Unfortunately, queer clubs in Toronto, just like other big cities across the world, have seen a lot of important spaces close with the majority of them being closed due to raised rent prices and condos. Fly 2.0 was a large and beloved dance club in the village that was sold to build a condo as the owner faced rent increases. Club 120 closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and uncertain lease changes as there was a clause in their lease stating that they could be evicted for condo development. COVID-19 forced multiple queer spaces to close as well as Crews and Tangos almost being shut down in September 2025. It was planned to be replaced with a condo before the village teamed up to keep the doors open. Crews & Tangos has been open since 1994 and would be a devastating loss.

Queer spaces will always be needed and important which is why it is necessary to appreciate and support the current spaces we have. Crews & Tangos, Woody’s, Tammy’s Wine Bar, and Sweaty Betty’s have contributed to supporting us the community by providing a safe environment for queer people to express their sexuality and gender. These important spaces to our community don’t have a continuous archive and deserve to be documented for generations to come. Toronto queer spaces are at risk with one of the bars I included in the series already closing. It deserves to be remembered as it was a special space that was loved by the community. Queer archives are important not just to have for safe keepings but to have as inspiration for the upcoming queer generation to show them what’s ahead as it can be terrifying being a young queer person fully surrounded by straight people. Photos of queer joy and love have and will continue to change lives and let people know that there is happiness in choosing yourself.

About The Artist

Dana Giblin

My name is Dana Giblin and I am a 22 year old documentary photographer with a strong passion for lighting and work focused on queer stories.

I am currently attending Toronto Metropolitan University for photography and will achieve a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Degree. I have been heavily focused on my studio lighting skills learning how to control light by experimenting with dramatic and unique lighting. I have taken this lighting knowledge into my documentary work using natural lighting to tell a story. I am a lesbian artist who creates portrait and documentary series about my life experiences to create work people can relate to and feel seen in. It is deeply important to me to depict queer joy and love in my work to create positive representation for the LGBTQ+ community.

Return to Thesis Projects
Scroll to Top