The Emergence of the Gay Village (Montreal, 1974–1990)

The Emergence of the Gay Village (Montréal 1974–1990) chronicles the pivotal years during which the gay community migrated from the west to the east side of downtown Montréal, giving rise to what was first called “Le Village de l’Est,” then “Le Village gai,” and later simply “Le Village.” The exhibition highlights the political, cultural, social, and economic forces that transformed the face of the neighbourhood and, beyond that, added a new element of identity to the city as a whole.

For veterans of this pivotal period (1974 to 1990), this project will rekindle terrible... or wonderful memories!

For younger people, it will evoke pre-Internet society (a sort of prehistory?), where, to socialize, you had to meet “in person”...

For today’s diverse community, it will serve as a reminder of how fragile our achievements are.

And for everyone, this showcase of archival documents will connect the emergence of sexual minorities with that of an entire neighbourhood.