Losing The Beaver has been hard for so many of us in Toronto’s LGBTQ+ community, as it was a space that really helped redefine what it means to be queer in the city beyond any one specific neighbourhood. I have countless memories of sweaty nights, dancing on the cramped dance floor, and meeting new friends and lovers within those walls.

The closure of the bar also signals a larger shift in the GTA, as more and more marginalized communities are losing spaces due to increasing gentrification and the fallout from COVID-19.

I wrote a piece for the Toronto Star exploring the bar’s legacy, and spoke to owner Lynn McNeill and co-manager Adam Cowan about future plans for the space. There is hope, even during dark times like these.

You can check it out here.