Davie Village

Last updated
Davie Village
Neighbourhood
Davie Street & Bute Street 2018.jpg
Davie Village Davie Street & Bute Street (2018)
Country Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Province Flag of British Columbia.svg  British Columbia
City Vancouver
Time zone UTC-8 (PST)
  Summer (DST) UTC-7 (PDT)
Davie Street
Namesake A.E.B. Davie
TypeStreet
Location West End
Nearest metro station Yaletown–Roundhouse station
NW endBeach Avenue
SE endMarinaside Crescent
Other
Known for Gaybourhood
Website davievillage.ca
Davie Village lamppost banners DavieVillage-1.png
Davie Village lamppost banners

Davie Village (also known as Davie District or simply Davie Street) is a neighbourhood in the West End of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is the home of the city's LGBT subculture, and, as such, is often considered a gay village, or gaybourhood. Davie Village is centred on Davie Street and roughly includes the area between Burrard and Jervis streets. Davie Street—and, by extension, the Village—is named in honour of A.E.B. Davie, eighth Premier of British Columbia from 1887 to 1889; A.E.B's brother Theodore was also Premier, from 1892 to 1895.

Contents

Overview

Along Davie Street are a variety of shops, restaurants, services, and hotels catering to a variety of customers, in addition to private residences. The business with the most notoriety is Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium ("Little Sister's"), a gay and lesbian bookstore, because of its ongoing legal battles with Canada Customs that have received extensive national media coverage. [1] [2] Many businesses and residents along Davie Street and in the West End generally also fly rainbow flags as a symbol of gay pride, and many of the covered bus stop benches and garbage cans along Davie Street are painted bright pink.

Scene

Festivals

The Village hosts a variety of events during the year, including the Davie Street Pride Festival which runs in conjunction with Vancouver's annual Gay Pride Parade, during which sections of the street are closed to motor traffic.

Davie Day is also held each year in early September, to celebrate local businesses and the community itself. This Day is designed to build awareness and promote the surrounding businesses, and is focused around Jervis to Burrard Street.

Business Association

The Davie Street Business Association coined the name "Davie Village" in 1999 and also commissioned banners from local artist Joe Average, which fly from lampposts in the district. The two-sided banners depict a rainbow flag on one side and a sun design by Average on the other. [3]

Davie Village is also home to the offices of Xtra! West , a biweekly LGBT newspaper, Qmunity (formerly the Gay and Lesbian Centre) which provides a variety of services for the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents, and the Vancouver Pride Society, which puts on the annual Pride Parade and Festival.

Sex work history

In the 1960s, after the removal of the Dupont and Alexander Street Districts, Vancouver's sex workers relocated to the streets of the West End. [4] By the 1970s, over 150 workers could be seen walking on and around Davie Street from twelve to three AM on a regular occasion. [5] By the 1970s, the area had a visible sex work scene, and was coined the “Prostitution Capitol of Canada”. [6] Jamie Lee Hamilton, a former worker within the area, claims in a The Volcano article that the neighbourhood was “dignified outdoor brothel culture". [7] The working population included both cisgender, transgender, two-spirit, and crossdressing individuals of different ages and ethnicities; many of which first came to the street as early as twelve years old, and since, have built a community with their peers, creating bonds by working together and looking out for each other's safety. [8] [9] In 1980, when Davie Street started to generate profit off of queer owned properties and business aesthetics, the visible state of the sex work scene became more and more unwanted. Within little time, the removal of this image became the main focus of erasure. In preparation for the 1986 World Fair, Davie Street soon began sculpting an image of what they felt suited the ideal gay community, which included the forceful displacement of the West Ends’ sex work community. [10] In 1983, a group called the Concerned Residents of the West End (CROWE), consisting of primarily white cisgender gay businessmen, worked with the city to get a BC Supreme Court injunction to displace trans sex workers. [10] Workers in the area were pushed into Yaletown, then Mount Pleasant, where they were repeatedly protested by "Shame the Johns vigilantes", down East Broadway, and eventually into the Downtown Eastside, where already vulnerable sex workers are more open to violence and abuse than ever before. [7] This relocation also contributed many of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) cases that were largely tied to serial killer Robert Pickton in the early 2000s. [11] [5] Apart from the annual Red Umbrella March and Women's Memorial March, the history of the West Ends’ sex work community remains largely forgotten. While portraying an accepting and inclusive LGBTQ2A+ environment, the history remains intentionally masked with little memorabilia of those impacted by the erasure. [10]

Significant sites

Supporting businesses

Media documentation

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay village</span> Geographical area within a city that is inhabited or frequented by LGBT people

A gay village, also known as a gayborhood, is a geographical area with generally recognized boundaries that is inhabited or frequented by many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBT) people. Gay villages often contain a number of gay-oriented establishments, such as gay bars and pubs, nightclubs, bathhouses, restaurants, boutiques, and bookstores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT community</span> Community and culture of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

The LGBT community is a loosely defined grouping of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals united by a common culture and social movements. These communities generally celebrate pride, diversity, individuality, and sexuality. LGBT activists and sociologists see LGBT community-building as a counterweight to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexualism, and conformist pressures that exist in the larger society. The term pride or sometimes gay pride expresses the LGBT community's identity and collective strength; pride parades provide both a prime example of the use and a demonstration of the general meaning of the term. The LGBT community is diverse in political affiliation. Not all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender consider themselves part of the LGBT community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West End, Vancouver</span> Neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The West End is a neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, located between the Coal Harbour neighbourhood and the financial and central business districts of Downtown Vancouver to the east, Stanley Park to the northwest, the English Bay to the west, and Kitsilano to the southwest across the False Creek opening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robson Street</span>

Robson Street is a major southeast-northwest thoroughfare in downtown and West End of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its core commercial blocks from Burrard Street to Jervis were also known as Robsonstrasse. Its name honours John Robson, a major figure in British Columbia's entry into the Canadian Confederation, and Premier of the province from 1889 to 1892. Robson Street starts at BC Place Stadium near the north shore of False Creek, then runs northwest past Vancouver Library Square, Robson Square and the Vancouver Art Gallery, coming to an end at Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture</span> Common culture shared by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people

LGBT culture is a culture shared by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. It is sometimes referred to as queer culture, while the term gay culture may be used to mean either "LGBT culture" or homosexual culture specifically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium</span> Book store in Vancouver, Canada

Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium, also known as Little Sister's Bookstore, but usually called "Little Sister's", is an independent bookstore in the Davie Village/West End neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The bookstore was opened in 1983 by Jim Deva and Bruce Smyth, and its current manager is Don Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT tourism</span> Tourism marketed to LGBT people

LGBT tourism is a form of tourism marketed to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. People might be open about their sexual orientation and gender identity at times, but less so in areas known for violence against LGBT people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gay Village, Montreal</span> Neighbourhood in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Gay Village is a neighbourhood delineated by Saint Catherine Street East and Atateken Street in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiwan Pride</span> Annual LGBT pride parade in Taipei and other cities of the Republic of China

Taiwan Pride is the annual LGBTQ pride parade in Taiwan. The parade was first held in 2003. Although joined by groups from all over the country, the primary location has always been the capital city of Taipei. The parade held in October 2019 attracted more than 200,000 participants, making it the largest gay pride event in East Asia. As of 2019, it is the largest in Asia ahead of Tel Aviv Pride in Israel, which is the largest in the Middle East. Taiwan LGBT Pride Community, the organizer of Taiwan LGBTQ Pride Parade, holds the parade on the last Saturday of October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vancouver Pride Parade</span> Annual LGBT event in British Columbia, Canada

The Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival is an annual LGBT Pride event, held each year in Vancouver, British Columbia, to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies. It is run by the Vancouver Pride Society (VPS), a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization that seeks to "produce inclusive, celebratory events, and advocacy for LGBTQAI2S+". Vancouver's Pride Parade is the largest parade of any kind in Western Canada.

This is a timeline of notable events in the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Canada. For a broad overview of LGBT history in Canada see LGBT history in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT pride</span> Positive stance toward LGBT people

LGBT pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBT rights movements. Pride has lent its name to LGBT-themed organizations, institutes, foundations, book titles, periodicals, a cable TV channel, and the Pride Library.

Qmunity, formerly known as the Centre, is an LGBT community centre located on Bute Street in the Davie Village neighbourhood of the West End of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Although same-sex sexual activity was illegal in Canada up to 1969, gay and lesbian themes appear in Canadian literature throughout the 20th century. Canada is now regarded as one of the most advanced countries in legal recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Louis PrideFest</span> Annual event in Missouri

PrideFest St. Louis is an annual LGBT pride event in St. Louis, Missouri. The event is organized by Pride St. Louis, an LGBT non-profit organization in the Greater St. Louis area.

Aerlyn Weissman is a two-time Genie Award-winning Canadian documentary filmmaker and political activist on behalf of the lesbian community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in New York City</span>

New York City has been described as the gay capital of the world and the central node of the LGBTQ+ sociopolitical ecosystem, and is home to one of the world's largest LGBTQ populations and the most prominent. Brian Silverman, the author of Frommer's New York City from $90 a Day, wrote the city has "one of the world's largest, loudest, and most powerful LGBT communities", and "Gay and lesbian culture is as much a part of New York's basic identity as yellow cabs, high-rise buildings, and Broadway theatre". LGBT travel guide Queer in the World states, "The fabulosity of Gay New York is unrivaled on Earth, and queer culture seeps into every corner of its five boroughs". LGBT advocate and entertainer Madonna stated metaphorically, "Anyways, not only is New York City the best place in the world because of the queer people here. Let me tell you something, if you can make it here, then you must be queer."

Austin, Texas has one of the most prominent and active LGBT populations in the United States. Austin was acclaimed by The Advocate in 2012 as part of its Gayest Cities in America, and was recognized by Travel and Leisure as one of America's Best Cities for Gay Travel. Much of Austin's gay nightlife scene is clustered around 4th Street. LGBT activism groups Atticus Circle and Equality Texas are headquartered in Austin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT culture in Vancouver</span>

Vancouver's LGBT community is centered on Davie Village. Historically, LGBT people have also gathered in the Chinatown and Gastown neighborhoods. Former establishments include Dino's Turkish Baths, a gay bathhouse on Hastings, and the city's first drag bar, BJ's, on Pender Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LGBT community</span> Impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted inequities experienced by marginalized populations, and has had a significant impact on the LGBT community. Gay pride events were cancelled or postponed worldwide. More than 220 gay pride celebrations around the world were canceled or postponed in 2020, and in response a Global Pride event was hosted online. LGBTQ+ people also tend to be more likely to have pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or obesity, that would worsen their chances of survival if they became infected with COVID-19. They are also more likely to smoke.

References

  1. "Little Sisters Book and Art Emporium v. Canada (Minister of Justice)". Sack, Goldblatt, Mitchell LLP. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  2. "History of Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium". Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  3. "Experiencing Vancouver's West End". West End BIA. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  4. Francis, Daniel (2006). Red Light Neon: A History of Vancouver's Sex Trade. Vancouver BC: Subway Books. pp. 1–192. ISBN   978-0973667523.
  5. 1 2 3 "StackPath". xtramagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  6. 1 2 Cole, Dale, J. (Director). (1984). Hookers on Davie [Video file]. Canada: Spectrum Films. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ixQS_Ihdk
  7. 1 2 "Vancouver's Anti-Sex Work Gentrification Projects are a Form of Imperialism". The Volcano. 2019-05-17. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  8. Lyons, Tara (2017). "The impact of construction and gentrification on an outdoor trans sex work environment: Violence, displacement and policing" (PDF). Sexualities Article. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  9. "Advocates seek Vancouver apology and memorial for displaced West End sex workers". The Georgia Straight. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  10. 1 2 3 Ouspenski, Andrei, WISH Drop in Center Society (6 May 2015). "Sex Work: Transitioning, Retiring and Exiting" (PDF). TRE Report. Retrieved 5 April 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. "Women working in Vancouver sex trade were seen as "disposable," inquiry hears - NEWS 1130". www.citynews1130.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
  12. "City of Vancouver unveils West End Sex Workers Memorial". The Georgia Straight. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
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