Montreal's Village organization hoping for LGBTQ2S+ community complex
It's a dream that has been in the making for over 40 years for those who live in Montreal's Village: a complex that brings community organizations, LGBTQ2S+ people and locals together under one roof.
Espace LGBTQ+ was able to buy a large empty commercial building on Ste. Catherine Street East last fall with help from the City of Montreal, provincial grants and private donors.
"The LGBTQ complex that we want to have and share is made in bonding with different organizations and thinking, intersectionality, thinking of the different needs in the community and the village," said Espace LGBTQ+ vice-president Desiree Duchesne.
The space is in need of a lot of love and money, however.
"One of the major things why we are asking money for is to be able to have an elevator and toilets that are accessible, and having that for the community, not just a part of it, but also everyone," said Duchesne.
The group applied for funding from the Federal Infrastructure Ministry in February of 2023, and is hoping for $7 million to rennovate the 2,000-square-metre building.
While the project is currently in its initial phase, it's already resonating with some community members.
"There's a lot of restaurants and bars around, so it would be a good change, and I think it's a good place where people could get together," said Joseph Suarez, who works in the Village.
"I feel like right now there's a lot of problems of gentrification and also solitude and I think this could solve, well help at least, fight against those problems," said Village resident Rich Ly.
Espace LGBTQ+ is also backed by its partners.
Pride Montreal executive director Simon Gamache said the complex would also help community groups financially.
"We need those dedicated buildings for community organizations with adequate rents," he said. "And this what this is something that could be achieved in that building."
CTV News reached out to the Canad Infrastructure Ministry for comment but did not receive a response.
Espace LGBTQ+ does not know if it will get the funding but is working hard to make the space a reality.
"We cannot give up that dream," said Espace LGBTQ+ strategic consultant Kenny Bolduc. "We won't, and we need money to achieve that dream fully, and this program is made for that."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
TikTok sues to block prospective U.S. app ban
TikTok sued Tuesday to block a U.S. law that could force a nationwide ban of the popular app, following through on legal threats the company issued after President Joe Biden signed the legislation last month.