Here’s Where and How You Should Party for WorldPride In Toronto This Weekend

Toronto Pride image via WikiMedia Commons.
This weekend is the height of Pride in Toronto, but as you should probably already know, this year is not an ordinary Pride. This year Toronto is hosting WorldPride, an event organized by InterPride, a group that promotes LGBT issues on an international level. In honour of the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, an exhibition was held to commemorate this milestone, as well as an opening ceremony, a press conference and of course lots of crazy, late-night parties.

On its own, Toronto Pride is known to draw in over a million people, most of which are tourists and visitors from all around the world. WorldPride is estimated to bring in five times more people this year—and if you’re a gay person visiting Toronto, there’s probably a lot of things you need to know. That’s why I’ve put together this handy how-to, where you’ll find out the rules to gay partying in the city. Sure, there’s shopping and other touristy shit you can do, but the most important thing is where to party, how to party, and how things work around here.

Pride-Partying For Dummies 

Newbies should always have an entourage—a group of friends that’ll show you the ropes, get you drunk, and make sure you get into lots of good trouble. Your crew should be mindful of the crazies that lurk the streets when Toronto gets an extended license, and have your back in the event that something goes down. Make sure to bring lots of money for drinks, food, and emergencies, wear next to nothing, and keep a condom and a pocket pack of lube handy just in case. A drunken walk home could lead to a potential park-fuck, so you should always be prepared.

Speaking of sex, because this is your first Pride, there’s a chance that 'the thirst' will be at an all-time high. Always remember that every dude at the party probably isn’t gay (weird, right?). Some dudes are just there for that 4 AM last call or to support their gay friends. If your gaydar is fucked, make sure you have a fag hag that’ll let you know the scoop. The only exception to this rule is an unwarranted advance from the other party. Sure, he claims he’s got a girlfriend at the bar, but if he grabs your butt and signals you to the bathroom, just remind yourself what Kermit the Frog would say.

As a Pride veteran, you don’t have much to remember, except that you were once that drunk baby gay on the dancefloor. This is when karma is really taking notes, so just be nice to the young bucks. It costs nothing to help a drunk person get a cab or see if someone is having a good time. Don’t be an asshole because that’s gross and you won’t get laid. Nobody likes that guy that thinks he’s above it all. If you’re one of those guys, people will think you suck and that’s never good. And lastly, you’ll probably still be gay after Pride. Don’t take the shit so seriously! Just have a great time and book off work Monday.

The East vs. The West

Like any major city with a vibrant gay scene, there’s always that separation between the east and the west. West-end gays often frown at the thought of going to the Village and vice-versa. It’s always a real drag trying to convince your stubborn friends that one is better than the other. What you’ll find this year at WorldPride is that some of the west-ends' smartest party promoters have brought their parties over to the east. There’s nothing risky about a change of scenery, especially when your events have some of the best DJ line-ups of the week. On the flipside, the west-end has its share of crazy nights as well, and 4 AM last call. Realistically, you can find good trouble in both areas, but for the sake of argument, here’s what each side has got going on.

East:

**[ DRIP](https://www.facebook.com/DripParty) (June 27-29, Smith & House Maison):** Where do you go when “It’s Hot Out?” usually to the Beaver for a night where Travis Richel and Chris Belo Barbosa (CBB) play a lot of house music for a mixed crowd of party goers every month. This successful night, amongst others, led to the creation of their block party called Drip. The event debuted at last year's Pride and featured headliners like Kingdom, Brenmar, along with a mixer of different local DJs and hosts.

Given the huge response they received last year, the boys are back with a crazier lineup, and will be hosting three full days of events at both Smith and a new venue—House Maison—on Church Street. With headliners like House Of Ladosha, Andy Butler (Hercules And Love Affair), Bok Bok, Le Youth, and a lot of big name locals, DRIP will attract electronic music fans, DJs, gays, straights, and a whole lot of randoms just looking for the best party in town. It’s the kind of party you can invite your straight friends to, or your mom. Get down on the dancefloor with your mom. Not weird at all.

TRADE (June 30th, the Black Eagle): In the last few years, Scooter has become one of the top DJs in the Toronto scene. TRADE is the newest party in his roster of goodness. This sex-positive party is usually hosted by gay porn stars and has hot go-go boys dancing all night. Lots of people dance, fuck, and make-out all over the room. It’s kind of become that one-stop shop for gay partygoers, especially if you’re looking for a nice event where you can be slutty and not get judged for it.

The WorldPride edition will be held on the last day of Pride, and unlike the monthly event, this party will be a day party, packed with more porn studs and an all-ginger roster of go-go boys. Things that you may see at this party include sex, sex, sex, and more sex. DJs have gotten their dicks sucked while playing a set, so yeah, anything goes here. Just don’t be a slut-shaming loser, and you’ll be fine.

**[ BLOCKORAMA](http://worldpridetoronto.com/festival/events-calendar/2014/blackness-yes-presents-still-i-rise-blockorama-16-) (June 29th, Wellesley Street Parking Lot):** There’s a lot of amazing events that happen in the Village the day of the Pride Parade and Blockorama is one of them. This is one of the longest-running stages at Toronto Pride, and features some of the top drag performers and DJs. It’s 11 hours of the most incredible music, stage performances, and overall best energy you’ll feel all weekend. Last year En Vogue performed, which was pretty incredible. Bring your fierceness and everything else will be covered. It’s a really good time!

West:

FIT PRIMPIN (June 27th, 99 Sudbury): Big Primpin is a gay hip-hop party with a long history in the west end. When combined with the electronic and house party FIT, these two heavyweight queer parties turn into one big shit show during Pride called FIT Primpin. The dual event debuted last year at The Great Hall, with two dance floors of half-naked, sweaty bodies, and a spanking booth run by gay porn star/special guest Colby Keller (the line for his booth was longer than a lineup for Beyonce tickets).

Anyway, the party is back, this time at a bigger venue, with more DJs, and a “big-dick bitch” by the name of TS Madison. If you don’t know TS, you better check out her Vine before you come to this party. She’s a superstar performer with a big dick and a 22-inch weave. She will change your life, and your hair choices.

**[ HOT NUTS](https://www.facebook.com/HotnutsTO) (June 28th, the Garrison)**: Hot Nuts is one of the best parties in the city, and it’s been going on for ages. It used to be a monthly party at the Beaver, but it's now a quarterly event is held at The Garrison. Mary Messhausen and Proddy are drag queen royalty, known for their outlandish looks and the amazing performers they bring in for Hot Nuts. This year the girls will have you feeling like a fairy princess with their A Whole New WorldPride party. There’s always a theme for these nights and everyone tends to go all out. You probably won’t get any flack for being that weirdo who doesn’t dress up, but you might wanna grab a costume just in case. Oh and they’re bringing in Nomi Ruiz, the sexy vocalist of Jessica 6 and Hercules And Love Affair fame. Hope that’s enough incentive for you.

@refiningmasc