Denise Benson

With equal rights in Canada, including same-sex marriage, and a younger generation of LGBTQ people no longer feeling threatened in the streets or in mainstream bars and nightclubs, do we still need a queer neighbourhood or queer spaces? As a number businesses in Toronto's own gay village close their doors and LGBTQ people move to other parts of the city, this documentary asks: Is the village dying?

Throughout history, queer people have both lost - and found - themselves on the dance floor. OUTRAVE explores the connections between 2SLGBTQ+ people and electronic music, from the origins of house to today's massive global rave culture. In the pilot episode of OUTRAVE, host Denise Benson - DJ, author, and music historian - speaks with queer pioneers and contemporary shining stars of Toronto's vibrant rave scene. Chippy Nonstop, Karim Olen Ash, Cozmic Cat, Aeryn Pfaff, James St. Bass, Deko-ze, and DJ Chiclet share their takes on the significance of social space and the magic of queer and trans creativity. We're here, we're queer, we're creating our own parties. All while adding glitter and good to the broader rave culture.