In the 1980s, 101 Dewson Street was a thriving hub of Black gay and lesbian activism in Toronto. #TOheritage #Pride2020

The house in Dufferin Grove was the home of writer, editor, and activist Makeda Silvera, who started the Dewson House Collective with her partner in 1983, turning the century-old home into a hotbed of activity and organizing.

The house ran as a collective and many activist organizations trace their history to 101 Dewson.

Makeda Silvera, co-founder of the Dewson House Collective:

“At the time, we were in dangerous territory as a house for LGBTQ people,” said Silvera. “We also came up against racism. I was coming home once and the neighbours called the police because they weren’t accustomed to Black people owning a house in this neighbourhood.”

“Also, we had eggs thrown on our front window constantly,” said Silvera. “We just struggled through a lot of that, but we knew once we were inside we were safe.”

Debbie Douglas, co-founder of activist group Zami:

Zami — one of the first organizations in Toronto and Canada specifically for gay and lesbian people of colour — was created around the kitchen table at 101 Dewson by Debbie Douglas, Makeda Silvera, and Douglas Stewart.

Courtnay McFarlane, founding member of Zami:

Douglas Stewart, co-founder of Zami:

Zami meetings were held at the 519 Church Street Community Centre and out of 101 Dewson. They focused on members' personal issues, homophobia within the Black community, and racism within the LGBTQ community.

Xtra!, December 1, 1984

“There were very political conversations,” said Courtnay McFarlane. “You also had people talking about clubs and their dates, and their boyfriends, hookups — just a whole mix of things. It was a support group, but it was also an activist group.”

The people, groups, and public events that came out of 101 Dewson Street have links to organizations like the Black Women’s Collective, Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention, Blockorama and many more that play vital roles in supporting Toronto’s Black LGBTQ communities.

Xtra! & Body Politic images courtesy Pink Triangle Press.

Thanks: Phillip Pike, Roaring River Films, Debbie Douglas, Makeda Silvera, Douglas Stewart, Courtnay McFarlane, @TheArQuives.

Learn more: “Our Dance of Revolution” doc via Inside Out festival. https://insideout.ca/watch-online/