Invasion of the heterosexual party animals!

>> The city's gay 'hood readjusts to a new straight presence

by MATTHEW HAYS

One of Montreal's defining characteristics as a city has been its citizens' strikingly open-minded attitude towards sexuality. Gays, straights, dykes, trannies, hermaphrodites--we've all just fused into some sort of wacky orgy, or so the tourism books say, describing us as the Amsterdam of North America.

The BBCM's main circuit party would serve as a good example of our polysexual synergy; the decidedly gay event, which attracts thousands every year, now boasts a straight-to-gay ratio of anywhere from 40:60 to 50:50.

But in the past six months, a growing sense among Village dwellers and clubgoers has been that an important balance has been disturbed. While some had complained the rock 'n' roll clientele of Jet were intimidating, the number of unhappy gay Village people only grew when Unity, long the favourite nightclub haunt of queers, "went straight" in August, relaunched under the name Arena (though the main-level pub, named Sonic, remained gay).

"Obviously, I have no problems partying with straight people," says Luc, a self-described "professional homosexual and club junkie." But he's quick to add that taking hostile glares or being called "faggot" while walking arm in arm with his boyfriend is simply not acceptable in the Village.

K.O.X. controversy

Paranoia about the future of the city's main gay neighborhood grew and manifested itself in a bizarre manner when, last month, several full-page ads were placed in both the Mirror and Ici, all heralding the reopening of the legendary K.O.X. The entire thing turned out to be an elaborate, and very expensive, hoax on the part of mysterious businessmen. But their ads took shots at club proprietors in the 'hood, who, the ads claimed, had sold out to the highest het bidder. Pierre Viens, co-owner of the former Unity, was one of those singled out.

For the record, Dire enfin la violence, the gay and lesbian watchdog group that monitors levels of homophobic incidents, says there hasn't been a remarkable leap in anti-gay sentiment in the Village. According to Claudine Metcalfe, a spokesperson for the group, gay bashings are often seasonal. Generally, these incidents of bigotry rise during the summer, especially after the city's early August gay-pride celebrations, Divers/Cité. It's a reaction, she feels, to "an overdose on gays." In the fall, gay bashing usually declines, followed by a rise in conjugal same-sex couple violence, something which the group also works to monitor.

Yves Lafontaine, the editor of the gay monthly Fugues, says there was concern and criticism among gays when gay Unity became straight Arena. But he adds that the switch doesn't seem to have worked at ensuring healthy numbers inside their doors. "That's a big space," he says. "Even if you have 400 people in there, it's going to look empty. It often looks empty to me."

Viens, the co-owner of Arena and Sonic, says the change was necessary for simple economic reasons. Sky was reopening its doors with a completely revamped space, and Viens has been a club manager and owner long enough to know that Montreal's gay men seem to only have enough room in their hearts (and pocketbooks) for one main club. "I know people looked at it as a smash in the face," says Viens, who is himself gay. "But I'm the one who has to pay the bills. They freaked out about it, but I think things have calmed down now."

Doofus doormen

Ironically enough, Viens confirms the shift to straight hangout is not proving a smooth ride for Arena. He concedes crowds have been less in number than expected and that unfortunate incidents have occurred. In its first weekend in August, some gay clients complained that the new doormen reeked of homophobia. After reviewing the situation with his staff, Viens agreed and promptly fired two of them. "They definitely were not gay friendly," he says now. "They had to go."

As for the lacklustre numbers, Viens is trying to turn that around too. "I just got rid of my promoters and brought in new ones," he says, promising new changes and glamour for the space.

As for the Village being a mixed 'hood, Viens says, "Some gay people don't like to have straight people in the Village. I don't mind at all, as long as they're cool. Can you imagine us not being allowed on St-Laurent? It reminds me of gay clubs not allowing women to be allowed in. I prefer things to be mixed."