The Canadian National Newspaper: Goodhandy’s: Toronto ’s “Come As You Are” Sexual Diversity Paradise

As a transsexual, sometimes the hardest challenge to overcome is isolation. During the coming-out process, it’s very common to lose contact with friends and family. For daring to be ourselves, transsexuals are often left by ourselves, alone and isolated from so-called “straight society.”

Then, there are some people for whom the gender binary is just too confining. They don’t identify purely as a man, or as a woman, and feel like they belong to an alternative gender entirely. Or some people prefer to fluidly move back and forth as they please; cross-dressing, androgynous presentation, and refusal to accept the rigidly-defined borders that society places on gender.

Sometimes, all you want is a place that will accept you for who you are, regardless of how you choose to present yourself. Fortunately for those of us in the Toronto area, there’s a place that does exactly that – Mandy Goodhandy’s Pansexual Playground, at 120 Church St (Church & Richmond – see LINK for more info). It is, by far, the most trans-friendly place in Canada, giving us a place to socialize, hang out, and dance the night away. Goodhandy’s offers a great variety of theme nights, where any individual of any gender or sexuality can feel comfortable.

Mondays and Thursdays are nights for T-Girls, their friends, and their admirers. The doors open at 4pm, and there are always a few T-Girls hanging out, even in the afternoon. Cover is free on Mondays, and on Thursdays, it’s $5 before 11pm, or $10 afterwards. The “Diamond Girls” will be performing on the barrels all night, usually starting around 10:30, and it’s a great place for interested gentlemen to chat with a nice T-Girl in a calm, comfortable setting. And, if you’d like to spend a little “private time” with the girl of your choice, Goodhandy’s also has the private member’s area, the “Diamond Room.” This VIP area is open to anyone with a “Diamond Membership” (which costs $20, and lasts for an entire month) and is a legal sex area for all members.

If you’re a man, interested in meeting other men, visit Goodhandy’s on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Here, you can meet like-minded guys for drinks, conversation, or something more. Doors open at 9pm on Tuesdays (starting April 1st) and 8pm on Wednesdays, and there are male models on display starting at 9. Mandy Goodhandy performs her show at 11pm, featuring battling boys, live porn shoots, and fun with the audience. There are no cover charges or membership fees on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and the “Diamond Room” is available if you’d like a little more privacy with one of your new friends.

Fridays and Saturdays are special event nights, all geared towards a queer-positive crowd. The first Saturday of the month is the Northbound Leather Fetish night, where you can take a real walk on the wild side with other like-minded people. Fetish dress is mandatory, and cover charge is $5 before 10pm, and $15 afterwards. There’s a changing area provided, and feel free to bring your friends, lovers, toys and imagination.

The 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month is the famous “I Love Sex” Party, which features a clothing-optional area, a special women/trans-only area, spontaneous sex shows, and a public orgy when the night reaches it speak. Watch, or be watched; there’s no pressure to take part, just have fun and be comfortable. Doors open at 9pm, cover is free for women & trans people, and $10 for gentlemen. You’ll never see a greater variety of individuals than you’ll meet at these parties, and the live shows are always a sight to behold.

Last but not least, there is a special event on Friday. April 4th that you simply can’t miss – “Stroke” featuring world-famous porn star Buck Angel. This is a night for trans guys and the people who dig them. Buck Angel is a female-to-male porn star, and he calls himself “the man with a pussy.” He’ll be at Goodhandy’s all night to chat with guests, perform on stage, and prove to everyone that the gender binary we live in, no longer has any place in the modern world. The doors open at 9:30, and the cover charge is $10 for everyone.

For more information on the club, the special events, or the Diamond Room, check out LINK, or better yet, drop by 120 Church St (Richmond & Church, on the west side; located just above Spring Rolls restaurant) and see what it’s all about. It’s a true “come as you are” kind of place, where everyone, of all sexualities or identities, can be comfortable just being themselves.

Nikki S. is a transsexual from Toronto, attending University of Toronto for Sexual Diversity Studies and working towards her Master's in Counselling Psychology. Her goal is to become a psychologist specializing in gender issues and helping others in the GLBT and Trans communities.

She also appears regularly at Goodhandy's as one of the 'Diamond Girl' dancers, and is also involved with several community and political organizations working to improve the lives of transpeople everywhere. Her email is agora_nikki@hotmail.com.

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