The Gazette from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • 6

A6 THE GAZETTE, MONTREAL, SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2002 MONTREAL QUEBEC Cafe has a lock on beautiful people HZ BILL BROWNSTEIN The king is dead. Long live the king. For those out of the loop, the Belvedere is no longer. The new happening in-spot for this city's party people is Cafe des Eclusiers, an unassuming bar-terrasse by the locks in the Old Port, at the tail end of McGillSt. Buzz is that it was competition from Cafe des Eclusiers that caused the Belvedere to curtail operations after just three weeks this summer.

Crowds thinned following the Belvedere's vaunted opening last month, apparently dictating founder Sylvain Martilli-no's decision to pull the plug on a club so cool that it was only open one night a week and only in the summer. Then again, perhaps this town's pretty people didn't quite cotton to the glamour of the Belvedere's new digs, a dusty and massive parking lot in the Peel Basin underneath the always enticing Bonaventure Expressway This spartan venue made the Belvedere's former home base, a onetime loading dock in the Old Port, seem positively Ritz-likeby contrast. In its successful debut last year, the Belvedere would draw up to 5,000 club kids for its Thursday evening spectacles. And it wasn't for the mobile plywood bars and Port-a-Potties that they came. It was to scope and be scoped.

However, someone high in hipster-land obviously designated Cafe des Eclusiers the spot to engage in that popular Montreal sport of voyeurism. Unlike the Belvedere, Cafe des Eclusiers is open seven days a week, although the main event is, unquestionably, the Thursday happy-hour party with a deejay spinning hip-hop at migraine-inducing levels. While decor is decidedly minimalist, it smacks more of a funky South Miami establ ish-ment. And it has amenities. Which is to say there are permanent bars and toilets at this club.

There is also a kitchen and inside cover from the elements. How hot is the Cafe des Eclusiers? On what might have been the most sweltering evening of the summer, 1,000 people waited patiently in line. In the rain. Without umbrellas. Some ginning in the area, but it took on a life of its own by word of mouth," posits Pichette, 30.

"Still, I'm more and more surprised to see so many people show up. It does the heart good to see people lining up again for anything in Montreal. A few years ago, I would have never thought this would be possible." It is a little hard to figure out how a sprawling, club, situated in the same complex as a control centre for the locks, could succeed when so many other and far more splashy spots have failed. But Cafe des Eclusiers is said to be responsible for the club-kid set abandoning former haunts on the Main and Mount Royal Ave. for happy hour every Thursday.

Sure, there is a refreshing breeze off the water and the view is swell. But it's essentially about the crowd, a typical Montreal mesh of cultures though mostly between 20 and 35, mostly women and eye-poppingly attractive. "We never set out to make a killing financially," Pichette explains. "Honestly, the goal was to inject a little ambience into the Old Port. We simply wanted to create a good comfort level, not cram customers in like sardines." Which is precisely what has enticed Chantale Bouchard.

The 24-year-old sales rep at Simons had frequented both the new and old Belvedere, but she has now become a regular here. "It's nice to be able to breathe and take in the sights at the same time," Bouchard reasons. "It's the place to be. Now my friends and I all make it a point to come every Thursday." Her companion, Dominic Caron, a 24-year-old student, concurs. "The space is pleasant.

The Belvedere was more like a warehouse. People were jammed in every corner." This is, natch, sweet music to Pichette's ears. "It was never my dream to be the king of the Montreal club scene. My feet are still on the ground," he states while surveying the scene. "But all I can say is that I'm happy I'm married.

I wouldn't be able to concentrate on business otherwise." Bill Brownslein's E-mail address is bbrownstthegazette.southam.ca. waited up to three hours, until those already inside started to trickle out. The place will only accommodate 1 ,500 patrons each ponying up the $5 cover charge at one time. But with turnover, it's estimated that 3,000 to 4,000 take in the festivities every Thursday Co-owner Fred Pichette seems as mystified as everyone else that his club is suddenly all the rage. A former waiter at the Ritz -Carlton Hotel, Pichette and partners Guy Fortin and Dominique Cote took over Cafe des Eclusiers this year.

In its former life, Cafe des Eclusiers had been an even more unassuming bar-resto. "We advertised only a little at the be Gay pot ice officer is out, proud. A' I I 'V 'k" ft 7 i '-mm 'It doesn't take courage it just feels so good' DIVERSCITE ANN CARROLL The Gazette The year 1993 was a turning point for Montreal policeman Andre Proulx. He was shot and severely wounded while responding to a domestic dispute in Montreal North, and he left his girlfriend of 11 years and their son to move in with a man he had just met. Oh yes, and he marched in his first Gay Pride parade and bumped into fellow officers who didn't know then that he was gay.

"I wasn't 'out' yet, and I wanted to die," recalled Proulx, 41. "I said a quick hello and moved on." Proulx and his 36-year-old companion, Patrick Lavallee, a constable at Station 38 in Plateau Mont Royal, plan to march tomorrow alongside members of the Quebec Association of Gay Police and Firefighters in DiversCite's 10th anniversary Gay Pride parade. No embarrassment or ducking his head now. "I've become known as a gay officer, and people congratulate me and say I'm brave," noted Proulx, now a senior officer at Station 22 on Papineau Ave. "But it doesn't take courage.

It feels so good just being myself." It was his shooting and lengthy convalescence in 1993 that prompted Proulx to re-evaluate his personal life and accept his sexual orientation. He first broke the news to his girlfriend and close friends, and then told his colleagues at work. "That was the hardest thing," he recalled of going back to work and talking openly about his lifestyle. "Police were more macho, more traditional, 10 years ago. You didn't see too many gay officers." Proulx has never regretted "coming out." shows off his parade T-shirt that features the logo of the Quebec Association ferred to wear their uniforms gay colleagues in New York City and Boston parade in uniform but they can't.

"Members of the police department who wish to participate in the parade may participate, but not in uniform," Commander Andre Durocher said. Off-duty police need special authorization to wear their uniforms. The boys and girls in blue will provide security from the sidelines, he added, but they won't officially be part of the DiversCite festivities. "We police July 1 (Canada Day) and St. Jean Baptiste, but we're not part of love city These tourists spend and Montreal policeman Andre Proulx "The reaction was positive," he said.

"I did hear it disturbed some people, but my colleagues treated me with respect and I have never felt excluded. "They can see that my day-to-day life with Patrick is the same as theirs, living with a spouse and children." His openness and confidence make Proulx something of an icon in the Gay Village (in Station 22 territory). "On patrol I often bump into friends and give them a kiss on the cheek, just as if I were off duty," he said, and his straight partners take the easy-going gesture in stride. DIVERSCITE Talk to some of the tourists themselves, however, and it's less about big crowds and legislation, more about a general festive spirit and good old Canadian hospitality "We fell in love with the city instantly," said Ron Savoie, up from New Jersey with his partner for the sixth year in a row. "It's just a great place to be and people are easygoing.

They're not hung up. "We come to meet like-minded people without being surrounded by the screaming, in-your-face behaviour that often comes with big gay crowds. We're here for the city and the people." As far as gay destinations go, Canada is more welcoming than France, more Gay pride parade route Parade starts at noon tomorrow Sfe. Catherine JOHN MAHONEY, GAZETTE of Gay Police and Firefighters. it," Durocher noted.

"The department has to be neutral." Too bad, says Lavallee, noting that crowds at Gay Pride parades in New York and Boston this summer reserved their loudest cheers and whistles for uniformed police and firefighters. "They know how hard it is to be gay in our milieu. It wouldn't have been possible 15 years ago." For information about the gay police and firefighters association, check the Web site at www.appgq.org. Ann Carroll's E-mail address is acarrollthegazette.southam.ca. Outdoor events at DiversCite TODAY 11 a.m.: Community Day: An opportunity to learn about Montreal organizations working with the gay community, with performances and kiosks.

It's at the DiversCite site: Berri St. between Ste. Catherine St.and Rene Levesque Blvd. and Ste. Catherine between St.

Denis and St. Hubert Sts. 5 to 11 p.m: T-Dance in the Park with DJs David Knapp and Norm Roberts, at Emi-lie Gamelin Park, Ste. Catherine and Berri Sts. 8 to 11 p.m.

Mascara, a drag show, under the direction of Montreal drag queen Mado. At Berri and Ontario Sts. TOMORROW Noon: DiversCite parade, on Rene Levesque Blvd. from Guy St. to St.

Denis St. 1 p.m.: The DiversCite T-Dance -10 hours of DJs, dancers and drag queens followed by the closing show at 10:30 p.m., Berri and Ontario. I From 1:30 p.m.: Street parties at Discoville, Ste. Catherine between Berri and St. Denis.

Sexgarage, de Maisonneuve Blvd. between Berri and St. Denis. 2 to 11:30 p.m.: 10th anniversary stage, day-long shows with Diane Dufresne at 9 p.m. in Emilie Gamelin Park.

For all the camaraderie at work, Proulx and Lavallee belong to a very small circle of gay peace officers who have gone public. There are only about 30 members in the Association des Policier(e)s et Pompier(e)s Gai(e)s du Quebec, which includes firefighters, Surete du Quebec and RCMP officers, Canada Customs agents and prison guards. Only a handful are expected on the parade route tomorrow. They will be the ones looking fit and wearing navy blue T-shirts with the APPGQ logo. Proulx and Lavallee would have pre fun than the United States, and less pretentious than either, said Parisian Did ier-Pierre Moec.

"People dress really badly here. All in T-shirts, black, grey and white. I guess that's their style and that's fine," Moec said, otherwise drawing comparisons between Paris's Marais district and the Gay Village. "In Paris you can't just be gay, you have to do the bodybuilding and wear the right clothes. But here it's enough just to be gay and alive." There is one thing that differentiates the gay tourist from the typical American, however, says Moec their unpredictability "We don't have the kids and we are looking for pleasure.

We don't like the resorts where everything's planned. So whether you're here for shopping, urban, or sexual tourism, it's all open. ike St- She' St- Of1 Several streets will be closed in this area until Monday If your cor is towed, coll 872-942 JUSTIN STAHLMAN, GAZETTE GRAPHICS CATHERINE SOLYOM The Gazette The 100,000 gay and lesbian tourists expected this weekend for the 10th annual DiversCite celebration are essentially like any other happy wanderers -without the kids. "Gays and lesbians move around for the same reasons as anyone else," says Yves Lafontaine, editor in chief of Fugues, a glossy gay magazine, who has watched gay tourism in Montreal explode over the last decade. "People are interested in the festivals like Just for Laughs, the Jazz Festival or museum exhibits, but part of the gay clientele likes to visit destinations where they are welcomed.

Montreal has always had a good image on both levels and it's got even better." Laws that recognize the rights of same-sex partners used to bolster Montreal's ultimately successful bid for the Gay Games in 2006 as well as the bill recognizing civil unions passed in July, help to put a rainbow coating on the city, Lafontaine said. But specific events like the week-long DiversCite celebration, wrapping up tomorrow with the gay pride parade, have also attracted more and more people to the city, Lalontaine added, with one million people participating last year, compared with 4,600 participants in 1993. The breakfast is included, but the rest is unpredictable." Whatever it is that is making Montreal a gay destination par excellence, it's paying off, says Tourism Montreal's Jean-Francois Perr ier. Citing a U.S. study, he said the average gay tourist in North America spends 3'S times the amount of his or her heterosexual counterpart on hotels, restaurants, clothes and souvenirs gay tourists tend to travel twice as much and have more disposable income.

Tourism Montreal dedicates $400,000 out of its $14 million budget on targeting gay tourists, but the city gets that back at least 100 times over, with DiversCite alone cashing in $40 million in economic spinoffs in 2000, Per-rier said. "Above all, gay visitors are always interested in culture, music, restaurants, and architecture," Perrier said. "They also flock'to Notre Dame Cathedral, and of course they go shopping, just like anyone else." Of tourists at the DiversCite celebration in 2000: 29 per cent were from Quebec outside Montreal; 46 per cent from the rest of Canada; 16 per cent from the U.S.; and, 9 per cent from the rest of the world. For details on this weekend's Divers Cite events, go to www.diverscite.org. Catherine Solyom 's mail address is St Rene Leresque Brrd..