Pioneer of gay retail in Montreal since 1974
Founded in Montreal in 1974, Priape is one of the first businesses in North America to openly serve a gay clientele in Montreal’s historic Village. Born in a socially and legally hostile environment, Priape has established itself over the decades as an independent, committed company deeply rooted in the LGBTQ+ community.
Today, Priape operates a physical store in the heart of Montreal’s Village and an e-commerce website active since 1996, serving both local and international customers.
A shared gay History
The early years (1974–1979)
Priape opened its doors in 1974 on Sainte-Catherine Street East. After a major fire in 1975, the company rebuilt itself without traditional bank support, driven by the determination of its founders and the backing of the community.
By the late 1970s, Priape made a clear and deliberate choice: to move away from general-interest products and become a gay sex shop, one of the first to openly claim this identity in Montreal. This bold positioning, radical for its time, would define the company’s reputation.
Culture, activism, and resistance (1980s)
Throughout the 1980s, Priape went beyond retail. The company actively participated in gay cultural life through cinema, publications, events, in-house leather production, and support for artistic and community initiatives.
In an era marked by police raids, censorship, and moral repression, Priape defended gay visibility and sexual freedom, often at the cost of legal and financial battles. This period forged the company’s activist DNA.
Digital shift and opening to the world (1990s)
In 1996, Priape became a pioneer of e-commerce in its field with the launch of www.priape.com. At a time when the internet was still in its infancy, the site allowed thousands of people—often isolated or living in hostile environments—to access products and information discreetly and securely.
This digital shift marked a new phase of growth and international reach.
Priape today
More than 50 years after its founding, Priape remains an independent company, faithful to its original mission.
- A physical store in Montreal (1311 Sainte-Catherine Street East)
- An e-commerce website active for more than 30 years
- A product offering created by and for the gay community
Priape continues to evolve without denying its history, staying attuned to contemporary realities while fully embracing its role as a living memory of Montreal’s Village and gay culture.
Our values
Independence
Priape was built outside traditional systems, without compromising its identity or positions.
Community engagement
Since its beginnings, Priape has actively supported causes related to sexual health, the fight against HIV/AIDS, and LGBTQ+ visibility.
Memory and transmission
Priape’s history is also the history of a community. Preserving and sharing it is an integral part of our mission.
Freedom and affirmation
Priape defends a free, consensual, and unapologetic sexuality—without shame or censorship.
A local company with a global reach
Founded in Montreal and anchored in the Village, Priape now serves customers far beyond Quebec through its website. Wherever you are in the world, Priape remains a reference point for those seeking not only products, but also history, culture, and a clear stance.