Gay Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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As Canada’s largest city, Toronto is also its most cosmopolitan. Known for providing a high quality of life, the clean and safe city attracts a large immigrant population, which makes it a very multicultural city and also a great place for travelers. A stroll among Toronto’s various neighborhoods will seem like an international tour; wander through Little Italy, Little Jamaica, and Little India. Grab a bite to eat in Chinatown, Koreatown, or Greektown. And don’t forget to check out Malta Village, Portugal Village, Polish Town and Little Mogadishu. Named for the Huron word for “meeting place,” Toronto continues to live up to its historic reputation!

Toronto is situated on the shores of Lake Ontario; numerous rivers, streams, and ravines intersect the city, adding to its natural and park life. Due to the tempering effect of the great lakes and the southern location of the city within Canada, Toronto’s climate is fairly mild, making it a great city to explore on foot. A walk through the Harbourfront Centre—a stretch of parks, museums, theatres, and markets along Lake Ontario—makes for a well spent afternoon.

The home of the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Opera Company, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto is a performing arts center for the nation. With regular theatre, ballet, dance, opera, and orchestra performances, Toronto is sure to have a program playing that suits your tastes. Toronto is also the home to several important festivals you won’t want to miss. Considered the second most important film festival in the world (after Cannes), the Toronto International Film Festival spans ten days in early September and showcases many top films each year. North America’s largest street parade is just one of the many events held during Caribana, the annual Toronto Carribean Culture fest, which celebrates Caribbean music, dance, food, and culture for several weeks in late summer. The Inside Out Gay and Lesbian Film and Video Festival is held each May, and features films and artists from Canada and around the world. In addition, Pride Week—held during the last week of June—involves a Pride Parade and a Dyke March and sponsors numerous festivities surrounding these events.

Toronto is the home of the Canadian gay community. The gay village of Toronto, localized around the intersecting streets of Church and Wellesley (where the show “Queer as Folk” was filmed), is currently undergoing a period of transition as homosexuality becomes more accepted in Toronto, and services city-wide become more gay-friendly. Many gay venues—bars, clubs, shops, restaurants, spas, and massage centers--are still situated along Church Street and the surrounding neighborhood. But more popular destinations, such as the Gladstone and Drake Hotels—both recently renovated hotel and nightclubs—are found outside of the Church Street area. Many local residents see the St. James, Cabbagetown, and Queen West Village areas as up-and-coming gay neighborhoods, which means they will likely be worth checking out during your stay.

Wherever you choose to spend your time in Toronto you will find a cutting edge arts scene and a diverse and welcoming local population.

See you in Toronto!