A TRIBUTE TO TORONTO AND CANADA

THAT GREAT CITY TO THE NORTH WHERE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING CAN HAPPEN

www.gaytoronto.com

Most cities have one gay area, if they have one at all; but Toronto has two. We all know how broad minded and tolerant Canadians are when it comes to LGBT. Same sex marriage is now run of the mill and commonplace in Canada and guess what? The sky hasn’t fallen nor are they being destroyed like Sodom. Although it is said that there are still a few pockets of homophobia, if you are gay you could not pick a better place to live than Toronto.

Let’s look at the advantages: First of all, Canada, unlike its neighbor to the South is brimming with culture. Canadians have culture coming out of their pores. Yes there are a lot of unsophisticated people as well but they are not for the most part living in either Toronto or Montreal.

Second, Canadians have a much better developed sense of fairness. They are capitalists all right but they are also socially responsible which translates into free enterprise with ethics and conscience and of course the regulations that make it possible to be transparent and ethical.

The mortgage crisis would not ever have taken place in Canada simply because they do business there requiring a 20% down payment and very strict criteria for proving income, job stability and credit responsibility. Canadian firms do engage in business all over the world but they seem to be above the fray…they are not easily involved in acts of bribery, corruption and cronyism. It seems that Canadians have a much larger appreciation for a meritocracy than we do here in America.

Third, Canada has some very significant social safety nets. It is very important for Canadians to be able to live their lives with a relative amount of peace of mind, knowing that if they get sick or lose their jobs they are not going to lose everything they own…for that purpose they have very convenient and generous unemployment and a HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT WORKS. (With a Public Option)

Fourth, because Canada is a dichotomy of cultures: French and Anglo-Saxon there is a great deal of tolerance for cultural diversity. Yes there have been movements to seek the separation of the two but sanity has prevailed and people have learned to not just live with each other’s differences but to accept those who are different.

Fifth, because Canadians have not been tainted by so much religiosity and proselytizing Canada has a much healthier attitude towards sex and life itself. You have reality staring you in the face in Canada and they don’t sugar coat it with the promise of some far away doubtful reward at the end of your life. I think that most Canadians think pretty much like I do…that you have to make this a better world than what you found it.

Sixth, because the Evangelicals have not taken over the reins of government like they have in America, Canada is not turning into a theocracy…and that gives peace of mind to those of us who are not religious.

About Toronto:

The Church Wellesley Gay Village is world famous for its homo-rific nightlife, inclusive community center and fabulous restaurants. You might also recognize many hot-spots from the television show "Queer as Folk," which was filmed in the area for the five years it aired on Showtime. Legend has it the area was bought way back in the 1820s by a gay merchant named Alexander Wood. LGBT-ers have since made this district into quite a lovely home of which Wood could only be proud.

And Toronto is one of the few cities that have two gay villages. The Gay Village at Church & Wellesley has everything a gay traveler could need or want: bookstores, gay-owned accommodation, queer theater and gay and lesbian bars catering to all flavors and tastes. The Queer West Village is edgier with funky restaurants and a number of queerish mixed bars. Annual events such as pride week at the end of June and Church Street Fetish Fair in August are highlights.

Toronto Gay Bars

1. The Barn "TOTAL DIVE."

Gay Village - 418 Church St., Toronto, ON

2. The Beaver Alternative bar/restaurant

Queer West Village - 1192 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

3. Big Primpin First Fridays at Wrong Bar

Bills itself as a "queer hip-hop and dancehall party"

Queer West Village - 1279 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON

4. Black Eagle

Cruise bar for the leather, denim and uniform

Gay Village - 457 Church St., Toronto, ON

5. Byzantium

Paul & Pierre invite you to their exotic French fusion retro-lounge

Gay Village - 499 Church St., Toronto, ON

6. El Convento Rico

Some of the most caliente entertainment in the village

750 College Street West, Toronto, ON

7. Fly

Large and popular club with huge parties every week

Gay Village - 8 Gloucester Street, Toronto, ON

8. George's Play

Drag/tranny bar in the middle of the Village

Gay Village - 504 Church St., Toronto, ON

9. Gladaman's Den

Country by day and lounge shows at night

Gay Village - 502A Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

10. Goodhandy's

"Pansexual playground"

Downtown - 120 Church St., Toronto, ON

11. House on Parliament Pub

Popular with the ladies and dart throwers

Gay Village - 465 Parliament Street, Toronto, ON

12. Melody Bar at the Gladstone Hotel

Try and catch the tune at Melody's Bar

Queer West Village - 1214 Queen St. W., Toronto, ON

13. Pegasus Bar

Pro pool tables, trivia nights, friendly staff and a huge TV

Gay Village - 489B Church St., Toronto, ON

14. Remington's

Male dancers every day of the week, ladies welcome on Sundays

379 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

15. Snatch Saturdays at Voglie

Ladies Night every Saturday at this popular risto bar

Gay Village - 582 Church St., Toronto, ON

16. Straight Lounge

Look past the ironic name: straight dance lounge is made for same-sexers

Gay Village - 553 Church St., Toronto, ON

17. Woody's

Cavernous venue with five bars and strong community involvement

Gay Village - 465 Church St., Toronto, ON

18. Zipperz/Cellblock

Diverse and lively venue with piano bar & dance club

72 Carlton St., Toronto, ON

Toronto Bathhouses & Sex Clubs

1. The Cellar

The name says it all

78 Wellesley Street East, Toronto,

2. Central Spa

Relax at this calming bathhouse

1610 Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON

3. Goodhandy's

The pansexual playground

120 Church St., Toronto, ON

4. Spa Excess

Friendly and welcoming approach to the bathhouse

105 Carlton Street, Toronto,

5. St. Marc Spa

Huge spa in the gay village

Gay Village - 543 Yonge St., Toronto, ON

6. Steamworks

Full service gym/bathhouse

Gay Village - 540 Church Street, Toronto,

We are now right in the middle of Pride Month and each year at the end of June, Toronto plays host to Pride Week, one of the largest pride festivals in the world. This ten-day queer celebration turns streets into parades, parking lots into parties and draws a crowd of over a million supporters from across the globe. With concerts, galas, and cultural events throughout, the festival climaxes on the last day with the famous Pride Parade that takes over Toronto’s Yonge Street and fills it with all the colors of the rainbow. I assure you, this is the place you want to be in June.

If you were to ask me, I would move to Toronto or anywhere in Canada, preferably Montreal or Vancouver in a heartbeat…if only I could get a resident visa.

PHOTO SOURCE: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_AxCTSdry5uw/S_fcuQ6JuWI/AAAAAAAAAcY/-nTPsDbJOxA/s1600/062809_Pride_Parade.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/dmeng/image/45397307

http://www.pbase.com/dmeng/image/45397317

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/06/28/pride-parade-in-pictures.aspx

http://toronto.gaycities.com/events/2-toronto-pride (PHOTO BY EDUARDO LIMA)

http://www.realstylenetwork.com/index.php/fashion-and-style/tag/gay-pride-parade-pictures/

http://www.canadamaps.info/canadamaps/politicalmap.asp

THANK YOU CANADA FOR WHAT YOU ARE!

MERCI CANADA