Mountains and turquoise lake

LGBTQ Friendly Canada

I still remember my first trip to Canada, for a Model U.N. Conference at the University of Toronto.

Walking around the college campus and downtown area I couldn’t believe how diverse the city was.

Boston, where I grew up, was predominantly white. There wasn’t a lot of diversity of any kind.

Toronto was such a formative experience for me of how vastly different the world could be outside of my New England bubble.

This is what I love about travel – how it exposes us to new ideas and ways of living, which can radically influence our possibilities.

During my senior year in high school, our French class took a trip to Quebec City.

Traversing the old city in search of a flaky croissant, practicing our French ordering in restaurants, and wandering the ice maze at the Winter Carnival, I felt transported to France.

That summer, I organized a road trip with my friends to Montreal, taking one last vacation together before we went off to separate colleges.

Since those high school trips to Canada, I’ve been back multiple times.

A white person wearing a blue shirt and yellow backpacking posing in front of a river while hiking through Jacques Cartier National Park in Quebec.

I visited Vancouver on a family trip, exploring Banff and Jasper National Park. I’ve returned to Ontario, getting to know Toronto’s lesbian neighborhood and exploring nearby Prince Edward County on a wine and cheese tasting tour.

I’ve taken multiple trips to Quebec City and Montreal. Not only did I get to brush up on all the French I’ve forgotten since graduating from high school, I got to celebrate Canada’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at the Montreal Pride parade.

Now, I’m excited to draw from my experiences traveling in Canada to highlight the best of what our northern neighbor has to offer queer travelers!

LGBTQ Rights in Canada

While my home state of Massachusetts may have beat them to the punch by legalizing same-sex marriage in 2003, it’s an undisputed fact: when it comes to LGBTQ rights Canada is a global leader.

Same-sex activities have been decriminalized in Canada since 1969 โ€“ the same year gay and trans Americans stood up to police persecution and brutality in the Stonewall riots.

Canadians gained legal protection against discrimination based on their sexual orientation in 1996.

And Canada legalized gay marriage before the US, in 2005.

The Canadian Human Rights Act was updated in 2017 to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. If you are seeking a trans-friendly travel destination, it’s clear Canada belongs at the top of your list.

Where is Canada most LGBT friendly?

While Canada has a great track record on LGBTQ rights, there are some destinations that take top marks. Laid-back British Columbia is great place to visit, as is progressive Vancouver.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city. It’s just as diverse and welcoming as I discovered in high school, with multiple gayborhoods to explore.

Quebec City and Montreal are also very LGBTQ-inclusive. I’ve spent the most time in the province of Quebec because it’s closest to me. Living in New York, I can drive to Montreal for a long weekend. And loving food as much as I do, Montreal’s incredible food scene is always worth the drive!


When To Go

Canada is a great destination year round.

Summer is the warmest season, filled with festivals and events. It’s also when Canada’s farms are at their peak and days are longest.

Summer tends to be crowded with higher prices, but a favorable exchange rate still makes summer holidays in Canada doable for Americans!

Fall offers fewer crowds than summer. September and October bring mild weather in southern parts of the country.

By late fall, temperatures have plunged. Depending on your location, you may be able to see the northern lights!

Winter holidays are magical. From the ski resorts of Alberta and British Columbia to Quebec City’s winter carnival, the country takes on a magical winter wonderland vibe. The weather is very cold, however!

Spring is considered a low season in Canada. The temperatures begin to warm and days grow longer, but some destinations still have snow.

Silk animal sculptures at the Montreal Botanic Garden: a white tiger, two cranes, and a colorful parrot.

How To Get Around Canada

Since I’ve driven to Canada on most of my trips, I’ve benefited from having a car. But I’ve also explored Montreal entirely by bus, metro and on foot, gotten around Toronto by subway, and taken the train from Vancouver to Jasper National Park, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

While renting a car makes it easier to explore the countryside, it’s not necessary. Canada has a large public transportation network, with trains, buses, regional airfare, and ferries.

Is Canada Safe For LGBTQ Travelers?

Yes, Canada is safe for LGBTQ travelers due to the country’s strong legal protections against discrimination based on sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression.

LGBTQ Quebec City

Statue of Samuel De Champlain with people walking past

LGBTQ rights are strongly protected across Canada, and Quebec is no exception.

Gay and lesbian couples in Quebec City can feel comfortable showing affection in public without fear of discrimination.

Walking around Quebec, I saw rainbow flags hanging proudly in hotels, restaurants and cafes, symbolizing the city’s openness and progressiveness.

Quebec City provides a safe and accepting destination for LGBTQ+ travelers looking to simply enjoy the city as themselves, with a small but close-knit gayborhood known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Explore the Highlights of Gay and Lesbian Quebec:

Canada Stories