Canada hosted its first ever national pride in 2017 in Montreal and we were lucky to be there to soak it all up.
There were world famous drag queens, super sexy boys, incredible outfits and more.
Watch our latest vlog about it right here, and please remember to subscribe.
By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys
Justin Trudeau – as if the charming, dreamy, Disney-Prince-Eric-Aladdin Canadian Prime Minister couldn’t get any more perfect, he turns up at a gay pride event, gives an inspiring speech about the importance of inclusivity and diversity in society, then leads the parade through the streets of Montreal, waving a transgender flag and shouting:
“Happy Pride! Bonne Fierté!”
In August 2017, Montreal hosted the first ever Fierte Canada Pride, an 11 days festival of parties, performances by artists like Nelly Furtado and Ru Paul drag race superstars, then culminating with a large parade on the final day, led by Justin.
We were so proud to be a part of it and like the Puerto Vallarta Pride in Mexico, it ranks as one of our favourite gay pride events. Here’s our 5 favourite moments from the very first Fierte Canada Pride in Montreal.
Justin! Justin! Justin!
Maybe we’re more Justin obsessed than we should be – his perfect bubble butt broke the internet, after all – but we can’t think of any other country in the world where its leader turns up, speaks about how important the LGBTQ community is, then leads the entire parade through the busy streets. In fact, Canada is the only country in the world that we know of, which has its own national gay pride event.
And if it couldn’t get anymore awesome, Justin was joined by another world leader: Leo Varadkar, the gay Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), who marched by his side, with his husband to hand.
After travelling in countries where being gay is illegal and can even lead to a death sentence, it is so inspiring and significant for us to be in a country where the government not only gives such strong visibility to the LGBTQ community, but openly embraces and celebrates us – just like Justin did.
By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys
I walked by the bathhouse building several times. It had a discreet entrance, a nondescript façade. On the few past occasions I’d gone into a gay bathhouse before—in gay old Barcelona, in gay old San Francisco—it had been this way: a last-minute mental fencing match, a wrestling with the bathhouse angel, Thinking Fast and Slow About Whether or Not to Enter the Bathhouse. Now I was in gay old Montreal, passing along Saint-Catherine Street again.
I turned a corner, walking in an expanding spiral away from the bathhouse on the Plateau, then reversed course, spiraling back towards it. This prolonged little drama of indecision might, I thought, either exhaust my racing mind, which was eminently capable of talking me out of doing anything, ever, or successfully muzzle that sweaty, stinking animal curiosity that had gotten me moving in the first place. Of course I was kidding myself: during that part of my life, curiosity won out almost every time, at least when it came to the question of entering some gay lair or another. I craved a connection—higher, lower, however one came by it—and the craving mastered me.
A thunderstorm had passed through earlier in the day. Now, however, as I made my way back to Saint-Catherine, the sky was “clear,” which is to say: oceanic, dark, deep inasmuch as it stretched out and out into the great, grave beyond. I knew almost no one in town, and I’d be leaving soon. Straight couples and small groups strolled along the park, speaking Québécois French, West African French, English, blends of these, other tongues. Soon, the dotted, solemn, yellow-white lights of the park gave way to the cheerful ones of the boulevard, where people dined and drank en plein aire or in luminous rooms behind glass. A pleasing aroma of flesh and char and fat wafted from a brightly lit kebab shop.
By Evan James – Full Story at Travel + Leisure
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One year ago, gay actor-director extraordinaire Xavier Dolan shot Adele’s Hello video just outside his native Montreal. The world watched transfixed as our still-heartbroken heroine, wrapped in faux-fur, emoted amid rolling hills, epic maples and twirling leaves.
The clip was a love letter to Canadian autumn. And yet, almost paradoxically, it was filmed in black and white. Don’t get me started. Similarly, standing atop Montreal’s imposing Mount Royal in fall, exploring the picturesque Parc du Mont-Royal thereon, is your chance to channel your inner-Adele in rich, explosive technicolor.
Yes, the surrounding countryside provides the perfect playground for foliage followers. But gay Montreal – home to 1.65 million, the largest in the Quebec province and the second-largest French-speaking city worldwide after Paris – is the natural start to such an adventure.
By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News
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Last summer, Montreal’s Gay Village offered its customary seasonal flourish with the return of “Le Projet de Boules Roses,” artist Claude Cromier’s annual stringing of “Pink Balls” above a kilometer-plus long stretch of Sainte-Catherine Street. Part of the annual May to September Aires Libres public art event, the installation featured 200,000 balls this year, up from 170,000.
With Sainte-Catherine Street closed to vehicular traffic between Saint- Hubert to Papineau, the enhanced pink canopy provided its usual ambassadorial welcome to the summer surge of gay tourists enjoying the Village’s clubs, outdoor patios, restaurants, bars, shops, and other establishments. According to Community Marketing Inc.’s 2014 LGBT Tourism & Hospitality Survey, Montreal is an equal favorite alongside Toronto and Vancouver for gay travelers from the US, with Canada heading the list of preferred international destinations.
All would seem swell in the heart of one of the world’s most popular LGBT tourism destinations, n’est-ce pas? Well, not completely. As publicized earlier this year by the Montreal Gazette, the Village has been experiencing off-season blues for some time.
In keeping with the general trend of these technological times, the Internet is reportedly to blame, as Montreal’s younger gay crowd steers toward mobile dating applications instead of hitting the Village’s bars and clubs. As I learned from renowned Montreal journalist Richard “Bugs” Burnett, however, there is more to the story.
By Jeff Heilman – Full Story at Passport
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Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Situated in Montreal downtown east (Gay Village), Le Cartier Bed & Breakfast is 10-20 min walk to main city attractions: Old Montreal, downtown core, fireworks, Latin Quarter, Formula One Track, Palais du Congres, Summer Festivel (Intl Jazz, Just for Laugh, etc), Bell Centre, China Town, universities, casino, Mount Royal, cycling path, and much more.
All of our b&b rooms and suites are equipped with A/C, cable TV, audio CD, wood floor, and a high speed wireless internet connection. We also offer kitchenette facilities (microwave, refrigerator, etc) for guests (no cooking). Laundry service is available at extra cost (long term customers only). Continental breakfast is included.
We also offer private furnished apartment (please inquire).
Le Cartier Bed & Breakfast is just 1 minute away from the Montreal subway (Metro Papineau), bus station & Jacques-Cartier Bridge. We’re also close to the train & central bus station.
Le Cartier B&B is one minute from Ste-Catherine street (but away from noise on quiet side street) – a lively Montreal neighborhood surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, night clubs, theatres, supermarkets, and more.
The Bed and Breakfast is newly renovated & decorated by local artists, and the 100-year stone house provides warmth and charm. The B&B is cozy, quiet and stylish. Le Cartier B&B has a beautiful front/back yard & balcony, providing ideal relaxing & meeting places for guests.
Fun local host who knows Montreal from A to Z offers great advice in exploring the city.
See the Le Cartier Bed & Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here
Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Quebec
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Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:
Welcome to Montreal’s La Logia Art B&B, where you’ll find casual elegance and a romantic atmospherein each of our guest rooms & annex accommodations. Our Montreal guesthouse is furnished with unique art and furniture that your hosts have purchased from the local antique & retro boutiques.
Each of our guestrooms features private & shared bathrooms, king/queen sized beds, central air conditioning, and cable TV.
Each of our guest rooms includes exquisite linens on our antique beds, cotton towels and bath accessories.
We serve a complimentary expanded continental breakfast in the dining room, outdoors on the terrace (in the summertime) or in the common breakfast area. We also have snacks and refreshments available all day long. We want you to feel at home while you to enjoy your stay in total privacy.
We’re also happy to help with directions, reservations for local restaurants, information about plays or any other local evetns.
Our rooms also include fax service and computer hook up for your convenience. The subway (the metro) is only three blocks away and will connect you to all parts of the island.
Just three minutes away from La Loggia on foot, and you’ll be in the heart of every available diversion you may need, shopping, restaurants, clubbing – everything’s close-by.
There is plenty of metered and private parking right outside the door.
Pur Montreal accommodations also offer daily newspapers, magazines, and books. There’s even a barbeque area available for any guests who may want to grill a steak and enjoy the privacy of our beautiful terrace area before going out to the clubs.
The Terrace also has plenty of room to take in the sun as well as an outdoor shower just to cool off when the temperatures start soaring.
Looking for a great friendly place to stay in Montreal? Come stay with us at La Loggia Art B&B!
See the La Loggia Art B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here
Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Quebec
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There’s nowhere in North America quite as magical as Quebec City – especially at this time of year. Amid mind-bogglingly freezing temperatures – in January 2015, it dropped to -36.7 degrees Celsius, the coldest in 75 years – this predominantly French-speaking town is a warm hug of a destination.
The city, founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, is one of the oldest European settlements on the continent. It has all modern conveniences of a capital city, but, with a still-petite population of 516,000, feels intimate and special.
Indeed, the city’s rich European charm is present all year round, coming into sharper focus during the winter season – as we discovered during a visit just last week, in the run up to Christmas. So don with us your hats, gloves and sturdy snow boots as we recount eight of our favorite discoveries about this true winter wonderland…
By Jamie Tabberer – Full Story at Gay Star News
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