Photo Courtesy of Tourism Toronto

Ontario, situated in central Canada, is Canada’s most populous province, housing nearly 40% of the national population, just shy of 13 million people. Vast in size, with over 900,000 square kilometres, Ontario also has three main climatic regions, and is bordered by four of the Great Lakes, as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Ontario is also home to Toronto, Canada’s largest city, Ottawa, the nation’s capital, world-famous Niagara Falls, and six other urban centres of note that are in the top 15 most populous in the country. If urban adventure is your pleasure, there is a never-ending supply of options to explore.

The first province in Canada to legalize same-sex marriage in June 2003, home to twelve separate community Pride festivals, including one of the largest in the world, world-class wineries and attractions, exciting outdoor adventure, and a sophisticated tourism infrastructure, make Ontario a top of the list choice for many LGBT travellers.

TORONTO

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, is a thriving megalopolis of 5 million people, home to Canada’s largest LGBT population, and one of North America’s largest Pride celebrations, rivalling New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Toronto Pride Week is a force to be reckoned with, with hundreds of thousands of attendees taking part in the celebrations. One of the largest festivals in the city, it also is a major money generator for many local businesses and services, and attracts visitors from around the world.

The epicentre of LGBT life in Toronto for many is the Church Wellesley Village. Home to the largest percentage of LGBT-focused businesses, including world-renowned bars and clubs, gay bookstores, saunas, cafes, restaurants, clothing stores, hair salons, music stores, sex stores, travel agencies, and more, all conveniently located in a multi-block area of downtown. The village is also within walking distance of major downtown hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and several stops on the Toronto subway line.

Halloweek is also an annual, successful, week-long event in the Church Wellesley Village, leading up to Halloween. Nightly events, including a dine-around, Village Fair and Fete, Pet Parade, Drag Swap, Fright Fall Film Fest, culminate with thousands of folks descending on the village for Halloween night.

Early June 2009, saw the village decked out with pink balloons adorning many shops, patios, and windows, as the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), was in town for their 26th annual convention, and were inviting Torontonians to join them at Maple Leaf Gardens for their Travel Expo, which had over a hundred exhibitors from all over the world showing their stuff. “Seek Chic” was the theme of the convention, and Toronto showed the 350 delegates from over 25 countries a fabulous time.

Another up-and-coming area of interest to the LGBTTIQ community, known as the Queer West Village, Toronto’s second gay village, exists without the usual core of gay bars found in most gay villages, with many gay friendly bars, restaurants, shops, and cafes. The Queer West Fest will be celebrating its fifth anniversary, and celebrating 30 years of queer history in Toronto in 2010.

If museums and galleries are of interest, Toronto is home to a world-class selection to suit every interest. The recent $270-million Renaissance ROM expansion project of the world-renowned Royal Ontario Museum has reconfirmed the ROM as a must-see destination within a destination. Other venues of interest include the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Design Exchange, and the one-of-a-kind Bata Shoe Museum.

No trip would be complete without a shopping fix, and there is no better place in Canada to indulge than the streets of Toronto. Priape, located centrally in the Church Wellesley Village, is a Canadian national gay chain, with stores in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. For those wanting to power shop, the upscale designer shops and boutiques in the Bloor-Yorkville district, or Queen Street West, are must-sees. “Seek Chic” as they say.

DELTA CHELSEA DOWNTOWN TORONTO
Let the Delta Chelsea, Toronto's Entertainment Hotel, put you in the centre of it all. We're located in the heart of downtown Toronto, around the corner from The Village - just steps from vibrant nightclubs, world-class theater and amazing shopping. We feature six restaurants/ lounges, an adult-only pool and health club, as well as an on-site Ticketing Department for the hottest shows in town. whether you choose to stay in or step out, you'll find it all at our urban resort. 1.800.243.5732 or www.deltachelsea.com
Travel Air	Isabella Hotels & Suites
Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area

OTTAWA

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, is the seat of national government, home to the National Arts Centre, National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Monument, and other national institutions of interest. This is also where legalized same-sex marriage was proclaimed into law nationally, on July 20, 2005.

The 2010 Capital Pride Festival, referred to as Ottawa’s most colourful festival, kicks off on Aug. 20, with the official Flag Raising at Ottawa City Hall, followed by the Mayor’s Reception. Ten days of festivities are planned, including the Ottawa Bears Logo Launch, Official Opening Party, Visual Arts and Culture Exhibit, Miss Capital Pride Pageant XVI, Pride Street Fair, Picnic in the Park, Capital Pride Boat Cruise & Gala, Dyke March, Floating T Dance, and much more. The festivities wind up with the 25th annual Capital Pride Parade, and related events on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010.

Resources:
www.torontotourism.com 
www.pridetoronto.com
www.queerwest.org
www.xtra.ca
www.ottawatourism.com
www.capitalpride.ca
www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca