Before my boyfriend has a heart attack, let me just say that I am asking because a co-worker of mine wanted me to find out if Toronto, Montréal, or Québec City (or anywhere else, for that matter) would be the best place to go get hitched. She and her partner of many, many years would like to tie the knot, and since she knew that I was, gulp, GAY! (Oh, the shame ), and have travelled to Canada quite a bit, that maybe I could her give some information. Marc in Calgary, Canmark, Seph, Zeno, Ed13, any ideas? Anyone else from my country?

What about the rest of us and our sudden heart palpitations at seeing that new thread!?! wink

I hate to sound non-committal, but it depends what they want.

First off, do not go ANYWHERE near Alberta. They do not recognize SSM yet. Stress the word YET.

As for the other provinces, I would say either Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal. All of them are very different.

Vancouver is very much a west coast city. Laid back, friendly, with the mountains right there.

Toronto is referred to as the gay-center of Canada. If they wanted to come up and get married during pride week, (the last week of June), then they could join approx 1 million people at the parade, or at the dyke march on Saturday, that normally draws about 100,000 people.

Montreal is the most European city, and is great for a gay tourist. You can have a buggy ride around the downtown, sit in an outdoor cafe, (most people eat very late in Montreal).

So there are 3 good cities. Or they can get married in one of them, and then do their honeymoon going across the country.

No palpitations here. My first thought was: BANDWAGON!!! wink

Then my second thought was: Since I'll be in Vancouver 11/27 through 11/30, is that the best place to get divorced in Canada? frown

Check with PhillyFan, he keeps asking me to go to Canada and marry him, I think he has a file going with all the info.

Tally ho!

Certainly the marriage ceremony could take place in any city or town located within the provinces that presently allow same-sex marriage. But somehow I don't think Cattledog's co-worker and her partner have any desire to travel as far as Saskatoon SK or Prince George BC, especially if they plan to wed in the winter! My suggestion is Niagara Falls, Ont. It is relatively close to Washington, DC and has long been a favourite destination for weddings and honeymooners. Alternatively, the nearby town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is beautiful too.


Yes, it's true that the Alberta government presently refuses to recognize same-sex marriage, despite the fact that polls show support is actually a little higher here than in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the other prairie provinces which have recognized it (41% in AB vs 39% in SK and MB). But it is not being talked about much at all in the current Alberta provincial election campaign, which suggests to me that it is not a burning issue for either side. Far be it for me to ever 'defend' the Conservative government in this province (even though it employs me), but for the record, Alberta is not nearly as homophobic as implied in LkSimcoe's recent posts despite the tiresome 'redneck' image portrayed by the media in eastern Canada (and that's coming from someone who grew up in Ontario, not Alberta). I don't know if anyone read my post in the 'Relocation' thread, but I pointed out there is actually good legislation protecting gays and lesbians, although I admit it took longer for Alberta to implement it than most other provinces. I have lived here for more than 20 years and have never personally experienced ANY overt discrimination as a gay man. The pace of social change is frustratingly slow here at times because of a rural-dominated party that has been in power far too long, but the 'redneck' label is greatly exaggerated, at least in the two main cities of Calgary and Edmonton.

Several other provinces and territories have not yet recognized gay marriage, including Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut and NWT.

[ November 16, 2004, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Marc ]

Marc:

I was not meaning to disparage Alberta. I lived in Jasper for 5 years, and actually loved it. It just seems that the Reform came from there, the Alliance came from there, the wingnuts from both parties came from there.

I answered the question from the standpoint of a city to get married in, and spend some time in.

I love the suggestion of Niagara Falls and Niagara by the Lake.

Niagara Falls has a new Casino (should they like that)

Other places all along the Great Lakes in Ontario and Quebec are also great. The Loyalist town of Picton, the City of Kingston, the Eastern Townships in Quebec, and the Gaspe. All are picturesque, and fairly accepting.

And I do realize that Alberta has it's fair minded citizens.

I'm just tired of Ralphie ripping us to shreds to score points. Shouldn't that man retire or something?

As mentioned, it depends on what they want. To consider: Is it just the ceremony (and marriage certificate) they are after, or are they inviting friends and family for a big reception? Do they want all the 'trimmings' (bridal gowns, limos, wedding cake, hall, etc.), or something small in a chapel, restaurant or B&B? Will the trip to Canada also be a honeymoon of sorts? Do they want to plan it themselves or use wedding planners?

Certainly in the Toronto area there are plenty of resources. There was a Gay & Lesbian Wedding Show this past spring at the convention centre, with a host of wedding suppliers (planners, halls, hotels, restaurants, florists, designers, photographers, etc.) present. The local gay publications produce annual Gay Wedding supplements. Many halls, restaurants, hotels, B&B's, etc. (both gay and non-gay) advertise their services for gay weddings, which are not uncommon in Toronto and the Niagara regions.

Some links:
Wedding Essentials magazine.

GayWeddings.com

Marketing magazine article

A google search will reveal all sorts of other resources, planners, etc.

Toronto obviously offers city life. Niagara Falls can be kitchy (motels with heart-shaped whirlpools), or luxurious (there are a host of new luxury hotels near the new casino, overlooking the Falls). Niagara-on-the-Lake is charming, with quaint to luxurious accomodations, the Shaw theatre festival, and local wineries (some with high-quality restaurants).

Vancouver would offer more scenic beauty, mountains, forests, etc., and would be a good wedding & honeymoon destination.

Montreal offers a cosmopolitan city, with a European flair. Quebec is charming and french.

I'm not sure if Cattledog's colleague and her girlfriend are adventurous enough to travel as far as Vancouver, but this link may have some useful resources for them. As others have said, it is indeed a beautiful city (although I'd recommend avoiding the east side of downtown in and around Hastings Street). If the happy couple has time, they really should get off the mainland and take a ferry to Victoria or to Salt Spring Island, which is quaint and very gay-friendly.

http://www.gayvancouver.bc.ca/marriage.htm


LkSimcoe, sorry if I appeared a bit defensive, and I know there was no malice in your words. It's just that so often Albertans (and Conservative party supporters) get stereotyped as being uniformly intolerant right-wing zealots, probably in much the same way as Texans (and Republicans) are characterized in the United States. I won't deny this province tends to be somewhat socially conservative, but progress is being made. The main problem here with same-sex marriage (and in some of the other provinces) is the simple use of that word 'marriage' more than anything else. BTW, I agree with you that Ralph has to go! He has promised this will be his last term. Anyway, back to topic...I know this wasn't meant to be a Politics thread.

[ November 17, 2004, 01:05 AM: Message edited by: Marc ]

I think they are just leaning towards a simple ceremony in March. I did relate some of the statements that you guys kindly provided. Since she is not that familiar with Canada, I kind of explained that Toronto is a bit more "Americanized" (no offense, intended ) and convenient for them to get around. Anything really west of Toronto was really not considered since they wanted a short flight. I am going to forward some of the sites that you all graciously provided. Incidentally, happy birthday to your compatriot, Gordon Lightfoot, who is 66 today wink !

Thoughts on the contenders:

Toronto has many things going for it, and a great gay life, but if you're looking a romantic site for a wedding...it's not Toronto. Elsewhere in Ontario, Niagara Falls is a very traditional newlywed spot (and apparently overrun with gay American weddings these days). It's cool to see my hometown (Kingston) get props too. A Thousand Island Cruise might make a nice way to celebrate.

Montreal is more romantic than Toronto, but Quebec City would be even better, I think. It's a little less English-friendly, but a very charming city.

Vancouver is a gorgeous place--as Steven Leacock observed, "Had I known in advance what British Columbia was like, I would have arranged to be born there." Plus, romantic getaways to sea and mountain are very accessible. I also like Halifax, which hasn't been mentioned yet, and Nova Scotia has gay marriage now, too.

I have to say, though, that most of Canada is a lot less inviting in winter, though Niagara Falls are interesting at that time of year. If you ski, I would suggest Whistler as the ideal marriage spot. Lake Louise would be even better, but unfortunately it's in Alberta.

I personally rfeally like Kingston, and all along the Loyalist Highway (my family has lived near Piction since 1790, and 2 of the farms are still in the family).

The Loyalist highway is a section of Ontario, along the shores of Lake Ontario, settled by United Empire Loyalists, who fled the United States after the revolution. (my decendants had a farm on what is now lower manhattan, and also on Long Island)

It's a VERY scenic area of Canada, replete with History. The hotels along the waterfront of Kingston are good, (and are walking distance to the Royal Military College) :-)

Nova Scotia is also beautiful. Halifax and south are best in the summer (I went to University in Antigonish Nova Scotia). The Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island is incredible, but in Sept when the leaves change it is truly breathtaking.

But if they're planning on March, perhaps a city would be best.

Oh, and the city of Ottawa (I was born and raised there) is the Canadian Capital. Fully bilingual, museums, art centers, Quebec a 10 minute walk away, VERY friendly, and actually quite laid back.

And since gay marriage is legal in both Ontario and Quebec, you can scout out the most beautiful location.

Just a quick update here... My co-worker told me that she and her bride-to-be are going to have a private ceremony in Toronto (this weekend). After that, they are going for a romantic two-week honeymoon to Italy. She seems so excited! Who wouldn't be?