I had regularly attended Pride celebrations in my home city of Vancouver, but it had always been with my gay male friends, and straight female friends. I also spent a number of years working at Pride as a performer, and experienced tons of fun weekends on stage dancing with drag queens. I always had a blast, and I always felt comfortable in that space. However, when it came time to attend Pride as a lesbian with my new girlfriend, I was filled with anxiety.

Steph and I had been dating for 6 months when our first Pride together rolled around. She had been my only reference for lesbian things, and I’d spent the last half of a year taking a crash course. We binge watched The L Word, I met her gay hockey teammates, and I tried to get to know other lesbian couples. I entered this new world tentatively, and I really didn’t know if I would ever feel comfortable in it.

When I was introduced to people in the community, they usually didn’t care to even learn my name. Steph was my first girlfriend, I was in my early twenties, and I’m as femme as they come. All of these truths seemed to mean that I didn’t belong. It appeared as though everyone thought I was going through a college age “phase”, and that poor Steph was going to have her heart broken. Inside, I was bursting to defend myself. I knew I had finally figured out who I was, and being with Steph just felt right. Of course at that time, I didn’t know for sure we would live happily ever after (spoiler alert – we did!), but I knew I wanted to be with her. And I knew I was gay.

I present as very feminine, and it made it impossible to convince anybody that I belonged. I grappled with a constant need to prove my gayness, and tried to wiggle my way into a community I so desperately wanted to be a part of. Up until that point in my life, I had never felt a strong sense of belonging. I’d dated men and had a couple of boyfriends, but I always felt different because I liked girls. When I met Steph and came out as a lesbian, I think I just expected to waltz across a rainbow and be welcomed by the gay community with open arms. I was really startled when that didn’t happen.

During my first Vancouver Pride with Steph, we attended a big lesbian party together. I stressed about what to wear and how to act, and I was nervous to be around so many other gay women. At the party, I managed to get hit on by a straight guy (don’t ask me why he was even there). Steph jumped in to explain that we were a couple, and I remember feeling like a complete imposter.

In the years following, Pride continued to be a worrying time for me. I always wanted to just relax and enjoy myself, but I would often end up feeling emotional and withdrawn. I struggled to own my space in the community, and to include myself when I didn’t feel included by others. I was in constant fear that everyone thought I was a fraud. I would tear up watching the parade each year, knowing that being gay was a huge part of me, even if nobody else could see it.

It’s been 8 years since my first Pride weekend with Steph, and I would be lying if I said that these feelings don’t still come up. Though today, I think I can finally say that I don’t feel the need to change who I am to fit into the club. People might always assume that I’m straight. Men may never believe that I have a wife. Other lesbians may still think that I’m too femme to belong. And I think I’m okay with it all. I’ve learned so much about myself in these past 8 years, and I’ve learned to love and accept myself in ways that I never thought possible.

I love that I’m a feminine woman who loves women. I love that I’m married to an incredible woman. I love that I’ve been in a monogamous same-sex relationship for 8 and a half years, and it’s been the healthiest, most fulfilling relationship I could have ever dreamed of. I’ve learned to claim my space in a community that I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. I’ve learned that I don’t need permission from anyone to feel like I’m gay enough. I don’t need anyone’s approval, and I don’t need to fit anybody’s idea of what a lesbian is or should be.

Last year at Vancouver Pride, Steph and I attended that same lesbian party. It was the first time I ever wore a dress to a Pride event, and I showed up unapologetically as my femme self. I am a part of the community because I decide to be a part of it. I’ve found acceptance because I’ve accepted myself. This year and every year following, I’m going to remind myself that I do belong.

The post Coming Out as a Femme Lesbian appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Visit the Plaza Independencia

The beautiful Plaza de la Independencia sits in the centre of Montevideo, and is the perfect jumping off point for a day of sight seeing! Separating the city’s downtown from its historic old town, the plaza is a popular attraction with some well known architectural landmarks. Be sure to check out the Gateway of the Citadel, the Artigas Maosoleum, the Palacio Salvo, and the Teatro Solis.

Explore the Ciudad Vieja

Montevideo’s old town is called the Ciudad Vieja, and is a great place to get lost for a day. It has plenty of history and cultural museums if that interests you, as well as a lot of other popular landmarks. Look out for the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Plaza Matriz, as well as some beautiful views of the water from San Juan Gate. There is also a popular historic market called the Mercado del Puerto with plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as a lively nightlife scene with cocktail bars scattered around the area.

Enjoy the Peatonal Sarandi

The historic old town also has an amazing pedestrian zone called the Peatonal Sarandi. It starts at the Ciudadela and runs down to the Rambla. Here you will find plenty of shops, businesses, cafes, and galleries, and it’s a great spot to people watch and enjoy the energy of the city.

Stroll Along the Rambla de Montevideo

This avenue wraps along the coastline of the entire city, and is the longest sidewalk in the world! The promenade is a popular spot for walking, cycling, fishing, and roller skating, and is a beautiful place to enjoy the views of the water. The Rambla is extremely important to Montevideo and has even been proposed as a World Heritage Site. Be sure to spend some time here soaking up the sun.

Explore Downtown Montevideo

Avenida 18 de Julio, is the main commercial street running through the city’s downtown. Named after the date of Uruguay’s first constitution, it’s a very important avenue in Montevideo and a great jumping off point for exploring the city centre.

Check out the City Beaches

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful beaches Montevideo has to offer, there are plenty of city beaches you can visit! The closest is Playa Ramirez, and a little further out are Pocitos Beach, Playa Verde, Carrasco Beach, Playa del Buceo, and Malvin Beach. A perfect way to escape the city and relax!

Where to Stay

Montevideo is a fairly big city, and deciding where to stay really depends on what you’re looking for. If you decide to go the hotel route, most hotels in Montevideo are located in the downtown area and along the nearby beaches. There are both big chain hotels as well as smaller boutique hotels to fit every price point. If you choose to stay in the downtown area, you’ll be very close to the historic old town and you will definitely find some affordable options. If you want to stay in one of the beautiful areas near the beaches, you’ll be farther away from the city centre but in a really lovely spot by the water. If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. Outside of hotels, there aren’t a lot of accommodation options in Montevideo. We were able to find an Airbnb in the old town for our stay, but there were very few apartments to choose from. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available and hopefully you can get lucky like we did! We found a full studio apartment with a kitchen for $36CAD/night. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

The food scene in Montevideo keeps getting better and better, and is especially geared toward meat eaters. While the culinary offerings are quite diverse, the city is very popular for barbecue and steak. We noticed a small but growing trend in health conscious establishments focused on vegetarian or fully plant-based menus, but not as many as in nearby Buenos Aires. A popular spot for meat eaters is the Mercado del Puerto, a historic port market where you will find plenty of steakhouses. For cozy cafes, try La Farmacia in the old town or Cafe Gourmand and Escaramuza Libros in the city centre. For more upscale dining, Jacinto is a very popular spot for dinner, and Toledo is the place for tapas. If you’re vegan like us, and looking for plant-based options, Natural Food & Market is the perfect spot for lunch, Barra 7 is great for late night eats, and Bambu is a wonderful vegetarian buffet. Montevideo also has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and music venues scattered around the city. You really can’t go wrong! Some popular spots include Baar Fun Fun, Patagonia Brewing Co, and the Montevideo Wine Experience. Keep reading for some specifically LGBTQ+ friendly bars and venues.

Lesbian Friendly

Uruguay has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in South America, and is very LGBTQ+ friendly, even by global standards. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly the country of Uruguay is. Montevideo has been called one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and is very welcoming of travellers. Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage back in 2013, and they’ve had discrimination protections in place for the community since 2003. We felt very safe travelling to Montevideo as a lesbian couple, and had no issues at all while we were exploring the city. We showed affection in public, held hands in the street, took couple photos togethers, and booked an Airbnb with a local host as a married couple. We never felt the need to hide our relationship to stay safe, and everyone we met was very warm to us. Montevideo is one of the few cities in the world with a monument to recognize our community. In 2004, The Plaza of Sexual Diversity was created, featuring a large granite monolith in the shape of a triangle (referencing the pink triangles worn during Nazi persecution). The monolith reads “Honouring diversity is honouring life: Montevideo for the respect of every gender, identity, and sexual orientation”, which is pretty incredible! In terms of a gay scene or “gaybourhood”, the LGBTQ+ establishments in Montevideo are scattered around the city rather than being concentrated in one area. As usual, the gay nightlife is geared toward men, but establishments are still welcoming of gay women. The most popular and well known gay bar/late night venue is called Chains Pub and is located downtown near Plaza de la Independencia. For late night dancing, the most popular gay club/disco is Cain Club, which is also located downtown. Il Tempo is another gay disco located further out of the city centre, close to Playa Ramirez. Montevideo is definitely a lesbian friendly spot to visit in Uruguay. If you’re looking for a welcoming South American city to check out, be sure to add Montevideo to your travel list!

How to Get Here and How to Get Around

Ferry

To get to Montevideo from Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata. There are a few different companies to choose from, but in our opinion the fastest and best option is Buquebus. You can book your tickets online in advance, and they have several sailings per day, so it’s easy to choose a departure that works with your schedule.  Buquebus offers two options to get to Montevideo – a direct ferry, and a ferry and bus combination through Colonia. The direct ferry is faster, but more expensive, and the combination offers more sailing times, but will take longer. The direct sailing time from Buenos Aires to Colonia is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the ferry and bus option will take roughly 4.5 hours. Be sure to arrive at the Puerto Madero terminal in Buenos Aires at least an hour before departure time (the ticket says to arrive two hours before, but nobody actually does). Once you arrive, you can check in with an agent and check any larger pieces of luggage. After check in, you’ll head upstairs and go through exit immigration for Argentina, as well as entry immigration for Uruguay. There is also a nice waiting area with a cafe before you board.

Bus

Getting to and from Montevideo by bus is also very straight forward. If you’re travelling by bus, most likely you’ll be coming from Colonia or Punta Del Este. There are multiple daily bus departures with Turil, Cot and Copsa. If your schedule is flexible, it’s no problem to buy your ticket at the bus station when you arrive, but we’d recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time online to ensure you have a seat. Urubus is a great website for booking tickets ahead of time, and has multiple languages to choose from for convenience. If it’s a weekend or holiday, then you should definitely book ahead of time, as buses can get busy! The buses are inexpensive, tend to be on time, and have wifi, so the 3 hour trip from Colonia or 2 hour trip from Punta Del Este will be very comfortable.

Walk

The different areas of Montevideo are very walkable, and great to explore on foot. In the old town, the pedestrian street is perfect to stroll along, and the Rambla is a beautiful walk along the water with incredible views. It’s more difficult to walk between the different neighbourhoods in the city, but each area in itself is quite pedestrian friendly.

Bike

We saw a lot of people riding bikes in Montevideo, and it definitely seems like a good way to get around. Just be mindful of the cars on the road, because the drivers tend to drive very close to cyclists. There is a city bike share called Movete, where you can pick up a docked bike and return it to any designated spot in the city.

E-Scooter

The mode of transportation we were most excited to see in the city is the e-scooter network. Montevideo has both Lime and Grin scooters, and they both work the same way. Once you have the app (the Lime app is the same for all of their scooter networks worldwide), you can unlock any scooter you see and take it for a ride. Once you’re finished, simply park the scooter in a spot that’s out of the way, and lock it using your phone. Riding along the Rambla on a scooter is a great way to see the area, although we’d be hesitant to ride everywhere in the city because the cobblestone streets might make for a bumpy ride!

Taxi/Rideshare

Taxis and Ubers are plentiful in the city. Rates are quite a bit higher than in Argentina because of Uruguay’s high gas prices, but they’re still much lower than what we’re used to in North America. Taxis in Uruguay have an evening/Sunday and daytime pricing scale, so expect your rate to be different depending on the time of day.

Public Transportation

There is no subway system in Montevideo, but the bus network is reliable and inexpensive. Buses don’t run late, but there are more taxis on the road after public transportation hours end, so you’ll never be stuck.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Montevideo? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Montevideo, Uruguay appeared first on Lez See the World.

Stop Calling Other Women Your Wife If They’re Not Your Wife

Using terms like “work-wife, wife, wifey” to refer to your female friend, bestie, or another woman who is not your significant other, completely delegitimizes real relationships between two women. The number of times I have to follow up with an explanation after calling Steph my wife is staggering, because nobody hears that word and realizes what it actually means. When I call Steph my wife, it’s because she is my spouse by law, my significant other, and my legal partner. We are so fortunate and privileged to be able to be wives, and the word is so sacred and special to us. Every time I hear someone throw it around casually, it feels like a small jab. It may seem small, but it is such a disservice to the lesbian community, so please stop saying it!

Stop Assuming Every Woman Has a Boyfriend or Husband

When you make heterosexual relationships the default, it means that people in same-sex relationships are constantly having to correct everyone and out themselves. When asking if a woman has a significant other, using a neutral word like “partner” rather than “boyfriend or “husband”, makes room for all possibilities. Not every woman is or will be in a relationship with a man. Some women are in relationships with other women!

Believe a Woman When She Comes Out as Gay

Without trying to generalize, women often have an additional hurdle when they come out as gay. And this is because, many times they aren’t taken seriously! Many women (myself included) have to answer questions like: “Are you sure this isn’t just a phase?”, “Have you tried dating men? Maybe you just haven’t met the right one yet!”, “Are you sure? You don’t look gay!”, and so on. We always hear the story of the straight woman whose heart got broken by the gay man she fell in love with, but never does she question whether or not he’s really gay! Just as there are men who are solely attracted to other men, there are women who are solely attracted to other women, and they are just as valid.

Stop Assuming Every Lesbian Fits a Lesbian Stereotype

One of the reasons why a lot of gay women aren’t taken seriously, seems to be that some people still have an idea of what they think a lesbian is or should be. And this even happens within the LGBTQ+ community! But the reality is, there is no right or wrong way to be a lesbian. It doesn’t matter how you look, dress, act, or express yourself. It doesn’t matter how long your hair is, what your interests are, or whether or not you present as “feminine”. All gay women are equally valid and they don’t need to fit into stereotypes.

Stop Sexualizing Lesbians

Yes, women are beautiful (we agree), but lesbians do not exist for the male gaze! Women who love other women are SO over sexualized, and we’ve had enough. Lesbian relationships are about more than just sex, and yet we constantly find our relationships being diminished to what happens in the bedroom. I once had a man I’d just met in a work setting, tell me that my wife and I are “every guy’s lesbian fantasy”, as if that was an appropriate compliment. I’ve also found that many men are accepting of our PDA, only because they find it arousing. It’s just another way the lesbian community is not respected and it definitely needs to change.

Stop Asking Who the Man is in the Relationship

This is such a common question for two women in a relationship. Because people are so hung up on the idea of traditional gender roles, they find it hard to understand what role each woman would play in a relationship. But the truth is, there is no man in a lesbian relationship, and that’s the point! My wife and I both consider ourselves to have some traditionally “feminine” qualities, and some traditionally “masculine” qualities, but we both identify as women. Neither one of us takes on a male role in our marriage, and we consider our relationship to be a true partnership of equals.

Stop Assuming That We are Anything Other than a Couple

If we could only count the number of times that strangers ask us if we’re sisters, best friends, roommates, or anything other than a couple. People seem to have such a hard time figuring out what our relation could be because we’re so close, and yet they never assume that we might be together. We look nothing like sisters, even best friends don’t usually hold hands and cuddle in public, and we are quite obviously more than roommates! When we’re travelling, we often get asked if we’re students on a school trip together (and we are definitely not school age anymore!). Maybe people are afraid to assume we’re a couple because they wouldn’t want to offend two people who are NOT in a same-sex relationship, but why would that be offensive? Same-sex relationships are beautiful, normal, and nothing to be embarrassed about!

If you’re a part of the lesbian community and you have anything to add, please leave your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’re not a part of the lesbian community, thank you for listening, we are so grateful for our allies!

The post 7 Ways You Can be More Supportive of the Lesbian Community appeared first on Lez See the World.

1. Out Athletes at the Olympic Winter Games

There were so many badass gay women who competed in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics this year, and the list of out female athletes continues to grow. It’s amazing to see lesbian women being visible on the world stage, and 2018 saw more out athletes than any previous Winter Games, including some who made it onto the podium! Olympic athletes being out and proud does a lot for visibility of the community, and it continues the push for equality and inclusion in the world of sports.

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2. The Inter-American Court Ruling

Near the start of this year, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that Latin American Governments must allow same-sex marriages in their countries. It was the largest court order for marriage equality in history, and it means that the TWENTY countries under the court’s jurisdiction must allow same-sex marriage if they don’t already! The included countries are Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay. This is a massive win for LGBTQ+ people in these countries, and a huge step forward for marriage equality worldwide!

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3. Female Celebrities Who Came Out in 2018

This year we saw many celebrity women come out publicly. It’s so amazing to see women in the spotlight being visible and open about who they are, and it’s paving the way for many people who are still struggling with their own sexual identities. Our favourite on the list is Janelle Monae, who is a badass musician, and queer woman of colour.

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4. Trinidad & Tobago Decriminalized Homosexuality

Each year, we see more countries around the globe changing and updating their laws regarding LGBTQ+ people, and this means huge progress for the community! Trinidad & Tobago was among the former British colonies that continued to uphold anti-gay laws that are centuries old, but in April of this year they declared the law unconstitutional. This means that consensual same-sex sexual activity is no longer criminalized, and the Prime Minister has committed to protecting all citizens of Trinidad & Tobago “regardless of whom they sleep with”.

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5. Scotland’s Dear Homophobe Campaign

This year, Scotland launched an amazing campaign to tackle hate crimes due to homophobia (as well as transphobia, bigotry, racism, and ableism). The campaign was funded by the Scottish Government and Police Force, and includes billboards boldly calling out homophobes for their abusive behaviour. They’re making it clear that homophobic harassment and violence will not be tolerated, and that love lives in their country, not hate. What an incredible message to send to your country’s citizens and hopefully more nations will follow suit!

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6. The UK’s Plan to Ban Gay Conversion Therapy

In 2018, the UK announced a 75 point plan to better the lives of it’s LGBTQ+ people, including the introduction of an LGBTQ+ health advisor, a plan to tackle discrimination and hate crimes against the community, and the long overdue ban of gay conversion therapy. £4.5m is being put toward the initiative, and it is a huge step toward further equality in the UK, which is currently a world leader in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Such an amazing thing to see!

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7. Lesbian Representation on Television

LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media is so important, and It’s amazing to see so many lesbian (as well as queer, bi, and trans) characters being depicted on TV right now. This epic list sure impressed us, and we’ve definitely taken note of some shows we’d like to watch! Visibility is growing, and it’s so exciting to see more authentic representations of lesbians on television.

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8. India Decriminalized Homosexuality

This Fall, India’s Supreme Court struck down the law that criminalized same-sex sexual activity, and it was a massive win for the community in India, and worldwide! India is a former British colony, and it’s anti-gay law had been in place since the 1860s. The victory that came from this hard fought battle has overturned more than a century of LGBTQ+ oppression. This is an enormous step forward, and will hopefully help encourage change in the other 30 former British colonies that still have laws criminalizing gay sex.

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9. Scotland Announced Mandatory LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education

In 2018, Scotland announced their decision to require all state schools to add LGBTQ+ inclusive lessons to their curriculum. All students will now learn about the equality movement, as well as different identities and the unique issues that face the community. Scotland is the first country in the world to do this, and it sends a very clear message in their commitment to equality and inclusion. This is such a big win and will have a massive effect on the next generations!

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10. US Mid Term Election

The 2018 US mid term election saw huge wins for the community, and LGBTQ+ people were elected to office in record numbers! The wins included a lesbian congresswoman being elected to the House of Representatives, a lesbian woman being elected as a state representative, a lesbian woman being elected to the United States Senate, and a bisexual woman being re-elected as Governor. It’s incredible to see more and more politicians being out and open about their sexuality, and it’s especially positive to see so many of them get elected during this administration. It definitely makes us hopeful for the future!

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Were there any other 2018 events that you think were big for the lesbian community? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Top 10 Wins for the Lesbian Community in 2018 appeared first on Lez See the World.

This year we are highlighting our 5 favourite charitable organizations that support lesbian women and the entire LGBTQ+ community. Keep reading to learn more, and if you have a favourite organization that we haven’t mentioned, please let us know about it in the comments!

The Human Rights Campaign

HRC is the largest civil rights organization in the United States of America working to achieve equality for the LGBTQ+ community. They have more than three million members and supporters that help to fight against injustices, and push for equal rights. They started as a gay and lesbian political action committee in 1980, but have expanded into a huge organization that does so much for the community! They were at the forefront of the fight for marriage equality in the US, they’ve launched many viral social media campaigns bringing worldwide attention to important issues, their political and electoral efforts have created massive change in the country, and their pushes for equality have led to the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell”, as well as important anti-discrimination legislation in America. The list of what they’ve accomplished is amazing, and they are truly an incredible organization. There are a lot of different ways you can support HRC, including becoming a partner, making a one time donation, setting up an ongoing monthly pledge, volunteering, or shopping their online store. All of the funds and efforts go toward the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.

The Trevor Project

Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project is an American non-profit providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth. Their trained counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they receive 45,000 lifeline calls each year. This organization literally saves the lives of LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, when they have nowhere else to turn. They are also currently campaigning to end conversation therapy in America and worldwide. Their work is so unbelievably important, and they rely on generous donations and volunteers to continue providing a safe place for young people to turn when they need help. They are currently receiving more calls from LGBTQ+ youth in crisis than ever before in the organization’s history, and it’s a really important time to support their efforts. Donations can be made through their website and they also offer information on how to volunteer and get involved. Every $1 helps to add one minute on their crisis phone, chat, and text lines. We collaborated on a campaign in 2018 that benefitted The Trevor Project, and we fiercely believe in the work they do.

PFLAG

Standing for parents, families, and friends, of lesbians and gays, PFLAG is the largest organization uniting families and allies with the LGBTQ+ community. They work tirelessly to advance equality for our community through support, education, and advocacy. Founded in 1973 in the US, they now have 400 chapters across America, 60 chapters in Canada, as well as many partner organizations around the world. LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as their family members and allies, can connect with a local chapter to find a sense of community, as well as the support they need. We personally worked with PFLAG Canada on a fundraising initiative, and they were an amazing organization to align with. They do incredible work, and rely on donations from their members and supporters. You can give a one time donation or set up a recurring one, and an annual donation of $50 or more gives you a PFLAG National Membership.

IT GETS BETTER

The It Gets Better Project started as a social media campaign in 2010, and has grown into a global movement focused on empowering LGBTQ+ youth. The platform reaches millions of young people each year through media programming, international partners, and community based service providers. Over 60,000 people have shared their inspiring personal stories to remind the next generation that they’re not alone, and it does get better. All of the unique stories are available on the It Gets Better website, where youth can come to find community, inspiration, reassurance, and most importantly, hope. Donations to the It Gets Better Project help fund the efforts of this amazing organization, giving hope to LGBTQ+ youth around the world. They are also always looking for interns and volunteers to help support their work, and all of the information can be found on their website.

GLAAD

Formed in 1985 in New York City, GLAAD is an organization founded by LGBTQ+ people in the media, with the mission to promote understanding, increase acceptance, and advance equality for the community. In 1989, they established the GLAAD media awards, an annual ceremony that acknowledges and honours exceptional representations of LGBTQ+ people and issues in various streams of the media. These include film, television, theatre, music, journalism, and advertising. For more than thirty years, GLAAD has helped lead the equality movement for LGBTQ+ people, and they continue to create real change through a number of different programs and initiatives. Donations to the organization can be made through their website, and they have many benefits for the varying levels of membership to their program.

Because we are Canadian, the organizations that we are most familiar with, and have personally supported are all based here in North America. We would love to know which organizations are doing amazing work in other parts of the world. Please comment below with your favourites!

The post Top 5 Organizations that Support the Lesbian Community appeared first on Lez See the World.

The Company

Disney has demonstrated through their company culture and progressive policies, that they support the LGBTQ+ community. Here are just some of the examples:

• In the US, where businesses are not required by law to offer health benefits to same sex partners, Disney has offered them since 1995.
• Disney has allowed same sex weddings at their US resorts since 2007, thirteen years before marriage equality in America.
• Beginning in 1991, Walt Disney World Orlando has celebrated Gay Days, which is an LGBTQ+ celebration that has become one of the most popular Pride events in the world. Disneyland California, Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong have all followed suit.
• In 2013 Walt Disney World hired their first openly gay president.
• Disney signed amicus briefs for both the DOMA and Prop 8 cases, as well as a friend-of-the-court brief in 2015 in support of marriage equality.
• In 2018 Disney released their first rainbow Pride merchandise.
• Disney has featured gay and lesbian characters as well as same sex couples in their programming, despite opposition from religious groups.

Disneyland California

We’ve been to Disneyland California together in 2012 & 2017, and both times we felt very safe being out and open as a lesbian couple. California is one of the most progressive US states in regards to their LGBTQ+ policies, and they have been leaders in the fight for equality for our community. We held hands, kissed, and took couple photos in the California park, and we felt very comfortable being ourselves!

Walt Disney World Orlando

We visited the four Walt Disney World parks together in Florida in 2018, and were pleasantly surprised at how lesbian friendly they were. Florida is a more conservative state, and their LGBTQ+ laws certainly have room for improvement. That being said, the Disney Parks are a safe and welcoming place for our community, and we felt comfortable being open as a lesbian couple at Walt Disney World. There were other same sex couples being open in the parks (we saw the most at Epcot!), and there were plenty of people sporting rainbow Mickey ears, and other Pride gear.

Disneyland Paris

We went to Disneyland Paris together in 2016, and had an amazing time! It was our first experience at a Disney Park overseas, but we felt the same magic and the same feeling of safety and comfort as a same sex couple. The laws in France regarding LGBTQ+ people are quite progressive and Paris has often been regarded as one of the most gay friendly cities in the world. Nobody seemed to bat an eye when we held hands walking through the park or snuggled on the rides. We definitely felt safe being ourselves!

Tokyo Disney

We visited Tokyo Disney together in 2018, and we absolutely loved it. PDA isn’t a large part of Japanese culture, but we saw a lot of couples showing affection with one another at the Disney Park, which made us feel comfortable holding hands and stealing a kiss here and there. Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people in Japan are relatively positive, and in general the culture is very polite and respectful. We felt comfortable being open as a lesbian couple.

Have you been to one of the Disney Parks? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Costa Rica is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

Costa Rica has made great strides in recent years in regards to their LGBTQ+ laws. In 2018 the president actually issued an apology to the community for the past persecution and discrimination that they faced. Same sex sexual relations are legal, there is discrimination protection in place, and the country is currently working towards marriage equality. In 2018, the Costa Rican supreme court ruled in favour of lifting the ban on same sex marriage, and legislators have 18 months to legalize it. LGBTQ+ individuals can legally adopt as individuals, but not yet as couples, and there isn’t family planning available for same sex couples. Overall, Costa Rica is quite progressive and inclusive, especially in comparison to other countries in Central America. 

Social Climate

Costa Rica has made a lot of progress in the past few decades when it comes to their acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. While the laws are finally starting to include and support the community, the public opinion may be taking more time to follow suit. Costa Ricans tend to be socially conservative due to the large influence of the Catholic Church, and the feelings and traditions that are deeply rooted in their country’s culture. More recently, with politicians showing support for LGBTQ+ rights, hopefully the feelings of the general population are continuing to progress and change. All that being said, Costa Rica is considered to be one of the more LGBTQ+ friendly travel destinations in Central America, and does cater toward gay and lesbian travellers.

Gaybourhoods

Costa Rica is a fairly small country, and there are LGBTQ+ friendly area scatted all over the country. Manuel Antonio is meant to be a specifically gay destination, but it is geared mostly toward gay men. Tamarindo is a lovely beach town that also caters toward LGBTQ+ travellers. There are boutique hotels scattered all over the country that advertise themselves as being LGBTQ+ friendly, and there is gay nightlife scene in the capital city of San Jose. The LGBTQ+ scene in Costa Rica is certainly growing! 

Our Experience

We spent 4 weeks in Costa Rica, and had a really wonderful experience. As always we were out and open, and showed affection in public whenever we felt safe doing so. We travelled to various parts of the country (San Jose, Jaco, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Tamarindo) and felt safe everywhere we went. We stayed in both Airbnb accommodations and hotels, and we were treated kindly by hotel staff when bookings rooms with single beds. We mentioned to the locals that we were a married couple, and we were met with acceptance and hospitality. One local Costa Rican explained the feelings toward LGBTQ+ people as being quite accepting of gay men and more feminine lesbian women, but suggested that most people aren’t entirely accepting of the whole community. We think that there is certainly more room for progress when it comes to the feelings of the Costa Rican people, but things are certainly headed in the right direction. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and we definitely recommend it as a lesbian friendly destination in Central America.

Have you been to to Costa Rica? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Switzerland is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

Switzerland has progressive laws in regards to LGBTQ+ people, but there is still work to be done. Same sex sexual activity is legal and has been since 1942, and while there are legal registered partnerships for same sex couples, there is no marriage equality. There have been initiatives to legalize same sex marriage, and there is an act, which is expected to be presented to parliament in February 2019 for deliberation. Hopefully we will be seeing marriage equality in Switzerland next year! There is some discrimination protection in place for LGBTQ+ people, and there is a pending bill that would outlaw all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seems safe to say that we will continue to see great progress in Swiss laws. To read more about the current laws in Switzerland, click here.

Social Climate

Public opinion is becoming increasingly in favour of the LGBTQ+ community, with a recent Pew Research Centre Poll showing 75% of Switzerland citizens supporting same sex marriage. Attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people seem quite positive, and the country ranked #9 on the Gay Happiness Index. There are active LGBTQ+ organizations as well as Pride events, and the mayor of the country’s largest city, Zurich, is openly lesbian. Similar to other countries in Western Europe, Switzerland seems to accept and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Gaybourhoods

The biggest LGBTQ+ scene in Switzerland is definitely in the city of Zurich. It’s home to many gay bars and establishments, and hosts a large Pride celebration each year. There is a smaller, but still relevant gay scene in the city of Geneva, and even smaller gaybourhoods in the cities of Basel, Bern, Lucerne, and Lausanne. Like other cities, the nightlife is geared mostly toward gay men, but there are a lot of mixed venues that are inclusive of lesbian women. If you’re looking for gay culture in Switzerland, you have a good list of options!

Our Experience

We really enjoyed our time in Switzerland. We drove through some rural areas of the country, and spent some time in the city of Geneva. Like other countries in Western Europe, we felt really comfortable being out and open as a lesbian couple. Like other places, rural areas in Switzerland tend to be more conservative than the cities, but we felt safe everywhere we went. In the city of Geneva we held hands while walking down the street, and showed affection to one another without any fear for our safety. The city seemed to be very open and welcoming, and we would consider it to be very lesbian friendly. We would definitely recommend Switzerland to other lesbian coupes and lesbian travellers and we wouldn’t hesitate to return!

Have you been to Switzerland? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Switzerland appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Nicaragua is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Nicaragua have been progressing, similar to other countries in Central America. Same sex sexual activity is legal and has been since 2008, and there is discrimination protection in place for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. In 2011 Nicaragua signed a statement at the UN, condemning violence and discrimination against people in the LGBTQ+ community, and the Nicaraguan government has urged several Caribbean countries to end their sodomy ban. Nicaragua doesn’t yet have any legal recognition for same sex partnerships, but several organizations have filed an action of unconstitutionality against the Family Code which limits marriage to heterosexual couples. It seems safe to say that we will continue to see progress in the laws in Nicaragua in the coming years. You can read more about the current laws in Nicaragua here.

Social Climate

LGBTQ+ activists and community groups in Nicaragua have been becoming more visible in the past few decades. In 1989, community centres for LGBTQ+ people were opened for the first time, and in 1991 Managua held their first Pride celebration, which still happens annually. In the past ten years, Nicaraguan LGBTQ+ activists have continued to push for equality, though public opinion polls show that there are still low approval ratings for same sex marriage in Nicaragua. Central America still has a way to go in terms of overall acceptance and equality for LGBTQ+ people, but Nicaragua is certainly considered a safe destination for LGBTQ+ travellers.

Gaybourhoods

The LGBTQ+ scene in Nicaragua is mostly concentrated in the capital city of Managua, with there being some gay bars and nightlife. This is also where the Pride celebration is held each year in June. The city of Granada is also considered to be an LGBTQ+ friendly city, and is home to some LGBTQ+ owned hotels and businesses. While a lot of the “gay scene” in Nicaragua seems to be underground, it certainly appears to be growing.

Our Experience

We took a short trip to Nicaragua while we were travelling in Central America, and we spent our time in a small beach town called San Juan del Sur. We educated ourselves on the laws and the feelings of the locals in Nicaragua, and we felt safe being open while we were there. We stayed at a small hotel in the town and spent a few days enjoying the laid back vibe. We didn’t see any other same sex coupes or gay travellers, but we felt comfortable being open there. We would recommend Nicaragua as a safe destination for lesbian coupes and lesbian travellers. It’s a beautiful country with a lot to offer! If we returned we would explore more of the country, including the known gay friendly cities of Managua and Granada.

Have you been to to Nicaragua? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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Choosing a honeymoon destination can be an exciting, yet overwhelming task for anyone. For a lesbian couple, there are unique challenges that can make it even more difficult. When we planned our wedding in 2015, we did a lot of research on honeymoon destinations. We really wanted to plan the trip of our dreams, and find a destination where we could be comfortable and open as a newlywed lesbian couple. It was also very important to us to be able to indulge and eat amazing meals. Since we eat a plant-based diet, this was another requirement that would make it difficult to find the perfect destination. After an extensive search, we decided on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia, and we stayed at the Anse Chastanet Resort, which is owned by a Canadian couple from Vancouver. St. Lucia is not specifically a gay destination and we were the only same-sex couple at the resort during our stay, but we had an amazing time celebrating our honeymoon.

LGBTQ+ Laws

Same-sex marriage is not legal, nor recognized on the island of St. Lucia, and while it was admittedly difficult travelling to a country that didn’t recognize us as married immediately after our wedding, we knew this would be the case for many tropical destinations we could have chosen. It’s something that we had come to terms with, as there were only 22 countries in the world (mostly European) that legally recognized our marriage at the time of our wedding, and we didn’t want that to stop us from going on our dream honeymoon. St. Lucia by no means has outstanding statistics when it comes to LGBTQ+ protection. They have “buggery” and “gross indecency”  laws that specifically apply to men, but there are no laws against sexual activity between two females. They do have anti-discrimination laws that protect LGBTQ+ people in the work place, but otherwise, there is not much protection by the government.

Airbnb vs Resort

Usually when we travel, we like to stay in an Airbnb and really experience the local culture of a destination. But we knew that after our wedding we would want something easy and relaxing, so we chose to stay at a resort. While it was important to us that we felt safe in St. Lucia as a country, it was even more important that we chose a resort that was inclusive and welcoming of all couples. Before booking at Anse Chastanet, we reached out to their customer service team to ask if they were lesbian friendly. There wasn’t anything on their website or social media that indicated their stance, and so we wanted to see what their management had to say. A representative responded to say that they were happy to welcome all people, and they are very inclusive of same-sex couples travelling to their resort. We also asked about plant-based menu options, and they told us that the chef was quite accustomed to creating specialty vegan dishes, including desserts. Happy with those answers, we booked a week long stay through Air Canada Vacations, and it was perfect.

Our Experience

When we arrived on St. Lucia, the island was an absolute dream. We were picked up from the airport in a private car, and after a long drive on some very bumpy roads, we made it to Anse Chastanet. The resort is nestled on a hillside looking out over the ocean and the beautiful Piton mountains. Lush greenery, quiet beaches, and warm weather was everything we could have hoped for after escaping winter in Canada. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and we had a feeling they had been briefed about a lesbian couple coming to enjoy their honeymoon. We really didn’t mind, as everyone was so kind and went out of their way to congratulate us and make us feel comfortable. The resort’s executive chef sat down with us at check-in to talk about creating special plant-based meals for us, and the resort staff went over all of the amazing amenities and activities we could enjoy throughout the week. We were even presented with complimentary experiences courtesy of Air Canada Vacations, including a couples massage and a private candlelit dinner on the beach. 

We spent a blissful week enjoying the beauty of the island, and celebrating our brand new marriage. On our first night, there was a cocktail reception, and one of the resort’s owners made a point to personally welcome us and congratulate us on our wedding. She was also very happy to meet some fellow Vancouverites! Part way through the week, we took a sunset jazz cruise with other resort guests, and we celebrated with all of the fellow newlyweds. We swam in our private pool, relaxed on the beach, dined at the amazing restaurants, got couples massages, and kayaked in the ocean. It was an incredible week.

Your honeymoon is definitely a time when you will want to be able to hold hands, kiss, cuddle, and be yourselves without fear, and we absolutely felt like we could. We enjoyed all of the typical honeymooner activities, and nobody made us feel like it was out of the ordinary. (Even though we did manage to majorly throw off a couple of young guys who thought they were talking to two single straight women!) We feel lucky to have had such an amazing experience, and to have such beautiful memories of that trip.

How to Plan Your Honeymoon

When planning your honeymoon, we believe that every couple should enjoy the trip of their dreams! While there are specifically gay and lesbian travel destinations, it will really limit your options. In our experience, there are many establishments that are inclusive and welcoming, even if they don’t specifically advertise themselves as LGBTQ+ friendly. Just like anything else, we recommend doing your research. Look up the laws of the country you want to visit to help determine if you’re comfortable travelling there for your honeymoon. Read about the social climate in the country, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the specific location where you want to go. If you’re choosing to stay at a resort or hotel, reach out to them and ask about their policies. And when you’re on your dream trip, be visible if you feel comfortable doing so. It’s important for staff and other guests to see same-sex couples at all types of travel destinations around the world. 

We would love to know where other lesbian couples travelled for their honeymoon, and what your experiences were. Let us know in the comments! 

NOTE: This post is in no way sponsored by Anse Chastanet Resort or the island of St. Lucia. We will always disclose partnerships and sponsored content.

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