What To Do

Explore the Las Vegas Strip

There are endless things to do and see on the strip. Be sure to spend some time walking through the casinos and exploring the incredible artwork and design! There are plenty of free attractions and cool spots to check out. Some of our favourites include the Mirage volcano, the fountains at the Bellagio, the canals at the Venetian, the Linq promenade, and the Park.

Visit the Arts District

Known as 18b, the Las Vegas Arts District is quickly becoming an exciting hub for art and culture. With plenty of galleries, street murals, performance centres, and community spaces, the neighbourhood is definitely worth checking out during your trip. Spend an afternoon exploring great cafes (you’ll find the best coffee in Vegas here), craft breweries, and vintage shops here, as well as cool converted warehouse spaces.

See Some Live Entertainment

Las Vegas has an impressive list of shows in pretty much every genre you can think of! Circus, comedy, burlesque, magic & illusions, musicals, concerts, and more. We always make it a priority to see some live entertainment when we visit, and it’s often one of the highlights of our trip. Our favourite entertainment company Cirque du Soleil has a handful of resident shows in Las Vegas and they are all incredible. If you only choose to see one performance during your visit, make it a Cirque show!

Experience Historic Fremont Street

Located in the downtown core, this is the heart of old Las Vegas. On Fremont street you’ll find original casinos as well as the Fremont Street Experience with light shows, a zipline, and never-ending entertainment. It’s only a short bus or cab ride off the strip, and offers a completely different feel.

Check Out Fremont East

Just past the Fremont Street Experience is the cool Fremont East neighbourhood. This pedestrian-friendly area is more of a local community, and a great spot to support local businesses, bars, and eateries. There is a thriving nightlife scene on Fremont East and it’s a great spot to check out if you want to get away from the busy strip!

Go to the Container Park

One of our favourite spots in Vegas, the downtown container park is a must-see. Built entirely from shipping containers, this open air venue offers retail shops, restaurants, and bars, along with regular entertainment. There’s a great playground along with comfortable courtyards to sit and relax, as well as a stage offering live music events. Check their website to see what’s going on during your visit!

Discover the Neon Museum

If you want to experience some real Vegas nostalgia, spend an afternoon at the Neon Museum. This organization collects and preserves old Las Vegas signs, and exhibits them in cool displays in an outdoor museum. Along with regular admission, they also sometimes hold special events and exhibits!

Take a Day Trip

If you’re looking to get out of the city to see some of Nevada’s natural beauty, there are plenty of incredible day trips that you can take from Las Vegas! Head to the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Zion National Park, the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, or the Valley of Fire.

Where to Stay

In our opinion, the best spot to stay in Las Vegas is right on the strip! If you want to be in a central location and near the action, definitely opt for a hotel on the strip. There are plenty of options in every price range, and great deals at any time of year. If you’re flying to Las Vegas, always look for flight and hotel packages, as there are always inexpensive bundles if you’re flexible! If you’re flying from Canada, we recommend checking out Air Canada Vacations packages or Westjet Vacations packages, and if you’re coming from another state in the USA or elsewhere, check Expedia. If it’s important to you to stay at a hotel that is specifically LGBTQ+ inclusive, we recommend Paris Las Vegas, Caesar’s Palace, or any other properties in the Caesar’s group including Linq, the Cromwell, Planet Hollywood, Bally’s, the Rio, Harrah’s, or the Flamingo. Caesar’s Entertainment proudly supports the community, has an EQUAL program for their LGBTQ+ employees, are a part of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, support the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and partner with The Trevor Project. On both of our trips together to Vegas we stayed at Paris, because we love supporting businesses that support us! Along with Caesar’s Entertainment, MGM Resorts is another wonderfully inclusive group. They own properties in Las Vegas including the Bellagio, Aria, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, NYNY, the Luxor, and the Excalibur. MGM has been named “one of the best places to work for LGBT equality”, they sponsor the Las Vegas Pride Parade, receive top scores on the Corporate Equality Index, and were a founding partner of the Las Vegas chapter of the Human Rights Campaign. It’s incredible to see these massive companies so committed to equality for our community!

Where to Eat & Drink

One of the absolute best parts of Las Vegas is the food! From casual eats to some of the best fine dining, there is something for every foodie out there. We genuinely planned our days around the food we wanted to eat, because we could hardly narrow down all the places we wanted to check out. If you eat plant-based like us, you’ll be excited to know that Vegas has become incredibly vegan friendly in recent years. It’s now at the top of our list for vegan foodie destinations! The food scene in Vegas is diverse and thriving. With plenty of top chefs specializing in a range of cuisines, you will find plenty of local and international culinary offerings. Our favourite casual spots include Slice of Vegas, a pizza place with an entire vegan section of the menu. Another favourite is Nacho Daddy, a Mexican spot with plenty of great vegan options. Be sure to check out the Linq Promenade for plenty of casual dining, including Yard House, which has great plant-based offerings. For more upscale dining, our favourite spot is The Wynn! They’ve had a vegan chef collaborate with every single restaurant in the resort to create a vegan menu! Even if you don’t have any dietary restrictions, the Wynn still has the most incredible restaurants in our opinion. For brunch, visit Jardin, Terrace Pointe Cafe, or Tableau. For Asian cuisine, don’t miss Mizumi, Wing Lei, Wazuzu, or Red 8 (they have vegan dim sum!). Or for Italian food, check out Sinatra, Lakeside, Costa di Mare, or Cipriani. Outside the Wynn, another favourite of ours is Sushi Samba, which is located in the Venetian/Palazzo. Come here for Japanese, Brazilian, Peruvian fusion. If you’re heading off the strip, be sure to try Tacotarian in the arts district, and if you go downtown, check out Vegenation. You’ll also find plenty of great casual eateries at the downtown Container Park! For drinks, there is no shortage of great spots in Vegas. If you’re into craft beer, be sure to check out the breweries in the arts district like Hop Nuts Brewing, Crafthaus Brewing, and Able Baker Brewing. For the best cocktails go to Commonwealth, or Velveteen Rabbit in downtown LV, or The Chandelier, The Dorsey, or Rosina, on the strip. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in the state of Nevada are some of the best in the US. Same-sex marriage has been recognized since 2014, and LGBTQ+ people are fully protected from discrimination. The city of Las Vegas has become incredibly welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers in recent years, and we experienced a notable difference in our comfort and safety on our recent trip in 2020. We would definitely consider Las Vegas to be a lesbian friendly destination to visit, and encourage other lesbian women and female same-sex couples to add it to their travel list! We felt very comfortable being out and open on our most recent visit, and saw other same-sex couples being open too. It felt like there has been a lot of positive change happening in the city since we last visited together in 2011. If you’re looking for local gay culture in Vegas, be sure to check out one of the LGBTQ+ events that the city holds like Clexacon (a convention for LGBTQ+ women and allies), Temptation Sundays (a weekly gay pool party at the Luxor between May and September), Ribbon of Life (an annual talent showcase benefiting HIV/Aids organizations), and of course the biggest event Las Vegas Pride! Every October the city hosts festivals, parades, and parties for the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride organization also hosts other events throughout the year. In the downtown area, Las Vegas also has an LGBTQ+ centre that hosts events and offers public services to the local community. On the strip, you can check out drag brunch at Señor Frogs, and off the strip you can check out gay bars/clubs Piranha, Freezone, and Flex. As you can see, Las Vegas has become a very welcoming city for LGBTQ+ travellers. On our recent trip we had zero issues showing affection in public, holding hands in the street, or taking couples photos together. We saw other same-sex couples doing the same! We also saw plenty of Pride flags in the windows of businesses, and indicators that the city welcomes us. It felt so good to spend time in a destination that is inclusive of our community, and where we felt safe being ourselves. If you’re looking for a fun getaway in a lesbian friendly city, be sure to add Las Vegas to your list!

How to Get Around

Walk

We always do so much walking when we’re in Vegas! Walking through the hotels and casinos on the strip is part of the fun, but keep in mind that things are a lot more spread out than they look. If you’re in a hurry or need to go a further distance, you may want to opt for a taxi or rideshare instead. If you’re headed downtown or to the arts district, these areas are very walkable once you’re there.

Rideshare

Both Lyft and Uber ride share companies are available in Las Vegas and are the most convenient way to get around in our opinion! We took plenty of Ubers and Lyfts during our stay to get around the strip and also out to the arts district and downtown. The hotels and casinos all have designated pick up areas, so be sure to follow the signs and the instructions in the app to find your driver.

Taxi

If you don’t want to use a ride share app, taxis are always available in Vegas. While they aren’t technically allowed to pull over on the strip, you can always get a car from a taxi stand at the resorts and attractions.

Public Transportation

Vegas has options for public transport that include bus routes, as well as a monorail. These can be a good affordable option for getting around on and off the strip. There’s more information here!

Is anyone else in love with Las Vegas? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Las Vegas, Nevada 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 do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Uruguay is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Uruguay are some of the most progressive in all of South America (and maybe even the whole world), due to its strict separation of church and state. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 1934, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Uruguay was the first Latin American country to legalize civil unions for same-sex partners, which they did back in 2008, and in 2009 they approved a law for same-sex couples to be able to adopt. Now, same-sex partners have equal access to all family planning including IVF. There has been discrimination protection in place for LGBTQ+ people in Uruguay since 2003, and in recent years the country has made very progressive steps in equality for people of all gender identities. On Uruguayan identity documents, there is an “other” option for those who do not identify as male or female. Other LGBTQ+ rights worth noting are that gay men can donate blood in Uruguay with no deferral period, and gay conversion therapy is banned on minors. Uruguay is absolutely a leader in equality for the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s incredible to see!

Social Climate

In 2016, Americas Quarterly Magazine named Uruguay the most LGBTQ+ friendly country in Latin America. They called it “a model for social inclusion in Latin America”. Uruguay ranks as #5 on the Gay Happiness Index, and polls show that the acceptance of same-sex couples and homosexuality in the country is very high, though numbers suggest that acceptance of trans people is lower. One of Uruguay’s largest annual events is their Pride Parade that takes place in the city of Montevideo in September. It’s been happening since the 1990’s and drew crowds of around 120,000 people in 2018. There is also a Pride Parade that takes place each year in February in Punta del Este, called Punta Pride. In 2016, Uruguay was host to the first International LGBT Rights Conference, with important issues being addressed by activists and politicians from around the world. Uruguay is definitely considered to be a very LGBTQ+ friendly country to visit, and one of the most open and accepting destinations in South America. 

Gaybourhoods

The most prominent LGBTQ+ scene in Uruguay is in the capital city of Montevideo. It is often referred to as one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, with gay nightlife and LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and establishments. While the venues are scattered around the city, there are numerous spots to have a drink, go out dancing, and be around other members of the community. The most popular gay bar is called Chains Pub, while the best known late night venues for clubbing/dancing are Il Tempo and Cain Club. There are no venues specifically for gay women, but all establishments seem to be welcoming of everyone. There is also an LGBTQ+ monument located in the old town called The Plaza of Sexual Diversity and features a granite monolith. The monolith reads “Honouring diversity is honouring life: Montevideo for the respect of every gender, identity, and sexual orientation”. Aside from Montevideo, Punta del Este is also a very welcoming destination in Uruguay. There isn’t a designated gaybourhood, but many gay friendly establishments. Overall, Uruguay is a country where you can absolutely feel safe and welcomed, and also experience some local gay culture. It’s an amazing LGBTQ+ friendly destination in South America!

Our Experience

Steph visited Uruguay for the first time back in 2005, and we visited together on our South American trip in 2019. We spent our time in both Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo, and absolutely loved it. Knowing that the LGBTQ+ laws in Uruguay are so supportive, we felt completely safe and at ease during our travels. We had a wonderful experience exploring the cities, and felt comfortable being out and open in public at all times. The locals were very welcoming to us, and we didn’t get any unwanted attention. It felt very safe to be open as a same-sex couple. We love visiting countries that support us as lesbian women, and were so happy to experience Uruguay together. Colonia is a beautiful historic city that is both charming and picturesque. We loved spending all afternoon wandering through the cobblestone streets and admiring the colonial architecture. Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital city and is much bigger and more metropolitan. It’s been named the 5th most gay-friendly metropolis in the world, and the 1st in Latin America! We enjoyed exploring the old town, walking along the Rambla, and checking out some late night venues. We would happily return to Uruguay one day, and we would love to go to Punta del Este to enjoy its stunning beaches! We highly recommend Uruguay as a lesbian friendly travel destination for lesbian women and couples, it’s a very special place.

If you’re interested in travelling to Uruguay, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Colonia, and our Lesbian Guide to Montevideo!

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

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

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Uruguay 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.

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.

The post Our Lesbian Honeymoon in the Caribbean appeared first on Lez See the World.

I came out when I was 22 years old, and I had just started dating Steph. (You can read the story of how we met here). She was my first girlfriend, and in a way, our new relationship made it easy to come out to my family and friends. Instead of telling everyone I was gay, I just told them I was in a new relationship and it was with someone named Steph. I casually called my Mom up and told her I had started dating somebody, and it was a girl. I texted my Dad and told him I might bring somebody to the next family dinner, and her name was Steph. I didn’t have a heavy conversation with anyone. At the time, I wasn’t really thinking about the weight of it all, but looking back I realize what a huge event coming out was in my life. It changed me and shaped my entire future, and now I can see how important it was and necessary that it happened. How can any of us be truly happy, until we are living our lives openly and honestly? I truly believe that uncovering these amazing truths about ourselves and celebrating the things that make us different, is the most brave and powerful thing we can do. 

My very close friends knew about my whole journey, and they were so happy when I met Steph. I had been struggling with the idea that I might be bisexual or a lesbian, because I knew something had really been missing from my past relationships with men. I knew that I liked women but I had never met one that I wanted to be in a relationship with, so I wondered if it was even possible for me to fall in love with a girl. I did a lot of reading about sexuality, and I tried to put a label on what I was feeling so I could better understand it all. I remember texting my best friend one night saying, “What if I’m gay!?” And her response was, “Then you’re gay.” Simply and matter of fact. It was the most amazing thing she could have said, and of course she was right. If I was gay then I was gay, and I would just continue on living life accordingly.

I grew up knowing that it was okay to be gay, and I had a lot of gay male friends. Being a dancer and a model, I was often surrounded by gay men, but I didn’t know any gay women. I have to wonder how much quicker I could have figured out my own sexuality if there had been more lesbian representation in my early life. Especially feminine lesbians that I maybe could have identified with. As a teenager and young adult I had pretty much accepted that I would end up marrying a man, and that there would always be a big hole in the relationship that I would be constantly longing to fill. I really thought that would be my life.

When I met Steph, things really clicked into place. All of a sudden everything shifted, and the beliefs I had about love and relationships all changed. I found a woman who I wanted to spend all my time with, who I was attracted to, who I felt deeply connected to, and who I could really love. I was able to picture my life with her, and I knew right away that it would be complete. There would be no holes, and nothing missing. I never hesitated to tell everyone about Steph, and at the time, I wasn’t really thinking of the heaviness of what it meant. I was just excited to share my new relationship.

Of course without having really realized it, I was coming out. And I had to then proceed to answer all sorts of questions about my new relationship, and how it changed things. “Is this your first time dating a girl?”, “Did you always know you liked women?, “Does this mean you’re gay?”. I also heard some of the usual “This is just a phase”, “She’s just doing this for attention”, “She’s too feminine to be gay”, and “Her life will be harder now”. In all honesty, all of it really hurt. When you finally discover this amazing part of yourself that has been hiding for your entire life, all you want to do is share it with the world and have everyone embrace it. You want the people who love you to love this part of you, and to understand it and celebrate it.

Unfortunately not everyone will. I am far more fortunate that many, but I still had people close to me in my life that didn’t support Steph and I. They treated her in ways that I know they would have never treated my boyfriend or husband. They didn’t accept us and embrace us, and they wouldn’t stand with us on our wedding day. Coming out really changed me, and with it my life changed, and the relationships with the people in my life changed. I gained a new understanding of myself, and with it, a new confidence and sense of peace. I was growing into my true self, and many people accepted these changes in me, but some didn’t. I’ve let go of my anger towards those people, and I’ve sorted through my hurt feelings, because I know that living my truth is the most important thing.

I think I surprised a lot of people by coming out, because I didn’t fit the typical lesbian stereotype. I’m very feminine. I have long hair and I like wearing makeup. I love getting dressed up and wearing skirts and heels. I’m a professional dancer and model. I present as very, very, straight. All that being said, I still thought it was so funny that it was such a shock to everyone. Why would my sense of style, or my career choice have any bearing on who I’m attracted to, or who I fall in love with? I didn’t think there were any rules to determine what kind of woman could be a lesbian. I quickly learned that both straight people, and people in the LGBT community have ideas of what a gay woman should be, and I’m still having to fight those stereotypes seven years later. All of that makes me it even more important for me to be out and visible, every opportunity I have. 

Despite the initial surprise, many people in my life have supported me unconditionally. My Mom welcomed Steph as another daughter with absolutely no hesitation, and has treated her like her own family since the first time they met. Even my Grandparents who I didn’t think would understand, embraced Steph immediately and were excited to have gained a granddaughter. Today, my Grandma (the only remaining grandparent between the two of us), tells us every time we visit what a lovely couple we are, and how she can see how much we love each other. Steph’s family was amazing as well. They welcomed me easily into their lives, and they’ve never treated me differently for being a woman. We have incredible family members and amazing friends who have always loved and celebrated us. We feel so lucky, and are so grateful for how much support we have received throughout our relationship. It is truly overwhelming at times, and we never take for granted how good we have it. There are so many people in the LGBT community who are unable to come out, or who had painful experiences when they did. I am grateful every day for the privilege I have of living my life openly.

To anyone who may be struggling with their sexuality, or with the idea of coming out to their loved ones, please know that everyone’s journey is different, and everyone’s experience is valid. Take your time and learn to love yourself. When/if you feel safe and ready, share yourself fully and celebrate all that you are. There is so much power in embracing our differences, and I truly believe that the things that make us unique are the things that make us beautiful.

If you’re looking for more information or need support, The Trevor Project has some amazing resources on their website, including information and a 24/7 call/text/online chat line for individual support. You are not alone!

The post Kaitlin’s Coming Out Story appeared first on Lez See the World.