Just in time for #PrideMonth, Canada has been ranked one of the most LGBTQ friendly travel destinations, according to a report by dating reviews website MyDatingAdviser.
The report compared 34 countries and listed Canada as the seventh best country for LGBTQ travel in 2021 following Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Countries were scored on a point system. Full points were given if there are gay-friendly laws in existence. Half points were given if there are some laws in favor and some laws against, and/or if the laws are ambiguous. And no points given if the laws do not support the gay community.
Canada received a travel index score of 95.5 points out of 100, across eight indicators including; society acceptance towards homosexuality, sexual activity rights, civil union rights, marriage rights, adoption rights, military service rights, anti-discimination and gender identity laws.
Public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains divded by country, region and economic development, but Canada was listed as having an 85 per cent national acceptance rate. The country also has very strong anti-discrimination laws.
Pride parades normally take place in 16 cities across Canada every year, including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Montreal, Halifax and Winnipeg. The largest Pride event in the country takes place in Toronto. An estimated 500,000 to over one million people come to Toronto for Pride-related events during Pride week, which is one of the biggest Pride festivals in the world.