Vancouver, Canada
Introduction
Besides being the third biggest city in Canada, Vancouver is probably the most laid back urban centre in the country. It’s that west coast attitude, combined with a gorgeous cityscape and high quality of life that keeps Vancouver consistently ranked one of the most livable cities in the world—for both straights and gays alike. It's this reputation that also keeps Vancouver high on the lesbian travel radar.
This notion of being “laid back” is especially present in regards to sexuality. Vancouver is an extremely queer-friendly city, and bent girls tend to gather around two neighbourhoods: the Drive and the West End. The Drive is lesbian central, and refers to Commercial Drive, in the city’s east end. It’s a funky, hip part of town with great restaurants, shops, bars and pubs. The annual Dyke March takes place in this gayborhood, as well as the East Side Pride dance. The West End is the main gay village. There may be more boys than girls there, but lesbians tend to congregate around Davie and Denman streets.
While Vancouver is known to many in the mainstream world as host of the 2010 Winter Olympics, lesbians may recognize it best as home to the L Word. That’s right, the hip, lesbian, ”Los Angeles-based” show is actually filmed in Vancouver, just north of the American border. In the “other fun stuff” section, you’ll find a little Vancouver L-Word tour.
You should hang around Commercial Drive. It is really the center of the dyke scene in Vancouver. It is a "little Italy" street lined with coffee shops, small clothes shops, cheap food, a park etc. It is also the sight of the Dyke March, Car-Free Day, and other free music events.
Grace on Jan 08, 2009
Anyone know how to get a tour of the L word location?
Lois on Mar 19, 2008
Yep, Vancouver sure is a great place, especially in the summer, when all the pride is happening. Granville St is also a cool place to go 'dyke spotting' or punk-shopping. It's full of punk shops and tattoo parlours. I like to call it 'my version of Robson St' Ya know, the underground-er, dyke-er place to shop :P
shil on Dec 23, 2007
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