Lesbian Events - We're Everywhere!

Thanks, Tanya, for tipping us off about this Facebook page for lesbians everyone.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47007897905&ref=nf&v=info

For travel assistance to these events, please contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge.

More information on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube

BC Canada's favorite vacation spot among lesbians

Travel in Gay British Columbia
by Andrew Collins from his Best of and Top List.
Salt Spring Island, Canada

Part of a small archipelago in British Columbia's Strait of Georgia, Salt Spring Island has long been a haven for artsy and outdoorsy sorts, and a popular weekend for residents of Vancouver and Victoria.

It's also considered to be one of Canada's favorite vacation spots among lesbians, although plenty of gay men come to experience the island's tranquility and unassuming beauty. Throughout this wooded, hilly island of nearly 10,000 residents you'll find artists' studios, several fine beaches, hiking and biking terrain, organic restaurants and cafes, and many fishing and boating opportunities. Gay-owned, mid-priced Birdsong B&B is one of the most inviting accommodations on the island. Secluded Suncrest Cottage is perfect for romance-seekers.

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For travel assistance please contact the (Vancouver-based in 2010) Rainbow Tourism Concierge.
More information on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

New Caledonia Lesbian Couple Seeks Baby Joy in NZ

Civil Unions are now possible in New Caledonia, where hate crimes are very rare and life is generally good for LGBT people - but lesbian couple Geneviève Sutter and Joane Paidi had to visit NZ to help complete their family.

Baby hopes: Genevieve & Joane

"We want to have a baby," explains Geneviève. "And we can't have IVF treatment at home in New Caledonia. No matter how much you're willing to pay, the law doesn't allow it unless you have fertility problems. So people go to Australia or New Zealand - that's why we're here. It's very expensive but we're sure it'll be worth it."

The couple have been together for a year and a half after first meeting through friends, and are now able to get their relationship legally recognised in their home city of Noumea since the government - "after a long battle," says Geneviève - approved civil union legislation in July.

Some of their friends were shocked when they told them they wanted a child. "People asked us 'are you sure?' But to us it was natural that we'd have a baby together."

GayNZ.com met the excited couple on the day Joane had her last IVF appointment, towards the end of their two-week stay in Auckland. "It's a very nervous time for us," Geneviève explains. We won't know if the treatment has worked until we're back in New Caledonia - we just have to hope."

Being gay in New Caledonia

Geneviève and Joane are proud to be part of New Caledonia's influential 'Homosphere' LGBT network.

Anse Vata beach in New Caledonia

The network has a five-year plan to battle HIV and discrimination against LGBT people in the French-speaking islands in the southwest Pacific, where the population is a tiny 250,000.

"Part of it will be working towards adoption rights for same-sex couples," Geneviève explains. "We're focussed on making it happen, but it will get a lot of resistance.

"Another issue is resistance from schools to introducing our anti-discrimination work. They're afraid of what we might say. Three or four years ago there was a brochure out which showed gay people having sex. It wasn't supposed to be used in schools, but a student took it to class and it caused a controversy."

Homosphere has one full-time staff member who keeps busy planning events and projects. There are six parties and gatherings each year, attracting up to 400 people. They're particularly necessary since there are no specifically gay bars or clubs on the islands. The organisation is based in Numea, but some of its projects, including a recent LGBT art exhibition, tour New Caledonia's other centres. Homosphere has also started a new LGBT library, which GayNZ.com was proud to donate some New Zealand gay books to.

New Caledonia's LGBT community is strengthening, but there have been recent setbacks, says Geneviève. "We have a 'Carnivale' parade in Noumea, but cannot have a gay parade - our conservative mayor won't allow it. Up until recently we had a phone support service, but volunteers to run it were hard to find and there weren't many calls, so it stopped. We're hoping the government will run with a new initiative which would be a sexual health info line, so that LGBT questions can be diverted to our association.

"In general though, we have a good life in Noumea. Hate crimes are very rare, and if a gay couple is seen holding hands in the street, they are accepted. Like New Zealand, it's a friendly and beautiful place to live - and to raise a family."

-article from GayNZ.com.

Related Links:
Homosphere website
New Caledonia on Wikipedia

GayNZ.com New Caledonia couple seeks baby joy in NZ

GayNZ.com New Caledonia couple seeks baby joy in NZ

Try something new…Nouvelle Caledonie

New Caledonia.

Who knew this gay-welcoming island has been discovered by Japanese lesbians? The rest of the world needs to find out why...

After 40 minutes by ferry from Noumea Harbor, we disembarked on the Islet Maitre at the L'Escapade Resort Hotel. The only other arriving passengers were a group of Japanese friends arriving for a wedding the next day.

We were warmly greeted by the GM, Bruno, and his assistant Larry, who drove me by golf cart around the oasis created on this marine reserve. I toured the huts over water and the tiny chapel being prepared for the Japanese wedding. I tried out the swim-up bar and both tiers of the sparkling swimming pool before walking a few steps to the lagoon where I oogled the fish and coral.

Later in the boutique, Larry asked me if I thought L'Escapade would appeal to gay men as well as lesbians. "I don't know why, but we have lots of them visiting, including the wedding tomorrow."

Maybe because the place is remote, has welcoming gay and lesbian staff, isn't too expensive, and is just plain romantic and picturesque for a chapel ceremony!

To book your holiday to New Caledonia contact the Rainbow Concierge