A list of the world’s most sexually liberated cities has been revealed and Toronto almost cracked the top 10.
Conducted by online German sex magazine Lust, the World’s Most Sexually Liberal Cities looked at places which organized three or more LGBTQI+ events per year based on various factors, such as the number of gay bars and sex shops and the number and size of annual LGBTQI+ events.
Additionally, its research included a city’s legal situation around gay marriage, permission for gender reassignment and access to contraceptives and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. It also took note of anti-discrimination, sex work legalization and whether sex worker protection laws are in place.
Among 25 cities listed, the Sexually Liberal City Index 2023 crowned the German city of Cologne in first place for its widespread sexual tolerance and openness. In second place was West Hollywood, followed by Amsterdam in third.
Here are the three Canadian cities which made the list:
Montreal
The highest ranking city on the list was Montreal, Quebec at number nine. Montreal has eight annual LGBTQI events, six gay bars and 53 sex shops, according to the list. Lust mag says there are many strip clubs which will entertain patrons and popular smartphone apps to find sexual partners.
The magazine also noted the city did not rank higher because it is illegal to buy sexual services, which also applies to the rest of the country. In Canada, selling sexual services is not illegal but purchasing them is.
Vancouver
Following Montreal is Vancouver, British Columbia in 10th place. Vancouver has five annual LGBTQI events, five gay bars and 23 sex shops, as well as numerous strip clubs around the City Centre metro station.
“The city is internationally known for its liberal stance, in which no one is discriminated against for their lifestyle. Sexual freedom is very important in Vancouver too, hence its respectable place in our ranking,” Lust mag said.
Similar to Montreal, sex work is also not officially allowed in the city.
“Of course, this does not mean that there is no prostitution in Vancouver, it is just more discreet than in other cities that are further ahead in this ranking,” the mag read, adding that these are the areas in which sexual freedom could be improved.
Toronto
Last but not least, Toronto ranked 12th place on the list with nine annual LGBTQI events, ten gay bars and 57 sex shops. There are also several sex shops and strip clubs in the city, some of which are mostly situated in the Old Toronto district.
Purchasing sexual services is against the law in Toronto, however the magazine says this does not change the fact that there are still ways to obtain sexual services via escort agencies and massage parlours.
“In general, Toronto is considered a very liberal and open city, which is certainly correct, the only exception is the prostitution laws that, similarly to Sweden and a number of other countries who have adopted the Swedish model, ban the purchase of sex,” the mag said.
In all three Canadian cities, PrEP is also authorized.
