Kingston: A Safe Haven for 2SLGBTQI+ Travellers

Kingston, Ontario is reminding visitors it’s a year-round inclusive destination, home to more than 15 Rainbow Registered businesses including UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations. Identified by a Rainbow Registered symbol, the business or organization has met a stringent set of standards to ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel more welcomed and accepted.

“Inclusivity in Kingston isn’t seasonal. It’s foundational,” Noelle Piche (she/her), Travel and Tourism Development Specialist at Tourism Kingston told Travel Market Report Canada.

“With more than 15 Rainbow Registered businesses, including hotels, tour-ready attractions, and cultural landmarks, Kingston offers group and independent travellers alike a safe, welcoming experience year-round. Travel trade professionals will find a destination that not only celebrates Pride in June, but embraces diversity every day through curated itineraries, accessible programming, and a community-wide commitment to representation and belonging.”

In addition to hosting its own annual Pride every June, Kingston, Ontario is a queer-friendly city offering an inclusive and welcoming environment all-year-round, inviting travellers to experience its rich heritage, diverse culture and broad entertainment scenes. 

For a full list of Rainbow Registered businesses in Kingston and to learn more, visit https://www.visitkingston.ca/plan-your-trip/rainbow-registered-businesses/

• Cher-Mère: Located in Kingston’s west-end, day spa Cher-Mère is a tranquil haven for all visitors. With gender-neutral booking forms, extensive inclusive language training for the team and educational staff talks with members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, general manager Emily Roantree notes that inclusivity is a key pillar that the Cher-Mère team lives by every day, far beyond Pride season. Every month, Cher-Mère selects a charity to donate to: this year’s Pride Month donation went to TransFamily Kingston, a cause that offers community events and programming for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse individuals. July’s will be to OneRoof, a regional youth hub providing wrap-around services to local youth, and August’s to Threads of Hope Kingston, an organization that provides necessities for Kingston’s homeless citizens.
• Kingston Penitentiary: Built in 1987 and operated by St. Lawrence Parks Commission, Kingston Penitentiary is Canada’s oldest prison, and one of Kingston’s signature attractions. Decommissioned in 2012, Kingston Penitentiary offers guided tours led by guides and retired corrections facility staff, giving informative insights into its varied history. Greg Gouthro, manager of Kingston Pen Tours, noted that the motivations for becoming Rainbow Registered were many. “We want it to mean more than just a badge, or a logo on a website. When done correctly and embodying the ideals of the program, it should make a statement of true inclusion and safety to all staff and guests.” As a provincial government entity with numerous policies around inclusivity, they recognize the importance of putting thoughtful, impactful implementation behind those policies.