[Vision2020] the gay market

[Bill London]

Just to change the subject a little....
I just received the announcement (below) that the official tourism agency for
Montreal/Quebec is marketing directly to gays.  I found that an interesting
contrast to the often-repeated anti-gay sentiments heard in Idaho.
BL

> For Immediate Release:
> Tourisme Quebec Announces Launch of New Gay Website
>
> **
>
> Los Angeles, CA
> March 27, 2003
>
> Tourisme Québec is pleased to announce the launch of their new gay-focused
> Internet site (http://www.bonjourquebec.com/gay), entitled "Visiting
> Gay-Friendly Québec: Fun-Loving and Free-Living!"  Launched by Tourisme
> Québec, the official government tourist site for Québec, this site takes the
> lead in bringing gay and gay-friendly information and resources to the gay &
> lesbian traveler worldwide.
>
> Focusing both on Montreal as one of the strongest "out" gay communities in
> North America, as well as the Québec as a whole, this site allows gays &
> lesbians the opportunity to learn more about Québec's gay culture and it's
> thriving gay scene in both Montreal and Québec City.
>
> Besides the traditional gay clubs and restaurants most destinations offer,
> this site also brings to us up-to-date information on Divers/Cité,
> Montreal's popular gay pride festival, and Black & Blue, one of the largest
> and most exciting gay parties in the world.  In addition, information can be
> found on Image + Nation, Montreal's international gay & lesbian film and
> video festival, showcasing more than 200 films.
>
> "This new addition to our BonjourQuebec.com site was a natural progression
> for us here in Québec," states Hélène Fortier of Tourisme Québec. "Québec
> has taken the lead in North America for allowing gays & lesbians the same
> legal benefits as married couples, including fully recognized civil unions
> and gay adoptions.  We welcome gays & lesbians from around the world to come
> to Quebec to share in this feeling of openness and acceptance that only
> Québec can offer."
>
> "This site has also been a wonderful opportunity to showcase Québec's
> commitment to the gay & lesbian community," adds Jean-Francois Niquette, US
> West Coast Director for Destination Québec. "Not only do we have some of the
> best gay events here in Québec – we now have the Gay Games on its way here
> in 2006!"  Following in the footsteps of San Francisco, Amsterdam, and
> Sydney, Montreal will be hosting the 2006 Gay Games during which 24,000
> participants from over 100 countries will compete in sporting and cultural
> events.
>
> To learn more about gay life in Québec, log on to www.bonjourquebec.com/gay
> - this site is a wealth of information, and in addition to some of the
> highlights described above, has direct links to Québec's Gay Chamber of
> Commerce, Tourisme Montreal and more.
>
> ###ends###
>
> For high-resolution images, contact one of the three persons below and request
> the image CD-ROM.
>
> Contact Information:
> Hélène Fortier
> Manager – Gay & Lesbian Market
> Tourisme Québec
> 1010 Ste Catherine W. #400
> Montreal, QC  H3B 1G2
> Canada
> Tel: (514) 864-2712
> Fax: (514) 864-3188
> E-mail: fortier.helene@tourisme.gouv.qc.ca
>
> Jean-François Niquette
> Director US West Coast
> Destination Québec / Tourisme Québec
> 7135 Hollywood Blvd.  #107
> Los Angeles, CA  90046
> Tel: 323-512-8687
> Fax: 323-512-8617
> E-mail: jfniquette@sbcglobal.net
>
> Yves Gentil
> Director US Mid-Atlantic
> Destination Quebec
> 51 East 42nd Street, Suite 500
> New York, NY 10017
> Tel.: 212-599-1341
>
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