Toronto, a global centre of arts, culture, business, and finance, is the largest city in Canada. It has a land area of 630.2 km² and a population of more than 2.7 million people. Toronto, which is also Ontario’s provincial capital, is located on Lake Ontario’s north western shore.
As one of the most multicultural cities, it has over 80 ethnic communities from different parts of the world. Toronto is known for its high standard of living, with a clean environment and low crime rates. It also has plenty of attractions including CN Tower, Canada’s Wonderland, and Toronto Eaton Centre.
There is no specific red light district in the city, but there are some areas where clients can find adult entertainment venues. Jarvis Street, which is located in downtown Toronto, is one of the places with lots of adult establishment and prostitutes.
History of the RLD
Yonge, the entertainment district of the city, once experienced significant changes, with taverns becoming strip clubs and bookstores offering adult materials. Entrepreneurs also started opening sex cinemas and erotic massage parlours in some old buildings, especially in the upper floors. Yonge then became the country’s “sin strip” for quite some time in the 1970s.
Public outrage triggered the authorities to clean up, cracking down adult clubs but there are still a few of them left today.
How to find the RLD
Jarvis Street is an eight- to nine-minute walk from the Phoenix Concert Theatre. It starts as a four-lane two-way arterial road at Queens Quay East. There are plenty of light rail stations in the area including Dundas St East at Sherbourne St, Church St, and Carlton St.
Stay safe in the RLD
Toronto is one of the securest cities in the world and has very low crime rates. In fact, tourists can wander in most neighbourhoods at night, especially with vibrant streets and pedestrians. In areas with adult establishments like Jarvis Street, Dundas, and Yonge, it is advisable to be careful when passing through at night. Using common sense is enough to avoid any trouble.
While the city has no red light district, it has plenty of adult entertainment venues, especially in the downtown area. Most of the prostitutes operate in the Greater Toronto Area, with many working independently and others working for clubs, massage parlours, and escort agencies. Street prostitution still exists in Toronto, but it is not very common. This is because most of the girls prefer to advertise on the Internet and get clients online. Erotic massage is also a flourishing business in the city, which is available in several establishments in Downtown, China Town, and Dufferin St. There are no legal brothels in the city, but many sex workers offer their services in private locations. Strip clubs are also abundant, catering to different clients. Notable venues are located in Queensway, Yonge St, King West, and in buildings close to Don River.
Adult Cinemas
Street Prostitution
Street prostitution exists in areas in the east downtown like Church and Jarvis. There are also prostitutes working along Sherbourne and Dundas areas. Most of the street walkers usually operate after midnight.
There is a regulated legality of prostitution in Canada. Buying sex services has been deemed unlawful since 2014. While it is technically legal for prostitutes to advertise their own services, it is not the same for advertising, promoting or facilitating sex services. Offenders can face up to five years of jail time and a minimum fine of $500.
When it comes to LGBT laws, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005. Same-sex adoption is also legal. Homosexuals can serve openly in the military as there is an anti-discrimination law protecting them.
Toronto boasts nightlife establishments that will cater to guests of different interests. It has great party venues, as well as intimate and relaxed settings. Here are some of the best nightlife venues in the city:
The city has one of the country’s biggest gay communities and is considered one of the most gay-friendly places on earth. Toronto has a predominantly gay neighbourhood in the downtown core of the city called The Gay Village or The Village, located at the intersection of Church and Wellesley streets. The area is filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, and other gay-oriented establishments.
Apart from gay venues, The Village also has its own website, ChurchWellesleyVillage.ca, perfect for helping visitors get to know more about the gay and lesbian scene in the city. It has a directory for different types of services and entertainment, calendar of events, and leasing opportunities.
The Village hosts the annual Pride Festival, which happens at the end of June. The celebration spans to ten days, making it one of the biggest pride festivals worldwide. It fills the streets with millions of supporters from the city and other parts of the world.
General Attitude Towards Gays
People in Toronto have an accepting attitude towards homosexuality. While there are still those who have such negative feedback on the gay community, their prejudice and attacks do not outfox the majority’s accepting and positive outlook towards the LGBT.
Gay and Transsexual Prostitution in Toronto
Many gay prostitutes in the city usually post advertisements online. Some transsexual sex workers, on the other hand, operate in the Trannytown or tranny stroll in the gay village. This is located in the south eastern part of Wellesley and Jarvis Streets.