Uncomfortable glances at the hotel reception when a gay or lesbian couple check in and request a double bed, can be decidedly uncomfortable. Thanks to a new drive for accommodation establishments in Halifax to join the TAG Approved programme, especially in light of the city’s upcoming Pride, this may soon be a matter of the past.
TAG, an international group which focuses heavily on the North American market, positions itself as a source of the most gay-friendly accommodation establishments. When an establishment has been TAG Approved, visitors can be certain that they meet high criteria based not only on “their desire for gay travel revenues, but on their employment policies, services, and support returned to the LGBT community”.
“It’s actually surprising how many people do get hassled by inns, by hotels, restaurants, for being openly gay,” according to the organiser of Halifax Pride, Ed Savage. “This designation makes it so that you know when you’re booking there, there’s not going to be that hassle. You don’t want to go to an inn that’s not going to let you or your partner stay in the same room or turn you away because you’re gay.”
One recent addition to the TAG-accredited establishments in Nova Scotia is the Elephant’s Nest B&B in Gaetz Brook, which is run by John Meehan. “We have never hidden the fact that we are LGBT-friendly,” he said. “I would say it’s just an added marketing vehicle.” Currently on 10 of the 34 accommodation establishments listed on the Destination Halifax website, a tourism marketing group, have been approved by TAG, though that shouldn’t be misconstrued that the other 24 are gay-unfriendly according to a spokesperson for the organisation.