Gay couple - Proposal question

Paris. There are so many romantic spots in Paris.

Paris, Paris, Paris. Hands down. Italians as a rule are increasingly accepting of gay people as long as there's no physical demonstration of affection. The reaction wouldn't be violent but it could be very awkward. It's due to the historical and cultural influence of the Catholic Church. FWIW, Milan is more progressive than Rome on this but that's no reason to add Milan to your itinerary when you've got Paris. ("We'll always have Paris.") :-) In contrast, Paris couldn't be more gay-affirming. I know that the Marais district is very gay male friendly (that's where the bars are) and I wonder if there's an equivalent neighborhood specific to lesbians. Happy travels (and congratulations!!)

Paris, its got so many romantic places. I don't know what type of proposal you are planning, like a billboard or what, cause I don't really see how a proposal would even come to many peoples attention, so therefore if your heart is set on Rome, Rome would be fine too.. except if you were thinking using a bullhorn in St Peters. lol
Still, my vote would be for Paris, which is very much live and let live, they really do not care if you are gay or not.

Paris! Very gay friendly, very romantic. The Pont des Arts bridge, at night, would be my choice. It's a pedestrian bridge over the Seine river a little east of Ile de la Cite (where Notre Dame is). Congratulations!!

Agree, Paris over everything. Good luck and enjoy trip. My suggestion is either Eiffel Tower or a picnic on grounds by the tower.

I agree with Paris. It's hard to get more romantic than that!

The stereotype of a couple in a cafe, staring into each other's eyes, and exchanging kisses exists in a very real way in Paris. Both straight and gay. No one looks shocked.

Too bad you don't have Spain on your itinerary! Barcelona can be romantic and Gay marriage is even legal in Spain! If you have your heart set on these other countries, maybe Barcelona Spain for your next trip!
Where ever you chose to go, have a wonderful time. So nice you are planing a trip together.

I would propose in Paris so that you can enjoy being engaged in Italy. No reason to wait until the end of your trip! I don't think you'll have any issues in Italy as a gay couple. Of course overt public displays of affection by even opposite sex couples is in poor taste (get a room!) but hand holding and a kiss here and there will not cause a stir.

Here's something that straight couples don't usually have to worry about-What if she proposes before you get there? Mentally prepare yourself to be delighted and not disappointed that she beat you to it. If that happens, still go ahead and propose again when the moment is right in Paris. It will still be romantic.

Thank you all very much! I was worried no one would respond :-) Wow! Paris clearly the winner here lol. I had my heart set on the spanish steps in Rome.. until I started thinking about how it will be one of our lasts days there. I know I'll be a nervous wreck.. no sense making myself nervous the entire trip. Any suggestions of a place? I've been to Paris once 13 years ago.. so I am not very familiar with it. I know the Eiffel Tower is a classic any other great places? @Ralph NYC does have romatic spots for sure.. I just want it to be different then our normal date nights. You are totally right though. I am already nervous and its months away! lol

Good call. FWIW, the Spanish Steps are not particularly romantic, since they tend to be jam-packed with tourists and with sidewalk vendors selling toys that make screamingly loud noises. But I have to disagree with SamSn when he says: "Of course overt public displays of affection by even opposite sex couples is in poor taste (get a room!) but hand holding and a kiss here and there will not cause a stir." There is definitely a double-standard in Italy when it comes to same sex and opposite sex couples showing affection. It's just the reality. You'll see opposite sex couples making out all over the place (the Romeo and Juliet phenomenon), but you'll never see same sex couples even holding hands. (You do sometimes see a couple of older men or women walking together arm in arm, but this denotes friendship, not a romantic relationship. Also, you will see groups of teenaged boys draped all over each, but again, that's a sign of friendship, not a gay thing.) I just didn't want you to go over there uninformed.

You of course know your partner and we don't; however if it were me (asking or being asked), the Eiffel Tower wouldn't be the place. I would suggest you just be ready for the romantic moment and let it happen. For example, when we were in Paris it was lousy cold weather. The most romantic moment was on our final night, it was finally warming up a bit and we were strolling along the Seine and watching the Tower do its hourly special lighting thing. It was late, peaceful, hardly anyone around. That would have been the moment, not on the Tower.

"Any suggestions of a place?" As I said above, the Pont des Arts bridge, at night, would be my choice. You have the heart of Paris, the river and boats, all lit up and sparkling around you. It's a magical setting.

I agree Paris is the spot. You will know the exact place when you are there. But you seem to be intent on making this a public event. I would think this would be a very private event that just you and your partner would want to share whether gay or straight. If you want to make a public statement than do it in th effiel tower. If you want it to be special between you and your partner just be prepared for the moment when you know the time is right in Paris.

Sam, By definition it will be romantic when you ask your partner to marry you. This would be true even if you did it in your living room. The question (and sometimes the other things) are what make for romance. Is there a place you haven't visited that you would like to visit. Restaurant for a meal, museum, art gallery, whatever. That might help make it a little more special. If you asked a day or so before you left then the trip would be a way of celebrating the engagement. This could be true even if you did it right this minute. This is just my opinion and since you are nervous about it might be the way to go. There are probably some places in London that might work too, since you will be flying into it. Although I haven't every been there, The London Eye comes to mind. And I'm sure Nigel and others with more knowledge could give others. One of the gardens also might be just the place. Just something more to think about. As if you need that! Sharon R.

I've seen many gay couple as I've traveled through Italy - holding hands, giving each other pecks cheek, a kiss on the lip, resting head on the partner's shoulder. I was just in Italy this summer. Never heard anyone making a comment about a same sex couple. It's not a big.

My experience as a gay man who has traveled to Italy three times for a total of nine weeks (most recently last year) is different from SamSn's. I agree with what this Canadian intercultural website says for Canadians traveling to Italy: "Public displays of affection are commonplace. The younger/middle generation are very open with their feelings towards their partners, as you will often see couples kissing/embracing each other openly on the street. Even older couples will be found kissing or at least hand in hand. When it comes to homosexuality, this is not the case. Same-sex couples have less freedom to express their affection openly without evoking very insulting responses. Interracial couples can also expect to get a second glance from onlookers." http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=it