Category Archives: Gay New Orleans
Southern Decadence DEALS!
GAY TRAVEL HOT DEAL!
What began as a simple going-away party in 1972 has evolved into one of New Orleans’ premier annual events: Southern Decadence.
Hosted every Labor Weekend, Southern Decadence is the 5th largest event in the city following Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, and French Quarter Fest. 2014 brought in over 160,000 participants.
Nicknamed the “Gay Mardi Gras,” Southern Decadence is one of those quintessential New Orleans occasions in which participants get to strut their stuff in elaborate costumes and high fashion or barely anything at all, the day of the Parade!
Everyone gets in on the action and all the bars will have their own drag shows, contests, DJs, music and events.
Don’t miss this giant 44th Southern Decadence celebration of LGBT life, music and culture. CALL David now FOR THE BEST DEALS! 1-800-942-1280!
Travel Deals for Southern Decadence 2015
GAY TRAVEL HOT DEAL!
What began as a simple going-away party in 1972 has evolved into one of New Orleans’ premier annual events: Southern Decadence.
Hosted every Labor Weekend, Southern Decadence is the 5th largest event in the city following Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, Essence Fest, and French Quarter Fest. 2014 brought in over 160,000 participants.
Nicknamed the “Gay Mardi Gras,” Southern Decadence is one of those quintessential New Orleans occasions in which participants get to strut their stuff in elaborate costumes and high fashion or barely anything at all, the day of the Parade! Everyone gets in on the action and all the bars will have their own drag shows, contests, DJs, music and events.
It’s not to early to start planning for the giant 44th Southern Decadence celebration of LGBT life, music and culture. CALL David now FOR THE BEST DEALS! 1-800-942-1280!
5 Gayest Travel Destinations in the South
Magnolias, creaky porch swings and slow drawls – these are the things we most commonly associate with the South.
But, gay-friendly cities? Not so much.
Many people assume that the entire southern half of the United States is still on the conservative, intolerant end of the cultural spectrum. And while that may be true for some areas, today’s South is much more progressive and open-minded than you probably think.
Here we profile the most gay-friendly cities in the South and show you just how different they are from what you may have thought.
1. Asheville, North Carolina
The Carolinas have some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country, so if you haven’t visited these national treasures, you’d better get moving. And hip cities like Asheville mean that you can get a healthy mix of vibrant city life and natural beauty in one visit. In the same day, you can tour the 250-room, 19th century castle built by George Vanderbilt and hike the stunning Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
This historic town that sits on a plateau between 2 mountain ranges has everything you’d want: noteworthy architecture, live music, and amazing dining options. The city also boasts their own yearly Pride celebration and a number of gay bars – Asheville is even home to O. Henry’s, the oldest gay bar in the state.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana
It should come as no surprise that The Big Easy is also a very easy place for LGBT travelers to feel at home. The city has long been known for its extreme tolerance for people from all walks of life. In fact, legend has it that every year New Orleans becomes home to many tourists who discover, while on vacation, that they’ve never felt more comfortable anywhere else in the world.
This Deep South town is a veritable treasure trove for visitors – the music, the food and the breathtakingly beautiful old European architecture make it feel almost like a foreign country. And the city’s large gay population and thriving gay neighborhood make it an ideal travel destination. The lower end of Bourbon Street has about 10 gay bars and clubs and hosts the annual Southern Decadence Fest every Labor Day weekend. This gay Mardi Gras is not to be missed.
3. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Arkansas would certainly not be the first place you think of when you hear “gay friendly,” but this little Southern gem is as open and accepting as they come. It was officially the first city in the state to endorse same-sex marriage and is currently the only city in Arkansas with a Domestic Partnership Registry.
But it’s not just about political claims to fame – Eureka Springs is insanely charming with its windy, hilly roads and stunning Victorian architecture. Basically it takes everything you thought you knew about Arkansas and turns it on its head. And despite the small size of the city, one annual Pride event isn’t nearly enough. They put on 3 different Diversity Weekends every year in the spring, summer and fall, all of which attract thousands of visitors from all over the world.
4. Miami, Florida
If you’ve been putting in overtime at the gym and investing in a fabulous warm-weather wardrobe, it’s probably time that you head to Miami. The Cuban-flavored city seems to be home to a disproportionate amount of beautiful people who know how to dress, eat and party like none other. It’s really an upscale playground for LGBT travelers who are looking to let loose in the sun and in the after-dark scene where that’s all about seeing and being seen.
The city has several cool neighborhoods worth checking out, but if you want to a front row seat for Miami gay culture, make sure to head to South Beach, or SoBe to those in the know. If you tire of the beach, stroll over to nearby Ocean Drive, a super lux open air mall that looks more like a Fashion Week catwalk than the malls you’re familiar with. And keep your eyes peeled for Miami’s own circular pink flamingo symbol that lets visitors know that a business is welcoming of LGBT visitors.
5. Dallas, Texas
As a whole, the state of Texas might not be a haven of open-minded tolerance, but cities like Dallas are essentially oases that go against the normal Texan grain. With the 6th largest LGBT population in the country and The Church of Hope, the biggest gay church in the world, Dallas certainly welcomes travelers of all genders and sexualities. The city also boasts not one, but two gay neighborhoods: Oak Lawn and Bishop Arts District.
Dallas is truly a modern city that has no shortage of great shopping, high-end dining and unique culture. History buffs will want to check out the JFK exhibit at Dealey Plaza; fashion hounds will be in heaven at the Neiman Marcus flagship store; and artsy types will dig the funky Deep Ellum neighborhood full of street art and live music. If this is surprising news to you, it might be time that you checked out Texas for yourself.
It can be easy to dismiss small, Southern cities as stuck-in-time backwaters that shun anyone different, but that’s simply not the reality in many places anymore. But the good news is that as these gay-friendly Southern gems have modernized, they’ve retained the Southern charm and beauty the region is known for.
Politically and culturally progressive cities overflowing with old fashioned charm offer the very best of all possible worlds for gay travelers looking for something new.
Jay Deratany has recently restored a historic Victorian mansion and turned it into The Kirby, a boutique hotel, wine bar and bed and breakfast in Saugatuck Michigan. Not only is he passionate about travel & hospitality, but he’s also is a human rights activist, attorney and movie producer! To learn more, visit The Kirby Hotel and connect with Jay on Google+.
Southern Decadence deals in New Orleans
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For more information, please contact Dave at dave@donovantravel.com or 401-942-7700.
*Southern Decadence is an annual six-day event held in New Orleans by the gay and lesbian community during Labor Day Weekend, climaxing with a parade through the French Quarter on the Sunday before Labor Day.
Best Gay Cities?
Who are the best gay cities. and says who?! Being a great LGBT city doesn’t just mean having a raucous nightlife, so
if you expected to see Hell’s Kitchen, Boystown or the Castro, you’re reading the
wrong list.
and San Francisco nabbed the top spot in both the “most scenic” and
“most pride” categories. It earned runner-up status in several others.
readers. The annual America’s Favorite Cities survey asks readers to
rank 35 cities in categories such as walkable streets and great ethnic
food. This year, they added gay-friendly travel, and while cities with an
obvious connection to the gay rights movement–such as San Francisco and
New York–ranked near the top, so did some less obvious places that
have clearly made a point to welcome the LGBT community.
but that doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty to offer gay travelers.
Many of us end up passing through smaller or less glamorous cities,
perhaps on business, visiting friends or relatives, or enjoying a quick
weekend getaway. It’s always a pleasant surprise to discover that a
destination you had modest hopes for fosters a vibrant gay social scene.
Here are some under rated cities.
New Orleans, Las Vegas and Atlantic City Resorts Celebrate Gay Pride in September
While Las Vegas has been ranked as one of the top vacation spots for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) travelers, Caesars Entertainment is uniquely positioned to provide fun and exciting experiences at its resorts across the country.
During September, Caesars has created an inclusive three-city event tour that will kick-off in New Orleans, continue to Las Vegas and wrap in Atlantic City. The gaming and entertainment company will roll out the rainbow carpets and demonstrate pride from coast to coast, inviting everyone to Come Out with Caesars Entertainment this September.
Harrah’s New Orleans will kick-off the celebration this Labor Day weekend with the largest gay event in New Orleans, Southern Decadence, by hosting the Grand Marshall’s dinner and official kick-off extravaganza block party on September 1. Voted as Out Magazine’s Hottest DJ in 2007, Hit sensation DJ Hector Fonseca will bring his world-renowned dance beats for a guaranteed good time. In addition, Harrah’s New Orleans is the leading sponsor of Envy, a VIP experience in the heart of the action, and will march through the famed French Quarter in the Decadence parade located in the “Gay Capital of the South.” For more information on Harrah’s Southern Decadence festivities, visit Gayharrahsnola.com.
In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment resorts are participating in the annual Las Vegas PRIDE festivities beginning September 16. The 2011 PRIDE Night Parade will make its way through Las Vegas on Friday, September 16, with floats ready to impress with their over-the-top decor. Caesars Entertainment will participate with a float decked out with a cast of characters from the company’s Las Vegas-based production shows including Frank Marino’s Divas, Donn Arden’s Jubilee! and The Chippendales.
Caesars will also have a presence at the PRIDE festival with the iconic Jubilee! showgirls. To cap the weekend, a special cocktail reception will be held at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace on Sunday, September 18 at 8:30 p.m. followed by a special performance of Frank Marino’s Divas at the Imperial Palace at 10 p.m. For more information, visit Gayparislasvegas.com.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City will continue the LGBT festivities by hosting its annual OUT in AC weekend from September 23-25. This event will be nothing less than fabulous with Frank Marino, female impersonator and Las Vegas Diva, as this year’s host. The full weekend of LGBT-themed activities includes concerts, body-painting exhibitions, a bull riding competition and much more. For more information, visit Harrahs.com/getoutinac.
BestGayCities.com