Harvey Milk Remembered in San Francisco Today

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27TH – Harvey and George were the brightest beacons of hope for San Francisco’s disenfranchised and displaced.  But more than that, they represented the spirit of San Francisco, a city ofr anyone and everyone, welcoming to all, affordable to all, with justice for all.  35 years later, the time has come again for us to gather, one and all, to remember Harvey and George.  More importantly, the time has come to make their vision of a city of hope come alive.  Now more than ever, we have to give each other hope.

The vigil will begin at Milk Plaza at 7pm followed by a candlelight march down Market Street to City Hall.  A performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus, words of inspiration from Dustin Lance Black, and a recorded message from Harvey Milk will conclude the evening.

ASL Interpretation and Spanish translation will be provided as well as accessible transportation from Milk Plaza to City Hall.

Also don’t miss the 25th Annual World AIDS Day mobilization on December 1st.  The Castro Theater is screening the award-winning We Were Here which will be followed by a silent vigil on Castro Street at 9pm.

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Gay and Gay Friendly St Louis

We recently made a  short trip to St. Louis – what a great city!!  EXPLORE ST LOUIS has some great detailed information – here are some highlights –

St. Louis has grown from a 1764 fur-trading village into a major American city made up of distinct neighborhoods. St. Louis’ long history
is reflected in the architecture, personalities, and events of each special part of town. And, it’s not surprising, that the most
interesting areas are also among the most LGBT friendly. Hot spot neighborhoods include:

THE GROVE – Rainbow flags proudly wave along Manchester Avenue in The Grove, the
epicenter of St. Louis’ LGBT nightlife located on between Tower Grove
and Chouteau avenues. Chill at Erney’s 32° – sip chilled Vodka’s  in their unique walk in chilled room!;
mingle on the massive patio at Just John and the welcome-to-all
atmosphere prevails at Novak’s Bar & Grill, Rehab and Atomic Cowboy.
Nearby are JJ’s and Bad Dog, popular Levi/leather and bear haunts – however, late at night, EVERYONE ends up  at JJs it seems. – They have a late night license.

CENTRAL WEST END – perhaps the original gayborhood?  A LGBT favorite since the 1960’s, The CWE is arguably St. Louis’ most cosmopolitan neighborhood and beckons you to linger at sidewalk cafés, exciting galleries, trendy boutiques and cozy pubs. Take the St. Louis
LGBT History Walking Tour created by The St. Louis LGBT History Project. It seems many gay businesses were out in the early 1980’s  as the neighborhood raised rents and attracted high priced restaurants. – But still a great spot .”The Central West End would become one of St. Louis’ prominent gay
neighborhoods with its disproportionately large and visible LGBT
population vis-a-vis the rest of the metro area. Indeed, the
CWE was a growing hub of queer social life throughout the 1960s, and by
the 1970s—was the epicenter of Gateway City LGBT politics
.”  says  Colin Murphy at Vital Voice.


BestGayCities.com will be hosting the 1st Annual  OUT IN THE PARK at SIX FLAGS ST LOUIS in September 2014!  It will be a private night for charity! More details  Soon!


(Photo Right – Vital Voice)

SOUTH GRAND  is a wonderful neighborhood  that hosts St. Louis’ annual PrideFest and Pride parade. The area’s diversity is on full display as block after block
along Grand Boulevard is alive with Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Latin and Chinese restaurants, ethnic groceries, boutiques, vintage clothing stores and Asian import   centers. Popular LGBT-owned businesses include
MoKaBe’s, the venerable coffee house at Arsenal and Grand; Absolutli
Goosed, where mixologists make magic with martinis and Cheap TRX, the
funky and fabulous LGBT shopping experience.

THE LOOP is  named for an old streetcar turnaround, the always-changing neighborhood
is home to one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques and more than 40 ethnic
and American restaurants.

SOULARD AND CHEROKEE  aka the French Quarter. Just a few minutes south of the Arch, St. Louis blues music takes the stage in the Soulard neighborhood’s clubs and restaurants. Home to the
second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the nation.

LAFAYETTE  SQUARE is  Another longtime LGBT favorite, this elegant neighborhood is a blend of historic and contemporary. B&B-lodgings, including gay-owned and operated Napoleon’s Retreat, provide luxurious resting places.

Find out more  at EXPLORE  ST LOUIS  and   VITAL VOICE is the Voice of St Louis covering all that is new, now and next!

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BEST GAY CITIES – The Commercial Drive – In LGBT Vancouver

Neighbourhood Stroll: Commercial Drive

Locally known as “The Drive,”
this ‘hood has long been popular with lesbians, and plenty of gay men
love it too, particularly as the neighbourhood holds its own Pride
festival each June. Originally the hub of Vancouver’s Italian and
Portuguese communities, on Commercial Drive
you will meet an eclectic bunch: from skater dudes, to trans folk, to hand-holding lesbians to Italian immigrants drinking a cappuccino al fresco. Easily accessible by Skytrain (Vancouver’s light-rail network), the area to explore is the 23 small-ish blocks between Venables Street and 12th Street.

Arts & Culture.
Commercial Drive is home to a large collection of public murals. An often popular LGBT photo-op is the rainbow mural on the side of Joe’s Café. The Vancouver East Cultural Centre (“The Cultch”) plays host to an array of edgy and interesting performing and visual arts.

Eating.
Foodie goodness—including lots of organic—abounds on The Drive.  Vegetarians have bountiful options—standouts include the clever Mexican cuisine at Bandidas Taqueria; the East Indian cuisine at Sweet Cherubim; and the raw “burgers” at Eternal Abundance. For old-style pizza, the
goods at busy Marcello are outstanding, and nearby newcomer Famoso gets raves for their Neapolitan-style pizzas. Or have a true Vancouver cultural experience and shop for a make-it-yourself-picnic at old-school Santa Barbara Market (be sure to take a number!) and dine on the grass in Grandview Park.

Shops that pop.
Folks who live around The Drive aren’t your big-box types, and the neighbourhood supports a
large number of small, independent shops. As you stroll along, watch for period fashions at Little Miss Vintage, mid-century furnishings at Attic Treasures, irresistible gifts and cards at Urban Empire, upscale consignment clothes at Give & Receive, and vinyl at Highlife World Music. Of special note is the sex toy shop Womyn’s Ware; delving beyond their interesting selections for all genders, ask about their role in improving the industry’s product offerings.

Caffeine.
Coffee culture is strong on The Drive. Choose between ultra-hip, local spots like Turk’s Coffee featuring two espressos “on tap”, the fresh lighting of Renzo’s, or the always-bustling Continental. Or hang out and watch soccer on TV with Italian or Portuguese folks at classic coffee houses harkening to a bygone age: Abruzzo Cappuccino Bar and Joe’s Café both fit the genre, and Joe’s not only advertises the best cappuccino in the city but also offers pool tables by-the-hour.

TourismVancouver

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November in Palm Springs


2 BIG EVENTS in NOVEMBER!    Leather Pride will once again be held the
2nd weekend
in November following the Greater
Palm Springs Pride Festival
so that
guests who
wish to may bookend their vacation to
Palm Springs and enjoy BOTH
celebrations. 

GET A ROOM NOW  at  INNdulge
DesertLeatherPride  info
Greater Palm Springs Pride Festival


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Holidays in Chicago in and Around Boystown

FALL
is upon us and the holiday season is right around the corner!
Boystown, Lakeview and North Halsted areas all have lots going on, PLUS
there are 3 great hotel choices to pick for accommodations, that are
conveniently located near everything!  AND you can save so much over the downtown hotels. Plus you can be in the heart of Boystown, filled with restaurants, bars and local businesses with great clothes and gifts!

City SuitesThe Majestic  and the The Willows .

The historic City Suites Hotel
in Chicago offers the upscale traveler an unmatched degree of service
with upgraded premier amenities to compliment its beautiful Art Deco
interior. Accenting the architecture details of this 1920’s “Roaring
Twenties” gem, the City Suites Hotel exudes a sleek Art Deco
architecture style, inviting ambiance and striking visual detail. The
hotel exudes a sleek Art Deco architecture style, inviting ambiance and
striking visual detail.

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Judge Orders Counties in New Mexico to issue Same Sex Marriage Licenses

The clerk for New Mexico’s most populous county planned to begin
issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples Tuesday after a
state district judge declared same-sex marriage legal.

State District Judge Alan Malott on Monday ruled New Mexico’s
constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation, ordering Bernalillo County to join the state’s other two
population centers in recognizing the unions.

The decision comes on the heels of an order last week from a judge in
Santa Fe that directed the county clerk there to begin issuing marriage
licenses to same-sex couples. That followed a decision by the clerk in
the southern New Mexico county of Dona Ana to recognize same-sex
couples.

But Malott’s ruling was seen as more sweeping than the temporary
Santa Fe order because he directly declared that gay marriage was legal.

FOX NEWS  HAS MORE
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No Reason to NOT Pick up your Dog’s POOP!

Is there anything worse, then walking down the street, minding your
own business, and step in some business! Dog Poop. It stinks and it’s
messy, it’s nasty, there is NO REASON for it  and Dog owners need to
take responsibility. (Did you knowrats LOVE it?!) 

 in some cities, people are SO LAZY,
they don’t bother to pick up their dogs poop!  If you own a dog, clean up after it!

The island of Capri (Italy)  is going high-tech to deal with an age-old problem: dog
poop.They have solved the problem and more cities are talking about it.

The mayor of the island, located off the coast of Naples, is determined to
rid Capri of the rather distasteful predicament by using DNA testing.

The small island is a large tourist destination and is home to 7,305 people
owning 1,000 dogs. Unfortunately, some of the residents seem unwilling to scoop
up poop. In order to maintain the pristine setting Capri is famous for, the city
is using technology to track down pet owners who befoul the town by leaving
piles of scat behind.

The mayor plans to take advantage of a law that requires dogs to undergo a
blood test for canine diseases. The city will use the blood to perform DNA tests
on puppy excrement and identify the source of the smelly mess.

EVERY dog owner needs these! The BEST Poop bags ever invented!


If your dog poops in Brunete, a small town just west of Madrid, Spain, the city will box it up like a gourmet confection and post it back to you straightaway.  

We’ve long heard about dog poop DNA tracking, anti-pollution music videos and yes, even poop-art contraptions designed to convert your pooch’s leavings into electricity capable of powering street lights, but
this is the first we’ve heard of a country’s postal service stepping
into the fray by dispatching canine excrement through the mail.

According to The Telegraph,
a team of nearly two dozen volunteers policed Brunete’s streets over
the course of a week back in February, keeping an eye out for careless
dog owners; spying one, a volunteer would approach the unwitting culprit
and strike up a conversation to learn the name of the dog.

“With the name of the dog and the breed it was possible to identify
the owner from the registered pet database held in the town hall,” said a
council spokesperson.

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Best Gay Cities Highlights Las Vegas for September Fun!

Las Vegas ranks in the top 3  LGBT favorite vacation spots!  And September, LV really delivers GAY GAY GAY!
2nd Annual Gay Days Las Vegas

Gay Days Las Vegas is back September 3-9th
in conjunction with Las Vegas Pride. This multi day event spans
multiple properties including Tropicana Las Vegas, Luxor and Rumor
Boutique Hotel. Events include pool parties, expos and special events at
the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip! Click here to Learn More…

Las Vegas PRIDE 30th Anniversary

People from all over the world will gather to celebrate the 30 years of Las Vegas Pride September 5-6.
The staple Light Parade is unique to our city and takes place in
downtown Las Vegas at night! Events throughout the week lead up to to
the day long Pride Festival with food, vendors entertainment and much
more! Click here to Learn More…

Shedonism

The Official Women’s Events of Pride take over the Palms Casino Resort the weekend of September 5-8th.
Celebrities, DJs and go go dancers will entertain the ladies for a
“Sinful” women’s weekend! Events include pool parties, club events and a
poker tournament!  Coinciding with PRIDE these ladies will have a
presence in the parade and more! Learn More…

Fabulous Vegas
This one-of-a-kind LGBT
celebration features experiences across all MGM Resorts International
destinations during Las Vegas PRIDE week. From hotel, 
entertainment and dining discounts, the package provides “Fabulous” guests  exclusive access to the parade along with discounts and deals for PRIDE events throughout the week!  Learn More…

CHICAGO is VERY  GAY  and GAY  FRIENDLY!

Stay at one of these hotels in the heart of BOYSTOWN!


Use CODE BGC When Booking!

CITY SUITES HOTEL

THE WILLOWS

MAJESTIC HOTEL

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OUT IN THE PARK Private LGBT Night at SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA

Out In The Park at Six Flags Great America

Returns in 2013 with a BANG!

 

A Spectacular Night of Amusement and Entertainment to Help Benefit Chicago House!

 

Out In The Park is an annual private LGBTQ Saturday night event featuring unlimited riding of ALL Six Flags Great America’s amazing rides and live music!
 
Top DJ Matthew Harvat,  will deliver a complete 4 hour party-celebration dance area, so you can dance, or ride, or do both!

New this year is a laser light show to dance above the crowd and some go-go gods to dance with the crowd. 

Plus live musical performance by national recording artists Eli LiebJess Godwin and Isaiah Grass.

 

In an interview with ChicagoPride.com: “We are very excited to be asked to present this event annually by the executives at Six Flags Great America based on last year’s success and their excitement in allowing us this unique fundraising opportunity at such an awesome private venue inside their park for our community” said Derrick Sorles, owner of BestGayChicago.com. “We are proud to have Chicago House benefiting from this year’s event and we are so excited to have Mini Cooper of Chicago co-presenting with us!”

 

In 2012, over 3600 people came out to support this event and nearly $12,000 was raised for TPAN. For 2013, over 7000-8000 people are expected to come out and BestGayChicago.com hopes to raise close to $20,000 for Chicago House. It will be a full weekend of fun and LGBT travelers are expected to come in from the 4 surrounding states!

 

“What’s great about the event is that it is closed to the general public, ” explains Michael Snell. “The LGBTQ attendees and their friends and family can enjoy the park with little or no lines (no Flash Pass needed)  and no hassle’s from anyone. It will be like a fall gay pride celebration!”

 

Last year there were comments from the community that people who did not enjoy rides, had no reason to come. So this year, more entertainment has been added.  Singers Eli Lieb, Isaiah Grass and Jess Godwin will play  on a stage, separate from the dance area.

The park will once again be serving beer and specialty drinks, at reduced drink prices, just for us! And  we will be planning events on Friday night, Saturday daytime, Saturday after the park, and Sunday recovery things to do! We’ll be announcing events at Scarlett, Taverna 750, Charlies and Hamburger Marys in Chicago and Milwaukee! Making a whole weekend of fun for everyone.

 

“The other thing that makes this event is so great, is the fact it is supported by everyone.” says Derrick Sorles. “We are so happy and humbled that our peers GRAB Magazine, Chicago Pride.com, and Wisconsin’s QUEST Magazine are also involved in helping to make this a huge success and special thanks to our other Community Partners Walgreens and Mini Cooper of Chicago.

 

 

 

 

Ticket Prices —-Advance ticket price is $38 for this private event.  There will be FREE parking! (A $22 savings!) Tickets are available now online   at GaySixFlagsChicago.com. 

Unfortunately, you can NOT use a smart phone to order tickets.
You will need to use a computer and printer. 

 

Doors  open at 9pm promptly. Ride and enjoy music until 1am.
Drinks are served until Midnight.

Hotels —if you are coming to Chicago for the weekend, we have 3 hotel choices in the heart of boystown!   More information below!


Chicago House
Chicago House and Social Service Agency serves individuals and families by providing housing, employment services, medical linkages, HIV prevention services, and other supportive services to those who are disenfranchised by HIV/AIDS, poverty, homelessness, and/or gender nonconformity. All Chicago House services are provided without discrimination and are explicitly designed to guide people towards wholeness and self-sufficiency.

The first HIV/AIDS housing provider in the Midwest, Chicago House has continuously evolved its services to meet the changing needs of those who are living with HIV and AIDS.

BestGayChicago.com

Since 2007, BestGayChicago.com has been providing the best of everything gay and gay-friendly in the greater Chicago area. Owned and operated by Best Gay Inc., their sites provide news, information, travel tips and entertainment for the LGBT community.


this post sponsored by…

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Best Gay Cities in Minnesota

MINNESOTA is gearing up for Gay Marriages!

 The Chapel of Love at the Mall of America will perform its first
same-sex wedding the minute gay marriage becomes legal in Minnesota.

A same-sex couple is scheduled to be wed at the chapel at 12:01 a.m.
on Thursday, Aug. 1. Holli Bartelt and Amy Petrich of Wykoff have been
together for two years.

Now BETTY CROCKER is lending support. Three of the first same-sex couples who will legally marry in Minnesota on August 1st visited the Betty Crocker Kitchens
at General Mills Headquarters in Golden Valley, Minnesota to taste-test
wedding cakes for their ceremonies. The company has kindly donated the
cakes to the couples for their celebrations, which will take place this
Thursday at midnight. The couples will be wed at Minneapolis City Hall and the Como Park Conservatory in St. Paul.

Margaret Miles and Cathy ten Broeke, the first couple who will be
married, were joined by Reid Bordson and Paul Nolle, the second. Both
will be married on Thursday by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
The third couple was Al Giraud and Jeff Isaacson, who will be the first
couple married in St. Paul. The three couples tasted three Betty
Crocker cakes, designed specifically to their tastes, in order to select
one for their ceremony.

Betty Crocker is performing this donation as a part of The Families Project. The company states that it wanted “to celebrate with these families and mark this moment in the state’s history.”

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Best Gay City Vancouver celebrates Pride Parade and Festival now thru AUGUST 4th

 The “big day” is Sunday, August 4,
with the parade rolling through city streets and ending at Sunset Beach
where the festival takes place. 


Other events include several movie
nights with outdoor screenings, a Pride pavilion at the Vancouver Public
Library, a Pride Run, and dance parties for everyone including youth
and clean/sober communities. 

  • Vancouver Queer Arts Festival, July 24 – Aug. 9

    .
    Running alongside Pride, the numerous events of the QAF bring out the
    best and queerest in performing and visual arts held at various downtown
    venues. Everyone’s welcome to join in the Vancouver Men’s Chorus’ “Big
    Gay Sing,” view the Pride in Community Art Show, take in the play Bi, Hung, and Fit, and more.

  • Gay Vancouver Bike Tour, July 24 & 31 and Aug. 2 & 3.
    Matt Oliver leads this “easy” cycling tour focused on Vancouver’s LGBT
    scene and history, and strives to answer the question, “how did the
    Davie Village become the gayest and my most favorite place to live in
    the world?” 
  • Vancouver Fetish Weekend, July 26 to 28.
    The weekend before the Pride parade, get your fetish on during this
    three-night extravaganza at a variety of venues. With event names like
    Sin City Confessional and Scarlet Harlot’s Ball, this sexy weekend is
    not for the bashful.
  • Man Up Events, Aug. 2 to 3.
    Held at the indie-popular Cobalt bar on Main Street, this organization
    hosts two back-to-back gender-bender drag king and queer dance party
    events on Pride weekend. 
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    Gay Marriage Comes to the UK! Great Britain to Celebrate next!

    The whole freaking world will have gay marriage before the US does!

    Assoc. Press – The French like to make fun of the British, joking about their
    repressed ways in matters of the heart. But when it came time to debate
    same-sex marriage, it was France that betrayed a deep conservative
    streak in sometimes violent protests — while the British showed
    themselves to be modern and tolerant.

    With little fanfare or controversy, Britain announced Wednesday
    that Queen Elizabeth II — hardly a social radical — had signed into law
    a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in England and Wales. France has
    also legalized gay marriages, but only after a series of gigantic
    protests attracting families from the traditional heartland that
    revealed a deeply split society.



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    Best Gay Friendly City – Anaheim Unveils Amazing Packing House

    The Anaheim Packing District is
    targeting October of this year as the Grand Opening for The Anaheim Packing House, the final segment of a multi-faceted restoration project pioneered by the City of Anaheim more than 10 years ago.  This
    historic landmark, commonly known as the Sunkist Packing House, will soon be home to approximately 20 local culinary artisans sharing a
    communal eating and entertainment area, in the tradition of global food
    halls.

    A sampling of Anaheim Packing House gourmet eateries coming soon includes: The Kroft
    (gourmet sandwiches and specialty fries), Popbar (gourmet popsicles),
    Cafectio Organico (Guatemalan-style coffee), The Chippy (fish and
    chips), ADYA (unique Indian cuisine), Iron Press (waffle sandwiches),
    Ecco Pizza Shoppe (pizzeria), Wheat & Sons (local butcher), Orange
    Tei (gourmet sushi and Ramen), Rolling Boil (hot pot restaurant),
    revolutionary new bakery, Korean barbeque, surprisingly fresh juice bar,
    artisan cheeses and grilled cheese sandwiches, and more to follow.

    The Anaheim brewing tradition also continues within The Packing House with bars The Blind Rabbit (speakeasy) and The Tool Shed (featuring unique organic wines).

     The exterior warehouse loading docks have been transformed into dining porches and open top railroad cars have been parked on the original railroad tracks used to transport the citrus crops as additional outdoor
    seating.

    LAB Holding, LLC, known for the acclaimed community based projects such as
    The LAB, The CAMP, The Casino San Clemente, SOLO and others, was engaged
    by the City to revive the cultural aspects and design of the project.

    “The Packing House, built in 1919, is an authentic icon of Orange County’s
    agricultural past,” states the LAB. “We honor this tradition by hand
    selecting food and beverage purveyors to repurpose this grand hall into a
    community gathering place with live music and seasonal celebrations. We
    were inspired by Anaheim’s rich history and culture and the photos of
    Anaheim’s early immigrant farmers who settled on these very streets.”

    Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait summarizes The Anaheim Packing District project:  “The
    Anaheim Packing House is a beautiful community asset that will serve
    all of Anaheim’s residents and guests,” said Tait.  “My thanks go to a
    multitude of community leaders who, over time, made the renovation of
    this historic building and Packing District even greater than we could
    have imagined.  The Packing District will be a neighborhood place for
    the community to gather with family and friends, as well as giving us a
    place to celebrate our agricultural and entrepreneurial heritage.  My
    congratulations to all.”

     The Anaheim Packing District consists of three contingent parcels along Anaheim Blvd. near City Hall:  The Packard Showroom, Farmers Park, and soon to open Packing House.

    First to be redeveloped was The Packard (Car) Showroom, built in 1925.  It now houses the Anaheim Brewery, a commercial brewer and tasting room, and the gourmet burger sensation, Umami Burger.  The outdoor patios of these two establishments face the second phase of the
    project, Farmers Park, a greenbelt designed by award-winning landscape
    architect, Ken Smith.  The Park opened on June 29th with a lively Farm Folk Festival and more than 1000 residents exploring the grassy knoll, redwood boardwalk, community gardens and olive grove.  A weekly Farmers Market opens at Farmers Park on Saturday, July 27th with many other community events to follow.

     

    ABOUT THE ANAHEIM PACKING DISTRICT

    The Anaheim Packing District,
    located at 400 S. Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, a unique gathering place for
    local food, drinks and music, includes the Packard Showroom, Farmers
    Park and The Anaheim Packing House. Built
    in 1919, the restored Packing House will serve as a culinary center
    that brings together artisan food producers and purveyors in a public
    market type setting. The Packard Showroom houses Anaheim Brewery and
    Umami Burger, now open. Farmer’s Park, an outdoor marketplace, will soon
    host an array of community activities such as outdoor concerts, movies,
    and seasonal festivals. Contact 
    info@anaheimpackingdistrict.com to
    keep abreast of Grand Opening details and upcoming events at the
    Packing House, or follow us on Facebook at AnaheimPackingDistrict or on
    Twitter @PackingDistrict.

    READ MORE ABOUT ANAHEIM HERE

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    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.

    According to The Advocate, you need to look at LGBT elected officials; HRC Equality Index; and possibly fabulous shopping! According to all this criteria, Tacoma, Washington, tops the list!
    Travel site GayCities released its list of the best gay hotspots of 2012,
    and San Francisco nabbed the top spot in both the “most scenic” and
    “most pride” categories. It earned runner-up status in several others.

    New Orleans takes the crown (or tiara?) as the second most gay-friendly city, according to Travel + Leisure
    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.
    Cities like Detroit and Sacramento may not register as high on your gaydar as Boston or San Francisco,
    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. 
    What about the most gay friendly places to live? Ranker.com lists these cities
    Everyone has an opinion – what’s yours??
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    Cool Deals from Palm Springs this Summer

    Sure, it can get a little HOT  in the desert in the summertime. But so what? That’s why God made pools, right?!

    Our fitness friend DAVEY WAVEY told Gaytravel.com, “Interestingly, the high temperatures bring in a different crowd. Instead of attracting the usual crowd from San Diego and Los Angeles,
    many of the tourists were from Eastern Europe. For the international
    visitors, discounted hotel rooms and hot weather are a huge draw—and
    much of Europe closes down later in the summer. It’s why the Palm
    Springs locals affectionately refer to the summer months as “Foreskin
    Season.”

    This trip, I stayed at INNdulge—a clothing-optional resort for gay men.
    Though there is no shortage of clothing-optional or gay hotels in Palm
    Springs, INNdulge is different. The owners of INNdulge, Sandy and Jon,
    go out of their way to build a real sense of community. Each evening,
    for example, the owners hold a social hour to let the guests mix and
    mingle. It’s a great way to connect with other visitors and to make new
    friends.”

    BY THE WAY, INNdulge has a $99 Summer Special till September 15th, 2013

    Davey continues, ”
    Having said all of that, here are my best tips for visiting Palm Springs—and staying cool—during the summer months:

    1. Bring a car. If you don’t drive to Palm Springs, be
    sure to pick up a rental car at the airport. While walking is fine
    during the cooler winter months, the summer heat is oppressive—and
    dangerous. Get a car and take advantage of the air conditioning.

    2. Prioritize the pool. Needless to say, the pool is
    more important than the room. Stay at a hotel or resort with an amazing
    pool. With temperatures as high as 120 degrees, you’ll want to spend
    much of your downtime in the water.

    3. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Every half
    hour, a cable car departs for a mountain peak 6,000 feet above Palm
    Springs. The views are stunning—and, it’s usually 30 degrees cooler at
    the top. It’s generally 70 – 90 degrees at the summit—thereby providing
    some much-needed natural A/C.

    4. Shop at the Thursday street fair. Each Thursday—and
    after the hot sun goes down—the city comes alive for a weekly street
    fair. Packed with local arts and crafts, food and jewelry, it’s a great
    way to spend the cooler evening hours.

    5. Drink lots and lots of water. Because it’s so hot
    and dry, sweat tends to evaporate very quickly—and you might not realize
    how dehydrated you really are. Make sure you drink plenty of water—and
    take extra bottle with you while you venture out (especially during the
    day).

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    THE NEW F WORD – An Exciting Anti Bully Photo Campaign

    After nearly a year of passion, dedication,
    and development coupled with the unwavering support of our family,
    friends, and some of our favorite celebs …

    Friend Movement proudly presents: 

    “THE NEW F WORD – 

    GIVING BULLYING THE BIRD”

    An edgy anti-bully campaign and brainchild of producers Ronnie Kroell
    & Elliot London,
    photographer Ryan Forbes, and branding guru Bianca
    Kosoy. The New F Word aims to keep the conversation about bullying
    alive, but more importantly it was designed to empower individuals and
    inspire all of us to take ACTION.

    Our goal is to shoot …

    10,000 Photos in 90 Days, across 40 Cities

    Fresno, Sacramento, Reno, Eugene, Seattle, Portland, Spokane,
    Billings, Fargo, Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford, Chicago, Detroit,
    Cleveland, Rochester, Boston, Provincetown, Philadelphia, DC, Raleigh,
    NYC, Savannah, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Mobile,
    Montgomery, Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, Birmingham, Jackson, Little
    Rock, Kansas City, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas. – I like how they are choosing cities that are a target for bullying!

    When someone is being bullied, we want them to have an inner
    monologue of “F-U  I’m amazing … I don’t need your approval.” By doing
    so, they can reclaim their power and rise above the fear that can
    prevent them from being the diverse, confident, and beautiful
    individuals they were meant to be.

    While we may not be able to fully eradicate
    bullying, we can commit to being better friends to one another – to
    ourselves. So, get those middle fingers ready because THE NEW F WORD is
    FRIEND.

    Thank you for your time and support!!


    Ronnie & Elliot

    Donate today and make this happen!

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    Pools Parties and More in West Hollywood

    Pick a party – any party!


    Skybar Twilight Swim Parties at
    Mondrian are back, every Wednesday throughout the summer, from 9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Patrons will also enjoy the new art installation in Skybar created by local artist ThankYouX.

    Throughout the summer
    The Rooftop at The London West Hollywood
    hosts Wednesdays at Sunset,
    where guests can take in the panoramic views while enjoying specialty
    priced cocktails and a light bites menu from the culinary team of Gordon
    Ramsay. Summer also brings the relocation of Gordon Ramsay to the
    rooftop with lunch and dinner being served alfresco.

    Live @ Sunset Marquis, the hotel’s very popular acoustic music series, begins on June 28
    with six
    shows between June and September featuring all-new, up and coming
    artists.  Shows will take place at the villa pool with music beginning
    at 7 p.m. and concluding at 9:30 p.m. 

    Desert Nights at
    The Standard on Sunset Boulevard, a weekly event curated and hosted by KCRW DJ Valida, is held every Wednesday at the Cactus Lounge from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. The Standard will also host
    pool parties every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer (with special host A Club Called Rhonda on July 4th and Labor Day). 

    Heard @ Andaz,
    the hotel’s summer DJ series, is held Saturdays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
    at the rooftop pool and sundeck, a great escape from the city fourteen
    floors below. This series is only open to
    hotel guests, providing a great excuse to stay and relax by booking a
    room at the Andaz West Hollywood. Also open to hotel guests this summer
    is a daily
    rooftop happy hour with a featured drink at 50% off. And everyone is welcome to
    WINEdown Wednesdays, when all bottles of wine are 50% off in RH Restaurant, every Wednesday, all day.

    Visit West Hollywood for more info and hotel deals!

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    Gay Pride in Sacramento with EDEN PRIDE events

    EDEN Pride Events
    is committed to bringing quality events of every genre to California,
    as well as to our regional, national and international constituencies. EDEN Pride Events
    believes in the idea that art, in any form, makes our local and global
    communities better places to live. We challenge ourselves into making
    those ideas become realities for our team, our artists, our performers,
    our DJs, our vendors and our communities. We are very excited to join
    forces with One Night Stand, producers of The Lick,
    to create a poppin’ evening of dancing, live performance, vendors,
    food, go-gos and so much more. We are very excited to be the Official
    Sacramento After Pride Party!
    Two gorgeously appointed floors, two fully equipped bars, VIP Tables and
    Beds, large stage, pool table and so much more, EDEN Sacramento is
    excited to host this year’s EDEN Sacramento at Shenanigans, 705 J St.
    walking distance from the Sacramento Festival grounds.  We are
    programming from 6pm until 2am in the morning.  It is going to be a full
    afternoon and evening of events so make sure you keep up to date!
    EDEN Sacramento Pride   June  15th
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    Gay Friendly Travel…And not so gay friendly

    Do oyu travel to cities that are not friendly? It’s  kind of scary I think…..

    Spartacus International Gay Travel Index
    has come out with its listing of least ‘gay-friendly’ countries to
    travel to and several Latin American countries are at the top of that
    list. – Not surprising, because Catholic countries are usually less welcoming. 

    138 countries were ranked and close to the bottom coming at #104 were
    Honduras, Panama and Peru. VATICAN CITY,  Jamaica, Russia, Egypt, Dubai are there too. The ranking took into consideration a
    country’s HIV-travel restrictions, religious stances on homosexuality,
    anti-gay legislation enacted, crimes against homosexuals and the
    countries stance on gay marriage.

    Globally Sweden was deemed the most gay-friendly country, followed by Belgium, France, Netherlands and the UK.    Iran was
    deemed the least friendliest toward gay coming in dead last.  Mexico
    came in at #45 ahead of the USA which came in at #47. 

    Look at all the rankings in this PDF

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    HELP WANTED – LOS ANGELES

    Chef Josette LeBlond is founder and President of
    Normandie Pate Inc. In 1985, Normandie started out as the first
    manufacturer of fine French pates and sausages in Los Angeles.

    Today,
    the Normandie label can be seen not only on pates but on bakery goods
    for airlines, grocery chains and restaurants in California and Nevada.

    Josette’s perseverance and hard-working ethic have brought her key
    accounts such as Disneyland Hotels, The Biltmore, Macy’s, and grocery
    chains like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Pavillions. Hotel restaurants
    in the Marriott, Hyatt and Ritz Carlton also enjoy her fine pates and
    baked goods. Award-winning restaurants, like Joan’s on Third in Los
    Angeles, utilize Normandie’s baguettes as the star component of their
    sandwiches.

    In 2011, Chef Josette expanded the Normandie brand to Farmers Market
    at Third and Fairfax. Normandie Farmers Market serves breads,
    croissants, pastries, cakes and pies. In 2012 Chef Josette opened a
    restaurant in her Normandie Bakery calling it
    Josette’s Bistro, and serving authentic French bistro cuisine at affordable prices.

    HELP WANTED:

    Chef Josette  is Looking for Server bilingual French, Spanish English for bakery, at the farmers market at Fairfax ( part time, evening) 5pm-9pm


    PLEASE   RESPOND BY EMAIL
    if you are interested.


    No phone calls, please.

    This is an exciting opportunity to work for  this amazing company!

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