Gay Hate Crimes on the Rise in Paris
Paris may be the city of love – but not homo love. Even though France recently signed a bill for Marriage Equality – gay hate crimes and hate speech are on the rise.
homophobic hate speech have risen sharply in France over the last year,
according to the annual report by a leading gay rights group, released
on Tuesday.
Attacks on gay women and men and homophobic speech spiked last year
in the run-up to the French parliament’s approval of a bill
allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children, said a leading
gay rights watchdog on Tuesday.
In its annual report, SOS
Homophobie said it recorded 1,977 calls on its helpline in 2012, a 27
percent increase over the previous year.
The group’s head,
Elisabeth Ronzier, said the last few months of 2012 and the start of
this year were “intense,” with hate speech increasing
sharply, especially on the Internet.
She said incidents had doubled in October and November when compared to the previous year, and tripled in December. Read more.
Las Vegas – casinos to visit
Of course there is a lot more to Las Vegas than just casinos, as the resort offers an abundance of entertainment – from music concerts to live sporting events – but there is little question that it remains the capital of casino gaming. There are lots of great casinos there, but some in particular, are absolute must visit places for anyone with even the slightest interest in gambling. Top of that list has to be the MGM Grand, which just offers more of everything than any other casino in the resort, making it the place to go for anyone who wants to indulge themselves to the max during their visit.
It may not be quite as spectacular as the MGM Grand, but the Bellagio runs it a pretty close second, and it attracts casino games fans from all over the world. The casino section of this hotel/casino hybrid is absolutely massive, with just the slots section alone taking up an entire floor, and will be heaven for anyone with a love of gambling. This is also true of the Wynn Las Vegas, which has an impressive outer façade of glass covering the building and making it sparkle like a diamond, but really makes its name on the quality of casino gambling it offers, ensuring that it will be a popular choice with solo visitors to Vegas, who want to get down to some serious gaming instead of just going for androidcasino.ca.
For couples, the Venetian could be a better option, as this casino uses Venice as its theme, injecting a little romance into the casino games experience. The whole outside of the huge 120,000 square foot building is a replica of Venice, and you can take a gondola ride together, before playing inside. Or, for couples who prefer excitement to romance, the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino could be the best choice, as the theme of this place is Rio at carnival time, and it is one of the brightest, friendliest, most colourful places to both play and stay while you are Vegas.
EDEN in the San Francisco Bay June 27-30, 2013
June 27-30, 2013.
committed to bringing quality events of every genre to the Bay Area, 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.
Gay Chicago Travel by Heather Cassell
Our friend Heather Cassell from San Francisco recently spent a few days in Chicago and tells all about it this week in her column with the Bay Area Reporter!
city with unique neighborhoods, great art and culture and nightlife, a vibrant
LGBT and leather community, and a big Midwestern heart.”
Gay Travel to Puerto Vallarta – Saftey and Warnings
Unless you were under a rock the last few years, you could not help but hear how
dangerous parts of Mexico has become, and yes, it’s true drug wars have
escalated violence in parts of Mexico. “Collateral damage” the news calls it – which really means that innocent people
have been robbed, hurt or killed.
Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, is of special concern.
exercise caution.
But for Puerto Vallarta – There is no recommendation
against travel to Guadalajara and Puerto
Vallarta. There is also no recommendation against travel on principal
highways in
Jalisco between Guadalajara including the
portions that cross in to the southern portions of the state of Nayarit.
Puerto Vallarta is the most visited gay destination in Mexico. It is especially popular with residents from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Is it safe to travel to Puerto Vallarta?
In a word, the answer is yes, it is safe to travel to Puerto
Vallarta. PV is part of the very diverse and large Mexican state of
Jalisco. Some news outlets have incorrectly reported that the US State
Department is warning against all travel to Jalisco.
Puerto Vallarta’s Tourism Board has commissioned a study from the security consulting firm Thomas Dale and Associates (TDA).
The firm found that “the number of negative events involving foreigners
or non‐foreigners is fractional compared to the large ex‐pat resident
population and the millions of visitors that come to vacation each year
in Puerto Vallarta.”
you can read more at Visit Puerto Vallarta.
Boston Sip the Rainbow May 17 ….The Bear Sessions
Friday, May 17th, 2013, the Boston Center for Adult Education
(BCAE) will host
“Sip the Rainbow,” the second annual cocktail reception to mark the opening of its new exhibition
The Bear Sessions: Portraiture, a series of photographs being showcased at the BCAE during its May/June 2013 term. MORE INFO at BCAE
Gay Six Flags Chicago Private Night Returns for 2013
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 Lieb, Jess 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…
San Francisco get’s a Light Show for their Bridge
Arts. Davis admitted a fondness for San Francisco’s often-overlooked
bridge — which opened six months earlier than its famous sister, the Golden Gate — and
said the span’s 75th anniversary provided a good opportunity to do something
special.
Gay Marriage is Coming to More States!
The Obama administration filed a brief on Thursday in the federal case challenging Proposition 8 urging the Supreme Court to rule that same-sex marriage should be legal in eight more states! This is historic!
Columbus to Host NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series
The delegates of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA)
unanimously selected Columbus, Ohio as the host city for the 2015 Gay Softball
World Series (GSWS) at their annual Winter meeting, which took place in
Washington, DC January 26-27.
The 2015 GSWS will
return to Lou Berliner Park August 14-22. The largest annual gay sporting
event in the world annually has over 5,000 participants from 46 cities within 20
states and three Canadian provinces. Columbus hosted the GSWS in August 2010,
when the Series brought over $5 million in visitor spending and 4,600 hotel room
nights to the city over the course of the nine days of
events.
“We are so excited the
NAGAAA is returning to Columbus in 2015,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.
“The Gay Softball World Series was immensely popular with our residents and
businesses when it was here in 2010, and we look forward to showcasing how much
we’ve improved as a city since then.”
Typically, the
selection of the GSWS Host City takes place at the summer meeting just prior to
the Series taking place; however, after Executive Director, Dallas Aldridge,
gave a brief overview presentation to the delegates which outlined Columbus’
initial plans for the 2015 Series, delegates suspended their rules and motioned
to award Columbus as the Host City.
More than 50
businesses sponsored the 2010 Series, and more than 500 volunteers from Central
Ohio helped produce the GSWS tournament and events, which took place at Lou
Berliner Park and throughout Columbus. Berliner Park allowed for alcohol sales,
which raised $5,600 in tips that were donated to 15 local non-profit groups.
NAGAAA also hosted a talent show with nearly 1,000 people in attendance, which
raised $11,000 for Columbus AIDS Task Force and Camp Sunrise and their
12,500-guest closing block party was held in the Short North Arts District. The
Championship games were also broadcast live over OutQ on Sirius Satellite Radio
providing unique focus and exposure for Columbus and its GLBT
community.
In 2011, Experience
Columbus recognized the 2010 GSWS by awarding it The Expy Award, which
recognizes outstanding achievements by businesses, organizations and events in
creating vibrant, distinctive experiences for visitors and residents that have
enhanced the image of Columbus regionally, nationally and
internationally.
The volunteer Host
Committee, which produces the entire Series, is comprised of select members from
the Columbus Lesbian and Gay Softball Association (CLGSA), Columbus’ gay
community and its allies.
“We are thrilled the
NAGAAA Council has voted to return to Columbus in 2015,” said Columbus Lesbian
and Gay Softball Association Executive Director Dallas Aldridge. “Our
partnerships with the Columbus community are stronger than ever, and we look
forward to creating an even better experience for all the participants.”
“We are proud to have
NAGAAA return to our city in 2015,” said Greater Columbus Sports Commission
Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan. “This event shines a spotlight on
our open and diverse community and Berliner Park, which is a crown jewel for
Columbus as the largest softball complex in the United States with 31
diamonds.”
Miami Heats up for Winter Party 20!
(the landscape AND the bodies) will blow you away.
The complete Winter Party Festival dance line-up is
confirmed, and we can’t wait to party the week away:
Ignite
(March 7, 10 PM – 5 AM): WPF takes off to a blazing start with DJs
Chris Cox and Tony Moran at Miami Beach’s
longest running gay nightclub, Score.
URGE: Mercury Rising (March
8, 10 PM – 7 AM): The dual DJ talents of ROSABEL (Abel
& Ralphi Rosario) will make the thermometer at the famous Cameo Nightclub
soar with this sexy party with hours extended until 7 AM!
Under
One Sun Pool Party (March 9, Noon – 6 PM): One of our most popular
events gives you a taste of Carnaval when Brazil’s DJ Rafael
Calvente spins by the spectacular pool of our new host hotel, The
Shelborne South Beach.
Flare: A Winter Party 20th Edition
Celebration (March 9, 10 PM – 6 AM): Celebrate the 20th WPF in typical
style: sweaty, dancing and surrounded by the hottest people in the world at
Grand Central in Miami. DJs Phil Romano and Alyson
Calagna spin all night long.
Sweat-A Leather Event
(March 9, 10 PM – 3 AM): Grab your harness and get ready to sweat with
DJ Herbie James! WPF’s favorite leather event promises hot
sticky fun when it returns to Bill’s Filling Station.
Winter
Party Beach Party (March 10, Noon – 7 PM): The event that started it
all returns to the sands of South Beach with DJs Brett
Henrichsen and Joe Gauthreaux, plus over 5,000 of the
sexiest men and women from around the globe.
REFRESH Block Party
(March 10, 6 PM – 11 PM): Walk on over to 12th St and Ocean Drive
(right next to the Palace) for our annual tea dance after the Beach
Party.
WE Party: Formula – Boiling Point (March 10, 10 PM – 5
AM): WPF shifts into high-gear with the sexiest party of Spain, where
DJs Manuel de Diego and Giangi Cappai take WPF
to a Boiling Point at Miami Beach’s legendary Mansion
Nightclub.
Afterglow (March 11, 5 AM – 2 PM): Why go to
sleep when you can continue to bask in the afterglow? Join DJ
Paulo at Mekka Nightclub in Miami for a not-to-be-missed event that
will close out a historic 20th edition of WPF.
Buy your tickets and multi-event passes
now; this year’s WPF is going to be hotter than ever and our
passes – the key to experiencing more of the Festival for less – are selling out
fast. Our early bird passes sold out earlier than ever before!
Visit our website for complete details
on all our great events.
Laguna Beach Uncorked! An International Wine & Food Festival
Get your Laguna Beach Uncorked tickets for $40 OFF the full price!
The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau is proud to announce the second annual Laguna Beach Uncorked! An International Wine & Food Fest to be held Saturday, March 9, 2013. The ever popular Laguna Beach Uncorked! features an afternoon of tastings from 20 renowned Laguna Beach restaurants and 30 top wineries from around the world.
Hundreds of food and wine
enthusiasts will converge at the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna
Beach from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now, at a special
Early Bird price through Thursday, Jan. 31 of just $75. A portion of
ticket proceeds will benefit the CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange
County.
Wine lovers may
opt for a limited number of VIP Tickets to the morning wine seminar with
Michael A. Jordan, MS, CWE, held at 9:30 a.m. Widely known as the
“Sommelier for the People,” Jordan is one of only 15 people in the world
to hold both the Master Sommelier and the Certified Wine Educator
Diplomas. VIP ticket holders will also get early access to the private
tasting portion of the event at 11:30 a.m., before the gates open to
general admission ticket holders (only 200 VIP tickets will be sold).
Commenting on Laguna Beach Uncorked!,
Karyn Philippsen, event chair said, “This is a special event that has
been gaining popularity as each year we strive to make it more memorable
and fun than the last. At this year’s event, on March 9, guests will
enjoy food tastings from twenty world-class Laguna Beach restaurants,
wines from 30 wineries globally to include Italy, Spain, New Zealand,
and of course the USA, as well as a fun mix of live music and
socializing with a friendly crowd of like-minded food and wine
aficionados. Devoted and aspiring wine connoisseurs will be able to
attend a special morning seminar with Michael A. Jordan, one of the
world’s foremost wine experts.”
“The Laguna Beach Festival of
Arts grounds is a terrific venue, and we expect a record turnout,”
Philippsen added, saying she encourages guests to purchase their tickets
early. “In addition to the large selection of gourmet food and wine
tastings, our guests’ hearts will be further warmed knowing a portion of
ticket sales will benefit the CHOC Children’s Hospital.”
Laguna Beach Uncorked! is the signature event of
Laguna Beach A La Carte – a four day wine and food experience filled
with special restaurant offers, daily events, cooking demonstrations,
prix fixe menus and more. Hotel packages are available at select hotels.
Visit www.LagunaBeachAlaCarte.com for details on the four-day celebration.
Laguna Beach Uncorked! Details
What: Second Annual Laguna Beach Uncorked! An International Wine & Food Fest
When: Saturday, March 9, 2013
Where: Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts grounds
650 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Event Details: http://lagunabeachuncorked.
To Purchase Tickets: http://lagunabeachuncorked.
More about Laguna Beach A La Carte: www.LagunaBeachAlaCarte.com
Las Vegas is Gay Gay Gay!
The board commissioned a series of cool and fun ads featuring
average looking straight couples amidst gay and lesbian
revelry.
In the last 10 years, Las Vegas has really made an effort to welcome the gay community. Voted in the top three most popular US destinations by GLBT travelers, Las Vegas is a playground for adults and has it all!
Recognized as a safe, culturally diverse and supportive city, Las Vegas
is on par with cities such as San Francisco, New York and Miami Beach in
welcoming the gay community. With more options than
ever before, it’s no surprise that gays and lesbians are including Las
Vegas in their travel plans.
Las Vegas has its own GAY HOTEL and the gay bar scene is ever expanding. And there is now an annual event in September called Gay Days Las Vegas.
see more at BEST GAY LAS VEGAS
this post sponsored by
Which City Will THE OUT NYC Open in Next?
THE OUT NYC is New York’s first straight-friendly urban resort (NOT a
hotel) located in the epicenter of gay life – Hell’s Kitchen, steps from
Times Square and Chelsea. Live your own unforgettable experience with
the best of lodging, dining, nightlife and design all in one place – THE
OUT NYC.
Complete with 5000 square foot spa, and a Sun Deck to get your tan
on or watch an amazing sunset. Along one side is a glass reflecting pool
with a water room enclosed by cascading curtains of rain.
The
Secret Garden is tucked inside serene plantings of black bamboo. It’s a
quiet place to bring your laptop and a snack. Work or read at our long
sturdy tables. It’s also the right place to bring your yoga mat for
quiet meditation.
The Great Lawn @ THE OUT offers everything you need to enjoy the
great outdoors. The grass is green. The beanbag chairs are soft. There’s
enough green space on the Great Lawn for outdoor games or events. With a
hilled stage at the north end, it’s the perfect place for a wedding
ceremony, cocktail party or press junket. And whatever the occasion,
Ktchn can be there to cater your every culinary need.
Stay tuned! We’ll have more details soon!
THE OUT NYC, Urban Resort.
Stay. Play. Eat. Chill. Revive.
510 West 42nd Street, New York City, NY 10036
Chicago Winter Parties Feb 16-17
SATURDAY, February 16, 2013 10pm-5am
DJ’s Phil DaBeatz and Aron Abikzer
House Of Blues Chicago
SUNDAY, February 17, 2013. 10pm-4am
DJ’s Cindel Coss and Tony Moran
Excalibur Nightclub
West Hollywood and Los Angeles Restaurant Deals
dineLA’s Restaurant Week is a 12-day dining event showcasing Los Angeles
as a premier dining destination, highlighting the diversity of culinary
experiences LA has to offer. Locals and visitors have the opportunity
to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix fixe lunch and dinner
menus from some of LA’s best restaurants.
Mikeys Late Night Pizza in Columbus Ohio
The Incredible Story of What Happened When Two Gay Men Were Harassed While Waiting for Pizza
my community of Columbus, Ohio. After a fun night out in the Short
North, my friend Ethan and I ventured down the street to a popular pizza
truck called Mikey’s Late Night Slice. Part of the process
for securing an insanely good slice of pizza. It was really cold so
Ethan and I were holding hands and standing close together to keep warm,
we were laughing and joking about all the fun we’d had that night, when
all of the sudden the guy in front of us turns around and tells us to
cut our “gay shit” out.
Almost every single person in that line made it known to him it was not
OK for him to speak to us like that. By happenstance my friend John, who
is also gay, was standing in front of him and as he continued his rant
about being disgusted by us we both let him know that this was our city
too and that we were not about to stand down to his bigoted ideas,
especially not in one of the gayest neighborhoods in town. As he
continued it was actually the straight people in line who spoke up that
were so awesome.
know that his hate speech wouldn’t be tolerated. The best part though
was as he grew more irate and vocal the guys who work the truck stopped
what they were doing and leaned towards the window and told him they
would not serve him because he was spewing hate. They said they support
everyone in our community and that he should get out of line because
they would not be serving him. He begrudgingly got out of line and
walked away escorted by a friend who had been hanging back.”
Gay Maui SunSeeker Resort Featured on HOTEL IMPOSSIBLE Dec. 17th
What’s a hotel operator to do when business is struggling? Hire Anthony Melchiorri, one of the most sought after hotel “fixers” in the country.
diversity — the island’s uncanny ability to dazzle and soothe almost at
the same time. The second largest island in the Hawaiian chain, Maui
is 48 miles long and 26 miles across with a land area of 729 square
miles.
to be yourself. Welcoming all, but catering primarily to the gay and
lesbian traveler, we are the largest gay owned and operated hotel in
Hawaii serving the gay and lesbian market. Maui Sunseeker is the perfect place for gorgeous
Pacific Ocean views, seasonal whale watching and magical Maui Sunsets.
