Amsterdam Gay Pride August 1-7 2012
Join Dave for an unforgettable 7-day/5-night getaway to exciting and beautiful Amsterdam, a city that is easy to get around by bike, canal boat or your own two feet! You will be impressed with its eclectic architecture, excellent museums, and mazes of canals, great shopping, and its serious PARTY SCENE! The mix of people and cultures is like no other in Europe.
Come with me and be introduced to the unique history, PARTY SCENE and spirit of Amsterdam – from the historical city center to the heart of the famous RED LIGHT DISTRICT to the many “COFFEE SHOPS” to the Amsterdam PRIDE festivities and Canal parade – you will be amazed at its unique, laissez-faire attitude.
YOU Won’t be disappointed!
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- round trip air – BASED ON LOWEST PUBLISHED FARES FROM BOSTON
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AT TIME OF BOOKING
(AIRFARES FROM OTHER DEPARTURE CITIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
- round trip airport to hotel transfers
- five nights hotel including taxes and service charges
- hot buffet full breakfast daily
- assistance services BY travel leaders representative on location
- red light district tour
- canal boat cruise
$400 DEPOSIT to HOLD SPACE – BALANCE DUE MAY 25, 2012
Call DAVE at 1-800-942-1280
Big Gay Hudson Valley – Pride in Upstate New York May 25-27
Big Gay Hudson Valley
(BGHV), the region’s premier source for gay & lesbian information
& resources in the Hudson Valley, has unveiled the plans for its
fourth annual Pride Preview Weekend. Last year, more than 700 people
gathered to kick-off gay pride season with BGHV. For 2012, more than
1,000 guests will celebrate with three days of events that will run from
Friday, May 25th to Sunday, May 27th of Memorial Day Weekend.
- Friday, May 25th – Pride Preview Kick-Off Party at the Out Bar [Event info on Facebook]
- Saturday, May 26th – Pride Preview Cruise on the Hudson onboard Empire Cruise Line’s Mystere [Event info on Facebook]
- Sunday, May 27th – Pride Preview Party at the Locust Grove Estate [Event info on Facebook]
crowds in excess of 650+ in years past. It is a BYO picnic and
attendees are encouraged to pack a picnic dinner to share with their
friends. Locust Grove’s gorgeous estate grounds and gardens also warmly
welcome dogs (on a leash, please) and children. While a bar will not be
set up on site, those of the legal drinking age are invited to pack
their favorite adult beverage of choice to be enjoyed on the lawn during
the event.
Valley’s very-own DJ Ali, Drag Bingo Cabaret with Trixie Starr &
Ophelia Nightly of the Hudson Pride Foundation, and our headliner –
straight from NYC – acclaimed gay performer and music producer DJ
Cazwell.
offering special weekend get-away packages from New York City. For more
information about Pride Preview Weekend, booking accommodations, or to
purchase tickets for select events in advance, visit
BigGayHudsonValley.com.
Gay Pride Maui Hawaii 2012
Maui Pride Weekend
is October
5th, 6th and 7th!!
You should really think about booking your room NOW. Rooms will sell out!
If you stay with our friends over at Maui Sunseeker, they will be hosting a rooftop VIP Aloha reception only for their guests on Friday evening, the 5th!
Three days of fun in glorious Maui!
Maui Sunseeker
Maui Pride 2012
Hidden Gardens of Paris
A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands
of the City of Light
For the seasoned Parisian traveller or the novice looking to
get off the beaten track Susan Cahill provides a roadmap to parts of the city
most visitors will never see….
In a city that is
the destination of millions of travelers every year, it can be
difficult to find your way to its lovely, serene spaces. Away from the
madding crowds, the gardens of Paris offer the balm of flowers, tall old
trees, fountains, ponds, sculptures, with quiet Parisians reading Le Monde, taking the sun, relishing the peace.
These places are often tucked away, off the beaten tourist track, and without a guide they’re easy to miss: The Jardin de l’Atlantique, out of sight on the roof of Gare Montparnasse. The enchanting Jardin de la Vallée Suisse, invisible from the street, accessible only if you know how to find the path. The Square Boucicaut, its children’s carousel hidden inside a grove of oak and maples. Square Batignolles, the shade of the old chestnut trees an inspiration to the painter édouard Manet and poet Paul Verlaine.
Hidden Gardens of Paris features 40 such oases in quartiers
both posh and plain, as well as dozens of others “Nearby” to the
featured green space. It is arranged according to the geographic
sections of the city—Île de la Cité, Left Bank, Right Bank, Western Paris, Eastern Paris—a lively and informative guide that focuses on each place as a site of passionate cultural memory.
Beautifully rendered, THE HIDDEN GARDENS OF PARIS is not only a useful tour guide, but a tribute to
the gardens as sites of passionate cultural memory, revealing the history and personalities of Paris past and present.
About the Author
Ireland. She is the editor of the bestselling Women and Fiction series
and author of the novel Earth Angels. She spends a few months in
Paris every year. MARION RANOUX, a native Parisian, is an experienced
freelance photographer and translator into French of Czech literature.
Get the book at AMAZON!
Hidden Gardens of Paris: A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands of the City of Light
San Diego May Be First City to get Harvey Milk Street
Today, the San Diego City Planning Commission
approved a proposal to rename a street after LGBT civil rights leader Harvey
Milk. The proposal will now be sent to
the full city council for approval. If
approved, San Diego will become the first city in the nation to have a street
named for the LGBT rights pioneer.
The proposal is
particularly significant as Harvey Milk was stationed in San Diego while he
served in the US Navy as a diving instructor.
If successful,
Blaine Avenue, the street leading up to The San Diego LGBT Community Center
will be renamed Harvey Milk Street in time for the anniversary of his birthday;
May 22. – You would think San Francisco would have already done this!
To make a donation
supporting the Harvey Milk Street renaming project go to sdpride.org/harveymilk
GLBT Travel Expo in Chicago, Philadelphia and New York City
GLBT TRAVEL EXPO! 3 Cities in MAY – FREE Admission!
The 2012 Travel Expo Tour is an exciting event where
you can learn about new travel destinations, rediscover old ones, find
glbt friendly travel providers and get information to plan your next
vacation.
Airlines
Hotels
Trains
Cruise lines
Car Rentals
Resorts
Exotic Destinations
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Travel Magazines
Every one of them reaching out to the glbt consumer.
Attendees will be able to get the latest travel information, get
special travel packages and great deals from the very best travel
providers as well as win great prizes.
Face to face promotions still represent one of the best ways to
promote your services. This afternoon event will draw 500-1,000 elite
consumers from a great demographic group. This is the third year Steven
Levenberg Productions, LLC has been producing these events. Each year
these shows have had an ever expanding exhibitor base and attendance.
THE TOUR
Chicago, Illinois – Tuesday – May 1, 2012 – Center on Halsted.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Thursday – May 3, 2012 – The William Way Center.
New York , New York – Saturday May 5, 2012 – The LGBT Center.
Last year’s tour was a huge success. Each venue received a targeted crowd of between 350 to 650 targeted glbt travelers.
Dallas Purple Party May 4th-6th 2012
Established in 2001, Purple Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,
all-volunteer organization whose mission is to raise funds to improve
the lives of people in the Dallas area who are living with or are
affected by HIV/AIDS. With donated proceeds of more than $400,000,
Purple Foundation has become an invaluable source of revenue for local
charity organizations whose work reflects their mission.
Purple Foundation produces the annual Purple Party® Weekend in addition
to other fundraising events throughout the year. Purple Party Weekend is
a sensational weekend of dance events featuring electrifying visual
performances and music by the world’s most popular DJs. Purple Party
attracts dance-music lovers from all over the world and is one of the
largest nonprofit, all-volunteer charity dance fundraisers in the United
States.
5 big parties – and it’s still very affordable with $140 weekend passes. Some cities get get up to $140 for their main event!
This year Dallas welcomes RuPaul’s Drag Race superstars Manila Luzon & Sahara Davenport! Who will perform in the famous Rose Room during Ignite,
the Purple Party Weekend opening party!
They’ll be joining the fabulous Rose Room cast for this extra special event benefiting AIDS Services of Dallas. Purple Party Weekend starts with Ignite at Station 4 with DJs Joe Gauthreaux and Paul McElroy. Joe Gauthreaux is one of the country’s most popular DJs, headlining events such as White Party Week, Winter Party Festival, The Zoo Party, Halloween in New Orleans, and of course The Purple Party in 2010.
Station 4 is one of the largest nightclubs in Texas, comprising 24,000 square feet of multilevel dance space, the Southwest’s premiere show bar for gender illusion, and an enormous outdoor patio. The Rose Room Theatre and Lounge are located upstairs at Station 4. It also has one of the most impressive intelligent-lighting and laser systems in the country. This is one incredible start to an amazing weekend!
Dallas is an awesome city with so much to see and do – spend a week if you can.
They have amazing nightlife, it’s a great city full of top-notch restaurants and cultural events. If you are planning to visit an extraordinary place, then Dallas can prove to be an exciting choice for you. When it is about gay Dallas, then gay nightlife is an area in which Dallas shines. Residents and travelers alike love the fact that many of Dallas’ premier gay bars and clubs can be found on the Cedar Springs strip, all within walking distance!
DALLAS PURPLE PARTY
Dallas Tavern Guild
For better knowledge on how to plan your trip and what to expect from gay travel in Dallas, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is your one-stop resource. In no time, you can find out about all the major destinations, great deals on flights and even better hotel packages.
To assist with your planning, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau also launched a Web site specifically for GLBT travelers. GLBTDallas offers full information about gay Dallas, the community, entertainment, dining, accommodations, and all the major shopping hotspots. GLBTDallas also highlights key gayborhoods such as Oak Lawn and the Bishop Arts District.
When first launched a few years ago, GLBTDallas was the first gay travel site operated by any city! There are several reasons why GLBTDallas continues to set benchmarks and provide indispensable information for your trip. There are some of the features on the basis of which you can give consideration to this site when you are looking about gay travel and other features of Dallas.
1) Personalized Itinerary: gay travelers can create their own personalized itinerary that includes hotels, venues, restaurants, and events of interest. While browsing the site, adding something to your itinerary is as simple as clicking the “Add to Itinerary” button.
2) Fully informative: this is another remarkable feature associated with GLBTDallas. The Web site will provide you with the full knowledge about gay Dallas and all the upcoming events in the area. Going for the calendar of events offered by the site, you can make the best use of free time available in your trip.
3) Fully dedicated: when it is about gay travel or all the special events organized in Dallas you can make a good use of information offered by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Web site will provide you best travel deals making gay Dallas one of your most memorable vacations.
Birmingham UK Shows New Gay Mascot for Village
Birmingham Pride is the largest free gay and
lesbian event in the United Kingdom.
It takes place in
Birmingham – this year June 2 & 3, 2012. . The spectacular ‘Carnival
Parade’ passes through the city-centre from Victoria Square and makes
its way through the streets of the city to the “gay village”.
Launched from Victoria Square in Birmingham’s city centre at 12 noon on Saturday 2nd the Carnival Parade route will be our best and most visible procession through the city ever!
This year it will wind its way down Colmore Row, and include other streets like Bull Street, Temple Street, Colmore Row and New Street, before finishing right in the heart of the Gay Village area for festival-goers to continue the celebrations.
Huge tents act as nightclubs for gay and straight revellers alike. In
the daytime, specialist stalls and fairground rides make good
entertainment. Many famous music acts perform on stage throughout the
festival. Take a look at the Birmingham Pride Website
A huge, rhinestone-encrusted sculpture of a rhinoceros is planned to mark entry to the city’s gay village.But it may be installed in time for Pride –
Partly funded by Birmingham’s LGBT
group and remaining cash from grants awarded for the council’s
initiative to improve the city centre, the horned beast will stand at
the junction of Bromsgrove and Hurst Streets as a mascot for the city’s
gay village. The sculpture’s bling armoury is intended to reflect
Birmingham’s history as a jewellery-producing city.
The full cost of the model, is £15,000 with Birmingham City
Council providing the bulk. Those behind the beast said that a rhino had
been chosen as they are “associated with strength and were originally a
symbol of the gay rights movement in the United States.”
David Viney of Birmingham LGBT told the Birmingham Mail: “This is a
hugely exciting project that represents the culmination of four years’
work between Birmingham LGBT and the city council to create a truly
iconic piece of art.”
Not everyone was quite so enthusiastic about the project, however,
and a spokesman for the Taxpayers’ Alliance said: “Taxpayers will wonder
why Birmingham City Council are blowing money on public art at a time
when it’s pleading poverty in other areas. Art projects like this are
capable of raising money for themselves.”
see also Birmingham UK Gay Places
Gay Travel to Homophobic cities
By now you have heard all about the 2 men being arrested on a gay cruise this past week –
the
2 men have been released after paying $3000 in fines! They were
paraded thru the streets to a bank, to withdrawl money and crowds
yelled slurs at them!
They admit they were nearly naked, on their balcony.
The couple, Dennis Mayer and John Hart say they
were taunted all night long in a jail cell with no light, no water, and
no toilet. The courts wanted to have their rectums inspected for signs
of anal sex, but that was eventually dropped.
Dennis Mayer said he has no doubt they were arrested in Dominica because they were gay.
Police
said it was because they were seen having sex in public on the balcony
of their ship cabin. Mayer said they were not having sex, but were
‘partially clothed’.
AGAIN, I ask, why does Atlantis or anyone gay support these anti-gay ports?! It’s ridiculous.
I would avoid Dominica, Jamaica, Guyana, Iraq, Iran, Dubai, most of Africa, Uganda, and lots of little islands! – Check this map out!
The brown areas reflect the DEATH PENALTY!
Red areas = Life in Prison!
Miami Beach Gay Pride April 13-15, 2012
LGBTQ rights activist, author, lecturer and transgender issues advocate Chaz Bono
will headline the Fourth Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride Parade as Grand
Marshal, announced Babak Movahedi, president of the Pride board of
directors.
Bono will lead the parade by riding in a vintage Rolls Royce
convertible waving to an anticipated 60,000 fans and supporters who are
expected at this year’s parade and festival. The Miami Beach Gay
Pride Parade kicks of at noon on Sunday, April 15, along Ocean Drive
from 5th to 15th Streets. The events run April 13-15th.
More info at Miami Beach Gay Pride
I will NEVER UNDERSTAND why Miami Beach Gay Pride hosts a cruise over the Bahamas every year? Why give them our gay $$ ? FROMMERS says Generally speaking, The Bahamas isn’t a gay-friendly
destination. If you’re gay, think twice before choosing to vacation
here. Although many gay people visit or live here, the country has very
strict anti-homosexual laws. Relations between homosexuals, even when
between consenting adults, are subject to criminal sanctions carrying
prison terms.
3 Anti Gay Attacks in Washington DC
You wouldn’t normally think of Washington DC as homophobic.
But let’s face it – with gay marriage in the news more and more – the haters are coming out more and more. Romney, Santorum, Gingrich, NOM…..on and on. You have got NOM hating on JCPENNY and STARBUCKS for Gods sake! The closer we get to equal rights – the more haters come forward.
Mid March-
A man has been brutally beaten in an anti-gay attack in Washington D.C.’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, NBC Washington reports:
The attack happened around 9:15 pm on
Monday night on Georgia Avenue. The 29-year-old victim says the
homophobic remarks began as he stepped out of a taxi. It wasn’t long
before the suspects assaulted him. The victim managed to call his
partner for help during the attack, but the suspects turned off his
phone. The victims jaw was shattered into two pieces before he was
attacked again and dragged along the sidewalk. The suspects stole the
victim’s iPhone, iPad, and wallet. He is still in the hospital.
Another gay man and a transgender woman were attacked the following day:
The gay male victims remained
hospitalized this week, with one being treated for a bullet wound to his
liver and the other awaiting surgery Wednesday afternoon to repair a
broken jaw. The transgender woman was treated and released for a head
injury after being knocked unconscious. Police have listed the attacks
against the two gay men as anti-gay hate crimes. The attack against the
transgender woman was not listed as a hate crime but police are looking
into the possibility that it may have been an anti-trans hate crime,
according to a police report. Officers assigned to the police Gay &
Lesbian Liaison Unit were said to be involved in the investigation into
each of the incidents.
Gay Travel to Santa Monica – Just 10 Minutes from WeHo
Yes, most LGBT travelers know West Hollywood is the focal point of gay and lesbian life in the greater Los Angeles area. WeHo offers great clubs, restaurants and boutiques, making it a bona fide queer mecca.
What’s the one thing you won’t find in this metropolitan gayborhood? The beach. If you’re not interested in going on an expedition through the concrete jungle, head west to Santa Monica. Very fab, very gay.
Santa Monica is known for its laid-back atmosphere, world class hotels and beautiful beach area. What gay tourists might not realize is that there are several activities geared toward LGBT travelers. First and foremost you must find a great hotel located close to the beach. Loews Santa Monica is a luxurious, gay-friendly property that hosts same-sex commitment ceremonies on-site.
After you’ve checked in, strip down, throw on your bathing suit and head to the beach. Less than two miles from Santa Monica you’ll find the most well-known gay beach in the Los Angeles area, Will Rogers Beach in Pacific Palisades. Admittedly, Will Rogers is a little disappointing compared to Black’s in San Diego and other gay beaches. It’s a small, nondescript area but fine if you want to get a tan or play a game of volleyball with some bronzed hotties. Getting to the beach can be a pain if you’re driving, so your best bet is to rent a bike from one of the beachfront shops and get a little exercise before you tan. When you’re tired of hanging out in the sand, take part in an outdoor yoga class. The point is to take advantage of the sunshine, the biggest draw for out-of-towners.
Feeling a bit peckish after a long day at the beach? Head to Ocean Street, Third Street Promenade or Mid-City for a fantastic meal. Whether you’re looking for a great steakhouse, sushi or amazing Thai, there’s a venue for every taste and preference. Seafood lovers will definitely want to experience The Lobster located next to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The surf and turf is just as incredible as the view.
I’m not a huge fan of tourist traps but even I must admit the Santa Monica Pier is fabulous! Once you get past the gaudiness of the amusement park, you’ll find that the Heal the Bay Aquarium is phenomenal and the street performers are a sight each visitor must experience at least once. What sets the Pier apart from other over the top iconic landmarks is the breathtaking view of the ocean.
Looking for LGBT nightlife in the Santa Monica area? You could drive to West Hollywood. It’s only 10 miles away but depending on traffic it might take an hour to get there. The hassle is definitely worth it but if you’re looking for something more low-key, consider a short trip into neighboring Venice. The city is a haven for artists, surfers and anyone who enjoys the wafting scent of Marijuana on every corner. Abbot Kinney Boulevard is the heart and soul of the Venice community, lined with coffee shops, eclectic boutiques and restaurants serving exotic cuisine. This is also where you’ll find the area’s only gay bar, Rooster Fish.
For more than three decades Rooster Fish has been the only game in town for the gay and lesbian Westside. When you first walk in, you feel like you’re in a straight college bar, not a beach city gay bar. It’s a small venue with two rooms but it’s a popular spot that attracts a wide variety of patrons, straight, gay, male and female.
Rooster Fish offers a great Domestic Bliss Happy Hour all week long with drink specials starting at just $3.50 from 5-7pm. There’s also an outdoor patio BBQ each Sunday from 1-6pm, where burgers and hot dogs are served.
If you’re in the Venice area at the beginning of the Month, check out First Friday. This is an incredible event where a slew of restaurants, galleries and boutiques stay open until 10pm, allowing locals and tourists to meet shop owners in a festive setting.
Santa Monica, Venice and the rest of the communities located on the Westside of Los Angeles offer gay visitors a vibe that can’t be found in any other area. This beachfront area attracts Hollywood celebrities, college students, artists, executives and musicians. Whether you live in Minneapolis or Downtown Los Angeles, you instantly feel like you’re on vacation when you arrive in town.
So what’s the most important thing each and every visitor must do in Santa Monica, gay or straight? Nothing! Whether you’re hanging out on the beach, lounging by a hotel pool or sipping espresso on a café patio, take time to rest, relax and soak up the sun. Just make sure you tweet lots of pictures to make your friends jealous.
Bears Take Over Fort Lauderdale May 10-14
BeachBear Weekend will hit the sands of Fort Lauderdale, May 10-14 2012, bringing hot men from around the world to experience all the top gay men’s destination has to offer. Long the muscle bear capital of the east coast, Fort Lauderdale is like a gay cruise that doesn’t leave port. From world-class beaches to wild nightlife, the bears and their friends will find their sunny. The host hotel and its beautiful pool bar, overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach will be the sexy center of activity for the men who want to bask in the sun and cruise the sea of beefy muscle.
BeachBear Weekend has been created to showcase the healthy outdoor lifestyle enjoyed in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The events over the course of the week will focus on the beach, surf, exercise, and of course some of the hottest parties anywhere.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Sunserve- a 501 (3) (c) corporation. Their mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on the economically disadvantaged, marginalized youths, and senior adults in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Additionally designated is Abandoned Pet Rescue, Broward’s largest no kill animal shelter.
The bars and events for the weekend will include Ramrod, Boom, The Manor, Wilton Bier Garden, The Depot Cabaña Bar and Grill, and Scandals. In addition to the muscle packed pool parties and bar nights, there will be alternative activities as well, including sunrise meditations on the beach, personal trainers leading fitness classes, and watersports. Also planned are boat excursions for the more adventurous, a vendor fair, and meeting space set aside for Friends of Bill W.
BeachBear Weekend was created by Chad Bush, Bob Young and Shannon Spotts. Young was a founder of the successful LazyBear Weekend at the Russian River in Northern California. The organizers hope BeachBear Weekend will have significant economic impact for Greater Fort Lauderdale.
For more information log onto: Beachbearweekend.com
Broughton Hotels in Chicago Boystown Celebrate with Specials All Year Long
EAT, SLEEP, DANCE WITH BROUGHTON HOTELS OF CHICAGO DURING NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS IN BOYSTOWN
Broughton Hotels of Chicago
are celebrating the much-anticipated Restaurant Week in Chicago by offering a hotel package that highlights the best of the Boystown neighborhood.
Guests can experience the North Halsted street, GLBT-friendly district that is known for an eclectic mix of bars, coffeehouses, restaurants and shopping in Chicago – and take advantage of this package during other Boystown events such as the Gay Pride Parade (June 24) and Northalsted Market Days (August 11-12).
Two neighborhood hotspots – Taverna 750 and Scarlet are participating in this special package deal. Taverna 750 is a ZAGAT-rated restaurant that is known for its old school Italian small plates with a contemporary flair.
The “Boystown Special,” package is $40 in addition to regular room rate at any of the three Broughton Hotels of Chicago – The Majestic, The Willows, and City Suites Hotel offers guests:
• $30 gift card to Taverna 750
• 2 complimentary drinks at Scarlet
• Complimentary parking for one night
• A total value of $62
The “Boystown Special” can be used for hotel stays up until December 31, 2012 and is not valid with other promotions or group reservations. Hotels require a two-night minimum stay on Saturday nights – April through October 2012. Blackout dates and availability apply.
Located in the heart of the stylish and exclusive Lakeview section of Chicago, the Broughton Hotels of Chicago are a collection of Chicago boutique hotels that exude the charm of historic buildings circa 1920. 3 unique properties.
Just steps away from Boystown and only 10 minutes north of downtown Chicago’s business, financial and shopping districts, the stylish Broughton Hotels have the quintessential qualities of an upscale, city hotel – tucked into the tree-lined streets of a neighborhood.
About Broughton Hotels
Broughton Hotels was founded in 2001 by Larry Broughton and has been named among the Top 100 hospitality management companies in the United States. From hip to historic, Broughton hotels are loaded with style. Each property is an original, a genuine boutique. And within their walls guests find more than a comfortable spot to rest – they discover a true sense of place. Broughton Hotels currently operates 14 boutique hotel properties throughout the U.S. For additional information, visit www.broughtonhospitality.com.
Gay Chicago Gay Illinois News
The State of Illinois is adding a section for gay travelers to its tourism web site.
Gov. Pat Quinn announced the launch of “Pride Illinois” on Saturday at a Gala for EqIl.
The section will list gay-owned or gay-friendly accommodations, events and travel destinations, among other things.
It’s unclear how concise this page will be – or if only members who pay can promote their business on the page.
The governor signed legislation in January 2011 granting same-sex couples SIMILAR legal rights as married couples. Illinois is the sixth state to allow civil unions.
Last week a bill was introduced for Gay Marriage in Illinois.
So Gay Marriage could be coming to Illinois soon!
BEST GAY CHICAGO.com for more Chicago info!
Gay Atlanta loses LGBT Bookstore and Coffehouse
The internet is a great thing. I don’t think we could live without it. However, with everything good comes something bad. And because we now have everything at our fingertips, some brick and mortar businesses are closing their doors.
In 1993, Outwrite, Atlanta’s gay and lesbian bookstore and coffeehouse opened.
“In May of 2011 we let our community know about our own financial struggle brought on by long term economic conditions and changes in the book industry. It had finally made the rent at our location unaffordable and our future uncertain.
People rushed in, stepped up, volunteered, and offered incredible levels of support and ideas for new business models that bookstores and other community businesses around the country were adopting. Hundreds would come in weekly and tell us how important Outwrite was – and is. Many spoke of how the location was a symbol of strength and diversity in the city.
But it wasn’t enough. We had run out of time to turn the financial situation around. By the end of January we had to close Outwrite for good, putting 10 employees in our community out of jobs and leaving the most recognizable LGBT community landmark empty.”
READ MORE at GA VOICE
Gay Sitges Carnival Feb 16-22
More than 200,000 people will visit Sitges, Spain during the Carnival
festivities with all of the gay bars open in town, two huge parades on
the Saturday and Tuesday and more glitter than you have ever seen! Feb. 16-22.
There are still great locations and great deals!
Carnival has to be Sitges’ wildest party. Even though it is on in
February it is still the hottest party in town! On the most popular days
you will find partygoers dancing on the major streets
across the town.
The busy months of July and August look positively
dead! Gay boys and girls from the 4 corners of the world descend on our
little town and party the week away!
Jueves Lardero or Fat Tuesday,marks the beginning of carnival with a
huge celebration of local dishes and the arrival of the King of the
Carnestoltes and ends with the Burial of a Sardine on Ash Wednesday.
There’s more to do than eat, though.
Sitges Carnival is a full 7 days of parties and events. The King arrives on Thursday
the 16th of February, however the gay parties kick off the week before from Saturday the 11th.
Each of the gay bars and clubs has their own theme and their own special night so there is always something to do. And remember its all about your costume so make sure you bring something sparkly.
Gay Texas Couple Survive Italian Cruise Ship Disaster
A gay couple from Austin, Texas, were among those who survived the sinking of
the Costa Concordia cruise ship off the coast of Italy over the weekend.
Blake Miller, left, and Steve Garcia. It was both men’s first cruise and Miller’s first time in Europe. They
told the Today show on Sunday they had been to one of the ship’s bars
and were planning on going to another when the ship started to list.
After they went back to their cabin, they heard a horrible scraping
sound. Fortunately the couple had read about the location of the
lifeboats. – See why it is important to pay attention to safety features?!
Read more at Dallas Voice
*The captain of the ship is being
interrogated by prosecutors and a judge will decide on whether to keep
him under arrest for allegedly abandoning the vessel before rescue
efforts ended.
Cptn. Francesco Schettino was ordered by a Coast Guard official to return to the cruise
liner to help with rescue efforts about three hours after the accident,
according to audio of telephone conversations between them posted on
daily Corriere della Sera’s website today.
Schettino didn’t return to the ship and took a taxi on Giglio before
being arrested, media including Sky TG24 said. He is accused of
manslaughter and abandoning the Costa Concordia when passengers were
still on board “since we know he was in the harbor about midnight,”
Francesco Verusio, chief prosecutor in Grosseto, said in a Jan. 15
interview. He is also accused of causing the accident that left at least
six people dead.
Is Tel Aviv Really The Best Gay City as Some Voters Declare?
TEL AVIV is being touted by some
as THE BEST GAY CITY.
Hmmmm, really? The BEST? I am always skeptical by these random voting contests….How many people voted? Was the voting controlled and limited to one vote per person? or could ballot stuffing have taken place? If 1000 people voted, was it a true random sampling?
We have watched Tel Aviv grow in popularity over the last 5 years. They do have a powerful PR and Marketing team, I will give them that. Their presence in the media has grown at leaps and bounds over the last 5 years. But are they the BEST? or perhaps the best up-and-coming?
In a world-wide survey hosted GayCities.com and American Airlines,
43 percent of voters cast their ballot in favor of the White City,
pushing it ahead of other proud towns including New York, Toronto and
London.
(New York City with 14 per cent, Toronto with 7 per cent, Sao Paulo with 6 per cent, Madrid and London with 5 per cent each and New Orleans and Mexico City with 4 per cent each.)
I think it all just depends on who you ask and who is surveyed! Tel Aviv is the gay mecca of the Middle East, for sure, and boasts of plenty of
designers, fashionistas, night clubs, fancy beaches, shopping malls and
outlets, DJs, women activists, gays, jews and financiers. You really
couldn’t find a more open-minded place like Tel Aviv outside of Israël. Tel Aviv, in sharp contrast to Jerusalem, is a liberal, hedonistic and secular city, where leisure life revolves around beaches, cafes and nightclubs.
Lonely Planet named it one of its top three cities in the world for
2011, describing it as “the flipside of Jerusalem, a modern Sin City on
the sea rather than an ancient Holy City on a hill” and adding: “There
are more bars than synagogues, God is a DJ and everyone’s body is a
temple.” The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rarely on the radar.
That said,
According to Tel Aviv’s 30-year-old deputy mayor, Asaf Zamir, 16% to 17% of the city’s 403,000 population is gay. That’s pretty gay!
“It’s
a very strong community here, a comfortable arena for the gay
community. Two men walking hand in hand is a very normal thing,” he
said.
The city municipality funded a gay centre and was promoting gay tourism, he added.
They even have a gay pride parade each year – that has grown to about 100,000 local people! And also about 5,000 gay tourists, 25% MORE than 2010. So it is growing.
Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Prague…there are so many amazing choices. Just depends on what you want? Value? Nightlife? Culture?
As for Tel Aviv – The weather is hot, the guys are hot, it’s a hot city!
Gay Tel Aviv4U – The official LGBT site
(* Before traveling to questionable foreign countries, it is best to check for travel warnings online. Trip Out Travel says, Terrorism is a reality in Tel Aviv. Tourists are advised
not to take buses and to only take registered cabs with green flags.)
OUT IN AC Present Miss’d America Pageant Jan 21-22
What sounds like some saucy entertainment will unfold in
Atlantic City at Harrah’s Resort and at Boardwalk Hall the weekend
of Jan. 21 and 22.
This will be the fourth consecutive year that Caesars
Entertainment Corp., parent company of the Harrah’s, Bally’s,
Caesars and Showboat casinos, has hosted the gay-friendly “Out in
AC” weekend of partying.
Caesars Entertainment has moved up the timing of “Out in AC”
this year to have it coincide with the annual Miss’d America
Pageant, a campy, drag-queen spoof of the straight-laced Miss
America Pageant that made its home in Atlantic City for 84 years
before sashaying off to Las Vegas in 2005.
“Every year, these uniquely tailored events bring in new guests
ready to experience Atlantic City in a whole new open light,” said
Jennifer Weissman, regional vice president of marketing for Caesars
Entertainment. “‘Out in AC’ weekend is all about diversity, pride
and, of course, having a little fun.”
“I absolutely believe that we’re growing our reputation as a
gay-friendly town,” Weissman said.
Other Atlantic City casinos have also staged gay-themed special
events or opened attractions catering to the LGBT market. Trump Taj
Mahal Casino Resort once held gay bingo nights. More recently,
Resorts Casino Hotel hired the Atlantic City gaming industry’s
first LGBT marketing director and also opened the first gay
nightclub inside a casino.
Other Atlantic City casinos have also staged gay-themed special
events or opened attractions catering to the LGBT market. Trump Taj
Mahal Casino Resort once held gay bingo nights. More recently,
Resorts Casino Hotel hired the Atlantic City gaming industry’s
first LGBT marketing director and also opened the first gay
nightclub inside a casino.
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