Category Archives: Gay Travel Tips
Gay Travel in Sao Paulo Brazil…Biggest Gay Pride in the World June 3 – 7 2010
It doesn’t matter what you like, São Paulo is big enough to welcome every kind of people and she really does it with a wide-ranging of entertainment options. The largest city in Latin America and the fourth in the world, it is the cosmopolitan center of Brazil, from where all innovations and ideas are spread to the rest of the country. For that reason, the government and private institutions give some support to sexual, and also religious, ethnical and cultural diversity. Welcome to the heart of Brazil, welcome to the city that never sleeps, at least she does not do it alone, did you get it?
Through the blood vessels of this heart which carries all the Brazilian diversity with a social seasoning of foreigners from all over the world who come to the city for different reasons, and are able to realize the Brazilian receptive way and in addition, the importance of treating everybody well on a globalized world. The city has over 17 thousand kilometers of streets and avenues where there is a flow of 3.5 million people every day. The city looks like a worldwide metropolis and is part of a circuit which includes London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Berlin due to the fact of being a cultural melting pot.
Important museums are located in the city and there are ten of them in Ibirapuera Park . Such museums are seen as significant spaces to divulgate arts and cultural production, e.g, Modern Arts Museum (MAM), Afro-Brazilian Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum and Astronomical Observation Planetarium. MASP, São Paulo Arts Museum, is one of the main museums of the city and the country, located on Paulista Avenue, it is a rendezvouz spot of musicians, poets, dancers, writers, actors and actresses and all kind of people as many as its free space can shelter.
Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo is a prominent headquarters of arts, located in the surroundings of Luz Station and a venue of great exhibitions such as Tarsila do Amaral, Henri Matisse. Estação Pinacoteca, close to the main Pinacoteca building, hosts an Andy Warhol exhibiton until the end of May, his largest exhibition in Latin America. Across the street you have the Portuguese Language Museum, information center of Brazil’s mother tongue and a place of Brazilian writers and poets exhibitions who contributed to what is so called Brazilian Portuguese nowadays. The masterpieces are presented in a creative and intriguing way, making use of LED, screens, interactive models placing the audience into them in an updated dynamic.
Its cultural variety can be seen in its many theaters and drama spaces in the city. Being the cradle of the most renowned Brazilian theater groups, such as Centro de Pesquisa Teatral (CPT), Teatro Oficina, Os Satyros, and Parlapatões. The convergence point is Roosevelt square, known as a place where the biggest concentration of theaters per square meter in the city is located. It is a microcosm with its characters, stories, dramas.
GLBT network is in charge of much of the tourist business in the city, mainly during the Pride Parade, which takes place every June on a Sunday after Corpus Christi celebration. That is the second largest event of the city and over R$ 189million are circulated in less than a week, behind the Formula 1 race competition which income is more than R$ 200 million. That is the result of a partnership between government and militancy.
There are over 100 Gay Pride Parades and celebrations each year in Brazil – but the biggest in the WORLD takes place in Sao Paulo June 3rd – 7th, 2010 . (3.1 million people in 2009!)
The whole city supports Gay Pride. Through the Coordenation of Sexual Affairs (CADS), the city hall guarantees R$1 million funds in infrastructure. The state government through the Sexual Diversity Policy Coordenation aids on the structure and schedule carrying out. The Federal government backs up the initiative with a sponsorship of R$ 320 thousand.
The private sector also makes investments due to the income provided by those who take part of the parade and it is not only on the parade week or day, but all over the year. Hotels located on Paulista avenue have an increase of 20% of occupation during the parade, increasing the general occupation to 90%, according to SPTuris. In order to organize all that flow, the city hosts Brazil GLBT Business Chamber, an organization founded to help entrepreneurs make their services and products to GLBT customers better and better, putting up bars, pubs, nightclubs, saunas, restaurants, NGOs and press together. Aiming to offer good service and products, being all set to receive tourists.
When a visitor goes for a tour in the city, he/she can count on a LGBT Tourist Information Center established since the beginning of 2010. The service network includes 17 tourist agencies, a change and exchange office and a gay hotel – the 155, located downtown.
According to SPTuris (São Paulo Tourism Office), the official Tourist Office, during the Parade, around 350 thousand people visit the city – 70% of them come from the state of São Paulo, 25% from other states and 5% are foreigners. They guarantee an income of R$189 million in just a week.
The city watches new ideas in different areas popping up, such as a Brazilian LGBT Sports Committee, in charge of arranging gays, lesbians and transsex volleyball and soccer championships. The organization carried out the first Uniliga with volleyball and indoor soccer matches with the city hall’s support, promising to export the idea to other Brazilian states such as Minas Gerais, Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro.
Want to dance?
There are also two GLBT samba schools . One of them is the brand new Monalisa Paulistana that first appeared during 2010 Carnival and aims at a place on the special samba school group. The other one is Arco-Íris, part of the main group and has its show with a lot of transsex, gays and lesbians taking part of it, and also friendly people who love the festival.
Another group which makes the city more exciting is one organized by drag queens from a nightclub called Blue Space , known as the best nightclub for drags’ shows. Every year on São Paulo’s anniversary there is a soccer match on the street – drags X employees of the nightclub, a dispute which has the
objective of making people laugh and strengthen the relationship with the neighborhood.
When traveling to any big city that is strange to you, be cautious and use common sense.
Don’t take the risk of having fake beverage, known as “bebida batizada”. It is better to buy the ones you know with sealed bottles. Buy them at establishments and not from people who sell them on the streets.
Don’t take much money when you leave your hotel and don’t forget your ID. In case you are stolen, the damage will not be that big.
Leave backpacks and purses at home. Only take them if they are really indispensable and keep on the front of your body in order to watch them.
Brazil has a hot weather, so use light clothing.
Prefer to be with a group of people. Bad intentioned actions may be avoided. The hint is also worthwhile if you want to take shots or record something. Be careful with your electronic devices.
If you have any unpleasant problem, call the Police. They are able to protect you and give you some advice on what to do.
The subway (Metrô) is the safest means of transportation. Buy your tickets in advance in order not to handle money many times.
If you drive somewhere, give preference to park in private parking lots. Car keepers on the street are not reliable.
Keep your wallet into a pocket or in a difficult place to be found.
Pay attention when using the cell phone. Most cases of robbery occur when a person is making use of a cell phone.
Be careful with beggars on the streets asking for help or talking about some of their diseases.
São Paulo has an excellent gay life. Over 40 bars, clubs and saunas.
Please note, that some saunas are frequented by rent boys so agree a price before you have fun.
Play Safe! Wear condoms!
Thanks to Alex Bernades of Revista Via G Magazine in Brazil,
our Guest Author and Travel Partner this month!
New Gay Travel Guide
Flying Coach is A Pain in My Back!
Flying coach
for 10 hours
to Europe, can be a real pain in the back – unless you are fortunate enough to fly first class. Hell, last week I flew coach 3 hours to Dallas and my pain started bothering me half way into the flight. Some of these planes have no arm or leg room, plus mishapen seats and seats with no padding.
Traveling in an airplane no longer has to be painful or uncomfortable. According to Esther Gokhale, creator of the renowned Gokhale Method for pain-free living and author of 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back: Natural Posture Solutions for Pain in the Back, Neck, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, and Foot (Remember When It Didn’t Hurt) , while all airplane seats has a curvature that forces the spine into an uncomfortable C-shape, there are steps one can take for a pain-free ride.
These simple tips protect the spine and reduce muscle tension during an airplane flight:
· Fill the C: The concave shape of airline seats puts pressure on the spinal discs and is the starting point for muscle tension. Fill the lower part of your seat with pillows, blankets, sweaters, or a Stretchsitcushion to create a flat plane along which you can lengthen your spine.
· Hiphinge Forward: You can avoid the C-shape altogether by hiphinging forward. Use your hands to support your head with your elbows resting on the open tray. You can adjust the placement and height of your hands to provide a gentle stretch in the neck.
· Support Your Head: One of the best ways to rest or sleep on a flight is to lengthen your spine and support your head against the seat in front of you. If you are lucky enough to be in a window seat, you can find even more support in the corner between the seat in front of you and the wall of the airplane. Be sure to use a Stretchsit cushion, blanket, pillow or sweater to cushion your head.
*Esther Gokhale , pain specialist and author , and creator of the popular Gokhale Method, which takes an anthropological approach to pain free living by getting to the root cause of the pain, which involves how we sit, sleep and walk. Without anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants, physical therapy or surgery, the Gokhale Method can relieve back pain and other forms of pain immediately – and for life.
Is Your Carry-On Bag Safe While You Are Sleeping?! No, Just Ask Cybill Shepherd’s Son Cyrus
CAN YOU IMAGINE?! That takes some big balls. You close your eyes for a little nap and some crack head is going through your stuff!
Cyrus Shepherd-Oppenheim, a University of Pennsylvania student, took a Canon digital camera, leather make-up case and cash from the bags of people aboard a United Airlines flight from San Francisco, according to police.
He was taken into custody after the flight landed at Philadelphia International Airport.
Police say witnesses identified Shepherd-Oppenheim, who is known as Zach – short for his middle name Zacariah – as the person who took their belongings during the six-hour flight.
He will have a court appearance next month, for the charges.
As for Cybill, she recently attended Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center’s “An Evening With Women” in support of gay and lesbian marriage rights. In California’s last election, it is said that Proposition 8 was passed which resulted in gay and lesbian rights to be nullified.
Her passion is to keep fighting for their rights which she believed to have derived from Martin Luther King’s assassination.
She has actually been very busy lately. She appeared on several episodes of EASTWICK, and has 5 movies coming out!
Gosh, mugshots are never pretty….
LGBT Gay Travel Links and Resources!
PLUS – USEFUL LGBT RESOURCES!
Gay Europe …on a Discount. Savings Everywhere, if You Look Hard Enough
I love EUROPE!
It is SO Romantic with it’s old history and breathtaking architecture! Many people think Europe is expensive…and it can be. But it can be fun and inexpensive as well. You just have to plan.
PRAGUE is still on the Czech Crown. They now expect to join the EURO by 2014! (They keep pushing it off!) Food and drink in ordinary shops and restaurants in Prague is generally cheaper than in Western Europe. Drinks in ordinary pubs is markedly cheaper.
Clothing can be hit and miss. Some cheap things, some more expensive. But overall, Prague is amazing city at great prices.
Don’t bother exchanging money before you go. The simplest means of obtaining currency in Prague is to withdraw Czech Crowns from a cash point machine (ATM). They accept debit/credit cards backed by Visa, Mastercard/EuroCard, Maestro and American Express. You normally get an excellent exchange rate, but check with your own bank what their international card transaction fees are.
You may pay 2 fee’s.
Tips are welcomed by staff working in the tourist industry in Prague, although generally tipping is relaxed and workers do not chase them. 5% is appropriate. 10% they will love you.
Live like the locals – get an apartment. Don’t rely on expensive hotels. If you want an authentic experience, check out apartments. Stay right in a neighborhood, shop at the corner market for wine and cheese and snacks to fill your fridge. Who needs room-service?!
Also worth checking out are guest houses and boutique hotels. OUR FAVORITE is TEMPLE PRAGUE . Temple Prague comprises of three separate venues. Club Temple, Temple Hotel and the newly-opened Coffee Bar. You can always be assured of a warm welcome at Temple Prague. It is ran by an American fellow and his all male staff is amazing!
The building and rooms have been painstakingly restored and really beautiful. Situated directly between Club Temple and Monty Bar, Club Temple Hotel is ideally and centrally situated to enjoy both Prague’s lively gay scene and also major tourist attractions.
They offer a selection of suites and standard rooms to match all tastes and budgets. Range is about $65 – $120 american dollars. Their friendly and helpful staff are on hand to take care of your every need during your stay with them.
Like any other city, tourists can be an easy mark. I found Prague to be a very safe city to walk around. Public transport, even at night, is used by everyone, young and old alike. The town is very walkable. Assaults are extremely rare. As in any city though, the tourist is a target for the unscrupulous: Pickpockets are skillful, so keep a close eye on valuables at all times – don’t use your back pocket for your wallet and avoid hanging your handbag on your chair in public places.
Beware over-charging in restaurants and clubs by checking the bill thoroughly. In taxis, insist the taxi driver puts the meter on or agree a price before you enter the taxi. – The Prague rent boys were more aggressive than the pickpockets! I seemed to run into them everywhere I went! But they are very nice. Most are quite adorable in fact. Honest guys just trying to make a living. When a young man says, “Do you want to go make some business?” he is looking to be paid for services. But even that, is very inexpensive.
PARIS is stunning also and romantic! But HOW DO YOU DO PARIS CHEAP, you ask?
Restaurants can be outrageous. You can have a couple burgers and 2 glasses of wine for $70 easily! The BEST meal I ever had WAS NOT indoors at a fancy restaurant..but on the river, al fresco. Shop at the local markets. Grab some fruit, cheese, wine, sausage and some pastries and have a fantastic lunch on the banks of the Seine River! Spectacular views – and deliciously romantic. In the summer months, people even sun bathe out there, nude!
One good thing about dining in restaurants; Paris SLASHED their restaurant VAT tax this past summer from 19.5% down to 5.5%. SO that helps a lot on the bill.
BIKES – you can rent a bike for $1.50 a day! Discover the city on a Velib. Pick up and drop off at 1,400 locations all over the city.
The $3.50 Swim! Visit the floating Josephine Baker pool. La Piscine Josephine Baker is more of a swimming pool barge that is situated on the bank of the River Seine.
This floating swimming pool is open all year round and has a roof that retracts so that it becomes open air in the summer months and the pool can cater for around 300 people.
La Piscine Josephine Baker is situated in the 13th arrondissement of Paris permanently moored at the Quai Francois Mauriac on left bank of the River Seine and replaces the Piscine Deligny that sank a few years ago.
Take in a movie. at the vintage Art Moderne Theater – Forget the mega multiplex! This is a real theater!
EXPLORE – In the spring and summer, locals flock in droves to the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin to picnic and strum guitars, sip on wine and smoke joints! Cafés and quirky boutiques flank the water and iron footbridges.
On Sundays, two streets running parallel to the canal, Quai de Valmy and Quai de Jemmapes, are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists—perfect for renting a bike and seeing the city from a fresh angle.
TRAINS – the train is a great way to explore Europe.
THIS IS THE BEST TIP OF ALL. I am all about efficiency. And after all, don’t you want to make the most of your vacation time? Plan to sleep on the train in between cities. You’ll save money and make the most of your time. Think about it…explore London or Rome or Paris by day. Have a nice dinner somewhere. Then instead of staying at a pricey hotel, you head for the train station. Snuggle up in your little Schlafwagen (sleeper). Sip on wine as the night fades away. Sleep all night as the train transports you through fields and pastures, and when you wake up, you are in a new country!
There are also cheap flights for city-hopping between countries. FLYLC has fares as low as $10 one way! Just watch for any added fees. Also places like Travel Zoo offer last minute updates and sales.
Gay Hostels in another way to save some big bucks – and maybe meet some other fin single people! Stay in London for about $45 a night or Madrid, Spain for about $30 a night.
Think outside the box when you travel and avoid the tourist traps.
It’ll be fun and exciting!
I HateTaxis.com An International Travelers’ Transportation Guide
Several pages of scribbled notes were drawn up on the idea to an ongoing problem and possible solution that travelers (namely themselves) faced in their various global travel pursuits – GROUND TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS.
Sure one can book their plane ticket, hotel room, car rental, and even attractions online but something very important was amiss in the new age of travel e-convenience. Simply put, how does one get from the airport to their desired destination and where does one find all of these ground transportation options in a centralized website location?
Like most travelers out there, both brothers have individually and collectively experienced the shark tank feeding frenzy of extortion at various airports as soon as one clears customs with your luggage. Looking dumbfounded, not knowing the going rates of services, and being hassled after a long flight most often leaves you in a state of complete vulnerability.
The common resultant outcome is that you end up paying a ridiculous amount of money to get to your hotel and sometimes this unfortunately shapes your first impression of the city or country you are in. The name of this website is thus a half jocular expression of this frustration.
The website concept then expanded to include information about country profiles (including cultural tips), medical information, electrical information, visas, lost luggage, currency conversion and the list keeps expanding. This was done to avoid surfing several different other websites for this information or shelling out a small fortune for a country guide book every time you step on a plane. Guide books can also become out of date relatively quickly.
“Our primary goal is to provide a FREE centralized & constantly updated global ground transportation repository so that travelers like ourselves are empowered upon arrival. We do make recommendations based on our research and if you do not agree with our thoughts please let us know why. If several individuals are not happy with a particular airport shuttle service in Miami, for example, then we will seriously look at revising our recommendation. “
Check it out I HATE TAXIS!
The Best Gay Travel Guide
A Traveler’s Guide To Online Gay Dating
Gay dating online and traveling both let you explore what you want, when you want. And, should you find someone or somewhere interesting, you can stay for as long as you want in order to enjoy getting all you can out of the experience.
Travelers speak their own language, and the gay men and lesbian women you find on gay dating sites online do too. If you’re thinking of signing up to an online gay dating site like www.pridedating.com let other singles know you’re an experienced traveler.
Finding the right gay or lesbian match by using your common experiences and leisure pursuits will make for a stronger bond between the two of you. Searching for a special homosexual partner means you’ve got to do a lot of roaming through personals though.
However; when you find a gay or lesbian partner who can relate to your interests and experiences, you’ll be well on your way to sharing a familiar and intimate relationship. Don’t give up, keep searching those personals and find your match today!
About the only dissimilarity between traveling and gay dating online would be that to find a match, you don’t have to leave your home. But, just like traveling, gay dating online is full of all the adventure and fun you’ve been searching for!
Lady Bunny on Gay Travel Tips – Exclusive Interview with New Gay Travel Guide
LADY BUNNY
is THE Hardest Working Drag Queen working today! We first met Bun Bun about 7-8 years ago when she brought a mini version of Wigstock to Chicago.
Since then our paths have crossed many times, in many different cities! New York, Fort Lauderdale, Toronto, Puerto Vallartra, and most recently in New Orleans for Decadence, where we caught up and chatted over carrots! and her Skyy Vodka Infusion Drink!
How does she seem to “do it all???”
I asked for a life in show biz–and I got it. Besides, they are all so sick of me in NYC that I am forced to go on the road practically every week! Sometimes I don’t know how I keep up such a hectic pace, but it’s a recession–you worry when that phone STOPS ringing, not when it rings.
So I’m grateful for the work and if I’m performing or dj’ing in a place I like, I can sometimes stay on for a few days and snatch a free vacation. That’s definitely a perk. And I’m getting ready to dj for the designer Paco Rabanne for a Paris fashion week party! Paco is better known for his fragrances nowadays, but he was the innovative designer who created all of those gorgeous chain mail mini’s in the late 60’s and also designed the costumes for Jane Fonda in Barbarella! I’m so excited to meet one of my inspirations!
Since she travels more than anyone I know and has more frequent flyers than you can shake a wig at, our chat turned to travel tips and advice…
Flying used to be glamorous! Remember pretty, young stewardesses? Now, it’s a humiliating chore. Removing your shoes? Sometime the fumes off of Lady Bunion’s hooves are so potent that I’m afraid the TSA will think I’m a terrorist toting biological warfare! But here are a few tips that I swear by:
NEVER CHECK IN CURBSIDE. You’re just allowing your bag to pass through one more group of morons and upping the odds of having it not arrive with you. Just imagine me arriving in Puerta Vallarta on a Sunday evening with an hour before I go on and hunting through the few open shops for a big wig and a size 12 pump. It’s time for that poncho made from a hotel bedspread and a towel turban=hideous! So I suggest packing a few of your absolute musts in your carry on. It may be a little embarrassing to pull out that dildo at the checkpoint, but hey, what if you don’t get lucky in Mobile? Of course, how lucky can you be if you actually are in Mobile?
ARRIVE SUPER EARLY. An hour and a half for checked bags on domestic trips. You never know when you are gonna get stuck behind a school trip and the 50 idiotic tween girls don’t know they have to remove their jewelry before passing through the metal detector. This can make security take 30 minutes alone and once the gate is closed, it ain’t re-opening. It’s also advisable to book your trip on an airline which has another flight/flights on that day just in case. And remember–that indirect flight on Orbitz or Travelocity may be cheaper, but if you are on an indirect flight on two separate airlines you could really lose out. if the first carrier is late and you miss your connection on a different airline, the second airline has NO responsibility whatsoever for your ass. Also, when booking your itinerary, factor in rush hour traffic to what time you arrive so that you don’t get stuck in traffic after a hateful flight. And speaking of rush…
POPPERS ARE FLAMMABLE. Even though they might make your sex life hotter, they could be yanked from your luggage along with lighter fluid or even aerosol hairspray. A friend pointed this out after flying into the Provincetown airport where they actually have a sign about poppers! “Mommy, what’s amyl nitrate?”
PACK LIGHT. Now that airlines are charging for checked luggage, everyone is trying to cram as much as they can in their carry-ons and I have literally seen fights break out for the overhead space on board. And since more airlines are using smaller planes with teensy overhead compartments for domestic flights, make sure you have one very small bag for your laptop, etc.
You don’t wanna gate check that because if you’re smart, you’ve already put up your personals ad on craigslist in your destination city before departing and you don’t wanna arrive computer-less and miss out on the fresh meat appeal which you’ve lost in your own city decades ago! Plus it’s kinda tacky to check personals in a hotel business center. With one possible exception: unless there is a church convention at your hotel. You definitely want to horrify as many of those prudes as you can with graphic images and the moaning from xtube videos at top volume. Amen!
PACK A SNACK. Obviously, I like to eat. But everyone has to eat at regular intervals and unless your metabolism can worm some nutrition out of a tiny bag of pretzels made with white flour, you’re blood sugar will plummet and your flight will be wretched. I have a touch of hypoglacemia so I have to regular doses of protein (I am not even going to ask what kind of protein she is talking about! ). This makes me especially aware of this situation. But if there’s no food on board and you are forced to sit on the plane for an hour after boarding before a long flight, even the most carb conscious queen is gonna snatch every pretzel available and oink it. Nuts are the most obvious choice for a nibble since they are chock full of protein and can’t spoil. So squirrel away a big, salty sack of nuts–you’ve got dirty minds!–and buy them at a grocery or drug store to avoid paying $15 bucks per handful at an airport kiosk.
BECOME A SCHNER. That’s a word a jewish friend taught me. He said that it’s jewish for someone who grabs everything for free. Wait! Isn’t that kind of redundant in the jewish community? KIDDING! Anyhoo, many better hotels offer complimentary toiletry basics to guests who may have forgotten to pack shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes, etc. Snatch them all! And ask the maid for extra coffee, lotion, mouthwash, shampoo and conditioner. Make a habit of this and before you know it, you’ve got an array of travel-sized everything. And we all know that liquids are heavy–you can’t carry them on and regular sized bottles of these products will really weigh your bags down and up those overage fees. I haven’t purchase a bar of soap in years! Or a needle and thread for that matter!
FORCE FEED SEDATIVES TO ALL SQUAWKING BRATS! There oughta be a law. And never pop your own “dolls” until you are at the gate and have seen the plane and an on time departure is announced. Otherwise, you could snore right through the boarding process!
IMMEDIATELY PUT OUT THE DO NOT DISTURB SIGN ON YOUR DOOR. It’s especially effective if you also make your own homemade sign which says DO NOT DISTURB! ALREADY DISTURBED! written in blood and posted with a knife jammed through it into the door. Otherwise, you’ll be catching a disco nap and some dunce in a foreign language will try to enter your room for a turn-down service. I turn that service down! Who on earth needs someone to pull back the covers and put a chocolate on the bed? (I’m a bottom, so any chocolate on the bed brings back too many shitty memories.)
Also, make sure you place a do not disturb on your hotel phone line as well. That way, you won’t be disturbed by a wrong number from that bridal party next door or some kiss-ass from the front desk calling to see if everything is alright. “Yes, it’s fine! Until you woke me up with that stupid question!” CLICK! And make sure to check that the alarm is off or set to when you want it–or else you’ll bolt up at the 6:00 AM which the businessman who last stayed in your room set it to. And if you are like me, that’s right about when you are getting to bed!
*Fabulous Bunny Photos by Sergio Kardenas!
Lady Bunny’s Blog
New Gay Travel Guide Best Gay Cities Best of Gay New York
Best iPhone Apps for Gay Travel
There are something like 60,000 iphone apps and the numbers grow every week! Of course, the LGBT community is getting in on the app action as well. And if you are traveling, some of them are really handy!
GayCities. The app can use the location awareness of your iPhone to locate “gay-friendly” bars, hotels, and restaurants in your current location. You can also manually choose a city from the list of metro areas GayCities covers.
Keep in mind, most of these apps are not visually appealing and slow to load. However, they are convenient when you travel and save the hassle of signing online, to do search and look for things.
The GAY COMMUNITY app bills itself as the WORLD’S FIRST Gay Community Application (GCA) for the iPhone!
This application is designed to help you find and connect with members of the GLBT community around you.
Use the navigational ‘Gaydar’ function to find people in your local area, or if you are looking to travel, simply search the destination ahead of time and see if there is anyone around that you would like to catch up with when you arrive, to show you around the gay friendly cafes restaurants and clubs.
HopStop is your city transit guide. They provide door-to-door subway and bus directions and maps for several metropolitan cities. So you can be on any corner, and ask it how-to-get-to …You can also search for places to eat, drink, sleep and see in the City Guide.
With HopStop you can:
– Send directions by e-mail or text message to a cell phone directly from the website
– Plan a trip with multiple destinations using the Itinerary.
– Get directions or the locations of nearby subway and bus stops remotely on your cell phone or PDA with the HopStop Mobile service.
HOWEVER, right now, the service only serves Boston, Chicago, London, Long Island, New Jersey, New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, and a few other surrounding smaller cities. But more are being added all the time.
Chat with local guys in seconds.The go-to place for gay, bi, and curious men to meet, the location-based Grindr is FREE, FAST, and FUN. It uses GPS technology in your iPhone and WiFi in iPod Touch to determine your exact location and instantly connect you with guys in your area. Simply launch Grindr to see local guys (the closest appear first) and view pictures, stats, and map locations at a tap. It’s that easy. And since Grindr doesn’t ask for your email address or require account registration, it’s totally discreet.
I was in Toronto last month at a club, and signed in, and found a young hottie 200 feet away from me in the same bar! We said HI, had a drink, and…..well, I will leave the rest to your imagination!
There are lots more iphone apps for the gay traveler not mentioned here. These are just a few of the more popular ones. But if your search the apps store for GAY TRAVEL, you will find many more, and some very city specific.
What did we ever do before the internet and cell phones???
New Gay Travel Guide and Best Gay Cities
The Gay Dollar – Not Everybody Wants it!
People sometimes ask me, “Why do you need GAY TRAVEL? Why do you need to be separate?”
Um, because, why would I want to give my money to someone who hates me? I want to go somewhere gay friendly and give my money to someone who supports my community, or at least can smile and treat me decent.
A travel company who specialize in African Safari trips has exposed itself as institutionally homophobic in a series of shocking emails with Millivres Prowler Group, owners of DIVA, Pink Paper and GT.
Following a standard email enquiry about advertising opportunities, SafariWise employee Berdene MacLeod told our MPG representative to “piss off” before sending a second email stating: “Go wank yourself, you asshole faggot!”
When we asked SafariWise to comment on their use of homophobic abuse, they failed to respond.
Namibia has had a troubled history in regards to the protection of the rights and civil liberties of gay citizens. Sodomy is illegal in Namibia, and is punishable with prison time. Furthermore, statements by government leaders, such as Sam Nujoma and Jerry Ekandjo, concerning gays and lesbians have drawn both domestic and international condemnation.
SO DON’T GO THERE!
Granted, you can’t always be sure who is gay friendly and who is not. I am sure there are many days I buy my gas, or certain brands of groceries at the store, I am giving my money to haters.
Top Gay Friendly & Supportive companies include –
APPLE, GOOGLE, NIKE, CAMPBELLS SOUP, EASTMAN KODAK, LEVI – STRAUS, AETNA, AT & T, BAUSCH AND LAUMB
Some of the UN-FRIENDLY include –
EXXON, BAYER, CRACKER BARREL, HARRAH’S, HEINZ, HORMEL, AIG
See the whole list of Gay friendly and unfriendly.
Gay Travel Safety Tips and Advice
