Category Archives: Places US
Gay Travel Gay Marriage in Provincetown This Summer
Summertime is just around the corner!
And so is the busy season in PTOWN! And many June Brides and Brides and Grooms and Grooms will tie the knot is Massachusetts again this season.
Recognized by PlanetOut for five consecutive years as the #1 resort destination for the LGBT traveler, Provincetown has led the pack in same-sex weddings since Massachusetts became the first US state to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.
From fabled sand dunes and seaside bonfires to world-class dining and shopping along Commercial Street, Provincetown offers boundless natural beauty coupled with a quaint and historic downtown, which was recently recognized as a “Dozen Distinctive Destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Since the 1920s when artists, writers, playwrights, poets and bohemians flocked to the beaches every summer, Provincetown has been known as a vibrant and diverse artists’ colony, as well as the birthplace of modern American theatre. A sampling of 20th-century artists who’ve worked and found inspiration in Provincetown: Hans Hofmann, Franz Kline, Mark Rothko, Milton Avery, Edward Hopper, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Norman Mailer and Michael Cunningham.
A “town of firsts,” Provincetown is the site of the Pilgrim’s first landing in the New World and the signing of the Mayflower Compact, which some consider to be the birth of democracy. Additionally, Massachusetts is the birthplace of marriage equality, as it was the first state in the US to legalize same-sex marriage.
Thanks to a process introduced in 2009, extended license hours (open 5 days/week and late every Friday during the summer) allow in-state and out-of-state couples to get married over the course of a long-weekend. A full explanation can PROVINCETOWN online.
From casual, intimate gatherings on the National Seashore (lit by bonfire) to a host of cottages, historic B&Bs, world-class restaurants and public parks, monuments and historical sites, Provincetown offers venues for every taste and budget.
The Numbers:
Same-sex weddings up 20% from 2008 to 2009
Since same-sex marriage was legalized in 2004, there have been more than 2,500 same-sex weddings in Ptown (about 92% of all marriages) .
Stop by PTOWN Business Guild if you are planning a trip!
New Gay Travel Guide
LGBT Gay Travel – Sun or Ski in March and April
SKI OR SUN?
That is the question!
The next 8 weeks offer a choice of either. Starting with Winter Pride March 1-8th in Whistler BC. As soon as the Olympics come to end, it’s going to be one big gay party week! You’ll find dozens of reasons to choose Whistler for your next get-away. In addition to the gay-friendly attitude, the scenery is spectacular every season of the year. You can fill a whole album with the breath-taking beauty that surrounds you—and fill a week or even longer with all the recreational activities that are Whistler.
Maybe you would rather have fun in the sun? March 3 – 8, several thousand LGBT people hit South Beach, Miami. Launched in 1994 as a one-time charity dance event on the sands of beautiful South Beach, Winter Party Festival has evolved into a week-long series of events benefiting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community nationally and locally.
More than just a day at the beach, Winter Party Festival creates an experience for LGBT people and their friends and supporters. In addition to being an important fundraiser, the Festival is also a major contributor to Miami and Miami Beach’s economy by attracting over 5,000+ people from around the world to South Florida each year.
March 7 – 14th is another big ski week. Join the friendliest skiers from the United States and around the globe on Lake Tahoe’s scenic south shore! Skiers and non skiers alike will enjoy the beauty and fun of WinterFest XV.
Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, dance parties, comedy, and skiing at HEAVENLY! There’s a difference between a mountain resort and a ski area. Ski areas are more primitive and have warming huts, resorts have lodges. Ski areas serve snacks and sandwiches and Mountain Resorts serve gourmet food at half a dozen restaurants. Ski Heavenly is a mountain resort because it has the amenities and facilities to take your love for the mountain and turn it into a ski vacation that reflects your desire to live the mountain lifestyle while having all modern amenities available.
If you want some gorgeous Spring Time weather, CHERRY 9 in Washington DC is the place to be April 30 – May 2. The Cherry Fund’s weekend dance event is one of the few that is produced entirely by volunteers, and that still donates all of its proceeds to worthy non-profit charitable organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
The cost of your pass or ticket not only gives you access to an unforgettable weekend of events, but also directly supports the work of our beneficiaries. The portion of your ticket price that benefits these charities is of course tax deductible.
3 days of dancing, a dozen dj’s, guest performers and more!
A highlight is sure to be 3rd ANNUAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON CAPITAL TEA ON THE POTOMAC –
Back by popular demand, Sunday afternoon of Cherry Weekend is a chance to catch some sightseeing and mingle with your new & old friends. And we provide the perfect setting for you to pick your pleasure all aboard the Spirit of Washington on a cruise down the Potomac. We’ve even commandeered a new boat for our Tea this year. Spirit of Washington Cruise – Pier 4, 6th and Water Streets, SW.
Soak up the sun on the multilevel outdoor decks as the Spirit of Washington glides past the magnificent ever-changing vistas including the gothic spires of National Cathedral and Georgetown University, Rosslyn’s ultra-modern office towers, and the graceful arches of Memorial Bridge.
The Best Gay Travel Guide
Homophobia on the Rise in South Beach…Gay Fort Lauderdale Continues to Flourish
BEACH
is the neighborhood that encompasses about 25 blocks in the city of Miami Beach.
In the 1920’s-1930’s South Beach brought Art Deco, Streamline Moderne, and Nautical Moderne architecture to the Beach. During the 1970’s-1980’s the area was used as a retirement community with most of its ocean-front hotels and apartment buildings filled with elderly people living on small, fixed incomes.
This period also saw the introduction of the “cocaine cowboys,” drug dealers who used the area as a base for their illicit drug activities. Scarface and even Miami Vice , typified this activity. The town became very run down and there were vacant and boarded up buildings everywhere.
So what happens? Gays cleaned it up. In the late 1980s, a renaissance began in South Beach, with an influx of “fashion industry professionals” moving into the area. South Beach started to become “fabulous” and gay clubs sprouted up everywhere.
It became this extremely popular entertainment mecca, thanks to the media. By the mid 1990’s, the rest of the straight world started to capitalize on this small area. More and more big straight clubs popped up and by the late 2000, many from Miami proper would come over and drink and cause trouble. We call that the “bridge and tunnel crowd”. When suburbanites come in and start taking over “our towns”. It’s no longer fun at that point.
Gianni Versace was murdered in 1997. I really view that as a turning point. Within a couple years, South Beach was changing. And not in a good way. I was last there in 2004 for the famous Winter Party, which attracts several thousand gay people. Even with that many gays in town, my partner and I DID NOT feel safe walking the streets at night. Straight kids in cars drove past and yelled “faggots” at us and one car even hurled a bottle at us. We walked in somewhere for a slice of pizza late night and straight teenagers mumbled “gay this” and “fag that” under their breath, but loud enough to hear. We were told by locals at that time, that many gays are starting to relocate to Fort Lauderdale. I have not been back to South Beach since.
It has just gotten worse in the last 5 years as the area has become a late night drinking straight town. This month in the news, gay bashings are on the rise there. State of Florida records stated that 75% of the anti-homosexual hate crimes in Miami-Dade County in 2009 occurred in South Beach/Miami Beach. It’s still chic and expensive there. Major developers have invested billions there. But the gays are getting out.
“South Beach isn’t the free-spirited haven of gayness it once was.” says writer Natalie O’Neill from Miami New Times.
Tony Lopez was celebrating the White Party this past November. Another huge gay event which brings thousands into the town. It was 4am and he wandered into a popular place for some take-out food. As he approached the line for food, an aggressive 20-something staggered up to him.
“Got a cigarette?” he asked. Tony shook a Marlboro Mild from the pack and handed him one.
Right then, a gang — Tony remembers four men — “appeared out of the woodwork.” They shoved him into the alley behind the restaurant, yelled “Fucking faggot!” and began to punch him. He fell to the ground and tried to shield his head as they kicked him in the face.
(Fort Lauderdale below)
O’Neill reports, “In a five-year span, the State Attorney’s Office reported 26 incidents, half of which were in Miami Beach. Victims include a lounge singer who was stripped naked and hogtied and a magazine publisher who was viciously beaten.
It’s surprising when you consider South Beach’s heyday as a sparkling gay playground, where oiled-up boys frolicked between wild foam parties and the hub of hedonism that was the Versace mansion. Nobody thought twice about casual sex in Flamingo Park or flamboyant public fashion shoots, and — at its peak — MTV was even there to glamorize it all.” – which really became the downfall of South Beach. It was a “kept secret” for a while but once it became celebritized by the rich and famous and sensationalized by television and film, it was no longer a secret!
I am not saying don’t go to South Beach. There are still fun clubs and fun parties there.
But YOU MUST BE CAREFUL. Walk in groups and not alone. Especially at night, when most of the trouble starts.
Gay Fort Lauderdale has been a haven for gay and lesbian travelers for decades. But in the last 5 years, it has seen tremendous growth as South Beach shifted. In addition to being a very gay friendly city , Fort Lauderdale has more than 100 gay-owned establishments including hotels/guesthouses, bars, clubs and restaurants, plus the second largest Metropolitan Community Church congregation in the United States and three gay and lesbian publications. Gay Ft. Lauderdale has three popular gay beach areas on Fort Lauderdale’s 23 miles of wide, sandy beach.
Fort Lauderdale continues to reign supreme as one of the most popular gay destinations in North America.
Read more on SoBe from Natalie O’Neill.
Visit Fort Lauderdale Sunny.org info Get a Free Fort Lauderdale calendar/planner!
The Best Gay Travel Guide
OUT IN AC – Harrahs Atlantic City Gay Weekend a Success!
HARRAHS Entertainment
rolled out the red carpet in Atlantic City for the LGBT community recently, and hundreds came!
The organization has been committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment for employees, guests and communities for some time now. And recently decided it was time to host a gay weekend of events.
Harrah’s has been catering to gay and lesbian travelers at its Las Vegas casinos for a few years, and launched a similar campaign in the country’s second-largest gambling market with an “Out in Atlantic City” – OUT IN AC – weekend of partying Sept. 25-27.
The event, which attracted nearly 1,000 people, brought some of the best-known names in the gay and lesbian entertainment scene to the Harrah’s casinos. Lesbian and Gay travelers came in from New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore, Chicago, and surrounding New Jersey cities.
The tide is changing – and the time is right. Las Vegas now has a major gay club and gay resort. It’s time for Atlantic city to follow suit. And the people at Harrah’s Entertainment are going to be the leader.
As Michael Musto pointed out, “I’ve always been astounded that the casinos never catered to the lavender dollar, obviously cowing in terror of the family-values folks who thump Bibles in between playing card games and hiring hookers…”
As times have changed in recent years, Atlantic City has evolved as well, as did Las Vegas. While gambling is still the primary backdrop, you see less of the $2.98 all you-can-eat buffets, and more upscale restaurants driven by celebrity chef’s and 5 star dining, geared towards foodies and nicer upscale clubs with bottle service geared towards the nightlife seekers.
MIA at Caesars has some amazing food with chef Georges Perrier at the helm; Explore the savory flavors of the Far East with a hip new twist at Red Pearl, on the sixth floor of Bally’s; at Showboat, the Rib & Chophouse serves the finest in steaks, chops, chicken and seafood in Atlantic City. Meat lovers will enjoy premium Hereford beef grilled to your specifications; seafood lovers will rejoice at the fresh catch of the day and raw bar.
Super hot nightclubs like DUSK at Ceasars and Club Worship at Showboat / House of Blues is where everyone goes to see and be seen; (Nicky Hilton had her party at Dusk the same weekend as OUT IN AC). The Pier Shops at Ceasars has a VIP selection of upscale shopping like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, plus an ever changing event list like Wine Tastings, Hap-pier Hour Nights, Ultimate Tuesdays, Oktoberfest and more.
After all the gambling, shopping and nightlife, you have to relax! Give me a FABULOUSPool and Spa! Last year, Harrah’s Resort became the official home to “Endless Summer” with its new, $90 million, 172,000-square-foot glass, dome-enclosed swimming pool complex and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.
Located under a striking, 90-foot-high glass dome, The Pool complex is a lush, tropical oasis(perfect 82 degrees, year-round) featuring $1 million worth of horticulture dressing an Olympic-size pool, six Jacuzzis, 12 cabanas, indoor and outdoor deck areas, as well as The Pool Bar. The Pool complex offers guests creative water-tainment both day and night with such engaging activities as luaus, pool-side spa treatments and live musical entertainment.
Located adjacent to The Pool complex, the new Red Door Spa – spans 23,000 square feet with 23 treatment rooms including a couples’ deluxe suite with an in-room Jacuzzi, fireplace and shower. This well-appointed Red Door Spa offers Elizabeth Arden’s comprehensive menu of world-renowned signature spa services and beauty treatments.
Harrah’s Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company, decided to create OUT in AC to really prove to the LGBT community, they plan to include them, moving forward. Not just be “gay-friendly”.
OUT in ATLANTIC CITY was the first weekend-long celebration specifically tailored for the LGBT community of Atlantic City and environs. And guess what? It was a SUCCESS.
And everyone we talked to, most who lived within 2 hours of Atlantic City, all said they would come here even more often, if there was more gay parties or events going on. “Even if a casino would make a gay club night, we’d drive in more often,” said Gregg and his 2 friends from New York City.
Harrah’s Entertainment owns four of the major players in town; Harrah’s, Showboat, Bally’s, and Caesars. And the OUT IN AC weekend showcased parties at each venue. Club Worship at House of Blues at Showboat hosted the Amanda Lepore (American Transsexual Icon) and Cazwell Catwalk Party. Cazwell has become the premier gay rapper and Amanda has long been celebrity nightlife queen, model, and now singer (thank you Cazwell!) Cazwell rapped about stuff All Over His Face and seeing Beyonce At Burger King, while Amanda pranced and showed off her Jessica Rabbit body while signing about Champagne , Cotton Candy and stripping down, nearly nude, during I Know What Boys Like. FYI – Both the Cazwell and the Amanda Lepore new CD’s are out this month! And they’ll be talking about their music here with us, in coming weeks!
During our OUT IN AC – LGBT Weekend we also got to experience the Foundation Room, at House of Blues / Showboat. WOW! Dinner was 5 star, amazing here! Members enjoy benefits and privileges at all locations: Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Cleveland, Atlantic City, Dallas, Houston, and Boston. Exclusive membership here brings the ultimate VIP lifestyle to your fingertips with VIP concert seating, elegant dining, discounted hotel rooms and other rocking perks at House of Blues locations across the country. – After dnner, the cast of THE L WORD was on hand, with a huge lesbian crowd, to mix and mingle and do a Q & A with the audience.
The main party, and the biggest, was Decadence at Caesar’s. Gorgeous Go-Go Gods kept the crowd dancing from their perched pedestals above the flashing LED dance floor. Lance Bass introduced Jai Rogriguez who DJ’d the evening as well as performed his hit “Broken”. Edge, Boston, summed it up best – “This was the party of the weekend, the Saturday night blowout, the party that announced that the OUT in AC weekend was a contender-and not going away. OUT in AC was here to stay-this year, and next year, and year after next.”
And just when we thought the OUT IN AC weekend was about done, we dragged ourselves out of bed Sunday morning for the Gay Bingo ReHab Brunch with Coco Peru and local diva Lady Eve, which benefitted the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.
Perhaps the sentiment of the weekend was best expressed by Lady Eve who, at each event, reminded the crowd of nearly 1,000 revelers that the reason that OUT in AC was a resounding success was because of them. As she said, the LGBT community has been there all along; all we needed was to be acknowledged, at last.
And by weekend’s end, there was no question that OUT in AC had put Atlantic City back on the LGBT vacation map. We had the chance to talk to various people within the Harrah’s Entertainment hierarchy, and talk about possible plans for 2010. They will quite possibly include SEVERAL gay weekends throughout the year, including a huge summertime beach party, special gay event nights and a club, dedicated to the LGBT community!
We will keep you posted as these exciting changes take place.
New Gay Travel Guide
Best of Gay New York
Best Gay Cities
Gay Marriage Moves Forward in Vermont! Plus, BEN and JERRY Rename Ice Cream to Celebrate Gay Marriage!
VERMONT!
now becomes yet another progressive state which has risen above the political dogma and says to all Vermonters, welcome, you are all equal in our eyes when it comes to sharing your life with a loved one!
“I think we’re going to look back at this week as a moment when our entire country turned a corner,” said Jennifer C. Pizer, the national marriage project director for the advocacy group Lambda Legal. “Each time there’s an important step forward, it makes it easier for others to follow.”
The issue is also advancing in New Hampshire, where it has passed the state House and is awaiting action by the Senate, as well as in Maine and New Jersey, which are debating same-sex marriage legislation.
BEN AND JERRY, those right-on! US ice-cream makers, have renamed their Chubby Hubby ice cream Hubby Hubby . . . in celebration of the legalisation of gay marriage in the company’s home state of Vermont.
“At the core of Ben Jerry’s values, we believe that social justice can and should be something that every human being is entitled to,” said Walt Freese, CEO of Ben Jerry’s.
Watch Betty Degeneres talk about gay marriage with others…..
Harrah’s, Atlantic City Hope to Become ‘gay friendly’ Destinations
Harrah’s Entertainment has been committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment for employees, guests and communities for some time now. As the only gaming organization to obtain a perfect score on the HRC’s Corporate Equality Index Harrah’s is committed to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. Harrah’s recently received HRC’s Best Place to work for LGBT Equality.
Harrah’s Entertainment has endorsed the passage of a Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act to ensure that no employee in the United States may be fired for their sexual orientation or gender expression. This year Harrah’s Entertainment is a major sponsor of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The Harrah’s Foundation was also a sponsor of this year’s Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media Awards (GLAAD) held in Los Angeles and televised on the Bravo Network.
So what’s next? The world’s largest casino company will begin courting gay and lesbian travelers in hopes of attracting new customers to a market decimated by the recession and competition from Pennsylvania slot parlors.
The push to establish Atlantic City as a “gay friendly” town not only underscores the need to expand the customer base, but also reflects a shift in the cultural landscape, said Jennifer Weissman, regional vice president of marketing for Harrah’s Entertainment Inc.
“We believe our customer base comes from all cultures, all sexual orientations and all backgrounds. We really believe that our customers will embrace this,” she said.
Harrah’s has been catering to gay and lesbian travelers at its Las Vegas casinos for a few years, but will launch a similar campaign in the country’s second-largest gambling market with an “Out in Atlantic City” weekend of partying Sept. 25-27. The event, expected to draw more than 1,000 people, will bring some of the best-known names in the gay and lesbian entertainment scene to the Harrah’s casinos.
Amanda Lepore, a transsexual icon and New York nightlife host, will kick things off with a party Sept. 25 at Club Worship at Showboat Casino Hotel’s House of Blues. The weekend will also include appearances by singer and “Dyke Diva” Lori Michaels and the cast members of Showtime’s lesbian-themed show “The L Word.”
Lance Bass, of ‘N Sync fame, and Jai Rodriguez, of the Bravo Network’s show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” will host a party at Caesars Atlantic City. Rodriguez will also host a game of bingo at Harrah’s Resort, with proceeds benefiting the South Jersey AIDS Alliance.
While Atlantic City may not become the next San Francisco for gay travel, tourism officials believe the resort’s evolution into a more upscale gambling and entertainment hub fits the lifestyle of gay and lesbian customers.
“What the gay market is looking for is high-end retail, accommodation and nightlife, and that’s what we have,” said Jeffrey Vasser, president of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority. “The more we reinforce the fact that Atlantic City is a gay-friendly destination, the better off we will be in attracting that market, which is a very upscale market.”
Separate of the Harrah’s campaign, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority has reached out to the gay and lesbian community through the gay travel media and by having a promotions booth at a gay-themed consumer show in New York.
In addition, a private, nonprofit organization called the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance was formed recently to promote gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender businesses and people in the surrounding area.
Donald Wittkowski: Press of Atlantic City
New Gay Travel Guide and Best Gay Cities
Gay Rights March on Washington Will Move Forward in October
After much uncertainty, Equality Across America, the new grassroots network calling for Federal action to protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, has moved forward with plans for a massive national day of action on Sunday, October 11, 2009.
On October 10-11, 2009, we will gather in Washington, D.C. from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. This is simply a major national strategy to kick start our national grassroots Equality Across America campaign. We will gather. We will strategize. We will march. And we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation.
This is only the beginning.
We hope to see a shift in strategy to one that will secure full equality in all 50 states. We look back to 1963 and 64 when the historic civil rights movement made its transition from fighting local battles to winning national victory with the passage of the civil rights act. It’s time for that passage for LGBT Americans.
Major national LGBT organizations including the Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) have endorsed the march as have local and state grassroots organizations like Join the Impact Chicago, One Struggle One Fight and Freedom Democrats of Miami-Dade.
It will be HUGE!
In other gay political news, former President Bill Clinton said Aug. 13 that he regrets the way his Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell military gay ban was implemented, and that he doesn’t “like” the Defense of Marriage Act he signed into law. – Well thanks Bill, it’s a little late now! But in both cases, it was the lesser of 2 evils. He added that “and I am proud to say that the State Department was the first federal department to restore benefits to gay partners in the Obama administration, and I think we are going forward in the right direction now for federal employees.”
Hudson Valley – New York State of Mind
(Photo by Hardie Truesdale)
Sometimes you just have to get away from the rat-race and pressures of the big city! Be it a destination in its own or as an extended visit to New York City or Albany, both banks of the Hudson River provide easy access to a kaleidoscope of culture, history, outdoor activities, shopping, dining, vistas, relaxation, and the friendliest people you will ever meet. Whatever you seek, the Hudson Valley will respond with a myriad of choices.
The Hudson Valley refers to the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, generally from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy. Historically a cradle of European settlement in the northeastern United States, it now consists of suburbs of the metropolitan area of New York City at its southern end, shading into rural territory, including “exurbs,” farther north.
Geographically, the Hudson Valley could refer to all areas along the Hudson River, including Bergen County, New Jersey. However, this definition is not commonly used and the Tappan Zee Bridge is often considered the southern limit of the area. Though Westchester County is often classified as part of the region, Westchester residents who live at the southern end of the county (and especially the parts closer to the Long Island Sound than the Hudson River) generally do not associate themselves with the region.
The Hudson Valley is divided into three regions: Lower, Middle and Upper. The following is a list of the counties within the Hudson Valley sorted by region.
Lower Hudson
Mid-Hudson
Upper Hudson
Mansions from bygone eras, scenic beauty and quaint villages – Hudeson Valley offers lots to see and do. The Hudson River is lined from one end to the other with grand manor houses, but none compares to Kykuit (pronounced “Kye-cut”) the Rockefeller Estate. It’s not the oldest or even the largest of the estates, but many people find it the most spectacular.
Olana is another perfect place to begin or end a tour of the scenic Hudson River Valley — the beautiful, historic birthplace of the first school of American Art. A Persian-style home and estate of famed artist Fredrick Edwin Church.
Located in Dutchess County, the Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, in terms of architecture, interiors, mechanical systems, road systems and landscape, is a remarkably complete example of a gilded-age country place, illustrating the political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic changes that occurred as America industrialized in the years after the Civil War. A lavish estate!
In addition to tours of the historic house the estate grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitors may walk the grounds, gardens, hike carriage trails, or picnic at the overlook.
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter – there is always something to do! Lighthouse tours, estates, small towns, antique shopping, morning ballooning, skiing, and wine country. Rich in history, natural beauty and historic sites, the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain Region are perfect destinations for a day trip or extended visit. See why it is called natural magnificence!
Visit HUDSON VALLEY TRAVELER for more booking and tour information.
Hudson Valley Traveler was born out of a desire to share our corner of the world with independent travelers in a unique way. “We are the most knowledgeable consulting team whose primary focus is to plan customized self-drive vacations throughout the Hudson Valley. It can be a day trip, an overnight outing, or a month’s stay. It might be a full itinerary or just a list of preferred lodging. ” and they are LGBT friendly, of course.
Read the current TOWN & COUNTRY TRAVEL feature.
Visit Travel Hudson Valley , Historic Hudson Valley, and Hudson Valley Voyager
for travel information.
Visit Norm Mackay for real estate information.
The Best of Gay New York and the New Gay Travel Guide
Southern Decadence – Gay New Orleans – OUTRAGEOUS BEHAVIOR!
Southern Decadence is outrageous! New Orleans’ largest gay street fair is September 2 – 7. Drag queens, drag men, go-go boys and strippers, Lady Bunny, Shirley Q. Liquor, Chi-Chi LaRue- everyone and anyone is here! Sunday’s big street parade, which rivals New Orleans’ gay Mardi Gras in scope, is the peak of the event.
The corner of Bourbon and St. Anne is considered the epicenter. The Bourbon Pub and The Parade are the big bars overflowing with male dancers. Everything and anything goes here! Dance parties, drinking, costumes, drinking, contests, parades and more drinking! Drink around the clock if you want to – and many do!/images/39531-36457/Rainbow_Guys.jpg” width=500>
According to Wikipedia – Decadence, as it is known by participants, is marked by parades, bead tossing, street parties and dance parties. The festival like Mardi Gras is highly sexual in nature, with overt advertising that liquor will be flowing heavily. It is aptly known as Gay Mardi Gras for its similarity to Carnival week earlier in the year.
Decadence crowds in the Quarter typically match or exceed the gay Mardi Gras crowds, leading some residents of the French Quarter to leave the city over Labor Day weekend, like some do for Mardi Gras itself, although the influx of visitors to the city as a whole is not so great as for New Orleans Mardi Gras.
You used to have book 1 year in advance to get a room, and pre-pay, and pay double the room rate because it is such a highly attended event! Last time I was there, pre-Katrina, a room in the French Quarter was $200 a night, with a 5 night stay. I am not sure if the same is still true in these post-Katrina times…..I checked online this morning, and rooms could be found for $65 – $100 a night! MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE! It’s a fun time, and every gay person should experience it at least once, in their life.
New Gay Travel Guide and Best Gay Cities
Gay Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands, located in the central Pacific Ocean, are the most remote chain of islands in the world. Honolulu is 2,398 miles southwest of San Francisco (the closest continental point), 3,818 miles southeast of Tokyo, and 5,067 miles north of Sydney. Oahu, the third largest island in the chain, contains about 75% of the state’s population and is considered the main island. Honolulu (the state capital and major city), and its beach resort area at Waikiki, are on Oahu. The other islands are referred to as the Neighbor Islands. The island of Hawaii, larger in land area than the other islands combined, is called the “Big Island” so as to avoid confusion with Hawaii, the State.
Hawaii’s unique and distinctive mix of peoples and cultures are the result of the co-existence and blending of people from all over the world who have settled in the Islands. Since no group represents an ethnic or religious majority, there is a fairly high degree of tolerance of various lifestyles (including gay and lesbian). The largest ethnic groups are Caucasians (22%), Hawaiian/part Hawaiian (21%), Japanese (18%) and Filipino (13%). Other ethnic groups include Chinese, Korean, Samoan, Tongan, Portuguese, Puerto Rican, Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hispanics and Blacks.DaKine magazine is the gay magazine of Hawaii. And Hawaii Gay Cities offers a great overview of the city on things to see and do!
Top Lesbian Vacation Cities
What’s a girl to do once she’s crossed off San Francisco, New York, West Hollywood, and Portland, and done the Dinah to death?
It’s time to try these off-radar, lesbian hot spots!
Gay travel is often “different for girls.” Does a listing that states “gay-friendly” also mean “lesbian-friendly” or “lesbian-popular”? If accommodations are advertised as “gay/lesbian,” will visiting women find themselves lone ladies in a gay male–dominated, clothing-optional compound? Will female travelers make the unfortunate discovery that accommodations are “lesbian–overly friendly” and find themselves the objects of unwanted interest? Call ahead to potential accommodations and ask about their percentage of lesbian guests. But don’t allow such concerns to limit vacations to the same spots that have lured ladies for decades: a slew of off-radar sapphic spots await.
Asheville, N.C. – Fall colors are at their finest in Asheville, a remarkable artsy Appalachian town of 70,000 where women walk hand-in-hand and art deco, beaux-arts, and neoclassical architecture create an elegant backdrop. The best places to leaf peep in and around “Sheville” are along 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway between Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains or in downtown’s Asheville Botanical Gardens.
Key West, Fla. – If you’re in the mood for a wild week, schedule sojourns south for WomenFest (WomenFest.com, September 8-13, 2009), when 3,000 women stream over 126 miles and 42 bridges down the Florida Keys to the southernmost point in the continental United States. The raucous WomenFest schedule brims with hot events from clothing-optional pool parties to competitive bull riding.
Eugene, Ore. – Boasting a lesbian chorus, lesbian Realtors, a lesbian ballroom dance group, women’s coffee, writing, and hiking groups, and a famed liberal arts university, this college town of 150,000, 100 miles south of Portland, is your destination if you like your women capable of invigorating debate. 2009 saw the University of Oregon’s Women’s and Gender Studies department host the first Lecture in Lesbian Studies.
Madison, Wis. – Another academic hot spot, but also a city with serious political clout, Wisconsin’s capital is the seat of out lesbian representative Tammy Baldwin. The isthmus city (Madison is perched between lakes Mendota and Monona) is a dynamic, welcoming, and active college town of 230,000.
Northampton, Mass. – Home to the women’s liberal arts college Smith (founded 1871) — and to a population of academic dykes — Northampton is a charming college town of 30,000, perfect for those looking for a romantic getaway, wedding, or honeymoon destination. Downtown is a pleasant stroll from Smith’s elegant campus. Cute cafés and intimate restaurants abound. Lesbianville, USA, as the National Enquirer once proclaimed it, is one of the most lesbian-popular towns in the country and boasts a lesbian mayor (Clare Higgins), a lesbian-run LGBT paper, and an array of women-owned businesses.
READ MORE AT THE ADVOCATE!
Gay Weddings in Des Moines Iowa! Let Lamda Weddings Help Make it Perfect!
I DO! Getting There Des Moines is in the middle of the state of Iowa. It is less than a two hour drive from most parts of of Iowa. It is also 2 hours from Minneapolis, Omaha and Kansas City and about 5 hours from Chicago and St Louis. There are many direct flights into Des Moines from 19 cities including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Memphis, Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, etc. Where to Stay When it comes to choosing a place to stay, Des Moines has the usual offerings like the Marriott, Embassy Suites and the Renaissance Savery. However, it also has several quaint bed and breakfasts for those of you who want something a little unique. The Butler House on Grand Avenue is probably the first place to look into. It is an charming and very elegant early 20th century home that was converted to a B&B in 1996. the owners live on the premises and offer genuine Midwestern hospitality. With a limited number of guest rooms advance booking is highly recommended. Another well-appointed B&B in the city is The Cottage on Kingman Ave. There are also several secular locations to hold gay ceremonies in Des Moines and depending on whether you want an outdoor or indoor event, there is a wide choice. Outdoor locales include gorgeous scenic spots in Madison County (known after its famous bridges- yes it is just a 15 minute drive from Des Moines!). Indoor locations for ceremonies also abound, but it is important to book early to get some of the choice ones. Top among these are The Salisbury House, The Temple of Performing Arts and the Renaissance Savery Hotel. For those of you who want a full-scale wedding with an evening sit-down reception and cost is not a consideration, I would recommend a morning ceremony at the Salisbury House and Gardens. It is an early 20th century architectural gem modeled after a 15th century English mansion. You have the option of holding an indoor ceremony or an outdoor one in the gardens behind the estate. An evening reception can be held in one of the ballrooms at the Renaissance Savery in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Holding the reception in a hotel ballroom offers your wilder guests the convenience of staggering to their room or being helped upstairs without worrying about having a designated driver. What To Do While in Town Des Moines has an active gay and lesbian community with a growing variety of clubs, organizations, activities and events – including a very lively annual Pride celebration – that reflects the diversity of the local community. The center of gay and lesbian life is the area around the Eastside of downtown in the East Village neighborhood. Here you will find Blazing Saddle, the campy neighborhood bar with their happy hours, Martini specials, boys night, girls night and even an occasional “Vegas Style” male revue. East Village also has an eclectic mix of hip restaurants, boutique stores and clubs. Eateries include a commendable sushi restaurant and a boisterous yet elegant piano bar. For the shopper, there are stores that sell original furniture designs like Sticks and local apparel lines like Smash, which was recently made famous by fellow Iowan, Ashton Kutcher. Other sites to take in while in Des Moines include the Iowa State Capitol, which towers over the city from a small hill, facing westward toward downtown. The capitol building is 275-foot tall and has a 23-karat gold leafed dome that glitters majestically in the setting sun. Gently cascading down to the west of the Capitol is a lush 10-acre garden that is meticulously maintained all year around. History buffs can go to the Iowa State historical Museum or the Living History Farms Museum, which tells the story of Midwestern culture and rural life in a 500-acre open-air museum with re-created frontier towns and dressed up actors playing pioneers. So what are you waiting for?
Des Moines, Iowa
is an open and welcoming destination for gay and lesbian travelers. Iowa’s capital city is a warm, friendly metro of about 0.5 million people including suburbs.
The large number of colleges and universities here give it a more liberal feel than many other towns the same size. It is also the insurance capital of the Midwest boasting more insurance firms than any other city in the nation except Hartford, CT. This has resulted in a diverse and young workforce that keeps the bars full and upscale restaurants open.
The Iowa Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on April 3, that same-sex marriages have equal protection under the Iowa constitution is further bolstering Des Moines’ diversity by offering a haven for gay travelers who want to plan a destination wedding and a very affordable honeymoon in Iowa’s lush countryside. Iowa does not have residency laws that would prevent out-of state couples from marrying there. Anyone from any other state can get legally married in Iowa after obtaining a marriage license from the County Recorder’s office.
Several local businesses have sprouted up to serve the gay marriage market – one of them is Lambda Weddings, a newly formed wedding and event planning group , which specializes in serving gay couples from other states.
Lambda Weddings offers easy wedding packages for out-of-state couples who don’t want to be bothered with planning an elaborate wedding or who just want to elope in secret. The base package includes a licensed minister, an elegant ceremony in a charming country setting, a personal wedding planner, chilled champagne, a complimentary cake, digital photos and of course the processing of the marriage license. Additional services such as airport pick-up, elaborate photo shoots, a sit-down reception or theme weddings can all be purchased for reasonable fees.
Ceremony Locations
A budget conscious couple could have a memorable service and a reception with the rolling hills of Madison County as a backdrop and honeymoon in one of the bed & breakfasts for a very reasonable price. Scenic trails, riding stables and hearty country breakfasts will invigorate anyone jaded by city life and bring back a fresh glow to your face.
Several local churches are open and welcoming of gay couples- the Unitarian Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church have all opened their doors to conducting same-sex ceremonies- exemplifying a Midwestern “Live and Let Live” spirit.
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is a great way to spend the Sunday morning after the reception. Here you can walk away your hangover among hanging floral baskets, herbs and bedding plants and perennials. Market patrons can expect to see nearly 200 vendors, from 47 Iowa counties, with farm fresh products including Iowa raised pork, beef, lamb, poultry, fish, elk, baked breads, pies and cinnamon rolls. Shoppers can also find nuts, eggs, butter, cheese, wine, jams, jellies, beautiful cut flowers and a vast assortment of locally created arts, crafts, jewelry, rugs, and clothing. Spend a morning walking among flowers and fresh farm produce and then go over to the Gateway Market for brunch and you will begin to appreciate the joys of small town life in the Midwest.
If Virginia is for lovers, Iowa is for the those of us who are ready to say “I do! To have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, from this day forward… till death do us apart.”
LAMBDA WEDDINGS
Arranging exclusive destination gay weddings in Iowa!
Big Gay Travel Road Trip! Driving Equality in 100 days with Chris and Chris!
Driving Equality is a 100-day, 16,000-mile, 48-state 35 city trek across America to collect stories from LGBTQ people in an effort to raise awareness of the various forms of discrimination faced by our community in each state of the nation. Highlighting the differences in rights, laws, and amendments between the states will shed light on the current social standing of queer individuals today. I hope to create a dialogue about the disparities across the nation, and what can be done to end discrimination for all.
The guys (Chris and Chris) hit the road this past Sunday and began their trek across America!
The van is packed full of film equipment, camping gear, clothes, food, books, a bullhorn, a guitar, and a mini buddha; everything one needs for a 100-day road trip / queer film project. We are off to a good start and excited to be on the road. For the next three months we will be experiencing the country in a way that will allow us to understand the progress being made, and the discrimination faced, by LGBT people across the nation.
Driving Equality Phelps-A-Thon FaceBook Twitter YouTube
Maine Appears to be Fifth State to Allow Gays to Marry
Maine’s governor signed a freshly passed bill Wednesday approving gay marriage, making it the fifth state to approve the practice and moving New England closer to allowing it throughout the region.
New Hampshire legislators were also poised to send a gay marriage bill to their governor, who hasn’t indicated whether he’ll sign it. If he does, Rhode Island would be the region’s sole holdout.
Maine Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat who hadn’t indicated how he would handle his state’s bill, quickly signed it.
“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Baldacci said in a statement read in his office. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”
The vote by the Maine Senate was 21-13, with one lawmaker absent. The bill authorizes marriage between any two people rather than between one man and one woman, as state law currently allows. The House had passed the bill Tuesday.
The gay marriage law is to take effect in mid-September but could be sidetracked before then. Opponents promise to challenge it through a public veto process that could suspend it while a statewide vote takes shape.
It’s just so silly in this country, this process takes so long and has to go state by state.
In other contries they just make it a law and move on with life!
The Great Urban Race – Amazing Race in your City!
It’s back again, for another year of fun races!
Coming to a city near you.
The Great Urban Race is like the Amazing Race, for one day, in your city. Teams of two compete to solve twelve clues for the local prize, and winners move on to New Orleans to compete for the $10,000 Grand Prize!
It’s a wacky urban adventure and the clues are a mix of mental and physical challenges. (Is there liquor involved?)
Physical Challenge: Feed your teammate some tasty food, do something daring or compete in a game. Mazes, Segways, Tae Kwon Do lessons, bicycle races, holding huge fish, canoeing and many other activities were used during the 2008 season.
Scavenger: Return to the finish line with an item or find a specific vendor.
Puzzles: Think anagrams, Sodoku puzzles, word searches and crosswords.
Brain Teasers: Riddles or tests to tease your brain.
Challenge: Interaction with the general public.
Teams are encouraged to dress up –
or dress down – and have fun!
*High Heels are NOT encouraged.
COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU???
5/2/2009 – Washington DC 7/11/2009 – Minnesota
5/16/2009 – San Francisco 8/1/2009 – Chicago
5/30/2009 – Boston 8/15/2009 – New York City
6/6/2009 – Portland 8/29/2009 – Seattle
6/20/2009 – Madison 9/12/2009 – Charlotte
6/27/2009 – Denver 9/26/2009 – Philadelphia
10/3/2009 – Dallas
10/16/2009 – Normal, Illinois
10/24/2009 – San Diego
11/7/2009 – New Orleans Championship
The Great Urban Race
Obama Welcomes LGBT Families to White House this Weekend for Easter
In 2006 over 100 families with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parents attended the White House Easter Egg Roll, organized by Family Equality Council (formerly Family Pride). At the time, it was unclear whether LGBT families were truly welcome at the White House, or if the Bush camp caved to pressure, but our families enthusiastically participated and the country had an opportunity to see and hear from LGBT families in an unprecedented way.
This year, another 100 LGBT families or more will attend the Egg Roll, but this time the White House has specifically encouraged them to participate in this time-honored event. President Obama was the first presidential candidate to openly affirm the equal value of LGBT families, in an August 2008 letter to Family Equality Council’s Executive Director, Jennifer Chrisler.
Then Senator Obama stated that we must “do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom.”
“I was thrilled when the White House called on the Family Equality Council to encourage our supporters, tens of thousands of LGBT families nationwide, to apply for tickets to this year’s Easter Egg Roll,” said Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of Family Equality Council. “It’s clear to me that when the Obama Administration thinks about American families, they think about LGBT families, as well. For too long our families suffered under administrations that simply ignored us or attacked us outright, often for the sake of short-term political gain. Americans are tired of divisive politics. In a time of national crisis, all Americans—all families—should come together to renew this country. LGBT families will take this opportunity to show up and be counted as part of this great effort.”
Gay Marriage in Iowa & Sweden!
This morning – it’s official!
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state’s same-sex-marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making it the third state where gay marriage is legal.
In a unanimous ruling issued today, the court upheld a 2007 Polk County District Court judge’s ruling that the law was unconstitutional. The case stems from a 2005 lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal, a New York-based gay-rights organization. The group filed a lawsuit on behalf of six gay and lesbian Iowa couples who were denied marriage licenses.
Iowa now joins Connecticut and Massachusetts as states that allow same-sex couples to marry.
Meanwhile, the Vermont House of Representatives late Thursday approved a bill legalizing gay marriage, a measure that now faces a veto from the state’s governor.
The Democratic-controlled house voted 95-52 in favor of the bill, which had already cleared the state Senate in a 26-4 vote. The state’s Republican governor, James Douglas, says he now plans to veto it.
Lawmakers in New Hampshire and Maine also are considering bills that would allow gay marriage.
The Defense of Marriage Act says that under federal law only a marriage between a man and a woman is recognized. President Barack Obama has said he wants to repeal the 1996 law. That could give same-sex couples in states that recognize gay marriage or civil unions access to federal benefits, such as Social Security payments in the event of the death of one of the partners.
ALSO IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK –
Sweden has become the fifth European country to allow same-sex marriage. Parliament on Wednesday adopted a new law, to take effect May 1, that gives same-sex couples the same marriage rights as heterosexuals. The Netherlands, Norway, Belgium and Spain also allow same-sex marriages.
A Gay Boy and His Car! Travel Across The United States…Driving Equality
CHRIS MASON
is about to embark on a
road trip to raise awareness!
16,000 miles.
100 days.
48 states.
35 cities.
1 goal:
to advance LGBT equality.
Driving Equality is a trek across America to raise awareness of the various forms of discrimination faced by LGBT people in each state of the nation. Highlighting the differences in rights, laws, and amendments between the states will shed light on the current social standing of queer individuals today. I hope to create a dialogue about the disparities across the nation, and what can be done to end discrimination for all.
“During the 100-day trip (which kicks off MAY 11th), I will be meeting with LGBT community organizers, activists, and any citizens willing to talk. Through these interviews, I will gain an understanding of the current political climates, and explore ways of combating discrimination. Throughout my journey, I will make frequent posts on this website, including photos and video clips.
The project will culminate with a documentary of my experience with the aim of activating a discussion about potential strategies for ensuring equality.
Check out my route! If you happen to be along the way, and would like to be a participant let me know. “
You can also donate and get one of these cool buttons!
Join his group on FACEBOOK and MySpace.
Siegfried & Roy Take Their Final Bow – The Hottest Ticket in Las Vegas This Month
ONE NIGHT ONLY –
IT’S GOING TO BE THE HOTTEST MOST
TALKED ABOUT EVENT IN LAS VEGAS!
SIEGFRIED AND ROY
will return to the stage!
Saturday, February 28th at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Tickets still available at $1500 each, to benefit Lou Ruvo Brain Institute.
They announced their return to the stage for charity, exactly one year ago.
And now the time is here.
NEWSFLASH – JUST IN!
An official announcement is expected today that the legendary illusionists will appear in a special hourlong, prime-time installment of the ABC News program “20/20,” to be recorded live at the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute’s Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” benefit gala, scheduled for Feb. 28 at the Bellagio.
The show will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Pacific time on March 6.
ABC News anchor Elizabeth Vargas is in Las Vegas now, filming interviews with the German-born magicians who have for decades called Las Vegas home. She will be talking with the magicians’ longtime manager, Bernie Yuman, and other Vegas VIPs such as Steve Wynn.
“We never got to say a proper goodbye,” Roy Horn said in an exclusive interview on his first tour of the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute on the Union Park development near downtown Las Vegas. “This will be our final bow and it will never be repeated.”
Lesbian and Gay Band to March in Washington DC this Week
As the nation’s attention turns to this week’s Inaugural festivities, in Washington DC, Gays and Lesbians can be proud of the Lesbian and Gay Band Association’s historic participation in the Inaugural Parade. The band will be the first LGBT organization ever to march in an Inaugural Parade.
Participants, however, are responsible for paying for their own lodging, transportation, and other expenses. And it’s not cheap.
A gift of just a few dollars will help cover the many expenses of participating in an event of this magnitude.I know I’ll be excited when the announcer tells the television viewing audience that the next contingent is the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America. The parade will be seen by hundreds of millions around the world. And it’s that sense of pride. Recognition. That we are getting one step closer to equal rights.
MAKE A DONATION TODAY and support the Lesbian and Gay band!
Bye Bye Georgie! Hello Barack!!
UPDATE – Watch the Video from the Inauguration Parade!