Gay Travel from Around the World

Gay Travel from Around the World

 
November 14, 2009   Travel Tips

The iPhone and Gay Travel and What NOT To Do!


I just got an iPhone about a year ago and have never traveled out of the country with it, till last month, when I went to London, Prague and France.

I am thinking, this will be cool,  to try all these great apps for gay travel, text some friends back home and send them some photos, and check my email from my phone, instead of waiting to use the one PC in the hotel lobby! How cool!

NOT!

Common sense told me that international roaming rates would be outrageous – so I barely made any calls. Only 2. To my mother and  my  mother  in law!  Roughly  $2.30  per minute. A  15 minute call  was  $35! Ouch! I should have sent postcards!

I guess I am naive…or stupid…I really  didn’t  think  about  roaming  charges  being  applied  to  texts and that data usage could be an issue.

The iPhone, with all it’s  delicious apps and bells and whistles –  SUCKS  DATA. Most domestic plans here in the US  have  unlimited  data, so few users, like me, bother to track the amount I send and receive. Shame on me.


When you travel to a foreign country, AT & T offers a pricey a la carte menu which is almost impossible for the simple mind like mine, to decipher. I don’t know how many  bytes of this and that I am going to need to read emails!  How is that even calculated? I flunked  Algebra!

And every country has different rates. I was told I should have gotten a $24.99 Global Add-On plan, which would have given me 20 megabytes of data at $1.25 per megabyte – instead of the nearly $20 PER MEGABYTE they charged me!

So, fast forward, I get home to a bill for  $600. My bill  is normally  $100.

I found out, the hard way, there are some steps you can take to maintain some of the luxuries of the iPhone without getting slapped with  a  HUGE  bill.

I discovered it’s best to SHUT OFF your  DATA  ROAMING, under Settings, General, and Network. And also , in your email settings, turn off  the  FETCH option, so you don’t automatically download new emails randomly, as they pour into your in box. 

If you go somewhere that has  FREE  WI-FI – like some  hotel lobbies, you can check your emails  there, without the hefty AT&T  international charges. Just make sure you can connect to WI-FI  network. This way you can avoid many data  charges. Be selective when and where you want to check emails.

AT & T has a few options for traveling abroad, depending on where you are going. Be aware most come with a discount for your calls but also a 3 month minimum. AT & T  claims you have to pay for 3 months to make sure that can catch all of the calls. Yeah, right.

It’s also a good idea to reset your usage statistics when you travel, so you can track how close you are to your limits.  This is under Settings, then General, then Usage.

AT & T is changing the game all the time.  Check with them BEFORE you leave town!


NEW GAY TRAVEL GUIDE




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November 7, 2009   Canada, Lesbian Travel

Ottawa Canada – Special Deals for Lesbian Travel and Women Right Now!


So much of Gay Travel seems  geared towards men. Well, this one’s for the girls!

Calling all girlfriends to retreat to Canada’s Capital – a city bursting with vibrant culture and surrounded by an oasis of natural beauty. This special package caters to all types and budgets by providing the ability to pick and choose.

Spend a couple days shopping, visiting museums and galleries, dining, indulge in a spa treatment or take in a show! Don’t forget to check out the funky ByWard Market district, where there’s always something happening. It’s the perfect scene for a night out on the town with your friends.

Ottawa is an open, friendly and welcoming destination for gay and lesbian travelers. Canada’s Capital has an LGBT pedigree that extends back to the first-ever gay and lesbian public demonstration in Canada (1971), and that in recent years included perhaps the most public gay marriage of all time between two gay stars of the TV program The Amazing Race.




The centre of gay and lesbian life is the area around Bank Street and Somerset in the downtown core. The growing gaybourhood has shops and bars and is the home base for local institutions serving the LGBT community.
 
Explore it by day—or by night. But don’t feel you have to limit yourself to one neighbourhood. There are things happening all over. On Sunday evenings, for example, there’s a lesbian coffee club in suburban Barrhaven. You’ll find gays and lesbians all over the city, doing the active things Ottawans do. Check publications such as Capital Xtra for listings and up-to-date information.

And best of all ladies – right now, with the GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY, you get special pricing and discounts.

Check it out!



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October 29, 2009   Anaheim Orange County CA, California, Restaurants and Dining

White House Celebrates 100 Years at Bruno Serato’s Famous Orange County Restaurant



100  YEARS  AND  COUNTING! 

A landmark jewel that was once nestled quietly among an enormous orange grove in the early 20th century, Anaheim White House is still Anaheim’s most famous hidden treasure.

This beautiful historical landmark was skillfully crafted by a gentleman named Dosithe Gervais in 1909. Jim and Barbara Stovall purchased the home in 1981. They planned to build condominiums in its place, even hiring an architect to help with the design. But on the eve of the scheduled demolition, Barbara told her husband that she couldn’t bear the thought of the home being destroyed. New plans were then drawn up, almost immediately, for the restoration of the home as “Thee White House Restaurant,” which opened on New Year’s Eve of 1981.



In 1987, Italian immigrant Bruno Serato took over the ownership of the restaurant, which now features Northern Italian cuisine. His award-winning excellence and signature entrees befit the establishment, now Anaheim White House Restaurant, and his philosophy is simple: to treat each and every one of his patrons as a distinguished guests in his home. Simple as it may be, Anaheim’s once “hidden treasure” is now recognized worldwide, and is now a “home” to many.

Numerous celebrities such as Danny De Vito, Andrea Bocelli and even former president Jimmy Carter have graced the home’s threshold. Likewise, Anaheim White House has also graced catering events for many, including Madonna, and has even traveled as far as Bora Bora, to delight dinner guests with our magnificent fare.

Not only has it been a home to so many distinguished guests, but it is also a home to several awards of excellence. Anaheim White House garnered the DiRoNA award, a very prestigious award given to only a select few in all of North America; and also the highly coveted Golden Sceptre award, the highest honor award given by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association. 

Next week, the White House will host their 100th anniversary celebration dinner – and unveil  the new  West Wing!
Friday November 6th.

So whether your are visting DisneyLand for Gay Days or just enjoying the beautiful Orange County and all it has to offer,  a visit would not be complete without lunch or dinner at this historical White House!




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October 17, 2009   Cruises, news

Straight Couple Gets On Gay Cruise – And SUES!


HOW STUPID
ARE STRAIGHT PEOPLE???

A married straight couple is seeking financial compensation after discovering once their ship left port that they had been booked on an all-gay and lesbian cruise from Civitavecchia, north of Rome, to Barcelona.

Uh, were they BLIND?
 Did they not notice 1500 men and no women on board?


The middle-aged couple alleges that the cruise company didn’t make it obvious enough that the cruise last month was for gays and lesbians and are suing for “lost satisfaction”, given that they were the only straight couple with 1500 gay passengers. 

Gay rights activists say the couple’s lawsuit shows they are homophobic, though the couple’s attorney insists that’s not the case. They’re suing over a breach of contract; they allege the cruise line didn’t accurately represent the voyage. 

The middle aged couple’s attorney is suing for “lost satisfaction”, given that they were the only straight couple with 1500 gay passengers and found the nightly shows and party themes “embarrassing.” PLUS  they spotted friends they didn’t know were gay.

Wouldn’t know know within a few minutes, you were on the wrong boat???



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October 12, 2009   Asia, Places outside US

Pattaya Thailand – Gay TV

Pattaya Gay TV is now online!

We did an article on  GAY PATTAYA THAILAND back in the summer. And it’s a very popular gay vacation spot for many. Pattaya is located about 2 hours drive South of Bangkok, or about 90 minutes from the new airport. It is well known for its beaches, and the “sun/sea” image, but far more renowned for its reputation as “Sin City”.



The latest internet guide to promote gay life in Pattaya and Thailand is now available online – PattayaGayTV.com
The channel hopes to re-create the atmosphere of gay events held in Pattaya and to broadcast them to share with everyone.
The reports will also be rebroadcast by partners worldwide in their own networks and channels.


As part of their service to the gay community they would also like to hear from you if you have ideas for future TV programs.
For more information visit Pattaya Gay TV.



New Gay Travel Guide and Best Gay Cities

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October 9, 2009   Africa, News and Happenings, Places outside US

Vote For Tyrone Nell – The Next Mr. Gay South Africa?

 


The board of directors of Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd have announced the launch of the registered and trade-marked Mr. Gay South Africa™ / Mnr Gay Suid-Afrika™ competition in South Africa. This will be a very exciting and most probably the richest pageant of its kind in the country.

 


The CEO, Mr. Cor Jansen van Rensburg, an MBA-graduate who is based in London, said that the company is looking for a candidate who does not only possess beauty on the outside, but also from within. A gay man of impeccable character, taste and style – and of course – a temple of a body to house these admirable qualities. A candidate of whom the LGBTI community – in all it’s diversity – can be proud of.


The other directors of the company are Juan C. Lerm, well-known in the gay community for launching and organising the annual Pink Loerie Mardi Gras in Knysna and Coenie Kukkuk, Pretoria-based attorney and editor of online magazine, Gayspeak.


Juan as Director of Operations is heading up all operations for the competition including the regional finals, the sponsors, the candidates and of course, the glamorous final event at a very upmarket venue in Gauteng. Details will be announced closer to the event. The final is planned to be before Christmas of this year. Mr Kukkuk is responsible for the media and legal division. The three directors bring many years of experience of events in the gay community to the table.


Candidates who want to enter, can do so online. The first three regional finalists for the Eastern Cape were chosen during the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras. The three outstanding candidates, Chris Macgregor, Tyrone Nell and Leo Jan De Beer, qualified for the final by virtue of their achievement in Mr Mardi Gras. The rest of the regional competitions will be announced soon – keep an eye on the website!



 



The final event will be something that will attract national attention. It will be stylish, glamorous, packed with celebrities and major sponsors – and of course, entertainment of the best that South Africa can offer.

The Directors said that nothing but the best will do – candidates, prizes, sponsors and the final crowning night.


This is  event the LGBTI community will be proud to be associated with.

We are proud supporters of Tyrone Nell, face of Pridebook, Model and role model to the International Gay Community.

Tyrone is 21 years old and lives in Durban, South Africa. He is a business solutions consultant and specializes in implementing quality, health and safety and environmental management systems into organizations.

Tyrone was born in Cape Town and matriculated in Pretoria, he then traveled to London where he started off his modeling career. ‘I still have a lot to achieve and I have set my goals and work towards them every day’.
With a keen interest in the fashion and media industries, Tyrone is set out to reach new heights.
 
South Africans are able to cast their public votes for Tyrone by texting “GSA Tyrone Nell” to 35215 and if you live abroad then get a friend in South Africa to cast your vote for you!

Let’s help him win!

Mr. Gay South Africa on Facebook.

Tyrone on PrideBook
(Read how he stays in shape!)

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October 4, 2009   Places US, Special Events

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 atlantic city out in ac harrahs caesars cazwell amanda lepore Free tag generator

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October 2, 2009   Gay News, Places outside US, Travel Tips

Gay Couple From Toronto Detained in DUBAI For a Month!

A gay Toronto couple was detained for 28 days in Dubai for carrying the prescription arthritis drug Celebrex, which is banned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rocky Sharma and Stephen Macleod, who have been together for 10 years, were stopped upon arrival in Dubai on Aug 2, where they planned to spend the day before returning to Toronto from a vacation in India.

Macleod had a bottle of the prescription arthritis medication Celebrex in his suitcase. They were told Celebrex is a controlled substance in UAE and, even though they did not present themselves to border officials as a couple, both partners were detained.

“I think they thought we were gay and we would have some party drugs with us,” says Sharma, who is now safely back at home with his partner. “They were definitely targeting people who are young, from the western world and nicely dressed, like they are going to party.”

The UAE has very tough drug laws. Even over-the-counter medications that include traces of codeine are restricted. Possession can result in lengthy jail sentences, heavy fines or the death penalty, according to an advisory issued by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

They were not given an opportunity to contact a lawyer or consular officials but Sharma managed to contact friends at home on his Blackberry, which he had on him at the time of his arrest. Those friends gave him the emergency contact number of the Canadian embassy in Abu Dhabi, which Sharma called before his Blackberry was confiscated. Sharma’s family also contacted DFAIT in Canada but their efforts were stymied by the long weekend.


“When I sent the message, we were thinking we were going back home,” says Sharma. “That’s when I took it out of my bag and sent the SOS message. They were taking us toward the airport, but I’m glad I sent it because they were taking us to the detention centre. We were very lucky about that.”

Sharma and Macleod were forced by their captors to submit urine samples for drug testing. Sharma says they were told they were being held pending the results of the urine tests. They were kept in a filthy prison cell with eight other prisoners for 10 days before they were sent to separate prisons.

“If you get a blanket and a pillow you’re very lucky,” he says. “For the first few days we slept on the floor. The bathroom conditions were just a hole in the ground for 200 people. Food was just rice with some kind of sauce on it three times a day.”

For the next 18 days, Sharma and Macleod could only communicate with each other via the case worker provided by the Canadian consulate.

“That was one of the worst parts, because I had no idea how he was doing, he had no idea how I was doing,” says Sharma. “We were told by the embassy not to even hint that we were a couple, to act like we were only friends, and that’s what we did.”

Homosexuality is punishable by death in UAE.

Even when the couple was formally declared innocent by the Dubai prosecution on Aug 18, they were kept another 11 days while their paperwork was processed.

DFAIT currently advises travellers to the UAE to “exercise high degree of caution” but does not issue an official warning against travel. Anyone carrying personal medication is advised to consult the UAE Ministry of Health Drug Control Department before travelling to confirm that the medication is allowed in the country.


Sharma says he and his partner will never return to the Emirates after their experience.


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October 1, 2009   New York

Breaking News from NEW YORK CITY! KEPT Annouces Gay Casting Call!!


JUST  IN … 2  minutes  ago from  our dear friends JIMMY FLOYD and   CEG in New York –  as the ink is drying on this morning contracts, THE CASTING CALL HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED  for   KEPT,  to BEST GAY NEW YORK!


CASTING CALL: “KEPT”

 


From the same production company that brought you “The Real Housewives Of Atlanta” on Bravo, Classic Entertainment Group (Casting) and LOGO, We are pleased to announce casting for “Kept” – a look at the A List gay social life in NYC.


This series will begin casting immediately – with a series premier next year on LOGO.


Casting For:


“A List” gay men in the age range of 20 – mid 30’s who have steady relationships or dating extremely established, successful men, or have that as a goal.

Very interested in couples where one guy is the “breadwinner”, the other living large on his dime.


We are looking for SUPERSIZED PERSONALITIES and SUPER – FAB EXCITING LIFESTYLES. We want Drama, drama, drama!


You must have A LOT going on– hot careers, take fabulous vacations, have second homes, do the Hamptons, & Pines or Bucks County or Asbury Park and know the IN social scene in NYC.


You have partnered with a Sugar daddy to make your dreams come true. Together you make a great team.


Maybe you are fresh out such relationship and you are in search of the same.


You are WELL CONNECTED – and there is no doubt that you are part of the “in” gay crowd of NYC.


**We are looking to infiltrate a circle of friends who fits this criteria.**


Open to guys making families or who have children already.


Must live in the greater Manhattan area – or VERY close to the city.


Please Submit:

 



  1. Photos (many) of yourself AND your significant other. Multiple photos please. We need your name(s) / age / email address / cell #.
  2. Mention what you do for a living (or are pursuing) / what your significant other does for a living…. We want to know everything.
  3. Snapshots of where you LIVE. Mention if you have a weekend house / vacation house etc…. mention all of the trappings. PHOTOS HELP
  4. SELL US on You and your lifestyle! Why are you so fabulous? WHAT’S THE BIGGEST DRAMA IN YOUR LIFE?
  5. Tell us about FRIENDS THAT WE CAN CONSIDER along with you for this crazy ride. **Very important.
  6. If we like what we see you will contacted for a phone interview and possibly be asked to visit our casting directors to be put on tape so that you can be considered for the show.

Send all of the above to: KEPTNYC@gmail.com


Part of our team will call you right away to set up a casting appointment (in Gramercy Park area).
Jimmy Floyd – Casting Director / CEG


TIME SENSITIVE – IF YOU WANT TO BE CONSIDERED WE MUST HEAR FROM YOU RIGHT AWAY!

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September 29, 2009   Celebrity, Gay Travel Tips, New York

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

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September 8, 2009   Gay Cities, Gay Marriage, News and Happenings, Places US

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…..


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September 2, 2009   Entertainment News, Gay Travel Tips

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.



And another app that looks for locals on line is  GRINDR.  Really great for those traveling alone and looking to make new  friends…..or  friends  with  benefits.  Almost 1,000,000  users in just under 6 months, GRINDR is growing at leaps and bounds.

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



 

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August 30, 2009   Gay News, New York, Places US

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


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August 25, 2009   Europe, Special Events

Barcelona Man Named Mr Gay Europe

 



Sergio Lara a 26 year old gay man born in Requena and living in Barcelona, was crowned with the prestigious title of Mr Gay Europe in a competition held in Oslo on Saturday.

 


The student, studying for a BA in Psychology, had previously been crowned Mr Gay Barcelona and Mr Gay Spain, before winning this latest title.


“I will not deny that beauty is valued, but it is not only that. In fact if you see who won Mr.Gay World last year you’ll see he was not too handsome, rather chubby (doesn’t that sound offensive??)… but was representing the gay against homophobia,” explains Sergio freshly landed in Spain.


Sergio will now be an ambassador for equal rights and awareness of the plights of the gay community, as he leads his way to competing for the ultimate prize, to be crowned as Mr Gay World.

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August 21, 2009   Gay News, Places US

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.”


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August 21, 2009   New York, Places US

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

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August 14, 2009   Europe, Places outside US

Gay Europe – Gay Croatia

 


MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY –

Everywhere you look! 

And what better time to go!  A  great exchange rate for the dollar. Not to mention picture perfect beaches and beautfil men. Even more stunning than Prague and less crowded than Amsterdam, CROATIA offers  stacks of culture and art, warm, crystal clear oceans and deserted sandy beaches, unpolluted and uncrowded cities full of classic architecture, countless islands with histories spanning hundreds of years – and some of the most gorgeous men in Europe.

DNA Magazine  said, “Today, a traveler in Croatia will find safe, clean and spacious cities, world heritage listed national parks and plenty of friendly faces desperate to encourage tourists back to the region. Croatia is yet to find itself firmly back on the tourist trail, so crowds are something you won’t see.



For gay travelers, okay, it’s not San Francisco, but for a predominantly Catholic country, Croatia is rapidly moving towards a greater acceptance of gays.

Homosexuality is legal in Croatia (it was decriminalised in 1977), and the age of consent is 18. That doesn’t mean you can walk down the street holding hands with your man without mustering up a fair bit of Dutch courage, but in a country where the men greet each other with a kiss to both cheeks, much physical contact between men goes unnoticed.”

More and more gay people are discovering this gem and it’s gay travel business is growing. There is even  Gay Pride in Zagreb in June. Zagreb is a city of green parks and walks, with many places to visit in the beautiful surroundings. (It is just a one hour flight from either Milan or Vienna.)




“Zagreb enjoys a  bustling café scene. The Grand Theatre café, just south of the city’s main square, is the most popular meeting place for Zagreb’s small, emergent gay community. However, you won’t hear Kylie blaring from the speakers or spot a drag queen anywhere in sight – not your typical gay ghetto. But you will spot tables of all male clients sitting around!

There is also a gay nightclub in Zagreb called Bad Boy. It’s located just north of the city in a residential precinct, but still within easy walking distance. Take the number 8 or 14 tram from Trg Bana Jelacica up to the Radicevo stop and follow the signs up the stairs between the houses on the left side of the road. It’s a small, cosy club decorated in warm oranges and yellows. The music is mostly pop and Euro-dance, giving Bad Boy an infectious, happy vibe.”




It has been  said that  Dalmatian Coast is  among  the 10 best new location for gay summer holidays. Touring the coast of Croatia along the Adriatic Sea offers the gay traveler something unique. Gays being such great travelers have been to a lot of places. Many people cruise down the picturesque coastal towns, full of historic architecture and art, making their way to the city of Dubrovnik and the country of Slovenia.

Rovinj is the most popular gay resort in the northwest of Croatia. Thanks to the very popular gay beach at Punta Kriza Rovinj has become a gay Mecca visited every year by hundreds of sun-thirsty gay visitors from all around Croatia and the world.  Punta Kriza Beach or Cape Cross Beach is the most popular gay beach on the Istrian peninsula. During peak-season July and August the beach can be pretty crowdie with about 500 visitors at the same time from all around Europe and the world.



“Dubrovnik, a 7th century  fortified town was such a political and economic stronghold that it resisted many attacks on its six-metre thick walls. One of the highlights of a visit to this town is the two-kilometre walk around the top of the walls which offer breathtaking views of the town and the ocean. Over sixty percent of the delicate terracotta tiled roofs of Dubrovnik were shelled in the 1991 conflict and the walls took over one hundred direct hits. All of this damage has since been expertly repaired though, and the city is once again a stoic settlement of remarkable beauty. From the marble lined Placa with its string of cafés to the Sponza’s Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, there is also more than enough beauty within the walls to overwhelm you.



The Placa is an amazingly cruisy area in summer. Packed with tourists seeking respite from the heat, people-watching from the café’s is the number one past time. Likewise, the beach to the immediate south of the city walls or further afield, Lapad Bay, can be enticing destinations for visiting gay men.


As the primary tourist destination for Germans, the accommodation standards are high and the shopping is terrific. The Germans are also big on ‘naturist’ beaches so it doesn’t matter which island you’re on, you’re likely to find one.


The best time to visit is summer as that’s when most services will be operating, the weather is perfect and the lifestyle is second to none. However, avoid the peaks of July and August if you’re keen to dodge the hordes from Germany and Italy.


And don’t worry about battling to speak Croatian. Learn the basics and then ask if they speak English. Like many European cities, if they’re under 30, chances are high that they do. Or at least  they try hard and want to communicate with English speaking tourists. “


Besides all of the links given above, you may also check out Croatia Tourism.



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August 12, 2009   Celebrity

Gunther Von Hagen Studies Madonna’s Arms and Body?


Gunther Von Hagens BODY WORLDS & The BRAIN will only run until October 4, 2009 in San Diego, CA. If you have never seen this amazing exhibit, it’s quite extraordinary! 

As you may  know, he is a controversial anatomist who invented the technique for preserving biological tissue specimens called plastination.

MADONNA has seen his show many times!  And is so impressed by his work she is now  working with personal trainer Tracy Anderson 6 TIMES A WEEK, 2 hours PER WORKOUT, to prepare for her upcoming European tour.

W T F ?

Madonna, step away from the pipe!



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August 11, 2009   Events and Premieres, Places US

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!

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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

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August 9, 2009   Gay Vacations, Places US

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!

                                    
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