This summer, houseboat vacations are on the rise, offering vacationers the best of both worlds. On a houseboat, you can enjoy the sun and the water of rivers, lakes, or oceans, while being able to enjoy the local attractions back on land. What’s not to love? Jicama Houseboat From $70 Per Night Jicama houseboat is docked on beautiful Lake Union with views of downtown Seattle in the distance. With a 4.5/5 rating on Airbnb there’s no doubt that your stay will be comfortable. The property offers a full kitchen, living space with sleeper sofa and table, bathroom with hot shower and wall…
Author: Joseph Pedro
A former swamp in the middle of Paris with a rich, fascinating history has developed into a trendsetting area known for its chic boutiques, hot restaurants, and top contemporary art galleries. When planning your next trip to Paris, make sure to add these galleries in Le Marais to your must see list! GALERIE KARSEN GREVE Passing through a pair of massive wood doors on a quiet side street in Le Marais and entering a cobblestone courtyard is Galerie Karsten Greve. Representing a roster of A-list artists including Cy Twombly, Lucio Fontana, Sally Mann, and John Chamberlain, Karsten Greve is one of the…
If the ever-growing crowds at Denver PrideFest are any indication, then Denver is rolling out the rainbow carpet like never before. Some 425,000 people turned out in 2018 for the city’s LGBTQ pride festival, which takes place in June, and more are expected this year. “Denver has become well-known as an open, welcoming city with a strong local LGBTQ community, an abundance of great offerings, and customized marketing that caters to the LGBTQ traveler,” said Jayne Buck, vice president of tourism for Visit Denver, the city’s convention and visitors bureau. “With a nationally renowned gay rodeo, one of the largest annual PrideFest…
By Rich Rubin As your traveling gourmet, I’ve spent a lot of time enjoying both what’s on my plate and the backdrop for it. Somehow, for me, a good meal is enhanced when there’s a beautiful panorama behind it, which means I’m going to take you on a culinary and scenic excursion. We’re going to see mountains, oceans, rivers, cities, and even a fjord thrown in for good measure. We’re going to eat very well, because the one thing that these restaurants have in common, beside the amazing views, is great food. I mean, really: I wouldn’t take you somewhere…
Move over, Manhattan! Today’s Brooklyn isn’t just a day trip, it demands a proper stay. Having emerged over the past decade-plus as a mecca for hipsters (and a frequent location for HBO’s High Maintenance and Girls), Williamsburg in particular represents an exciting, edgy, and sleek zone of cool niche businesses, craft beer and booze, shiny new housing, and, over the past few years, a tidy cluster of chic boutique hotels from which to explore (and sleep off a hangover!). The 183-room The William Vale, opened in late 2016, literally stands apart from the rest. A strikingly designed resort-style complex, all guest rooms feature open-air…
Boasting a Pacific coastline that stretches nearly 200 miles, Riviera Nayarit has become one of Mexico’s most coveted vacation destinations. Puerto Vallarta International Airport is a mere ten-minute drive, but the city hustle quickly gives way to sweeping landscapes, pristine beaches, and quaint towns that offer a deep dive into the country’s cultural and culinary history. José Manuel Amaro, W Insider at W Punta de Mita knows firsthand of the Bahia de Banderas coastal region within Riviera Nayarit. Passionate about the hospitality industry since he was 19 years old, José Manuel worked as a flight attendant for several years before cultivating…
We Are Travel Girls is hoping to create a global community of traveling girls with a new online presence that combines informative travel articles, inspirational stories, interviews, travel tips, and getaways. “I am a new mom, an entrepreneur, and surfer girl from California,” says co-founder Vanessa Rivers. “Becky van Dijk is from London and previously had a successful career in finance for 10+ years before she quit to move to Bali and work on We Are Traveling Girls full time!,” she adds. They launched We Are Travel Girls in June 2016 with the dream of creating a global travel community to inspire, connect, educate, and empower female…
With its shimmering skyline, visionary theaters, and wall-to-wall art, Chicago has become the Midwest’s gift to the 21st century. Architects, designers, and artists have made their mark on the city’s restaurants, galleries, and even its commercial districts. THE WILLIS TOWER Formerly the Sears Tower, the view from the Willis Tower Skydeck will now dazzle and challenge you; the panorama attracts 25,000 visitors a day. Here are glass-floored, glass-walled boxes that jut out safely from the building’s steel walls. Called observation boxes, they dare you to step out 103 stories above solid ground and take a photo, get a better look, or perhaps…
Many of the people who visit Las Vegas go there to indulge in pampering resorts, enjoy electrifying entertainment, and taste the culinary creations at celebrity-chef restaurants. Vegas is whimsical, pandering, and outrageous. Between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road, Las Vegas Boulevard is only 4.2 miles, a considerably small stretch for the annual 41 million visitors (roughly 112,000 visitors a day) who cram busy restaurants, bars, pool parties, theaters, and casino floors. To experience shorter lines, unpublished deals, significant exclusivity, and the ultimate, privileged perks, travelers in-the-know have discovered secrets they would never divulge. In Vegas, elite secrets are best-kept secret.…
You’re guaranteed more than just a delicate sip of “tea” (as in the truth, and delicious gossip) when in the company of Lenox Magee, David Dodd, and Isaac King. The Sip, their two-year-old Chicago radio show, which broadcasts and streams on Friday nights from 6-8 P.M. CST on Urban Radio Network, is the country’s first of its kind: pop culture and politics from a gay black perspective, with a whole lot of “tea” being served. “I’m not sure about the measurement of the tea we spill,” King muses. “I always hated math, anyway. It’s quality tea, and that’s what’s most important.”…
While we’ve seen (and drank) about a million versions of a mojito or martini, a Manhattan or a Singapore Sling, some of our favorites are those that really push the envelope, both visually and in terms of taste. If you like to try unique drinks, you’ll love these wild cocktails! BRIGHT IDEA 2100 BAR AND LOUNGE ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY 2100 Bar and Lounge It takes some daring and original thought to serve a cocktail in a lightbulb, but that’s exactly what the aptly named Bright Idea is. It begins with Bombay Sapphire gin, then aperitif wine Lillet Blanc along with…
Presently America’s fourth most populated city and closing in on third-place Chicago, Houston may not spring to mind as a place for such swooning interludes. With an expanding footprint that could swallow Boston, Minneapolis, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and D.C., just figuring out where to start is a challenge. Yes, there are vibrant neighborhoods, including gay-hub Montrose and the eclectic Heights, with historic Hermann Park and newly revitalized Buffalo Bayou among the city’s expansive green spaces. Yet, these spread-out districts, some connected by freeways, require wheels and effort to reach. When Houston launched its celebrity-driven image campaign in…
With no focused downtown in Bangkok, Thailand, skyscrapers have sprung up in every direction creating a unique panorama. Unlike The Bund in Shanghai or Victoria Peak in Hong Kong, there is no natural point to view the city. So the best way to appreciate the view of this vast and flat city is to go up to the top floor of the high-rises. There is no shortage of rooftop bars and restaurants in Bangkok from which to take in the incredible views and enjoy a great cocktail or fabulous meal. Some of the city’s best rooftop bars are distinctively different…
There is a new lingerie company in the market that is manufacturing sexy clothes for the transgender woman. Designer Carmen Liu says that she saw a need for such undergarments especially after transitioning herself in 2014. She tells PinkNews: “I lived my childhood as male and my femininity was seen as me being gay, not me being supposed to be a woman—back in those days, being transgender is not something you heard about. “I thought I was truly happy previously, but then I found a whole new level of happiness when I transitioned, and hearing people address me as female,…
by Rich Rubin While I’m not a huge breakfast eater, I do love me a great brunch. I’m not quite sure what it is: maybe it’s the combination of breakfast and lunch dishes I find so intriguing. Perhaps it’s the “special occasion” nature of the meal, held only on Sundays (with, increasingly, the addition of Saturdays to the lineup). It could be the interesting crossover selection indicated by the word “brunch” that allows each diner to go in his/her own direction. Whatever it is, it’s a beloved tradition that, while starting to catch on across the globe, is still pretty…
The US Supreme Court chose not to hear a case that involved a lesbian couple who was denied a room at a Hawaiian bed and breakfast. Instead, the court will let a Hawaiian court’s ruling stand that found that the owner of the Aloha Bed and Breakfast, Phyllis Young, violated the state’s anti-discrimination laws when she denied the lesbian couple a room. “Mrs. Young will rent a bedroom in her home to anyone, including those who are LGBT, but will not rent to any romantic partners other than a husband and wife,” her attorney, James Hochberg, said in a statement.…
South Bend Mayor and presidential hopeful Buttigieg announced on Twitter that he has qualified for the first Democratic presidential debate to kick off primary season. He reached the needed amount of people to donate to a campaign—that number is 65,000. Thanks to you, we hit the @TheDemocrats 65,000 donor goal in order to be invited to the first debate. But we are going to need to raise a lot more money to compete. pic.twitter.com/SCOAZ20UuG — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 16, 2019 The 37-year-old military vet and proud husband hopes to be a younger voice in the increasingly crowded race to win the Democratic Primary.…
Assembly member Todd Gloria may become San Diego’s first openly gay mayor if he runs a successful 2020 bid. Gloria has spent his entire professional life in service to the public. He began his career at the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency and then served as District Director to U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis. In a volunteer capacity, Gloria served as a San Diego Housing Commissioner and as a member of the Mid-City Prostitution Impact Panel. Gloria was elected to the San Diego City Council in 2008, following Chris Kehoe and Toni Atkins in serving the Third District.…
To celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, it is tradition that the Prime Minister of Ireland visit the United States. This year, though, it was a unique meeting between the PM of Ireland and the US Vice President: one is gay and the other is anti-gay. Vice President Pence infamously singed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act when he was governor of Indiana, which made it legal to discriminate against the LGBT community, he has also championed federal funds for gay “conversion therapy,” and his wife has recently come under fire for teaching at a private Christian school that bans the LGBT community.…
A new art museum, called the George Daniell Museum, will open in South Beach on April 3, in conjunction with Miami Beach Pride events. It will feature the full collection of prominent American photographer and artist George Daniell, a gay man who worked for TIME, Life, and Esquire magazines, and who captured the images of many celebrities (Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Lena Horne, Georgia O’Keefe, etc). Many of the photographs also feature his more personal photographs, which bring a homoerotic sensibility to his work. This is the first time the entirety of his collection will be available for public view. Although George…
The video of George Salazar singing “Michael in the Bathroom” from the new Broadway musical Be More Chill (Lyceum Theatre, 149 West 45th Street, NYC. www.bemorechillmusical.com) defines “going viral.” The Gen Z anthem has been viewed more than three million times on YouTube and has helped drive Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz’s musical to cult status since its 2015 regional theater premiere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaMRF8ucGJo The musical, based on the young adult novel by Ned Vizzini, follows the futurist adventures of a teenager after he swallows a “squip”—a microcomputer chip that catapults him from loser to levelheaded. Salazar plays his bestie, a role that he…
The Equality Act, a critically important bipartisan legislation that would finally provide clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws, has been reintroduced to Congress today. Brought forth by Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) in the House and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) in the Senate, the measure has unprecedented support from nearly 70 percent of Americans, more than 280 members of Congress, 165 major businesses and 288 statewide and national organizations. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has made passing the Equality Act a top priority for the new Congress. Discrimination…
Last week, a Malaysian tourism minister denied that anyone in his country was gay. The world was shocked by the outrageously false statement, but none were as angered as much as the Malaysian LGBT community. After being asked by the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle during the ITB Berlin travel conference if Malaysia was safe for the LGBT community Datuk Mohamaddin bin Ketapi said, “I don’t think we have anything like that in our country.” The country, though, has plenty of queer people (they have gay bars and also a pride event called Pink Dot). It’s far from an LGBT haven, though, as the Advocate…
More than half of LGBTQ Floridians may lose nondiscrimination protections if Republicans in the state legislature pass a proposed bill. The bill would remove local human rights ordinances that are meant to end protect local communities when there is no state protections. If the bill passes it would end these protections to about 60 percent of LGBTQ Floridians. Another bill, though, currently in the legislature would add sexual orientation and gender identity to current civil rights laws that already prevents discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap or marital status.” The first bill, created by…
Jet Airways is celebrating by raising money for various NGOs on board as well as featuring its women staff members from various departments, including cockpit crew, check-in, technical services, ticketing, and In-flight services on its social media channels via Facebook and Twitter. Aer Lingus is also celebrating by showing off its female power by operating an all-women flight from London to Dublin. It is also giving priority boarding to all women. AeroMexico is celebrating their large female flight crew with an all-women’s flight to New York. They shared this amazing photo of the crew, getting ready to take off on the…
Iceland, known for some of their wacky entries into the Eurovision song contest (anyone remember Pollapönk?), have once again brought forward a truly unique band to represent the country in the international contest. After two semi-finals and the national final, industrial BDSM band Hatari won the country’s contest with their song “Hatrið Mun Sigra” (Hate Will Prevail).” The band comprises three art school friends named Klemens Hannigan, Matthías Tryggvi Haraldson, and Einar Stéfansson. The three friends will now head to Tel Aviv for the 64th annual Eurovision contest where they will compete in the semi-finals on May 14th. Iceland is the only Nordic country to…
A caravan of drag queens from throughout Texas made their voices heard at the Texas-Mexico border as they gathered to call attention to those LGBTQ migrants who are being detained or are seeking asylum. The gathering of activists called the event No Border Wall Protest Drag Show, and they gathered in a park near the Rio Grande. Beatrix Lestrange, one of the organizers, commanded the crowd. “Who’s ready to have a political time?” Lestrange yelled. “We’ll try to bring joy, positivity, beauty, drag, culture to whatever this is,” Lestrange said while pointing to the proposed fence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDosdHnY11Q&feature=youtu.be “The vision was to…
A second patient has reportedly been cured of HIV-1, according to a case study that was published today. The patient, being called the London patient, is only the second person ever to be in sustained remission. The news comes ten years after the first case of a cured patient who was known as the Berlin patient. Both people were treated with a stem cell transplant from donors who have a rare genetic mutation that is known as CCR5-delta 32 that makes them resistant to HIV. The patient has reportedly been in remission for 18 months since the treatment and after…
While his freestyle skiing skills earned a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Gus Kenworthy made a huge impact and earned millions of adoring gay fans when he came out during an ESPN interview the following year. He and fellow out athlete, figure skater Adam Rippon, were the darlings of 2018’s Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, sharing playful physical affection, while Kenworthy and his boyfriend, actor Matt Wilkas (star of Gayby), shared an on-camera kiss and even waved a rainbow flag during Rippon’s men’s free skate. Born Augustus Richard Kenworthy in the U.K. city of Chelmsford, to…
Each year, the Spartacus Gay Travel Index ranks 197 countries based on 14 criteria, including anti-discrimination laws, marriage and civil partnership laws, adoption laws, transgender rights, and persecution. The United States has been steadily dropping since the list’s inception. It has dropped two places since last year, most notably because of Trump’s anti-transgender military policy (though this policy is being challenged in court). It is currently tied with Bermuda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Macao, Seychelles, and Thailand at number 47 on the list At the top of the list is Canada, Portugal, and Sweden. Canada continues to go…