Gay Travel

Hip Hollywood Site Get Press in Sydney Newspaper

2009-11-01T13:30:00.006+11:00

Go Gay West Hollywood. Their gay travel site has been relaunched "to help GLBT travelers maximize their experience in the area deemed to be the epicenter of gay life in Southern California."

Need help booking LA's hippest hotels? You can find them on gogaywesthollywood.com.

Winter Party Passes on Sale Now!

2009-10-10T15:13:00.004+11:00

SAVE MONEY ON PASSES AND HOTEL ROOMS --

MAKE YOUR PLANS NOW AND TAKE ADVANTAGE

OF EARLY BIRD RATES

Mark your calendars, make your reservations and buy your passes now for the best celebration of 2010 and save yourself some money. A limited quantity of our Titanium VIP and Platinum Passes are on sale at early bird prices now. Also available thru December 29 is our special Florida Resident Pass.

No one can afford to pass up a bargain these days. Buy your passes now!

While you’re making your plans for the 2010 Festival, take advantage of the special prices offered by our host hotel, the fabulous Doubletree Surfcomber, thru October 31. You can reserve a king room for $199 per night or a double room for $219 per night. The room rates increase to $229 and $249 on November 1st. Reserve your room now by calling (800) 853-0264 or visiting the hotel website. Use the group code “WIN”.

EXPERIENCE Winter Party Festival — it’s more than just a day at the beach;

it’s AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER!

Check out the Rainbow Tourism South Florida page for hotel deals.

Which Tasmania Do You Want?

2009-10-06T13:34:00.018+11:00

Tasmania - it's been called a lot of accurate things. The Island of Inspiration. The Adventure Island. A World Apart, Not A World Away and The New PINK.

There is something for every lesbian and gay visitor, from EATS to SIGHTS, from ROAD TRIPS to BUSH

WALKS, from CHILL-axation to RECREATION, from SPAS to SALAMANCA MARKET.

Before you go, you should know which is the right destination and right style of trip for you.

+ Hertiage & Culture - art hotels and museums are world-class

+Wilderness & Wildlife - walk in a rainforest, meet the Devil.

+ Food & Wine Trails - the Champagne of the Southern Hemisphere

If you choose the active adventure Tasmania, you should plan on two days in Freycinet National Park on the east coast. You can stay in a campervan, a luxury lodge or at the new casino hotel opening soon. You can hike some rugged trails to Mt. Amos for a stunning view of the Hazards Peaks and the crescent beach pictured above), walk DOWN then UP to world's best beach at Wineglass Bay (videos), or take the easy way by water taxi!

Besides the Top Beach award, Travel + Leisure has stated Bruny Island Cruises is one of the greatest trips in the world. It's just one of the amazing world-class destinations on the island state. (Images courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.)

Thinking of going to Hobart for the TasPride Festival?

31 Oct. - 15 Nov. will see more than 25 events around the state, plus some touring options after the arts and cultural celebration.

Tell Gary & Anthony hello from Rainbow Tourism if you're into evening fun and entertainment at Flamingos Dance Bar. (Open Fri. and Sat. from 10pm till late).They are proud supporters of TasPride.

Oz Kink Fest 09 - Melbourne

2009-10-03T15:55:00.002+10:00

Oz Kink Fest 09 is happening this month in Melbourne - Oct 17th to 25th

The week long festival includes the Festish Expo on the 18th.

The EXPO is a great place to come and find out about alternative lifestyles, to meet and socialise with those with similar interests.

We welcome all lifestyles including straight, bi, gay, lesbian, poly, TVs, TSs, Masters, Mistresses, slaves, ponies, maids, pets, ABs and even those that are just mildly kinky or just plain curious.

Our event is open to anyone with an open mind and tolerance of others peoples' lifestyles. Come along to find out about the latest fashions, clubs and events in and around Australia. You will find our flyers table in the lobby of the venue where details can be found on all manner of events and services.

The week also includes the Hellfire Resurrection Party on Friday 23rd.

All this is happening in Melbourne.

'A Rainbow Road in the Air'

2009-08-22T09:20:00.005+10:00

San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are pretty much the two gayest cities in America, so it was about time some airline flew directly between them. "A rainbow road, in the air," is what Nicki Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the newly established Virgin America and Jet Blue routes last week.

Local travel industry folks are also pretty excited about the new nonstop flights, which will likely bring in a highly desirable segment of the tourism population -- gays and lesbians. "The LGBT market really loves traveling, dining out, and experiencing the city they're visiting," said Angela Jackson, director of public relations at the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Although Jackson said her bureau does not track gay tourism dollars, Grossman told the Miami Herald that gay travel in Fort Lauderdale is a billion-dollar industry. A consumer and product research company called Mintel identified the GLBT community as dominant spenders when it comes to travel.

"The GLBT community has a greater willingness to spend their dollars on travel than most mainstream consumers," said Chris Haack, a Mintel analyst. Gays and lesbians are also more willing to travel in general, Mintel found, with more than 80 percent of LGBT travelers carrying current passports -- compared with about 20 percent of mainstream consumers. Peak LGBT travel months are apparently in the fall (which dovetails with the introduction of the nonstop flights), whereas the summer is more popular among "mainstream" travelers. Since a far lower percentage of LGBT travelers have children, more of them hit sunny spots -- like Fort Lauderdale -- during the winter months.

Virgin America spokeswoman Abby Lunardini didn't go so far as to say that the new direct flights were introduced for LGBT consumers, but she did emphasize Virgin's support of the community. The San Francisco-based company has served as SF Pride's official airline sponsor for the past two years.

Salvation Anthems – 12 Sept, Galatos, Auckland

2009-08-15T18:07:00.002+10:00

It’s time for a PARTY … a spectacular, hands-in-the-air, roof-raising party!

Get ready for an exceptional night of fun, friendly people, pumping tunes, sparkling mirror balls & mind-blowing lasers!

Get ready for … SALVATION ANTHEMS

Returning Saturday September 12th to Galatos, Auckland.

PARTY DETAILS

Location: Galatos, 17 Galatos Street, Auckland

Date/Time: 12 September 2009, 10pm till late

Highlights:

- Stunning full-colour M2 laser lighting.
- Big screen visuals.
- Psyklonic mirrored objects.
- Seeeeexy DJ Station dancers.
- 2 zones.

Stay tuned for more details or check out www.salvation.co.nz

Looking for accommodation or travel to Auckland then check out the Rainbow Tourism Auckland page or contact the Rainbow Concierge for more assistance.

New Dating Site

2009-08-11T21:43:00.004+10:00

Not necessarily travel related but personal sites are such a part of the way we meet people locally or travel that when a friend sent me details of this new site it seemed appropriate to post it to our travel blog.

Whether you are looking for a partner, friend, or even an encounter.

At Poz Vibrations you'll be able to find exactly who you are looking for. HIV+ Dating in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth has never been easier.

It's fun, interactive, safe and anonymous - until you decide to take it further.

It's free to join and post your profile. When someone contacts you it costs you nothing.

Poz Vibrations.com is helping the HIV+ community to find partners, friends, and support or encounters 24/7 in an online environment.

Not an instant chat room but a "Hay would you like to go out with me" environment.

www.pozvibrations.com

GNETWORK360 CREATES ARGENTINE LGBT HISTORY

2009-07-17T12:39:00.007+10:00

By Roy Heale
For the past two days in Buenos Aires, Argentina more than 250 delegates at the GNetwork360 2nd International Forum of Businesspeople and Entrepreneurs enjoyed LGBT seminars, presentations, educational forums, and networking. But the major surprise at the commencement of the conference was the announcement by Pablo De Luca and Gustavo Noguera of GMAPS and GNetwork360 regarding the founding of the Argentina LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Joining the global family of LGBT Chambers of Commerce will surely prove to be a giant step forward for Argentina's gay community and lead to growth, expansion, and networking for all LGBT businesses across the country.
This major initiative was supported by presentations from the United States National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce plus the International Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Delegates were able to learn more about how an LGBT Chamber of Commerce historically has strengthened the gay business community and led to more equality for LGBT citizens living in the regions where Chambers have been operating around the globe. Most delegates quickly realized the significance of this initiative by Pablo and Gustavo and hopefully support from the Argentine LGBT business community is sure to follow their leadership.
But this was only the beginning of the excitement as presenters from Barcelona, Brazil, The United States, Canada, and Great Britain shared their unique LGBT business stories, experiences, marketing campaigns, web savvy, business development, and many other related stories. Almost all delegates discovered that each and every guest speaker had tips and advice which would further strengthen their gay business or re-enforce the direction in which their company is already heading.
Business and social networking were an important on-going component of the gathering. Whether before or after presentations, during coffee breaks, at the Marketplace, or the cocktail reception, many new relationships were forged and old acquaintances re-affirmed. Often this LGBT networking can be the greatest reward from a successful conference and this will surely prove to be no exception to that tradition.
The Forum took place at the Axel Hotel and the Marketplace plus the cocktail reception were held at Chueca Downtown. Delegates enjoyed the entire forum without any registration fees or costs courtesy of the many sponsors, supporters and volunteers---a great tribute to the organizers and their total commitment to the Argentina LGBT community. A complete list of sponsors and contributers can be found at http://www.gnetwork360.com/ and support of these donors will ensure similar LGBT business growth opportunities can exist in Argentina's gay future.
And, of course, no successful LGBT event would be complete without the traditional wrap-up party and celebration which occurred on the final night at one of Buenos Aires' foremost venues---Rheo by Crobar. The Fiesta de Cierre began at Midnight and for many it continued until dawn. A fitting finale to an historic gathering in the emerging gay-friendly destinations within Argentina.

For More Travel Stories by Roy Heale Visit: http://www.royheale.blogspot.com/

Seven Nights in the Extreme City

2009-07-15T17:07:00.008+10:00

When it’s Winter time and the mood gets dreary, what’s nicer than to plan a trip to somewhere exotic. And what could be more exotic and erotic than Pattaya in Thailand?

Recently the subject of a blog post here Pattaya is well known as a beach destination for fun-seeking tourists.

Now through a cooperation with SuneePlaza.info, you can experience the tropical warmth of the beaches at Jomtien. Spend your days either relaxing on the beach, or taking advantage of some optional guided trips around the area. But it’s when it comes to the evenings that the area and this trip really turns on its charm. Based around Sunee Plaza, which has tagged itself “The heart of the Extreme City”, this is a tour not to be missed.

On your first evening here, you can enjoy a welcome party in Memories Music Bar and have a guided tour into the Krazy Dragon, Pattaya’s number one male table top gogo bar. One of our local lads will take you over, introduce you to the owner and make sure you are introduced to the boys. They all want to shake hands with you in their own special way. You don’t have to wait long before you find out what they wear under their uniform baggy football shorts! Make friends with the local Thai boys who are only too keen to get to know you better. If you want to wander the Plaza, you will be made welcome in any of the bars. If you fancy a guide or a companion for the evening/night/whole trip, there are more boys willing to help you around than you could possibly desire.

On the second day we metaphorically “hold your hand” in a trip to the beach, or you can get a local lad to do it physically rather than metaphorically.

On 15th October there is a grand Street Party in Sunee Plaza, and you can be a part of the action. With over 20 beer bars, around a dozen gogo bars and plenty of local restaurants, this is an area that can fill your every desire. There are late night discos for the real night owls amongst you.

All the details of the area are on the website – www.SuneePlaza.info and you too can be a part of it. Let your dreams become reality in this area where “anything goes”.

Departure from Sydney Saturday 10th October, and returning 17th October or 24th October depending on package. Other departure points available in Australia and other countries. Contact for details.

At just A$1599 for 7 nights or A$1899 for 14 nights, this is a bargain of a trip. And if you book early you can get it for A$1499 or A$1699 (subject to airfare).
The trip includes:
Flights from Australia to Bangkok.
Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya in an air-conditioned car or minibus.
Accommodation in a private guesthouse, just metres from Sunee Plaza.
Breakfast each day.
Welcome Party on the first night
Trip to Krazy Dragon (first drink free)
Escorted trip to beach on second day.
10% discount book of vouchers for offers in participating SPI member bars.
Local English speaking contact
Introduction to local Thai guides.

Optional extras:-
Day Trip to Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens
Day Trip to the Elephant Village
Day Trip to Koh Larn – Coral island.

This package does not include meals other than breakfast at the guesthouse, drinks, tips and items of a personal nature.

Bookings can be made with RainbowTourism.com - Contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge for all details.

Stem to Stern Wine Tasting Cruise

2009-07-12T06:17:00.020+10:00

Travel Experience Inc. &

Set sail Feb. 14, 2010 on 7-day luxury wine cruise.

Travels with Wine. Travels with local wine club friends. Travel in style on the sea of serenity.

What more could a wine-loving, rough sea cruise-avoiding traveler want?

Thanks to Naked Grape Wine Bar and Travel Experience, who have created this cruise package with a Fort Lauderdale departure on Valentine's Day, I may just take my first cruise.

The fact that this is an educational wine cruise for a small group of serious -but -gay oenophiles, is a bonus, and probably the only thing to get me on a big ship for 7 days.

Anyone can join us. Fly into South Florida, stay overnight at a Gay B&B, and we'll get you to the boat on time.

Peter Milward, owner of Travel Experience, says "Sign up by November 15 for best cabin availability and closeness to others in our private group. The total cost, including taxes, wine classes and ameneties, is less than a case or two of rare wine...just $1,295."

Ports of Call:

San Juan Puerto Rico

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Tortola, BVI

Labadee, Haiti and in and out of Fort Lauderdale.

Bookings can be made with RainbowTourism.com - Contact the Rainbow Tourism Concierge for all details.

Fiji Exotic Getaway this Summer

2009-07-10T11:06:00.010+10:00

Check out our Fiji Getaway Summer Deals

Your summer escape: Travelscene represents true expertise in travel to the South Pacific and Asia. We offer gay and lesbian travel deals to popular destinations in Fiji. Because we only sell these destinations we can provide you, our valued customer, expert and individualized advice to ensure your vacation is a truly authentic and unique travel experience. We guarantee the best prices and unbeatable value on gay travel to Fiji.

Take your boyfriend, lover or mates for a week or two in paradise.

More ways to hop downunder - kangaroo n all

2009-07-03T22:59:00.000+10:00

Delta Airlines launch daily service to Sydney from Los Angeles

Recently at Los Angeles World Airports, 278 passengers, Tourism Australia representatives and a kangaroo joined the Delta flight crew to launch Delta Air Lines daily Los Angeles to Sydney service.

Henry Kuykendall, Delta Air Lines Field Director, made note that Delta is the only American airline to fly to six continents while Tourism Australia Vice President - Americas, Michelle Gysberts added that Delta brings greater choice, opportunities to earn and redeem miles for travel to a country Americans have long dreamed about.

After Dark site launched by Hotspots

2009-06-30T09:11:00.002+10:00

Florida's largest gay publication launches new venture during Stonewall Riot festival in Fort Lauderdale. AfterDarkHotspots.com.

Connecting South Pacific Destinations and North American Travelers

2009-06-26T23:17:00.005+10:00

Rainbow Travel and Travelscene Alliance Formed to Connect South Pacific Destinations and North American Travelers

June 26, 2009--Rainbow Tourism International, Sydney, Australia, is now partnering with Travelscene, Los Angeles, California, and offering innovative and affordable travel packages to Asia, the South Pacific islands, New Zealand and Australia. Rainbow Tourism is an online booking portal for gay and lesbian travelers and Travelscene is a travel wholesaler of custom travel packages to select gay-friendly destinations.

Rainbow Tourism, through its offices in Australia, Canada and the US, will work closely with Travelscene's US office to ensure all accommodations, tours and other travel products and services in its packages are Rainbow Tourism Accredited as gay welcoming or gay owned and operated. RainbowTourism.com, is a well-established booking portal with more than 500 accredited operators worldwide, many belonging to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA.org). (Rainbow Tourism and Travelscene are IGLTA members.)

Travelscene represents expertise in travel to the South Pacific where Rainbow Tourism has its strongest travel alliances . Travelscene's global network includes a presence in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, plus the United Kingdom, South Africa and the US.

"The partnership means GLBT travelers from Canada and the US can book the best destination deals available, including best prices on last-minute bookings," says Mark Proffit, CEO of Rainbow Tourism.

Alegria Pride 2009 - Sun Jun 28 - NYC

2009-06-26T13:19:00.002+10:00

Ric Sena presents

ALEGRIA PRIDE 2009
"Alegria in Wonderland"

Sunday, June 28
NYC Gay Pride Weekend

Music in the main room by Alegria DJ's
TONY MORAN & A B E L

In the front room
DJ MICKY FRIEDMANN
(Berlin)

Lights by ROSS BERGER
Production Design by RIC SENA

M2 (formerly Crobar) - 530 West 28th Street, NYC
Doors open at 11PM

Advance tickets are $90.
Tickets are available on-line at www.alegriaevents.com
or at our ticket outlets in NYC:
Universal Gear - 140 Eighth Avenue; Wear me Out - 353 West 47th Street

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Room Mate Grace is our host hotel. The hotel offers special rates during Alegria weekends in New York City that include 4pm late check out on Monday.

Pride weekend daily rates are $179 for Deluxe rooms.
For reservations contact the hotel directly by calling 212-354-2323
or by sending an email to grace@room-matehotels.com
and refer to block code “Alegria Pride 2009”

Special rates are only for Alegria ticket holders. Sunday night stay required.
More info about the Grace Hotel on the hotel page of our website.
Check it out, Room Mate Grace is the perfect place to stay during an Alegria weekend.

More info: www.alegriaevents.com

GLBT Travel Forum To Be Held In Buenos Aires

2009-06-09T08:59:00.002+10:00

By Roy Heale
With only one month to go, the excitement is building towards the GNETWORK360, 2nd International Forum of Businesspeople and Entrepreneurs focused on the GLBT Market. This gathering will take place in Buenos Aires on July 15 and 16, 2009 at the Axel Hotel (Venezuela 649 San Telmo) and Chueca (Alsina 975). It is anticipated that more than three hundred attendees will join together to share information and learn about business opportunities within the GLBT niche market.
The forum producers---GMAPS360---are proud to organize “GNETWORK360” the second of these Forums. The event is targeting the 250 most outstanding companies that are currently dedicating part of their communications strategy to the GLBT community. By joining together once again, these businesses will work towards the common goal of promoting Buenos Aires as a gay-friendly destination. Conference attendees will also learn about the unique GLBT market from distinguished guest speakers, workshops, presentations and panel discussions.
In Argentina this conference affords an unprecedented opportunity to learn about one of the most lucrative and loyal global market segments. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for networking and connecting with other travel professionals and businesspeople from different travel-related genres.
Included below is the speakers list and the preliminary agenda options for attendees can be checked online at www.Gnetwork360.com
Juan P. Juliá, President, Axel Corp, Barcelona, Spain.
Matt Skallerud, President, Pink Banana Media, Los Angeles, US
Ian Johnson, Founder and CEO, OutNow Consulting, London, UK
Steve Roth, Principal, OutThink Partners, Los Angeles, US
Tom Nibbio, Global Ambassador, IGLTA, Chicago, US
Justin Nelson, Co-founder and President, NGLCC, Washington DC, US
Chance Mitchell, Co-founder and CEO, NGLCC, Washington DC, US
Pascal Lépine, Secretary General, IGLCC, Montreal, Canada
George Neary, Cultural Tourism Associate Vicepresident Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami, US
Clovis Casemiro, LGBT Sales Manager, TAM Viagens, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Talmir Duarte, Vicepresident, ABRAT GLS, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
André Fischer, Director of Communications, ABRAT GLS, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Some of the conference topics include: Marketing via the Internet, Market Research, GLBT Market Trends, GLBT Tourism Development in Latin America, IGLTA's approach to different issues about the tourism industry, Gay and Lesbian Chambers of Commerce services (NGLCC and IGLCC).
Because of the global emphasis and importance of this Forum it is being sponsored by the City of Buenos Aires Tourism Board and the National Argentina Tourism Department. In recognition of the significance of this Forum it has been granted a Declaration of Economic and Tourism Interest by the Legislature of Buenos Aires. Once again this shows that our city is
positioned as one of the most gay friendly and accepting of the GLBT community.
The conference attendees we will be honored by the presence of Mr. Meyer Enrique (Minister for Argentina Tourism), Mr. Fabrice Tasendo (Digital Media Vice-president for Regent Media), Mr. Leonardo Botto Alvarez (Chairman for Argentina Tourism Promotion), Mr. Hernán Lombardi (Minister for Buenos Aires Culture), Ms. María José Lubertino (Chairwoman for INADI) and several other official government and general organization members.
Among the companies participating in the event and also helping to make Buenos Aires a place for all are: LAN AIRLINES - AXEL HOTELS – MANSION VITRAUX - FRIENDLY APARTMENTS - GIESSO – HERTZ - HOWARD JOHNSON - PROUD COSMETICS - TAM VIAGENS - UOMOBELLO plus more than 300 Businesspeople and Entrepreneurs.
We look forward to having you in our midst for this important event. As the organizers of this unprecedented event, we would be honored if you are able to join us in order to share your experiences and suggestions with the rest of the conference delegates.
Thank you on behalf of GMAPS360

For More Information Visit www.GNETWORK360.com

Splash Days 2009 Early Bird Vip Ticket Sales Have Begun - 25% Off

2009-06-07T17:09:00.004+10:00

Austin, the greenest and bluest city in Texas, is gearing up for our annual Splash Days Weekend - Labor Day weekend, September 4th - 7th (nominated for 11 JustCircuit awards and winner of Best New Circuit Event and Best Value at a Circuit Event). Come spend the nights dancing to some of the best DJs, and the days relaxing on beautiful Lake Travis and Hippie Hollow.

Friday night - Guest DJs at many of the downtown Austin bars (both gay and straight).

Saturday day - Get Wet lake party with DJ Chad Guidry (djchadguidry.com).

Saturday night - Splash Dance with DJ Joe Gauthreaux (djjoeg.com).

Saturday after-hours - Adult Swim with DJ Seth Cooper, (djsethcooper.com).

Sunday night - High Tide with DJ Roland Belmares (djrolandbelmares.com).

For a limited time, save 25% on VIP passes! Early bird discount VIP ticket sales begin June 1st. VIP passes include VIP entry into the Splash Dance, Adult Swim, and High Tide parties and complimentary waters. Get Wet tickets are sold separately and go on sale beginning August 1st. Tickets (and more information) are available online at SplashDays.com.

The Host Hotel for Splash Days is Embassy Suites Austin at Town Lake/Downtown and is already accepting reservations. Go to Embassy Suites Austin at Town Lake/Downtown to reserve rooms at the special Splash Days Weekend rates.

Sign up at SplashDays.com to receive informational emails and updates about Splash Days Weekend.

If you need travel assistance to get to Splash Days then contact the Rainbow Concierge.

Sunee Plaza, Pattaya, Thailand

2009-06-04T00:27:00.006+10:00

PATTAYA, THAILAND has an air of seduction to it. The reputation is one of sin and sleaze, and I went there to find out if that was true. What I found amazed me. Plenty of both the qualities I’ve just mentioned, but a great deal of fun, frivolity, good humour and just plain good times. If I were designing paradise, I’d look little further than here for my model. The boys will welcome you as they did me. I’d like to take you with me on just one evening’s tour.

“Come inside sir new boy sexy boy big cock.”

As you walk round the sois of Sunee Plaza in Pattaya, you can hear this invitation uttered dozens of times. It’s a mantra. It’s said in one breath without commas, without pause and without thought. Learned by heart on day one of barker school, and said a thousand times a night by boys who may not speak any other English. The boys on the doors of the gogo bars want your business and the moment you walk past their entrance, you’re the most important man in the soi. Sunee Plaza is a small area based round two sois in the south of Pattaya. It’s not far from Second Road and 10 minutes walk from the more established Boyztown the other side of Pattaya Tai. Just go down by the side of the V.C. hotel and you can’t miss it. You falter; stop walking for half a second. That’s invitation enough for a rough looking lad dressed in jeans and a white vest to put his hand into the crook of your elbow and start to steer you to his door. The adventure has begun.

A curtain is pulled back, revealing the interior of the gogo bar. Loud music issues from the inside and it’s quite dark. You can see a stage on the right hand side, raised about 2 feet from the general floor. There are 6 lads standing on it, dressed only in white underwear. Another 6 or so sit on the front of the stage; some of them wear white vests and check boxer shorts over their white underwear. There are also a few sitting on bar stools at the sides of the stage. A rather attractive girl (actually it is a “katoy” or transgender person) greets you from inside the curtained door frame. With a practiced ease, the barker from outside releases his gentle, yet directing hold on your elbow and transfers your arm to the katoy. She guides you into the club and waves her arm at the bank of seats on the left. There are two rows; one behind the other, with the back row raised a couple of feet above the front row. Three gangways divide the front bank of seats into two seat sections, while the back row is a continuous padded bench. You opt to sit in the back row, near the middle gangway. There are two or three other farang (Westerners) already in there, one of them has a boy sitting next to him.

A rather cute, definitely boy, waiter, maybe just 18 years old comes up to you. His long black hair, straight and parted slightly off centre frames his golden, almost cherubic face. “What you drink?” he asks in his best Tinglish. You order a beer. All the drinks are the same price in this club – 120 Baht – about £2.50. If you bought the same beer in an outside beer bar you would pay between 60 and 80 Baht. What makes you happy to pay the extra? Some might call it “the greatest show on earth”. The drink arrives, a bill is put in the pot in front of you and it’s time for the show to start.

The working boys immediately see a new customer. The first thing is that most of them appear to wake up. Until you walked in, despite already having customers in the place, some of them were dozing off. The boys on the front of the stage sit up straight. One or two take off their vests. Don’t be fooled, the vests, originally worn for legal reasons and modesty, are now used by the boys to fend off the cold. These Thai boys are used to mid 30’s temperatures. In the 26 degree air conditioning of the club it’s downright chilly for them. Imagine standing around in just your underwear in London in a temperature of let's say 12 degrees. You’d be cold too and want to wear a vest. The boys on the stage start to jiggle to the loud disco type music blaring through the sound system. A few of them are actually good dancers.

By now the boys on and around the stage have started to try and attract your attention. They are all looking at you. It’s almost as if it’s you in the “zoo” and not them. Most of them have got their hands in their underwear, trying to wake up their slumbering and over worked penises. The boys in this particular bar appear to range in age from about 18 to about 23. You see one particularly attractive lad, aged about 19. He has a toned body, and fewer tattoos than some of the others. It’s a Thai tradition at the moment to cover your body with tattoos. It doesn’t float my boat. I can’t say what this body art does to you, that’s your business. You look at the lad you’ve picked and he smiles at you. You glance down at his crotch – and he pushes the top of his underwear down to reveal a little hair. He’s teasing you. The next thing he does is outline his size with his hands, so you can see the member framed in white cotton. You look back at his eyes. They are dark brown and looking straight at you, boring into you, saying “please take me”. Your eyes flick around the stage, no one else quite appeals like this lad. The contest is over – he has won.

You nod your head to the side. He lifts a hand and points to himself. You nod and he obediently trots off the stage and comes and sits down beside you. Within milliseconds the cute boy waiter is back in front of the two of you. “Drink?” he asks. You nod and the boy orders something in Thai. Don’t worry. It won’t be champagne or anything expensive. Another bill for 120 baht goes into your pot. The boys realising their chance has gone settle back down to slumbering. Some chat amongst themselves, others just doze. The ones who remain dancing seem to be looking off into the distance. That’s when you realise there is a huge mirrored wall behind your head. This is a common feature in all the bars, large areas of mirrors. The Thai boys love nothing more than looking at themselves, and a large mirror can not be resisted.

He picks up his beer and gestures you should do the same. Knocking the two bottles together he mutters “krap” (short for thanks) and takes a big chug. If he can get you to finish your drink there’s a chance you’ll buy another and he gets an extra bonus. You cuddle the boy, but perhaps decide he’s not quite the one for you. Not the special one to take home tonight.

When you have had enough of this lad’s company, you ask for your bill. The really cute boy waiter will come over, give you a total and you pass back a banknote. Your change comes in a plastic book-like wallet and you leave 20 Baht in there as tip and take the rest. You give your boy 100 Baht bonus for sitting with you. He will wai you (a Thai gesture of respect where the boy puts his hand together as in prayer and nods towards you), as you get up to go. As you pass the stage, one final boy catches your eye. He has been trying to get your attention all the time you have been there. You pull out a 20 Baht note from your wallet, stroke his white cotton briefs, place the 20 Baht note in the waistband and depart. The barker boy is still there, trying to get more customers and they all say “Thank you sir” as you leave. The Thais are polite while you have money.

So now we have been to a gogo bar, one of a dozen in the area, but you are still alone for the night. You have a number of options. Another gogo bar perhaps? If you fancy something different, Sunee Plaza has the answer in its host bars. And there are more than 20 of these. Open fronted, not behind closed doors, these bars are somewhere you can sit and have a drink. A boy sitting on a stool calls out to you: ”Welcum inside,” sometimes adding the provocative and inviting “me” on the end. At least it makes a change from

“Come inside sir new boy sexy boy big cock.”

A cute waiter, often wearing a uniform vest and shorts will serve you a drink and sit down beside you. Should you fancy another waiter more, that’s easy too and by the right gestures, you can swop your waiters. Don’t worry this is a fact of life and won’t offend. You have to be a little more discrete in the beer bars. After all this is a public area and Pattaya has some standards. Maybe you fancy taking this boy home? All you have to do is tell the boy, pay a fee to the bar, referred to as an “off” fee or “bar fine” and the lad is yours for as long as you want him – an hour to a month! I don’t think I said about the bar fines in gogo bars. The same principal works there and will get you a gogo boy or a waiter for 300 – 500 baht fee to the bar per night. You have to tip the boy generously on top – but 1000 baht is still under £20.

Please forgive me now for departing from your tour. I should tell you that this whole area of town is built up around these working boys and nobody cares what they do or bats an eyelid. In fact they welcome it. There are the food concessionaires, walking the streets late at night pushing barrows which house everything from fruit, to cooked squid and even to deep fried cockroaches and crickets. The launderettes, washing those endless streams of white underwear, check boxer shorts and vests. Then there are the Internet shops where the boys who don’t find company look on Gay Romeo for a date. You can’t forget the hotels housing the tourists and the restaurants feeding them. And don’t ignore the massage parlours relaxing them in the afternoon or the 7/11s and Family Marts supplying the bits and bobs for daily living. I could mention more support facilities such as the beer warehouses stocking the bars; the motorbike repair shops servicing the lads’ motorbikes; the pharmacies selling the Kamagra Gel for the aging tourists and the overworked boys. There’s even a gym for the overweight tourists to work off their beach doughnuts. The whole town has built itself around one main service – sex for tourists.

“Come inside sir new boy sexy boy big cock.”

The history of Pattaya is interesting. Until the mid 20th century it was a sleepy fishing village. In the time of the Vietnam War, the Americans built a large air force base close to the town. Towards the end of the war, they started using Pattaya as an area to send the combatants for R&R. A town started to grow. Now put war-weary American veterans into a tropical setting, and what do they want? Sex. The local girls were happy to provide this and so Walking Street started to grow up. By the mid 80s it was a shanty town of wooden huts and loose women. At about the same time, but far more discrete, Boyztown had started to develop and the gay market had established itself.

Through the 1990s the straight prostitute market exploded. Cheapening air travel, better accommodation, more available tourist money and general economic prosperity lead to Walking Street becoming what it is today. Sunee Plaza, Pattaya’s second gay area started in the late 1980s and by the mid 90s was firmly established. Boyztown is frequented by coach loads of non-gay tourists. You will frequently see two or three coach parties per night, usually Japanese, mixed sexes and hetero, walking around the area, being guided through. One can imagine the party looking at the gay “exhibits”. They peer in through the open door on the occasional club and wonder at the boys they see. However Sunee is still quiet and largely un-troubled by non-gay tourists. You have the willpower and the freedom to be enticed inside. Just listen to the barkers:

“Come inside sir new boy sexy boy big cock.”

I had the time of my life in Sunee Plaza, and if you feel a little adventurous, if this has whetted your appetite just a little, come and visit. You’ll be very welcome inside and the boys will look after you.

You can read all about the real Sunee Plaza on http://www.suneeplaza.info/

Key West Gay Pub Crawl To Feature "Conch Blowing" Contest

2009-06-02T22:20:00.007+10:00

A regularly scheduled “pub crawl” or tour of Key West’s world famous gay bars is about to begin operations here.

“It kind of seems like a no-brainer,” said Tim Dahms, the Crawl’s founder. “There have been successful, regularly scheduled pub crawls of Key West’s straight bars for years.”

Key West, long known for it’s prominent LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender) community has never had any regularly scheduled tours of its gay bars before, so far as anyone can remember. “I’ve lived here for five years, and I’ve asked around, and apparently this hasn’t happened before” added Dahms.

Tourists pay a flat fee, in this case $36 and in return get a guided tour of many of Key West’s historic gay bars and nightclubs. The ticket price also includes: a drink at each venue, a “discount pak” of special offers from local businesses, and, among other things, the opportunity to participate in a “Conch Blowing Contest.”

“We want to see who gives the best conch,” quipped Buddy Crane, the crawl’s first-ever tour guide. Such contests are common in Key West, and test contestants’ ability to get a musical tone by blowing into a conch shell horn.

Straight people take heart, the tour is more than open to you. “We love straight people” added Crane, “after all, it takes two of them to make one of us!” Owner Dahms further explained that while the tour will be informational and fun for everybody, it will also serve a higher purpose. “We want as many straight people as possible to participate. When they see how welcoming and friendly this community is, we feel a lot of undue stigma will evaporate.”

“We have a lot of fun and surprises in store. Every tour will be different” said Crane.

Initially the tours will take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 - 6:30 PM, with expansion planned. Reservations are now being accepted at the tour’s website: www.gaypubcrawls.com

More details on Key West Accommodation can be found on the Rainbow Tourism Website.

Frosty Fruits Ski Trip - September 4-7, 2009

2009-05-31T19:16:00.006+10:00

The inaugural Frosty Fruits Ski Trip: a Gay ski long-weekend @ Thredbo, Sep 4-7.

Picture crisp sunny days, pristine piste, dream runs, fresh power, warm smiles and hot chocolate, rounded off with frosty nights, toasty fireside chats, fantastic food and alpine hospitality. Now dip all that in pink!

Winter 2009 heralds the inaugural Frosty Fruits Ski Trip (FFST), the only gay and lesbian ski event on the crisp clean snow at Thredbo. Produced by Points of Difference Events, a professional event company that focuses on providing quality events and occasions for the GLBTQI community, FFST promises to be invigorating long weekend both on and off the ski slopes.

“Get on our luxury coach and relax! We‟ve organised everything for you” says Adam Bold, the founder of Points of Difference Events and FFST organiser. “We have made the experience as enjoyable and easy for our guests as possible. After all – you‟re on holiday – let us do the work for you! Knowing also that some people just can‟t afford to take a week or more away from work, particularly in these uncertain times, we‟ve created a gay ski weekend.”

Aimed at the busy professional or enthusiastic skier, everyone is catered for. Packages include: transport, accommodation, all meals, entertainment, passes, equipment & gear. Different combinations are offered depending on your specific equipment requirements. For example: the Pink Package has skis, boots, stocks, parka and pants all included; whilst the Black Package has performance board and boots, but no parka or pants.

There are also luxury upgrades available to guests wanting that extra bit of pampering!

Frosty Fruits Ski Trippers will be based at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the village and a stone‟s throw from the bottom of the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift.

The organisers chose Thredbo as the location for this year‟s event for a number of reasons: “Thredbo actually has the longest run in Australia and this season promises wonderful skiing conditions,” advised Adam Bold. “With Thredbo being modelled on European skiing towns with lodges, shopping and nightlife, it has a fantastic village feel, is easy to get around and the locals are incredibly welcoming and friendly”.

“The local businesses are also excited by our visit and are already packaging special offers exclusively for Frosty Fruits Ski Trippers. We look forward to pinking the place up a bit”.

“In addition to the numerous great ski runs, we were able to secure two fantastic venues for our evening events; Saturday night we will be feasting at The Terrace Restaurant, and Sunday night we take over the Après Bar at The Denman Hotel for our FFST Sunday Soiree”.

The Terrace Restaurant was awarded the Restaurant & Caterers Association „Restaurant of the Year‟ and „Best Restaurant in a Hotel‟ (both Southern Region NSW) in 2007. These and other awards received are a reflection of the standard of the venue, which now also boasts a Head Chef, plucked from Level 41 in Sydney.

The FFST Sunday Soiree will feature two of Sydney‟s top music maestro‟s, DJ Ruby and Dan Murphy, both of whom jumped at the chance to join in the weekend. Both passionate skiers, you‟ll find them on the slopes swooshing and singing their way down the alpine runs before spinning their hearts out on Sunday.

FFST is not just a trip for the skiing and boarding fanatics among us, snow-bunnies who prefer to watch are also invited along. The organisers have put together a special package for non-skiers, known as The Watchman (or Watch-her) Package, which features pampering, scenic tours, tasting experiences at the Thredbo Valley Distillery and a visit to artist Brad Spalding‟s studio and gallery.

The organisers are hoping the success of this year‟s event will earn the FFST a place in the annual GBLTQI calendar! Booking details are on the Points of Difference Events website at www.pointsofdifference.com or direct link here http://tiny.cc/FFST

Guests can also call Adam on +61-2-8011-3298 to discuss any specific requirements.

The inaugural Frosty Fruits Ski Trip – On snow @ Thredbo, September 4-7, 2009.

Feel free to contact the Rainbow Concierge if you are travelling from outside Sydney - we can book your full pre and post travel package.

Sand Blast, New Jersey - 18th July

2009-05-31T17:30:00.002+10:00

Rising superstar DJ Corey Craig provides the music for the return of SAND BLAST, the spectacular gay beach dance in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It's part of the annual ROAD TRIP WEEKEND, when thousands of gays and lesbians from the tri-state area pour into Asbury Park to check out this fabulous seaside destination. Advocate magazine calls Road Trip "a high-octane weekend of beach parties, splashy art fairs, sports events, dinner galas and customized real estate tours." Now with SAND BLAST, a daytime dance right in the middle of Asbury Park's hot gay beach, Road Trip kicks into high gear.

DJ Corey Craig starts spinning at 2PM and the hot, sweaty and sexy fun goes til sunset. Enjoy cocktails in the sunshine, beautiful bodies and the most stunning beach in a hundred miles. With a spectacular location facing the Atlantic ocean, the glorious architecture of Convention Hall as a backdrop, a 50'x70' dance floor on the sand and the perfect music for a beach dance, SAND BLAST will be the highlight of your summer.

$40 Advance Tickets
$55 At Door
Under 25 Pay Your Age
Supporting The Center in Asbury Park & The Center NYC

Ticket purchase includes:

All-You-Can-Drink Coors Light wristband for $15
42Below vodka cocktails $5
Complimentary cocktail at one of three Asbury Park bars directly after Sand Blast (including Georgies: The Gay “CHEERS” of Asbury Park)
Centaur Music download of Corey Craig's mix POPular
Free Weekend Gym Pass @ Newberry Fitness in downtown Asbury Park
20% off VIP Shopping Cards at MARC ECKO stores in NYC & Red Bank,
Sand Blast Host Hotel deal: $119 / night and up to 4 guests per room (a great share!)

Automatic entry for:

2 pair of WINTER PARTY MIAMI 2010 GOLD PASSES
2 pair of BLACK & BLUE FESTIVAL MONTREAL PASSES
2 Platinum Passes for INDEPENDENCE 2009 Provincetown
2 pair of FAIRGROUNDS Six Flags Passes

Advance tickets & details at SandBlastOnline.com

Pride At The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

2009-05-30T00:51:00.001+10:00

By Roy Heale
It's official---the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics will include the first PRIDE House for gay athletes and their companions. The Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre will be the host venue during the 2010 Olympics and celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres will be asked to join in.
The producers of GayWhistler, the annual WinterPRIDE festival, secured Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre as a partner. In a news release the Pan Pacific's general manager Jim Douglas described the decision as an easy one to embrace.
After much hard work and negotiations the accomplishment is significant for the producers of Gay Whistler."We are so excited to be able to work with Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, a hotel chain that embraces similar values we hold dear; the value to be authentic, the value to embrace diversity and the value to be inclusive. Together, we will create a safe space for our gay and lesbian community and their allies to go to during the Olympics," Dean Nelson, CEO of GayWhistler, said in a news release.
The goal is to create a safe space for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, family, fans and allies to hang out during the Games. The venue will feature a lounge where guests can watch events and relax.
"It is our desire to have a couple of key OUT celebrities, such as Ellen DeGeneres or Neil Patrick Harris, to come out and be part of the magic of PRIDE House," Nelson said in the news release.
Congratulations to all who worked hard to make this a FIRST at any Olympic games recognising the contribution of GLBT athletes to these events.
For more stories by Roy Heale Visit www.royheale.blogspot.com

LOW-BUDGET VACATIONS IN BUENOS AIRES

2009-05-02T12:35:00.004+10:00

By Roy Heale
It's renowned as the Paris of South America and there is a very good reason why. A year-round warm and gentle climate coupled with the Spanish influence has made Buenos Aires the hottest destination in South America for gay travellers seeking a unique vacation escape from daily routines. From Tango dancing and historic architecture to elegant dining and vibrant gay nightlife it's guaranteed to be memorable in Buenos Aires. The city’s original European settlers came mostly in the nineteenth century from Spain, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Exploring Buenos Aires, you will sense the European history while you explore the splendid boulevards, classic architecture, expansive plazas , extensive parks, and ever-changing charisma of Argentina’s stunning capital city. You will quickly understand why this city is known as ‘The Paris of South America’, populated by sophisticated Porteños---as the local residents are affectionately known.
Perhaps one of Argentina’s most notable tourist attractions at the moment is the low cost of living and shopping bargains to be found here. Here you can enjoy an economical vacation without sacrificing any pleasures or comforts. If a bottle of good wine or a liter of beer for two dollars sounds appealing, then you will also be pleased to rent a cozy vacation apartment for as little as four hundred dollars per week. Even gourmet restaurant dining is affordable when a three-course dinner with wine can readily be enjoyed for less than fifteen dollars per person. And the renowned Empanadas---small pies with a variety of fillings---for less than one dollar each! It's hard to believe but this summer LAN Airlines is offering fares of approximately $499 plus taxes round-trip between New York and Buenos Aires. Check out their fares from a city close to you in North America.Who can resist this destination in our current financial circumstances?
The gay community is spread throughout the center of town but in small concentrated pockets. The districts of Recoleta, Palermo and San Telmo are very gay and the local bars, restaurants and clubs are found mostly in these areas. However, most gay places are within an inexpensive taxi ride of each other. These central communities of Buenos Aires are some of the safest zones of any major city in South America and visitors should feel secure walking around day or night—however, sensible precautions should never be abandoned.
Sidewalk cafes, Argentine beef Parilla grill-restaurants—renowned for the best beef in the world—and cheap shopping make this a wondrous gay destination.
Buenos Aires now has over sixty gay discos, restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, saunas, movie theaters, and possibly the best-looking Latin men you will see anywhere. The gay scene in Buenos Aires, in common with other cities in South America, starts very late. Apart from one bar (Flux) and the cruising bars and movie theaters, nothing really starts until around midnight. Very few people arrive at discos until 2:00 AM, but then the discos quickly fill to capacity and line-ups occur, particularly on Saturdays. The principal discos and bars mostly operate from Thursday to Sunday, but there are show bars with comedy drag and strippers open seven nights a week. Most of the cruising bars, cinemas and saunas are open seven days a week, with some being open twenty-four hours throughout the weekend.
So if you are trying to find a place to enjoy a fun gay vacation but these economic times have restricted your budget, then check out the discount flights to Buenos Aires and enjoy the Paris of South America. The temperate climate in South America makes Buenos Aires a year-round gay vacation possibility. Several IGLTA members are ready and waiting to make your visit to Buenos Aires a gay get-way full of hot Latin memories.
Visit http://www.gmaps360.com/ for local Buenos Aires gay community venues
For More Travel Stories by Roy Heale Visit: www.royheale.blogspot.com

New IGLTA Partner Travel Site

2009-05-01T00:47:00.000+10:00

LOGOonline, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks announced the launch of TripOutGayTravel.com, a new site, dedicated to all things travel for the LGBT community. TripOutGayTravel.com provides LGBT travelers with the latest on gay travel through its vast editorial features, deep destination guide content and the web's largest LGBT travel video library. The site also invites users to recommend and comment on destinations, as well as discuss the thousands of travel listings on the site. While TripOutGayTravel.com is part of Logo's larger constellation of Web properties, the site will operate separately from LOGOonline.com and will cover travel in its own distinct style. TripOutGayTravel.com will be bringing even more web-related content to LGBT travelers.

Judy Garland would no doubt be amazed.

2009-04-13T05:05:00.003+10:00

Lesbian and gay equality is still being fought for.

Across America and around the world, gay and lesbian people continue to strive for equal treatment at work, legal equality and social respect.

In some places - such as Saudi Arabia and Iran - gays and lesbians can find their sexuality met with death. Just for being true to their own human natures.

So do not think for a second that the global gay rights struggle is over.

In the US market a current battle rages over the right for gays and lesbians to marry. That win seems a long way off still.

Nonetheless, there are moments to reflect on the progress made by gay and lesbian communities around the world.

This Summer, in New York City, a new advertising and tourism marketing campaign is going to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of an event that is often seen as the start of the modern gay rights movement.

Stonewall Riots

On a hot summer's night, almost 40 years ago, gays and lesbians were sharing a drink in a bar called the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street, Greenwich Village, New York City.

Judy Garland - a long time hero of many gay people, had just died that week.

The mood amongst the NYC gay community at that moment was reflective and sombre.

Into this cauldron stepped the New York City police department, doing what was - at that time - purely a matter of routine. Rough up some gays and close down a gay bar. Protection money was often sought - and paid, but not this night.

On June 28, 1969 - the patrons at the Stonewall were in no mood for such treatment, and they stood and said 'no'.

More than that, they fought back.

In a riot that spanned three consecutive nights, the city's gays and lesbians said "Enough!" - in a moment that has echoed down the years ever since.

The Rainbow Pilgrimage

Whereas in 1969, city authorities were anti-gay, now in 2009 - the City's tourism authority - NYC and Co - has designed a campaign to celebrate New York City and its gay history.

Launched this week, The Rainbow Pilgrimage campaign is a testament to how far the city - and its sizeable gay and lesbian population - has progressed since 1969.

“I don’t think it’s ironic, I think it’s significant,” said Christine C. Quinn, the City Council speaker, who is openly gay, at a news conference announcing the campaign. “You know, 40 years ago a group of people said enough was enough. And they struck back against police officers. They struck back against unfair treatment (and) created the modern LGBT civil rights movement.”