Gaycation Magazine Issue 17 June 2015

Gaycation June 2015 Issue 17

Hoosier Pride Exploring Indiana’s Gay Side

Where to Stay During Gay Pride

Extreme Weddings Little City, Big Pride

10 Pride Events Around the U.S.

GIVE INDY

3 DAYS DISCOVER ONE OF AMERICA’S

MOST UNDERRATED LGBT DESTINATIONS. Find the perfect plan for a three-day weekend at

VisitIndy.com/LGBT

Gaycation m a g a z i n e

Founder/Editor-in-Chief DJ Doran dj@gaycationmagazine.com Executive Editor Aaron Drake @theaarondrake aaron@gaycationmagazine.com Feast Editor Joe Morales joe@gaycationmagazine.com Webmaster / IT Nic Baslock nic@gaycationmagazine.com Contributors Heather Cassell Aaron Drake @theaarondrake Gregory L. Kiep @gregorykiep Mark A. Lee Auston Matta Meg Ten Eyck @dopesontheroad Advertising Department sales@gaycationmagazine.com John Fugate john@gaycationmagazine.com National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 Subscription Department subscriptions@gaycationmagazine.com Article and Photo Submissions editor@gaycationamagazine.com General Info travel@gaycationmagazine.com Social Media GaycationMagazine GaycationMag +Gaycationmagazine1 GaycationMag gaycationmagazine gaycationmagazine June 2015 Issue 17 4

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About the above photo: Circle City IN Pride Festival by Monument Circle in Indianapolis, IN. Pride cover courtesy of IM ImageBank

Send address changes and subscription info to: Gaycation Magazine 931W 75th St Suite 137-215 Naperville, IL 60565 ISSN 2378-7279 (print) ISSN 2378-7287 (online) www.gaycationmagazine.com

There’s This Place...

El Nido, Philippines

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Wedding Extreme 50 Celebrating marriage equality with an adventure ceremony Book It! 60 Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts. Exploring Revere Hotel Gaycationers 64 Photos of people showing off their best gaycation.

Urban Fresh Day Spa Rejuvenates Albuquerque 68 Urban grit never looked so fresh before this spa hit Albuquerque’s mean streets

About the above photo: Monument Circle in the center of downtown Indianapolis has come to symbolize the city and the state of Indiana. Designed

by Bruno Schmitz and constructed between 1887 and 1902. Photo courtesy of Mark A. Lee

CONTENTS

Letter from the Publisher

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The Wire 10 LGBT travel news and information Hoosier Pride Exploring Indiana’s Gay Side

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Events 27

Classifieds

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Advertising Index

84

COLUMNS An Explicit Guide to Gaycationing Where to stay during Gay Pride

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Greg’s Gaycations Exploring New Zealand

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Postcards 32 Little City, Big Pride 36 10 small city Pride events around the country www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Letter from the Publisher

This is a very special Gaycation Magazine. It not only marks our first anniversary, which many did not think we would celebrate, but the cover of our JUNE/PRIDE ISSUE has special meaning too. When I first launched Gaycation Magazine I made a promise to myself and to our readers that Gaycation would be focused solely on LGBTQ travel and the lifestyle of traveling, edited from a mature perspective, and I have kept that promise.

I set out to create a publication that inspired you to travel, explore and experience the wonders of this world without distraction or deviation.

In our PRIDE issue we are featuring 10 prides from across the country, with one that I am particularly proud to be part of, Circle City/Indianapolis Pride in Indiana. Yes, that Indiana. I have lived in the Midwest (Chicago) and I have seen first hand the welcoming kindness of the people and they are much more than the talking points or sound bites that you have heard on the news of late.

Recently, I attended the IGLTA Global Convention in Los Angeles and was astounded by the overwhelming calls for boycotting the entire state and the jokes being made about why you should not travel to Indiana, especially by too many of the featured speakers. Over the few days of the convention I began to realize that what I was hearing was taking on a different tone for 6

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me. It was less about helping change the situation in Indiana through constructive means, but rather it seemed like a mob mentality had evolved and people were just piling on.

Granted, Governor Pence and his cronies deserve everything that that have received and more for their wrongheaded and divisive legislation; but did the entire state and everyone contained therein deserve to be vilified and ostracized by the entire LGBTQ traveling community? I didn’t think so.

It was during particular breakout session that I attended and which was being hosted by a representative from the White House that I finally decided to stand up and call them on the carpet. I explained that although it was easy for everyone to join in the calls for boycotting the whole state of Indiana because of SB101, what about those LGBTQ people that lived and worked there and why weren’t we offering them support instead of making it even harder by creating an economic hardship.

I will never know whether or not my statement had an impact, but it did remind me of the importance of standing up for what you believe in and that’s why we are featuring a photo from a previous Indy Pride on our cover. Indianapolis is indeed proud of their rich LGBTQ history and what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish for their community so we wanted to show our support for them. Especially now.

So while most are encouraging you to steer clear of Indiana and Indianapolis when you are making travel plans, we hope you will consider visiting the Hoosier state and explore, as we have, the wonderful things to see and do throughout the state and experience the warm welcome of Midwest hospitality.

www.gaycationmagazine.com

The Midwest’s largest LGBTQ news source since 1991!

PROVINCETOWN your vacation just got sexier

PTOWN.ORG

The Wire

LGBT travel news and information, ranging from new hotel/resort openings to cruise itineraries and travel planning tips and products and services that we like

Alaska Airlines’ Gay Travel The guide offers ideas for weddings, honeymoons bachelor/bachelorette getaways.

Webpage Offers Discounts To Pride andDelta, Southwest, American and Jet Blue have similar microsites devoted to LGBT travel.

Events, Wedding Destinations The Original article can be found at http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal. com/2015/04/08/alaska-airlines-launches-gay-travel-webpagemicrosite-offering-discounts-to-pride-events-wedding-destinations/

Delta passengers can now track pets with GPS at 10 U.S. airports Photo by William B. Plowman/Getty Images Alaska Airlines has added an LGBT Travel section to its website, offering discounts to pride celebrations, gay wine tastings, and LGBT events across the country.

The Seattle-based airline says it created the gay microsite as “longtime supporters of the LGBT community” and same-sex marriage.

“We were elated when the State of Washington expressed the same commitment by legalizing marriage for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. To show our continued support we are encouraging the LGBT community to travel, not only to Seattle, but to Pride events and gay friendly destinations all over the country.”

Discounts range from seven to ten percent on destinations that include Hawaii, Palm Springs, Puerta Vallarta, Seattle, San Francisco, as well as ski resorts.

The microsite has a page devoted to LGBT wedding destinations. On it, the airline writes, ” we are proud to be flying to 23 of the states (plus Washington, D.C) supporting marriage equality.”

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Photo courtesy of Louis Bennett www.flickr.com/photos/ louisbennett/4810717959 My grandma used to sing a song to me that went “Oh where oh where has my little dog gone, oh where oh where can he be,” because nothing is more soothing to children than imagining that their pets are missing. Well, thanks to Delta’s new GPS pet-tracking devices, the next line could be “Oh hey, he’s right over here, he’s sitting in Terminal C.” Starting today, pet owners can pay for a GPS device to be attached to their animals’ crates and can then monitor them in real-time, keeping track of the temperature outside their kennels, ensuring that they’re still right-side up and – most importantly – knowing that the animals were safely and www.gaycationmagazine.com

successfully loaded onto the plane.

The wireless devices, which cost $50 per pet, per flight, will be available at the Delta Cargo area of ten U.S. airports: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York’s LaGuardia, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tampa. The trackers were manufactured by Sendum Wireless Company and have previously been used to monitor donor organs that are being transported between hospitals.

Anxious owners will be notified of their pet’s status before and after the flight but they will not receive updates during the flights because, ya know, everyone’s cell phone is supposed to be in Airplane mode. If the temperature around the animal’s crate exceeds 85 degrees, it will send an automatic alert to Delta’s call center, but neither company specifies how that situation will be handled beyond an email with an exclamation point beside it.

Neel Jones Shah, a former Delta cargo executive who now advises Sendum, told Bloomberg, “when things go wrong with a pet, it often goes horribly wrong.” He’s right. Of the major U.S. carriers, Delta has had the highest number of pet fatalities over the last five years. In January, a four-yearold Walker hound named Duke died after a flight from Lexington, Ky. to Atlanta. And just last month, Delta temporarily lost track of several Westminster show dogs before eventually reuniting them with their owners.

Despite the in-flight limitations of the system, it’s probably worth it for pet owners to have immediate, real-time reassurance that their animals are OK. Oh where oh where has my little dog gone? He’s on the plane, as he should be.

The original article was written by Jelisa Castrodale and can be found at Road Warrior Voices roadwarriorvoices.com/2015/04/02/deltapassengers-can-track-their-pets-by-attaching-these-gps-devices-to-theircrates/

www.gaycationmagazine.com

Puerto Vallarta named an HRC National Travel Partner for 2015 The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has partnered with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as the organization’s first national travel partner.

During the partnership, Puerto Vallarta will promote its adventure, gastronomy, cultural, nightlife, romance and family offerings in HRC conferences, dinners and events in 20 cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York and Chicago.

Participants of the events will have a chance to win stays in Puerto Vallarta with hotel accommodations provided by Casa Cupula, Costa Sur Resort and Spa, Luna Liquida, Marriott CasaMagna and Villa Mercedes. Winners will also have the opportunity to have special dinners at Café des Artists or Sapphire Ocean Club and take Vallarta’s Gay Bar Hopping Tour. Puerto Vallarta’s Vallarta Adventures will provide access to its various activities, including the longest zipline in Mexico and the magical beach destinations of Vallarta’s South.

Puerto Vallarta offers visitors a friendly and supportive environment and has been Mexico’s leading destination for LGBT visitors for decades.

Named Gaycities’ 2014 Top Beach Destination, Puerto Vallarta boasts a gayborhood home to an array of gay bars and nightclubs, gayowned restaurants, hotels, stores, services, and entertainment that put the destination in a league of its own.

Its Vallarta Pride is a 10-day celebration of LGBT culture that starts the international Pride season in May. This year Orange is the New Black’s Lea DeLaria will be its Grand Marshall and appearances have also been confirmed by famed underwear designer by Andrew Christian and Spanish transgender pop-star, La Prohibida.

In recent years, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, the entity responsible for promoting the destination Gaycation Magazine

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in the US and Canada has partnered with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), GMHC and the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to promote the destination’s diverse tourism offerings. In 2014, Puerto Vallarta became the first Mexican destination to participate in a World Pride with its Noche Alegre event during the World Pride celebrations in Toronto.

Many of #gayvallarta main attractions can be found in the Zona Romantica, a delightfully walkable and compact area where tourists of all stripes mix and mingle at the beach, in cafes, in restaurants and bars, as well as on the newly widened and covered sidewalks of the neighborhood. In the past decade, many LGBT ex-Patriots from North America have joined locals in opening businesses in the area to cater to gay tourism, creating a vibrant and exciting mix of unique and friendly businesses.

The Original article can be found at http://lgbtweekly.com/?p=58889

Gay travel website misterbnb secures $2million in seed funding A travel accommodation website that’s positioned itself as an LGBTI equivalent to airbnb has secured itself $2million in seed funding.

Misterbnb.com was launched in 2013 after Frenchman Matthieu Jost and his boyfriend booked themselves a rented room in an apartment in Barcelona, only to find out that their hosts didn’t like the idea of two men sharing the same bed.

Jost returned home to Paris and duly set up misterbnb. Gay travelers can use the site to reserve a room somewhere that will welcome them; the majority of listings are in properties owned by LGBTI individuals.

The website has grown exponentially since that time, and now includes 15,000 listings in over 130 countries.

The company was part of the 500 Startups Batch 12

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12 in January in San Francisco.

Subsequently, in a statement, misterbnb said it had raised the funding from a range of investors, including Microventures, China Growth Capital, 500 Startups and Angel Vest, among others.

‘We have a penchant for companies with strong growth and revenue,’ said 500 Startups managing partner Christine Tsai to Deal Street Asia.

‘Not only does misterbnb have both, but they also have a stellar team. I was particularly drawn to the fact that they’re building a global community for gay travelers and hosts.

‘It’s more than just finding a place to stay. It’s helping them feel welcome wherever they go – something that would have been very hard to do before misterbnb.’

‘Gay men are seeking to connect with their global community and feel welcome anywhere the go,’ said Jost, misterbnb’s CEO, in a statement. ‘misterbnb allows them to stay in the city centers for affordable prices and to connect with the local gay scene through our gay city guides.’

Misterbnb estimates the global LGBTI travel market to be worth $100billion. It plans to use the money to expand operations in New York, San Francisco, London, Lisbon, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

Perhaps as an added incentive for investors, it’s not just the gay market that is taking advantage of misterbnb. In a profile in Forbes last summer, it was reported that besides gay men, 10% of the site’s customers were women, with many known to be heterosexual.

‘For women, the best selling point of misterbnb is safety,’ Adélaïde Kauffman, a 25-year-old customer service manager and site user from Paris, told the magazine.

‘We felt better knowing that the hosts were not interested in women and that we wouldn’t have any problem with them.’

The Original article can be found at http://www.gaystarnews. com/article/gay-travel-website-misterbnb-secures-2million-seedfunding050515 www.gaycationmagazine.com

ainbowTourism.com

Destinations, Accommodations, Tours, Events & Services

www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Un rendez-vous élégant L’escale française par excellence, que ce soit pour des vacances ou un voyage d’affaires. Dans le confort luxueux d’une demeure historique située en plein centre-ville de Saint-Pierre, à 200 mètres du traversier. Une expérience exquise vous attend.

For a holiday, getaway or business trip... NSP is the quintessential French experience. Indulge yourself in modern luxuries. In the centre of town and a mere 200 meters from the ferry terminal our heritage building is a haven of elegance. An exquisite experience awaits you.

À Nuits Saint-Pierre le petit déjeûner est inclus At Nuits Saint-Pierre, breakfast is included

orial du To rrit

isme ur

Prix Te

Une petite faim? Besoin d’un cadeau ou d’un souvenir?

A tad hungry? Need a gift or a souvenir?

Rendez-vous au rez-de-chaussée de l’hôtel aux Délices de Joséphine Visit Les Délices de Joséphine on the main floor of the hotel

10 rue du Général Leclerc, BP 4445, 97500 Saint-Pierre et Miquelon 011 508 41 20 27 | 011 508 55 59 82 (cell)

nuitssaintpierre.com info@nuitssaintpierre.com

vos hôtes

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Photo courtesy of Visit Indy

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Photo courtesy of Visit Indy

Hoosier Pride: Exploring Indiana’s Gay Side

by Mark A. Lee

After the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act fiasco, many people from around the world were left scratching their heads, wondering why anyone in the LGBT community would want to visit Indiana—let alone live there. Unfortunately for the few businesses who do want to discriminate based on the grounds of “religious freedom,” Indiana does have a large LGBT community and a very long list of LGBT-friendly spots and must-dos to experience throughout the state.

And let’s not forget about Indy Pride—check out Gaycation’s roundup of the best little Pride celebrations around the country to get an inside look at this year’s parade and festival!

INDIANAPOLIS From predominantly 18

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gay

neighborhoods,

such as the Old Northside and Lockerbie Square Historic District, to the Arts District on Mass Avenue and sports teams such as the Fever, Indy Eleven and—by some miracle of God—the franchise known as NASCAR, Indy welcomes all! VisitIndy.com Walk, Bike, Run For those who like outdoor activities, we have the Cultural Trail that extends throughout Downtown and Fountain Square, and the Monon Trail that connects Downtown to the far north side. You can even rent a bike by the hour if you don’t care to bring your own. IndyCulturalTrail.org The Arts The Phoenix Theatre is an intimate and innovative professional theater company that produces only contemporary works. In their own words, they are www.gaycationmagazine.com

Inn at Irwin Gardens www.gaycationmagazine.com

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“always different, always unique.”

PhoenixTheatre.org The Cabaret brings in the best of the best— from Jonathan Groff to Linda Lavin—to perform in its world-class theatre on the second floor of the Columbia Building, with Monument Circle as the backdrop. Literally—when they open the curtains at the beginning of the second act, it will take your breath away. TheCabaret.org The Palladium, situated just north of Indianapolis in Carmel, Ind., is the adopted home of entertainer Michael Feinstein. In mid-July he hosts the Great American Songbook Initiative with a panel of celebrity judges who mentor a dozen or so lucky high 20

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school students on the fine art of performing. Master classes with the students are open to the public for observation. TheCenterforthePerformingArts.org Museums The Children’s Museum is a great place for kids of all ages and the home of “The Power of Children: Making a Difference.” This particular exhibit focuses on Ryan White, Anne Frank and Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child admitted to an all-white New Orleans elementary school in 1960. ChildrensMuseum.org Indiana Historical Society has officially begun creating an LGBT history exhibit for the state. More www.gaycationmagazine.com

Indianapolis Skyline - Photo courtesy of Kevin Foster / Visit Indy

than 65 members of the LGBT community in central Indiana have been interviewed and the transcripts will be made available at the beginning of 2016.

From October 10 through November 14 of this year it will exhibit photos from the Mark A. Lee LGBT Photo Collection: AIDS to Marriage Equality.

IndianaHistory.org In the meantime, the Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives run by Michael Bohr and located in the basement of the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis Building is the most extensive collection of LGBT items at this time. Whatever you can’t find, Michael can most likely tell you about. The archives are open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 www.gaycationmagazine.com

p.m. IndyPride.org/Library FRANKLIN Located 30 minutes south of Indianapolis, Franklin isn’t what most people consider to be the usual place for LGBTs, but it’s worth the road trip— especially on weekends!

The Historic Artcraft Theatre Located in the heart of Downtown Franklin, the art deco theatre has been completely renovated and tickets to films are only $3-$5 each. Upcoming films include Some Like it Hot, Phantom of the Opera (the original silent movie with a live orchestra Gaycation Magazine

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soundtrack), Funny Face and a sing-along version of The Wizard of Oz. It doesn’t get much gayer than that! HistoricArtCraftTheatre.org Camp Buckwood Members of the bear community may want to continue driving south for another 30 minutes to Camp Buckwood, where clothing is optional, but fun is not! Located in beautiful Brown County, Ind., Buckwood is a private campground and resort. It costs $15 a year to become a new member or $10 to renew. They have cabins available, you can bring an RV or pitch a tent. There is also a community hot tub and swimming pool where you can hang out with the other furry visitors. CampBuckwood.com COLUMBUS The Inn at Irwin Gardens For those of you who have no desire to camp, Columbus, Ind., is the home of a beautifully renovated, early 20th-century luxury home. The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a bed-and-breakfast-style inn, with rooms ranging from $175 to $290 a night. After you have enjoyed the private gardens, you can treat yourself to Zaharakos Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. IrwinGardens.com; 22

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Zaharakos.com BLOOMINGTON Head west from Columbus and you will end up in Bloomington, Ind., ranked the “fourth gayest city in America” by The Advocate in 2010. Bloomington is the home of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, where the term “Kinsey Six” was originated. Bloomington is also home to the Sigma Phi Beta fraternity, organized for and by LGBT men in college. KinseyInstitute.org Pride Film Festival In January of each year, Bloomington hosts the Pride Film Festival, and on every Thursday you can tune into WFHB for BloomingOUT, Indiana’s premier LGBT radio show.

BloomingtonPride.org/Pride-Film-Festival.html; WFHB.org/News/BloomingOut_/ SPENCER Head just a little bit further west and you will end up in Spencer. Here you’ll find a small rural community of 2,500 people. Spencer Pride has defied the odds by being held on the courthouse lawn for the last several years and by having more than 1,200 people from surrounding areas come www.gaycationmagazine.com

out to celebrate. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and lasts until 5 p.m. the Saturday before Indy Pride.

LAFAYETTE Located north of Indianapolis, Lafayette was one of the first towns in Indiana to include sexual orientation and gender identity in its city ordinance.

It is also home to the Pride Lafayette Community Center. The Center provides a comfortable space for social events, meetings and educational seminars, as well as a haven for their LGBT Library.

PrideLafayette.org OUTfest is the local Pride celebration of Lafayette and West Lafayette. OUTfest features live bands and DJs, food, information booths, beer gardens, a family area, dancing and light-hearted drag shows.

This year’s OUTfest is being held August 1 from 4 p.m. to midnight. OUTFest.PrideLafayette.org PERU Last, but certainly not least, is the birthplace of Cole Porter, who wrote over 1,500 songs for Broadway productions, movies and television.

The Cole Porter Festival Held each year during the weekend closest to June 9, Cole’s birthday, is the Cole Porter Festival.

The 2015 festival will run from June 11-14. You can plan on lots of Cole Porter music throughout the day! ColePorterFestival.org Cole Porter Inn Can’t get enough of his music? You can spend the weekend in his birthplace, where they have three suites available: the Cole Porter Suite, the Anything Goes Suite and the Night and Day Suite.

Prices begin at $100 a night. ColePorterInn.com

www.gaycationmagazine.com

Indiana History Center - Photo Courtesy of Visit Indy

Writer and photographer Mark A. Lee has been photographing the LGBT community for the last 30 years. He is currently working with the Indiana Historical Society to put together an LGBT history exhibit for the state.

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Above: Fountain Square Photo courtesy of Lavengood Photography / Visit Indy Below Left: The Artcraft Theater Below Right: Children’s Museum - Carousel. Photo courtesy of Visit Indy

Top Left: Cultural Trail Photo courtesy of Kelley Jordan / Visit Indy Top Right: Mass Ave Photo courtesy of Kelley Jordan / Visit Indy Bottom: Attractions - Indiana History Center - Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center from canal. Courtesy of Visit Indy

EVENTS

Here are some events and shows Gaycation Magazine will be attending or will have a presence. We’re always adding more and looking for that special event for us to be at. If you would like us to attend your event, please let us know at travel@gaycationmagazine.com SEE YOU SOON!

June 5 - 7, 2015 OlaGirls, Lesbian Getaway www.olagirls.com/en

September 10 - 13, 2015 Key West Womenfest www.womenfest.com

June 10 - 14, 2015 Key West Pride www.keywestpride.org

October 27, 2015 Key West Headdress Ball

www.headdressballkeywest.com

August 13 - 16, 2015 Tropical Heat Key West www.tropicalheatkw.com

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Photo Courtesy of Visit Indy

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Summer in Salem!

Go Out Loud Ushers Summer Sea Cruise Events For EVERYONE This Summer!

For the latest events, merch, news & tickets :

GoOutLoud.com

2014

www.casacupula.com

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MIAMI’S LGBT VOICE

We warmly welcome you to the LGBT Visitor Center, the proud voice of all things gay in Miami and the Beaches.

We’re located in Old City Hall in the heart of South Beach at 1130 Washington Ave., Suite 100, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

To plan your next vacation in fabulous Miami Beach, go to GoGayMiami.com or call us at 305/397-8914.

MAR Winter Party

APR Miami Beach Gay Pride Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

MAY Aqua Girl Sizzle Miami

JUN Out in the Tropics

JUL Miami Beach Bruthaz Conference

OCT Orgullo

LGBT VISITOR CENTER •1130 WASHINGTON AVENUE, 1ST FLOOR, MIAMI BEACH • GoGayMiami.com This ad made possible through the support of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For a complete listing of events, please visit GoGayMiami.com Additional support generously provided by:

NOV White Party

Postcards

Show off your Gayation! Send in your vacation photos (with captions) and we’ll put ‘em here and be envious of the great time you had!

Postcards

Long Beach, California

Long Beach, California

Indianapolis, Indiana

Savannah, Georgia

River in Vermont

Covered Bridge in Vermont

Golf Course in Vermont

Vermont Road Trip www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Little City, Big Pride

by Aaron Drake

Courtesy of Indy Pride Inc. 36

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Courtesy of Indy Pride Inc.

During Pride season, there’s no shortage of festivals to be found in any of the 50 states—that alone is reason to celebrate. But for LGBT travelers who like to Pride hop this time of year, we know it’s all about choosing the right combination of an exciting Pride celebration and a visit-worthy destination.

We looked past the city-stopping festivals in New York and San Francisco to scour the rest of the U.S. for the 10 best big little Pride celebrations.

See what cities surprise you, who took to the streets and get tips from the locals about what to check out while you’re there. Have a happy Pride season, Gaycationers!

10 small city Pride events around the country

Circle City IN Pride The LGBT community in Indiana got hit hard this year by anti-gay legislation targeting them for discrimination. However, that hasn’t interfered with the Indianapolis LGBT community’s Hoosier hospitality and hope that fairness and equality will prevail. Indy Pride features 16 events over nine days from June 5-13, and a myriad of events like the Rainbow 5K Run/Walk, Pet Pride and Girl Pride welcome out locals and visitors alike. Another addition this year is the first-ever transgender event, Living History: Living Proof. Living the Truth. (Being Transgender in Indiana), at Indy Reads Books.

“Indianapolis is bursting with tons of things to do,” says Chris Morehead, president of Indy Pride, Inc. “Massachusetts Avenue, or Mass Ave. to the locals, is bursting with art studios, theatres, restaurants, bars and much more. This is widely viewed as the center of our community here in Indianapolis and provides a wonderful array of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner or nightlife. If you are looking for a more outdoors experience, I would highly recommend taking a drive up to visit the Indianapolis Museum of Art where you can get lost in the 100-acre Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, take a tour of the beautiful gardens www.gaycationmagazine.com

Courtesy of Indy Pride Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Utah Pride Festival

or check out the incredible art collection housed inside the museum. The IMA is a one-stop shop for the art and nature enthusiast for sure.”

Chris adds, “If you are looking for something more Downtown-centric, I always love sending people to the canal Downtown where you can rent a kayak or paddle boat and take to the water to see the city from a different perspective. The canal runs right into White River State Park, which is stocked full of museums and parks for everyone’s enjoyment.” IndyPride.org

Interfaith March.

Besides a huge Pride celebration, visitors can enjoy the city’s hiking trails and craft breweries.

“If you’re the outdoors type, head up to Donut Falls for a quick hike right outside the city,” says Sarah Luks-Morgan, marketing manager for Utah Pride Center. “Even if you’re not, a trip up to Alta or Snowbird just for the view and a beer on top of the mountains is always a good call. If you want to stay in the city, Broadway and Tower theaters are excellent independent movie theaters that during Pride weekend will be having a late-night screening of Hedwig and The Angry Inch. Grab a bite to eat at Rye SLC or The Copper Onion.

“Finally, if you want to go out and party, there

Utah Pride

are plenty of gay bars around town, but feel free to pop into Bar X and ask for a bartender’s roulette, which will be different but worth it, every single time.” UtahPrideFestival.org

Photo Courtesy of Utah Pride Festival

Voted gayest city in the country by The Advocate in 2012, Salt Lake City hosts one of the city’s largest annual events with more than 25,000 people attending. Utah Pride festival takes over the city again this year from June 4-7, along with the Utah Pride Parade, Pride Day 5K, Pride Interfaith Service, Dyke March, Transgender March and

Photo Courtesy of Utah Pride Festival www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Spencer Pride Another must-stop for visitors to Indiana during Pride is Spencer Pride on June 7. Proudly calling itself the “largest rural LGBTQI gathering in the state and the largest small town Pride event in the Midwest,” Spencer celebrates its eighth annual celebration this year on the grounds of the Owen County Courthouse and town square from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Family-friendly, alcohol-free activities include a deluxe, all-ages Slip ’n’ Slide, Bouncy House, raffles, drawings and free giveaways throughout the day. Enjoy festival foods and live local entertainment including the annual Spencer Pride Drag Show.

Jonathan Balash, president of Spencer Pride, Inc., shares what else visitors to Spencer should check out. “First and foremost, Spencer is the home of McCormick’s Creek State Park, which was Indiana’s first state park. It has lots of options for

camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing, horseback riding and other outdoor opportunities. For those that prefer the indoors, we have the beautiful—and recently restored at a cost of $3.7 million—historic Tivoli Theatre. New releases show on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

“There is also the Owen Valley Winery, which has a tasting room next to the Tivoli, both Downtown along the square where our festival is,” he adds.

“The winery’s headquarters are also a place to visit for a little more space. It is located just south of town.” SpencerPride.org

Top Image Courtesy of Jonathan Balash / Spencer Pride Inc. Above image courtesy of Jonathan Balash / Spencer Pride Inc Bottom Left Image courtesy of Jonathan Balash / Spencer Pride inc.

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Image courtesy of Captial City Pride

Capital City Pride

Image courtesy of Captial City Pride

Visitors to the Pacific Northwest can experience Olympia, Washington’s 15th annual Pride from June 19-21. This year’s festival moves to Heritage Park and the festival entertainment lineup includes Kimya Dawson (whom you might recognize from the soundtrack for Juno) and Olympia native Cole Hartley, aka drag performer Alusia. The weekend routinely attracts upwards of 15,000 people who come to celebrate with the city’s LGBT community.

“For fun, check out Jake’s on 4th Avenue, an LGBT-owned dance bar and Urban Onion, an LGBT-friendly lounge with plenty of Pride action throughout the weekend,” recommends Anna Schlock, co-chair of Capital City Pride. “Shop at Archibald Sisters, an LGBT-owned gift shop filled with quirky Olympia-themed items. Downtown

[Capital Way and 4th Avenue] has plenty of LGBTfriendly shops, restaurants and coffee shops.”

CapitalCityPride.net

Image courtesy of Captial City Pride

Image courtesy of Captial City Pride

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Photo Courtesy of Doug Brenner / Iowa City Pride Photo Courtesy of Dallas Tavern Guild

Iowa City Pride

Everything’s bigger in Texas—and Dallas Pride is no exception. This year the festival on Sept. 20 moves to a larger park with more exhibit space, more food and beverage stations, a larger stage and live entertainment featuring headliner Ty Herndon who is scheduled to perform a full set at 5 p.m. Admission is $5, which includes all shows.

Michael Doughman, executive director for Dallas Tavern Guild, shares his favorite must-dos in the city. “Hunky’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers in the heart of the ‘gayborhood’ on Cedar Springs has great food, lots of eye-candy, off-the-charts ice cream and a great patio that allows optimal viewing of the passing scenery to the many bars within a block of the restaurant. The Round-Up Saloon is everything the urban visitor imagines a Texas country-western bar to be. Great music, a huge dance floor with free dance lessons offered three nights a week, extremely friendly bar staff, cheap drink prices and lots of hot cowboys and cowgirls dancing, drinking and flirting. Be sure to engage the locals for your own personal serving of ‘y’all’ and ‘howdy.” DallasPride.org Photo Courtesy of Dallas Tavern Guild

Photos Courtesy of Doug Brenner / Iowa City Pride

“At our festival, we try to keep everything upbeat, interactive, inclusive and create viability,” shares Jewell Amos, Pride Iowa City Pride Committee chairwoman, about Iowa City Pride happening June 19-20 this year. “I like to joke that I want non-LGBT people who stumble across our festival to stay, have a great time, then walk away thinking, ‘Those gays are pretty cool.’” Attendees can participate in the Pride parade and enjoy Pride entertainment, free food and more at Studio 13.

As for what visitors should check out in Iowa City, Jewell says, “Spend a day walking around and hanging out at the Pedestrian Mall Downtown Iowa City. There are lots of great shops, restaurants with outside spaces, local artwork and famous quotes captured in the sidewalks under your feet.”

IowaCityPride.com

Dallas Pride

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Photo Courtesty of Angie Wingerd

Photo Courtesy of n Location Photography, Snap Monkey Photography and Merich Photography

Bisbee Pride

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Another diamond in Texas is Austin Pride, taking place August 29. If you visit here, you’ll most likely leave the city with a love for its beautiful scenery, popular music scene and friendly LGBT community.

During Pride week, get dressed up for the Werk!

Fashion Show, play Sushi Coochi Drag Bingo or participate in the Stonewall Rally on the steps of the state capitol.

Austin Pride President Paul Huddleston points out his favorite things to do for locals visiting the city.

“The Bats on Congress are a must-see—we have the largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats roosting under the Congress Street Bridge Downtown. They fly out at dusk and it is an impressive sight. The gayborhood on 4th and Colorado, dubbed the Warehouse District, is where the majority of the gay clubs are: Rain, OCH, Highland and V. There is also Iron Bear on 8th and Colorado, and Bout Time II in North Austin. We also seem to have a never-ending supply of gourmet and fusion food coming out of food trailers—very popular here.”

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Photo Courtesy of n Location Photography, Snap Monkey Photography and Merich Photography

If you’ve never heard of Bisbee, Ariz., you’re missing out. Bisbee Pride’s unique take on festivities for this year’s dates, June 19-21, include the Midnight Miners & Madames Street Dance, Old Bisbee Ghost Tours, Copper Queen pool party and BBQ, the artisan and vendor street fair, beer garden and day stage.

“Bisbee Pride takes place throughout historic old Bisbee,” says Kathy Sowden, event organizer for the city’s Pride festival. “You’ll get a chance to enjoy 19th-century architecture, public art, great restaurants, galleries and specialty shops. Guest artists this year include Mink Stole of John Waters film fame, the one and only Sherry Vine, Pandora Destrange, Olivia Gardens and much more. To see them and other celebs, attend our Friday and Saturday night shows in the city park!”

BisbeePride.com

Austin Pride

Photo Courtesy of David Garten / Burlington VT Pride

PRIDE Vermont Northern New England’s premier Pride celebration, PRIDE Vermont is a weeklong schedule of family-friendly activities in Burlington, Vt., from Sept. 6-13. Events range from a high-heel race to a food and travel expo. “Be sure to check out the Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo, where you can sample some of Vermont’s best wine, beer, spirits and specialty foods,” says Willie Docto, PRIDE Vermont president. “The new beer garden will feature some of Vermont’s world-class beers, including Heady Topper by The Alchemist.

Then there is the Gender Fun tent, which explores transgender issues through games, art and a scavenger hunt. Live entertainment will feature some of Vermont’s best LGBT performers, plus the talented and gorgeous women of The Glamazons singing their latest hits.”

As for other must-sees in Burlington, Willie recommends the art at the Shelburne and Fleming Museums, shopping and dining at Church Street Marketplace, and romantic walks along the bike path on Lake Champlain. PRIDEVermont.com

Photo Courtesy of David Garten / Burlington VT Pride

OBX Pride For a Southern twist on Pride and fun on the sand, come on down to OBX Pride in Outer Banks, N.C., from Sept. 18-20. Pride events include beer and wine on the beach, a production of Pirates of Penzance!, Sunset Booze Cruise, Drag Brunch and Wedding Fashion Show at Hilton Garden Inn Pier House and an afternoon of local bands and microbrews.

OBX Pride Chairman David Miller shares his local perspective on what visitors to Outer Banks should check out. “If visitors are here on the third Sunday of the month they should definitely come to Kelly’s Restaurant & Tavern for late-night drag shows and fun times. The best places for manwatching are the beaches on Hatteras Island where you’ll see plenty of hot surfers. Look for ‘Canadian Hole’ just before Cape Hatteras, where you can www.gaycationmagazine.com

Photos Courtesy of On Location Photography, Snap Monkey Photography, Merich Photography, Angie Wingerd, Gretchen Baer, David Garten, Capital City Pride Olympia, Dallas Tavern Guild, Indy Pride Inc, Doug Brenner, OBX Pride, Utah Pride Festival, and Jonathan Balash

climb up the dunes and watch the surfer guys hang 10—and if you’re lucky you may see a few ‘hung 10’ while they are changing into their surf trunks next to their ATVs. They DO show all and don’t care when getting suited up!” OBXPrideFest.com

Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine.

He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride.

When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him at the beach, at the movies, or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Gaycation Magazine brings the world of gay travel to your fingertips. Explore new and familiar gay destinations. Learn what to do, what to eat, and what to wear. All this information wrapped up into a magazine which brings the culture of gay travel to life.

Subscribe to Gaycation Magazine TODAY and pay only 99¢ per issue!

That’s right! Only 99¢ per issue.

(That’s 10 issues per year for only $9.99)

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Submission Guidelines Editorial Features

What was I thinking?: Stories submitted by Gaycationers about crazy experiences that left them scratching their heads and opining, “What was I thinking?”

Cruising Corner: Tips and insights from cruising experts and short stories from our readers about their cruising experiences.

Book It!: Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts that help you engage with the identity of a destination.

Feast: An in-depth exploration of a traditional local dish and how it connects tot he culture, with recipes and recommendations where to eat.

There’s This Place: Where to go next?

Gaycation Magazine’s recommendations of unusual LGBT destinations off the beaten path.

Threads: The latest style trends, insights and tips from our fashion experts for the world traveler in all of us.

Postcards (Photo Section): Photos of Experiential LGBT travel moments captured by Gaycationers worldwide.

Gaycationers: Photos of real LGBT travelers and explorers who have gone before you providing insights and resources which inspire you to pursue your personal travel passion.

The Wire: Brief LGBT travel news and information about new hotel/resort openings, cruise itineraries, travel planning tips, and products and services.

Found It!: Short description of “must have” travel items for everyone from the novice weekender to the seasoned globetrotter.

Any articles, photos or information submitted to Gaycation Magazine become the sole property of Gaycation Magazine.

The views and opinions stated throughout the magazine are not necessarily the view and opinion of Gaycation Magazine.

Gaycation Magazine and its affiliates will not knowingly publish or advertise information, which is fraudulent or misleading. The Publisher reserves the right to edit, limit, revise, or reject any submission without cause. Gaycation and its affiliates assue no financial responsibility for typographical errors. If any arrors are found, please notify Gaycation Magazine immediately.

Materials in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Publisher.

Pay rates can be found on our website.

Please send images in hi-res and articles to editor@gaycationmagazine.com

There’s This Place El Nido, Philippines

by Meg Ten Eyck

After six hours cramped with 15 other people in the back of a non-air-conditioned van, Lindsay, my six-foot-tall girlfriend, unfolded herself to stand on a dust-covered road in the tiny coastal village of El Nido. We’d been researching the island of Palawan in the Philippines for months, daydreaming of coconut cocktails and limestone cliffs. I thought she was going to pass out when the van driver told us we’d have to pile onto a motorized tricycle to reach our hotel. Luckily, there would only be four of us riding on the “motorbike with a tin can wrapped around it,” as she later described it to her father.

We packed light, each only carrying a 27-liter backpack to last us the duration of our five-day trip. Thank God, because I don’t know where we would have put a Rollaboard suitcase. We piled ourselves, two other people and all of our bags onto the tricycle and took off towards the center of town.

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and friendly locals waving. El Nido was something of a dream to us. The location and view at El Nido Beach Hotel (elnidobeachotel.com) alone make it worth the van ride. At $80 a night, the rates were beyond extravagant for the area, but hardly breaking the bank. Our room overlooking the beach and gorgeous limestone cliffs was exactly what we’d been dreaming to see. Each room has a private balcony or patio with an incredible view of the beach.

It was our first anniversary, as well as Lindsay’s birthday, and we really wanted something special.

El Nido was just that—it became our happy place.

We’ve visited other tropical areas in Southeast Asia, but none are quite like the untouched magic of El Nido. Other areas are beautiful but overdeveloped with commercial tourist attractions.

El Nido is a tourist town unlike any other I’ve seen: It’s been developed by locals. They have tons of options for tours and activities, but there are very few large-scale resorts in the area. The natural www.gaycationmagazine.com

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beauty is really the main attraction.

We spent the majority of our time on a series of island-hopping tours around Bacuit Bay, but there is a wide variety of outdoor activities. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking and trekking are all popular daytime activities. We spent the day enjoying the bright sun as we hit the waves and explored the islands around the bay. The tours included a beautiful lunch of fresh-caught seafood with local fruit and vegetables.

The fruit in El Nido is unbelieveable. Every time I utter that sentence, people look at me like I’m insane. But seriously, it’s incredible. There are no preservatives, funky pesticides or GMOs in bananas that grow on the beaches. They are about four inches long and the fruit inside the peel is the color of a school bus. They taste like the flavor of five bananas packed into one tiny little fruit.

Needless to say, I lived on banana shakes for the rest of our trip.

After our days of island hopping, we returned to our hotel. El Nido Beach Hotel is a short walk down the sand from the local nightlife attractions and restaurants. Each evening, we’d stroll handin-hand down the beach to find the restaurant of the night. As it got darker, the restaurant staff would light torches outside in the sand. Seated in lawn chairs sunken into the beach, we learned the night’s specials. There is something incredibly www.gaycationmagazine.com

romantic about sharing a meal in pitch darkness under the light of handmade torches.

The town isn’t big enough to have LGBT specific nightlife, but the local bars on the beach attracted visitors of all stripes. We sat in our lawn chairs chatting and listening to live music as we watched people dance on the beach. The Philippines is a largely catholic country, but the people tend to be rather accepting of LGBT tourists. During our time in El Nido, I never felt unsafe or disrespected.

El Nido is not your average vacation destination.

It’s little more than a handful of bars and restaurants on the beach. It’s not the town that makes it glow, but rather the crystal clear saltwater, towering islands and untouched natural beauty. Make it to El Nido this year, before it’s too late.

Meg Ten Eyck is a former LGBT rights activist, currently living in South Korea and traveling the world with her partner Lindsay. She writes about their experiences as a queer couple traveling on her blog, Dopes on the Road, and posts their travel photos on Instagram at @dopesontheroad.

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Wedding Extreme.

Celebrating Marriage Equality with an Adventure Ceremony

by Aaron Drake

For many couples their wedding day is already the beginning of a new adventure. For gays and lesbians who have a passion for travel (and a knack for creativity), it’s no surprise they would push the envelope even further with the how, when and where of getting hitched. Jeff Robertson and Jeremiah Pyant are the perfect example of one such couple. They celebrated their love and right to marry with an adventure wedding thousands of feet above the ground last year.

The couple married April 29, 2014. They were the winners of an ACLU contest called “My Big Gay Illegal Wedding,” which was intended to shine a light on the fact that depending on what state a same-sex couple was living in, they might not be able to get legally married. They could cross state lines and wed in a state where it is legal, but they would still return to their home state with little or no protections.

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decision to enter. “Jeremiah is a flight attendant and daily he flies from state to state, meaning our marriage status is forever changing as one moment we are legally recognized and it’s completely void the next.”

Five couples total were chosen as winners, Jeff and Jeremiah among them. ACLU gave each winning couple award money to create the wedding of their dreams—in a state where it would be recognized. This adventurous couple quickly put it to good use.

“Jeremiah and I used the $5,000 prize to travel to El Paso, Texas, nearing the border of New Mexico, where our marriage would be legal,” Jeff says. “We crossed the state line via helicopter—the wind in El Paso became too rough for the hot air balloon we were going to charter—and an officiant legally wed us thousands of feet above the New Mexico-Texas state line. Once landing safely in New Mexico, we celebrated with a small group of friends.” www.gaycationmagazine.com

Shortly thereafter on May 19, ACLU planned a wedding reception in New York City for the winning couples at the legendary Studio 54.

Another contest began allowing five more winners the chance for an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the wedding reception. To enter, contestants had to sign a petition supporting marriage equality in states where same-sex marriages were banned.

Ultimately, Jeff and Jeremiah were able to deliver a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures to the state capitol in Texas, their home state.

As for the couple’s love for travel, they attribute it for finding each other.

“We met when I was flying home from Atlanta to Milwaukee on business,” Jeff shares. “Jeremiah was the flight attendant that day and we exchanged numbers and emails at the end of the flight. After a few months of emailing and Facebooking, we planned to meet in Milwaukee. We fell in love at an Applebee’s on our second date!” Then before their own adventure helicopter wedding, they got engaged at El Dorado Royale Maya in Cancun, Mexico (watch their proposal video that went viral at http://youtu.be/tlOKQQdNjMw).

This year they celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary in London and Paris. “It was amazing to spend time seeing some of the world’s most beautiful sites with my husband of one year! The highlight of our trip was visiting the world-famous Love Lock Bridge in Paris, France. We wrote our initials and wedding date on our lock and then attached the lock to the bridge. We then threw our key into the river. Amazing to say the least.”

Following their lead, we took it upon ourselves to find out what other exciting ways trailblazing LGBTs could exchange their vows with a spike of adrenaline.

Fly Higher Than an Eagle Just like Jeff and Jeremiah, who flew with Vertical Limit Aviation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, www.gaycationmagazine.com

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booking a helicopter is an option if you want to swear your love while hovering in the sky. Get married on an hour-long sunset tour or evening star tour while cruising over the lights of Downtown El Paso and tracing the Rio Grande along the border.

Add flowers, chocolates and wine to make a toast.

VerticalLimitAviation.com Floating on Air There’s nothing quite like the stillness of floating over the land in a hot air balloon—and few things that can be more romantic. With Hot Air Expeditions in Phoenix, Arizona, you can opt for a hot air balloon ride at sunset, and upon landing, enjoy a glass of champagne and wedding cake by candlelight underneath a million stars. It will be an evening to remember. HotAirExpeditions.com

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Jump For Your Love This is probably the most adrenaline-inducing extreme wedding a couple could plan, but if your love is this extraordinary it’s the right option. Vegas Extreme Skydiving in Las Vegas lets you choose to have a quick ceremony before boarding, on the climb to jump altitude or at the drop zone after making the dive. It gives a whole new meaning to “taking the plunge.” VegasExtremeSkydiving.com Sail Away Sailing into the sunset is the ultimate happy ending. You can do just that with the Alii Nui charter and whale-watching cruise in Maui, Hawaii. Perfect for larger wedding parties, reserve this custombuilt luxury catamaran and seal the deal while you coast over tropical waters with the sunset or whales breaching the waves as a backdrop. Afterwards you’ll feel like it was all a dream. AliiNuiMaui.com

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Aaron Drake is Executive Editor of Gaycation Magazine. He has contributed to The Advocate, Out Traveler, Man About World and Amtrak Ride With Pride.

When he’s not writing and traveling the globe, you can find him at the beach, at the movies, or playing with his two mischievous dogs. Follow his travels and travails on Twitter and Instagram at @theaarondrake.

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Take us with you on your NEXT adventure!

Now available on your device

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Photo courtesy of Visit Indy

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BOOK IT!

Ready to try something different? Escape to Boston’s Revere Hotel for a weekend filled with culture and history. The hotel is a luxury property with the perfect balance of upscale and business.

The LGBT-friendly Revere met even the hardest critics’ expectations. I was in Boston for this year’s Women in Travel Summit. It is not easy to meet the demands of 300 female travel bloggers.

Travel bloggers are connoisseurs of the hotel stay. We know the ins and outs of the hotel business and we’re not afraid to voice our opinions.

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We’re particular in our demands, but at the same time, expect to be treated just like anyone else.

I was blown away by the level of service and professionalism at the Revere. Hosting that many travel bloggers is a big risk they took, and it seems to have paid off in dividends.

From the outside, the Revere looks like any other high-rise luxury hotel, but inside is where the design really shines. I was greeted in the lobby with a complimentary glass of champagne as the staff took care of my accommodations. The lobby has www.gaycationmagazine.com

Recommendations of LGBT friendly hotels and resorts that help you engage with the identity of a destination.

Revere Hotel

by Meg Ten Eyck

a very hip vibe with low lighting and a gorgeous abstract sculpture. While it is not practical for planning meetings or getting work done, it is a beautifully designed centerpiece.

The rooms also showcase a very posh European aesthetic. My spacious room looked even more expansive because of the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to the patio. The king-size bed came with a beautiful comforter and four giant pillows.

I really appreciated the Skoah bath products and the oversized desk. The wifi was average speed, www.gaycationmagazine.com

but that could have been due to the abundance of journalists and bloggers.

The Revere Hotel’s location is unbeatable.

Guests are a few steps away from Boston Commons and a short walk to most of Boston’s historic sites. I did a walking tour to experience the revolutionary history firsthand. The hotel is right down the block from the grave sites of many American Founding Fathers, as well as the Freedom Trail. I also joined On Location Tours for a van tour of TV and movie filming locations around Boston. Whatever your Gaycation Magazine

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from home. Regardless of the reason for your stay, the staff at the Revere will treat you with the utmost respect and service. I recommend booking enough time to both explore Boston’s history and take advantage of the relaxing accommodations.

Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, Massachusetts, (617) 482-1800, RevereHotel.com

interests, the concierge team is happy to make recommendations.

After your tours, drop by the Rooftop at Revere Bar for summertime refreshments and incredible city views. Order a hibiscus rum punch while you relax in a cabana for a private oasis in the urban sun. When you get hungry, grab a bite to eat at nearby Rustic Kitchen. The brainchild of Executive Chef Michael Kelley, this Italian and Mediterranean bistro serves as the backdrop for The Cooking Show, which films every Friday evening. Stop in any night of the week for delicious entrées made with local ingredients.

After dinner, stop by The Emerald Lounge on the mezzanine floor for sophisticated cocktails.

The handcrafted beverages are from nationally renowned mixologist Curtis McMillan. The Ruby Room had a high-end but slightly naughty feel to it.

If you are looking for LGBT nightlife, the South End is home to some of the best gay male-centric bars in Boston. You’ll find a variety of bar options as well as trendy restaurants and cute art galleries.

For queer women, unfortunately, there is no lesbian bar in Boston—but you can check out Dyke Night at Machine on the second Saturday of each month.

The Boston Revere is the perfect home away www.gaycationmagazine.com

Meg Ten Eyck is a former LGBT rights activist, currently living in South Korea and traveling the world with her partner Lindsay.

She writes about their experiences as a queer couple traveling on her blog, Dopes on the Road, and posts their travel photos on Instagram at @dopesontheroad.

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Gaycationers

Meet some of the incredible people that have become part of our family of Gaycationers. They can usually be spotted pretty easily by their warm smiles and willing to help attitude when you arrive in their towns or cities. Here are just a few that we’ve seen. Have you seen any lately? If so, send a photo to editor@gaycationmagazine.com and we’ll post your craziness here!

Austin Pride photos courtesy of On Location Photography, Snap Monkey Photography and Merich Photography

Austin Pride photos courtesy of On Location Photography, Snap Monkey Photography and Merich Photography

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Dallas Pride photos courtesy of Dallas Tavern Guild

Dallas Pride photos courtesy of Dallas Tavern Guild

Burlington VT Pride photo courtesy of David Garten Bisbee Arizona Pride photos courtesy of Angie Wingard and Gretchen Baer

Bisbee Arizona Pride photos courtesy of Angie Wingard and Gretchen Baer

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Circle City IN Pride photos courtesty of Indy Pride Inc

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Iowa City Pride photos courtesty of Doug Brenner

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Urban Fresh Day Spa Rejuvenates Albuquerque

Urban grit never looked so fresh before this spa hit Albuquerque’s mean streets

by Heather Cassell

Life is an adventure for Andre and Keith WestHarrison, the duo masterminds behind the newly launched Urban Fresh organic bath and cosmetics line in Albuquerque, N.M. During their 24 years of adventures together, they’ve made a habit of turning vacations into long-term stays and built several successful businesses. First it was a bed and breakfast in New Orleans, then it was the ecofriendly cosmetics, skin care and spa consulting business that they started in Louisiana and took on the road to California and finally to New Mexico.

At least for the moment.

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Urban Fresh’s award-winning day spa attracts everyone from Hollywood A-listers to local VIPs looking for their handcrafted skin care products and unique spa services, located in Albuquerque’s historic East Downtown neighborhood, or as locals call it, EDOW. Getting a little boost from the TV show Breaking Bad, which inspired their attentiongrabbing Bathing Bad Bath Salts, last year their spa landed on Inc.’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies list. It was the year the serial entrepreneurs built upon their success by working to bring their handcrafted products (normally only available to www.gaycationmagazine.com

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well-to-do clientele) to the wider public under the new label of Urban Fresh. They retired the spa’s former name and rebranded it for a soft launch in November.

Where Dreams Are Made So where did these guys come from? Who are they? They will humbly tell you that they are just two guys from the Midwest following their hearts and dreams.

Andre, 48, was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. This is where he met Keith, 43, while he was majoring in journalism at the University of Evansville. It was the early 1990s—they were young, fell in love and had a vision for their future. Well, Andre did. He wanted a church wedding, a family and a traditional sort of life. He laid it all out for Keith, who pondered it for a day and a half before taking the plunge. Andre got his church wedding to Keith, but his life hasn’t been traditional—nor has raising a family come along quite yet.

Instead the couple has been raising businesses.

The bed and breakfast was their first entrepreneurial adventure together. They found it during their second honeymoon to New Orleans. Reading a simple book on how to own a bed and breakfast 70

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that they bought at Barnes & Noble, the couple built and operated an award-winning business in the French Quarter for nearly a decade.

A year and a half before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the couple appeared on America Online’s The Startup having already been successfully building their spa and skin care business and opening up a café. But they also had already set their sights on moving on from the bed and breakfast. It was Hurricane Katrina that really pushed them on to their next journey—the bed and breakfast escaped the storm relatively unscathed and they were able to sell it to investors who rushed in to buy up properties in the French Quarter.

It was shortly after that the couple took their eco-friendly spa consulting business and story from another season of The Startup on the road to tour the West Coast and find their next home. They stopped off for a year in California’s Santa Cruz Mountains before taking a vacation to Santa Fe upon the suggestion of one of their favorite New Orleans chefs who owned a restaurant there. The couple checked out the Southwest city, which is about an hour north of Albuquerque, and within five days bought a house. But after two years in New Mexico’s super-polished capital city, they realized they needed and preferred the urban grittiness of Albuquerque.

The couple moved to the city in 2009, where they spotted the dilapidated adobe building off of Route 66. It wasn’t their plan to open another spa, but they couldn’t resist the opportunity before them. The building had sat vacant in a rundown neighborhood targeted for redevelopment for 20 years before the two men bought it and their new spa business was born. The two of them believe wholeheartedly that, “If you treat people the way you want to be treated and you offer that exceptional [service],” people will find you and come, Andre says.

Albuquerque has been good to these boys and they champion their city, which has suffered from a poor image. But it’s clear people’s minds www.gaycationmagazine.com

are starting to change due to some of the cool businesses like Urban Fresh that are redefining the city.

Creating an Empire Six people—three full-time and three contractors, not including themselves—help in providing spa services, running the store and creating handmade goods right there at the spa. Two of the staff members work at the spa full-time as trainees, thanks to West-Harrison securing an $18,000 grant from Albuquerque’s Job Training Incentive Program for Keith’s private label skin care line, My Sacred Fig. All of the products, from new bath bombs to shaving creams and shampoo soaps, are made from local organic ingredients with special recipes created by Keith, who has been a skin care expert since 1989. During his career he has been appointed Esthetics Director at several leading wellness facilities. He also holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from his studies of world wellness rituals and regularly blends ancient Native American, African and Ayurvedic beliefs into his systems to promote wellness.

“We trick people into being green,” said Andre, who adds that they incorporate green ideas and

metaphysical services into their spa treatments to introduce people to them in a non-threatening way.

“We introduce people who wouldn’t even blink or raise an eyebrow at the thought of wanting energy work or any of those things. Once they see the results afterwards they are a little bit more open.”

Both men are socially conscious, working to give back to Albuquerque and to countries around the world by donating to causes for ending childhood hunger, protecting the environment and promoting women’s issues. They are also active in fair trade; the day Gaycation stopped by their spa they were putting price tags on handmade bags and scarves made by women in Africa that they brought back from their recent trip.

“Our rule is if you take from a community, you have to give back,” Andre says. “Everything that we do there is some sort of charitable association.”

Heading to Albuquerque? Schedule an appointment or stop in and pick up one of their organic skin care products. Open daily from 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Urban Fresh, 123 Broadway Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505) 404-6670, UrbanFreshCosmetics.com

Heather Cassell is the publisher and editor of GirlsThatRoam.com, an online women’s travel magazine and community. She is a regular travel contributor and international LGBT news columnist for the Bay Area Reporter. Her work can also be found in Edge Media, Lesbian News, Lesbian.com, The Seattle Lesbian, Passport Magazine, Out Aloha, Out City and other publications. Heather lives in San Francisco and San Jose with her girlfriend Geena Dabadghav “Super G,” her globetrotting partner in crime. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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An Explicit Guide to Gaycationing

Where to Stay During Gay

by Auston Matta Pride Traveling to a gay Pride event can be a great way to get to know a city and also experience the local LGBT scene in a place you’ve never been.

Gay Pride festivals vary greatly around the world and each has its own, unique flare. From the massive and party-heavy prides like São Paulo and Madrid, to the more intimate and culturally-focused of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, traveling for a Pride event can be an exciting adventure. But before you book your plane ticket you should consider where to book a room. The days where hotels were the only accommodation option are long gone. Now you have numerous choices like 72

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apartment rentals or even sleeping on a stranger’s couch. Use these practical tips to help you decide which accommodation option is right for you during your next gay Pride trip.

The obvious choice when traveling is to book a hotel, but with the limitless options, how do you choose? Do you prioritize location, reviews or whether the property is gay-friendly? Depending on your destination, you might even find a gay-specific or “straight-friendly” hotel like the Axel Hotel chain in Europe. Knowing a hotel brand in advance is also an advantage as you already have an expectation of the service level and quality. If you choose a gay-specific property, you’ll need to book early as these places are in high demand during gay Pride.

Even large hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton are starting to offer a more gay-friendly experience as www.gaycationmagazine.com

Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Balash / Spencer Pride Inc

they have recently made big strides to train their staff in issues of diversity.

If you want a more unique and local experience then you might consider renting an apartment.

Services like AirBnB offer private rooms in shared apartments for the budget-conscious or even an entire apartment if you prefer privacy. misterbnb is another service that has recently come to the scene and actually provides only apartments with gay or gay-friendly owners. Renting from a local has advantages because they can give you more personalized advice. “Whenever I travel, I always book via misterbnb,” says James, a guest from Richmond, Va. “Doing so gives me an instant local connection wherever I go. Using a ‘bnb’ is so much more personal than a hotel and gives me an ‘insiders’ view’ of the host’s city.”

If you’re really adventurous and a bit more flexible, you might even consider Couchsurfing—a site whose online community offers a free place to stay in exchange for a social experience. Sleeping on a stranger’s couch may not be for everyone, but it’s sure to provide you with the best opportunity to hang out with a local in his own city. Couchsurfing works on a review-based system so you can be sure your host is a good match. You can even search for gay hosts by typing in keywords like ‘gay’ or ‘LGBT’ into the results filter during your query.

Auston Matta is a travel blogger for TwoBadTourists.com and freelance writer who has contributed to Edge Travel, Man About World and GayTravel.com. He grew up in Phoenix before he moved to Chicago, and in 2012, sold his belongings and embarked on a round-the-world trip. After traveling nonstop for a year, he finally settled in Spain with his husband.

When he’s not traveling or writing about events, festivals or the best LGBT destinations, he enjoys the long sunny days and nightlife of Madrid. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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The Viking Magni Godmother

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Join Magni Godmother and Cruise Planners’ COO, Vicky Garcia on a Grand European River Cruise August 23, 2015 – 15 days, Amsterdam to Budapest Kinderkijk, the Netherlands ∙ Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg & Passau, Germany ∙ Melk, Krems & Vienna, Austria ∙ Bratislava, Slovakia

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Cruise fares listed are for cruise and cruisetour only in U.S. dollars, per person and fares/discount offers are based on double occupancy. Fares are subject to availability and are part of Cruise Planners Group Pricing. Viking reserves the right to correct errors and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. Additional terms and conditions apply; see Passenger Ticket Contract. CST#2052644-40.

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is merely a selling agent for the cruise line and makes no warranty expressed or implied. We are not responsible for errors and omissions. CST #2034468-50. FST #ST39068.

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Crossword

Courtesy of FreeDailyCrosswords.com Crossword Courtesy of freedailycrosswords.com Solution on page 96 Solution can be found on page 88

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Sushi, board as usual Photo Courtesy of OBX Pride (Outer Banks, NC) www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Greg’s Gaycations

New Zealand

by Gregory L. Kiep

Bar is a casual place to grab a happy hour cocktail and chat with some of the local guys. Across the street, you will find Family Bar, which has a more “club-y” feel. Most of the gay establishments are near the Langham Auckland, which is a great place to stay for convenience and nightlife.

LanghamHotels.com/Auckland; Akaroa Located on the South Island, this port is popular with cruise ships and is a great place to pop off to and spend the afternoon. There are tons of great places to eat and shop, but the highlight of the area is an attraction called the Giant’s House. This unique visitor destination features beautiful art and gardens that are not to be missed—a random yet delightful attraction in the area.

TheGiantsHouse.co.nz Wellington Far more than just what you see in the scenes of Lord of the Rings, New Zealand is one of the most picturesque countries I have ever been to.

Having spent a month there exploring a few years ago, and most recently revisiting on the Atlantis cruise, the country offers a little of something for everyone within its small land mass. As I explored both the North and South Islands, I was delighted by sensational sights and unique experiences.

The capital of the country, Wellington has one of the most beautiful boardwalks along the coastline filled with shops and places to grab a coffee or a drink. The Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, is an architecturally fabulous place and worth an

Auckland As the largest population density in New Zealand, Auckland has the most “urban” feel in the country with a walkable city center and all the restaurants, boutiques and hotels you would expect. Gay life is widely accepted and there are a smattering of gay bars and nightlife options. Eagle 80

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hour or two of your day. (Plus, they have free wifi!)

You will find a bit of a gay scene here as well with S&M’s being a popular gay bar for locals and tourists alike. TePapa.govt.nz Outside of the ‘Big Cities’ This, in my opinion, is what really makes New Zealand an exceptional vacation destination.

Driving around the countryside is breathtaking— with unspoiled beauty at every turn. You are uninterrupted by the absence of garbage, pollution or billboards glaring you in the face. It is overwhelming how free and serene you can feel less than a half hour away from the nearest city.

Also, there are many adventurous ways to experience the beauty of nature around you as New Zealand boasts the title of “Extreme Sport Capital of the World.” Try a Zorb adventure, which is essentially rolling down a hillside in a giant ball (it’s more fun than it sounds!). Or just rent a car and enjoy a relaxing and unwinding experience in the beautiful countryside. There truly is something for everyone in this amazingly beautiful country.

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Gregory L. Kiep grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived in Hyde Park and Downtown during his 24 years there.

Upon receiving his MBA from Xavier University, he launched a marketing firm specializing in LGBT lifestyle services and products. He has travelled all over the world to more than 60 countries independently and in conjunction with Atlantis Events. When he is not on an adventure, he calls Boston home. Read more about his gaycations at GregoryKiep.com. www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Advertising Index Here’s a list of FABULOUS people that want you to visit. So much so, they wanted to be in Gaycation Magazine! If you’re interested in reaching a fiercely loyal audience, then contact us at sales@gaycationmagazine.com. We’re sure you won’t be sorry.

Atlantic Escapes

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Mayan Explorer

78

Blue Chairs

30

Miami LGBT Center

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Casa Cupula

30

Moose Meadow Lodge

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Cruise Planners

74

Nuits St. Pierre

16

Equator 30

OutClique 15

Floris Suite Hotel

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Outings and Adventures

88

3, 75

Pink Banana Media

26

Gay Tours Ibiza

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Provincetown

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Go Out Loud

29

Purple Roofs

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IGLTA 14

Rainbow Tourism

15

Island House Resort

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The Word

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Maui Sunseeker Resort

87

Trip Out 86

Gay Key West

Solution to Crossword on page 86

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Visit Indy

2

Zenbiz Travel

59

www.gaycationmagazine.com

UP NEXT Issue 18 August Off the Beaten Path Bali Antwerp Galena, IL www.gaycationmagazine.com

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Travel series “Trip Out” Showcasing Luxurious Destinations & Events for the LGBT Community

Hosted By: Kristin R. Thomas

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