The Most LGBTQ Friendly Cities?

Most LGBTQ friendly cities - pixabay

Amid a mass of colour and pounding Latin rhythms, revellers at this year’s Bogotá Pride march waved banners stating “not one step back”. They were among tens of thousands who took to the streets to celebrate and support Colombia’s LGBT community. Many annual Pride marches that were once solemn protests against repression have become celebrations of now-existing rights or progress, reflecting the strength of LGBT communities.

In Bogotá, for example, the capital of a macho and socially conservative country, there has been surprising progress in LGBT rights.

In March, Angélica Lozano Correa, a former member of the Bogotá city council, became the first openly LGBT person to be elected to the country’s Senate. In 2016 the country’s government passed laws allowing same-sex couples to adopt and marry, and the previous year it granted transgender people the right to change their identity on official government documents – policies which have allowed more equality and openness.

But while these laws and political representation might suggest Bogotá is “friendly” and tolerant of the LGBT community, the issue is not clear-cut. This year’s Bogotá Pride march was marked by an undertone of resistance to and fear of the right-wing government of the new president, Ivan Duque. Duque openly opposes the LGBT-inclusive peace agreement his predecessor, Juan Manuel Santos, signed with leftist rebels Farc in 2016. Activists claim he is also against same-sex marriage and adoption rights.

By Steven Grattan – Full Story at The Guardian

 

Niagara Falls Wine Tasting – Out With Ryan

Niagara Falls Wine Tasting - Out With Ryan

Looking for information on Niagara Falls wine tasting? Or are you looking for reasons to go wine tasting in Niagara on the Lake? Well, you’re in luck!

The natural wonder of Niagara Falls is so close to fabulous Niagara wine country! Like literally a 20 minutes drive and BAM… Niagara Wineries! The best way to experience Niagara Falls wine tasting is by driving / taking a wine tour to the wineries in Niagara-on-the-lake!

The Niagara Peninsula is the largest wine region in Ontario! It’s also one of the most popular destinations for tourists and even local Canadians to spend a night or weekend! I find there’s no better way to really taste an area then to drink local wine grown in the area.

From the unique stories of how the wine is made to actually tasting the wine, your time in this Niagara region will truly be one to remember after every sip of wine & knowledge!

Oh, and please remember, don’t drink and drive. There are many locally organised tours that will allow you to sample a generous amount of wineries if you don’t have a designated driver!

By Ryan – Full Story at Out With Ryan

Niagara Peninsula Gay Travel Resources

 

Albion Manor B&B – Victoria Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast

Albion Manor B&B

Welcome to Albion Manor B&B – Victoria’s Victorian Jewel. We want your stay at Albion Manor to be the crowning touch to your stay in charming Victoria.

Albion Manor Bed & Breakfast is ideally located just 5 minutes from the Clipper, Victoria Express and Port Angeles Ferries, the ocean, downtown and Victoria’s major attractions and shopping.

Albion Manor B&B is surrounded by a beautiful, private garden, and features spectacular architectural details both inside and out.

See the Albion Manor B&B Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Victoria Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Most Gay Friendly Muslim Countries – Keep Calm and Wander

Most Gay Friendly Muslim Countries - The Nomadic Boys

Being openly gay in the Arab world is certainly not an easy feat! If it doesn’t land you a jail sentence or even a death penalty, the huge stigma attached to it will likely compromise your job prospects, alienate your family, or worse, make you the target of some pretty nasty homophobic violent crimes.

We have travelled extensively around the Middle East as a gay couple and overall had a positive experience. For example, we climbed the world’s tallest building in Dubai, got lost in the rich culture of Jerusalem, wondered around the souks of Tunis, visited stunning mosques in Abu Dhabi and even found a few gay clubs in Beirut. Of course we were always cautious to avoid any public displays of affection and only booked a double bed in hotels we were certain are gay friendly.

In this article, we’ve set out the 5 most gay friendly Arab countries based on our first hand experience and research. To be clear, this relates to the 22 Arab countries around the Middle East and North Africa, which are also member states of the Arab League. They are: Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Comoro Islands, Iraq, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates. This does not include Israel, Turkey and Iran.

The point of this article is to show that outside of the pink comfort zone of the gay friendly countries of the world, there also exist pockets of LGBTQ friendly destinations, even in the more unlikely of places, like in the Arab world!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

 

Hadrian’s Library – Keep Calm and Wander

Hadrian's Library - Keep Calm and Wander

The Hadrian Library isn’t hard to find. Once you get off at the Monastiraki station, you’re right on Monastiraki Square. Look around 360 degrees and you’ll find Athens at a glance. Stand in the middle of the square and you’ll see domes of old Byzantine churches.

Look far ahead and the Acropolis with the stunning Parthenon is just within walking distance. The surrounding area is full of cheap shopping where you should buy your souvenirs. The smell of souvlaki evaporates into the air – and before you know it – you’re hungry!

Walk on the alley to the direction of the Parthenon. On your left, you’ll find an ancient domed architecture. Right next to it, you’ll find the ruins of Hadrian Library. The library is, of course, named after Hadrian, a Roman Emperor from 117 – 138 AD.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Greece Gay Travel Resources

 

Brookside Mountain Mist Inn – Waynesville, North Carolina Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast

Brookside Mountain Mist Inn - Waynesville, North Carolina Gay Owned Bed & Breakfast

What makes our Waynesville bed and breakfast lodging different? At Brookside Mountain Mist Inn, you’ll find luxury accommodations combined with over-sized immaculate guest rooms, 3 course gourmet breakfasts, privacy, a quiet park-like setting, and a wonderfully convenient location near the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, Biltmore and plenty of things to do.

Enjoy our Blue Ridge Mountain views from our terrace. Browse our downtown Waynesville shops and galleries. Savor a variety of cuisine in many nearby restaurants. Play golf next door. Or take a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway, just four miles away from our front door. Hike, bike, raft, kayak and fish with lofty mountains (including legendary Cold Mountain), waterfalls and scenic rivers.

After exploring the Smokey Mountains for the day, relax peacefully at our quiet oasis with five spacious, tastefully decorated rooms, each with private bath, fireplace, sitting area and cable TV. Each of our guestrooms is beautifully furnished and include the “little extras” to be expected at a luxury inn or hotel such as soft robes, hair dryers, iron and bath amenities. Awake to a three-course breakfast outside on the terrace (weather permitting) and be greeted by songbirds and playful squirrels near the lily pond and waterfall.

See the Brookside Mountain Mist Inn Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Greater Asheville Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Queer India – Fodors

queer India - pixabay

It is generally accepted that clichés often have an element of truth to them. This holds in the case of India too. You won’t necessarily find elephants and snake charmers jostling for elbow room in the city (probably), but you can expect contradictions that boggle the mind. Here, various aspects of diversity intersect in a web so layered and complex that even natives struggle to get their head it around at times. You can expect color, noise, laughter, food, crowds—for everything else, leave those preconceptions at home.

India is no herald of LGBTQ+ rights. This is despite evidence of a spectrum of sexualities in historical times. While transgender individuals are legally allowed to self-identify as male, female, or other, it was only in September 2018 that Section 377, a British-era remnant of homophobia, was read down by the Supreme Court. But Section 377 or not, there are an estimated 100-million+ queer individuals in India. And just like in any other part of the world, they have continued to fall in love, built lives together, and traveled with their near and dear for eons. And ironically, their biggest threat—a deeply conservative society—is also what keeps them safe. In other words, if one is willing to pick one’s battles and co-opt certain cultural norms to one’s advantage, traveling as a gay (gay referring to a range of sexualities) individual or couple can be exactly the adventure you imagine. In short: when in India, do as (gay) Indians do.

The Cloak of Invisibility

The worst thing that has ever happened to Ashdeen, 38, while traveling with a partner, is being given separate beds. “Annoying,” is the word he uses, and he laughs as he says it. He might as well, because this is very likely the only battle you will fight as a queer couple in India. Not many travelers see it as overt homophobia, though. “I think people are just used to a certain idea of what the norm is,” says John, 53, who’s partner was noted as “Mrs” in a fancy hotel. “If it was a dive, I understand that, but this was, you know, supposedly a five-star.” John, who’s from the US, and whose husband is Indian (they married in the US), did get the mistake corrected.

By Payal Dhar – Full Story at Fodors

Queer India Travel Resources

 

Fernbank Museum of Natural History: Atlanta’s Dinosaur Museum – 2TravelDads

Fernbank Museum of Natural History - 2TravelDads

We visit Atlanta quite a bit since we have family in Georgia, and we’re always looking for new things to do with the kids. On this last trip, we finally got to visit a dinosaur museum: Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History. It was the perfect addition to a family trip to Atlanta.

After six or seven trips we’re always looking for something new, so it’s refreshing to find dinosaurs in Atlanta. The Fernbank Museum is more than dinosaurs though, and we loved it all!

Locale of the Fernbank Museum

There are actually a few really cool sites in the proximity of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Between downtown Atlanta and the Fernbank there is the MLK National Historic Site and Sweet Auburn neighborhood, Piedmont Park, and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library. There is also the Path, a long interurban trail for biking, running and walking, connecting the Druid Hills area to downtown.

By Rob Taylor – Full Story at 2TravelDads

Georgia Gay Travel Resources

 

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast – Dundee, Oregon Gay Bed and Breakfast

Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast

Dundee Manor is truly a destination for discriminating treavelers. Originally built in 1908, with all the clean, elegant architecture of a four square Edwardian estate. Wander through our gardens and under massive trees, or just relax and ponder by the fountain. Sit in the Gazebo and deck areas and admire Mt. Hood & Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Enjoy a gourmet breakfast in our antique-furnished dinning room, or outside on one of two private deck areas, surrounded by nature and all the glory of the red hills of Dundee. Savor a glass of wine from one of our local wineries, and let us spoil you during your stay.

Each room is filled with treasures brought back from four continents. There’s a private library with video collection, and the most delightful rocking chairs on the front porch to enjoy the garden view.

When your stay at Dundee Manor, you can enjoy the many amenities the area has to offer. Spend the day wine tasting and touring Mt. Hood or visiting the Oregon Coast, and return to the manor for the warmth and comfort we offer. And yes – Turn-Down Service is included.

See the Dundee Manor Bed & Breakfast Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Willamette Valley Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Best Gay Key West Resorts – The Nomadic Boys

Best Gay Key West Resorts - The Nomadic Boys

Key West is super gay! This small island in south Florida is a notorious gay mecca, with a whopping 30% of its 25,000 residents identifying as LGBTQ.

The island’s history as a gay destination dates back to the 1950s when well-known LGBTQ celebrities like Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, Jerry Herman, Leonard Bernstein and Elizabeth Bishop have since made it their home. Subsequently in 1983, Key West became the first place in the US to elect an openly gay mayor (Richard A. Heyman), then in 2000, the island’s motto became: “One Human Family“.

We’ve visited Key West on several occasions and always had a blast, especially on the gay scene on Duval Street. There are so many things to do for gay travellers and with regards to to the hotels, it was never a case of ‘please can we have a double bed’, but more – ‘which of these many gay hotels should we stay at on this trip?’

There are an impressive number of different gay resorts in Key West to pick from, so we’ve put together our 10 best Key West resorts, which also includes gay hotels and guesthouses.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at The Nomadic Boys

Key West Gay Travel Resources