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St. Petersburg’s LGBTQ Center – Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World

March 7, 2019 by J. Scott Coatsworth

In our travels from coast to coast in the USA we usually stop by the LGBTQ Center when we arrive in a city. So far in the past 18 years we have found two outstanding ones. In the past we have written about the one in Denver. On our way down to Florida last month we visited the St. Petersburg LGBTQ Center. Jim Nixon is the Director and Liaison and is one of the most professional and friendliest Directors that we have met. The LGBTQ liaison serves as an accessible and friendly ear to city’s LGBTQ community and elevates LGBTQ related concerns to the city executive and other city offices. Serving as both a spokesman for the Mayor’s Office to a local LGBTQ demographic as well as a representative of LGBTQ interests in the leaders of St. Petersburg Government. He plays an advisory role within the government branches.

The LGBTQ Welcome Center in June 2014 in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. Only the third in the nation. As a function of Metro Inclusive Health, serves the area as an LGBTQ visitors’ resource, coffee house, youth center (safe space) and provides a wide range of business resources, education activities and entertainment events.

Among the many things that they offer are:

Visitor Information with our partnership with Visit St Petersburg/Clearwater
Relocation information with our partnership with the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
Supportive Membership Program for referrals of LGBTQ Businesses
Local LGBTQ Artist and Maker Boutique
Coffee and Scooped Ice Cream Parlor
HIV Testing and Social Program from LGBTQ Youth and Seniors

Website: https://www.lgbtqwelcomecenter.org/

They are located at 2227 Central Avenue St. Their hours are Monday thru Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, noon to 5 PM. Their phone number is 727.201. 4925.

Here is a link to the city website where they are very proud of their LGBTQ community. Just scroll down to read about the LGBTQ part: http://www.stpete.org/mayor_s_office/index.php

A VERY SPECIAL THANKS goes to Jim Nixon and what he is doing in the LGBTQ community in St. Petersburg. More people in other cities needs to be as kind and considerate and professional as he is.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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Is Russia Safe for Queer Travelers? – Nomadic Boys

September 15, 2018 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Editor’s note. We had some trepidation about posting this, given Russia’s current role in world affairs. But sunlight is the best disinfectant, and Russia is home to an active queer community, however suppressed it may be. So we decided it was important to shine a little light on that community.

Stefan’s coming out song in February 2003 was “All The Things You Said”, a pop hit by Russian girlband t.A.T.u, who were marketed as a lesbian couple. For the video of this song, the two band members, Lena Katina and Julia Volkova, were running around in the rain dressed in school girl outfits and making out.

Obviously the band were (quite successfully!) targeting a very specific heterosexual male demographic. But despite this, the very fact that such a public homosexual image was being shown and accepted across Russian society in the early 2000s, speaks volumes about attitudes to LGBTQ in Russian society…so what the hell went wrong since?!

Just before travelling on the Trans Siberian across Russia in 2014, almost every other person warned us “you better be careful in Russia boys, probably best avoid going altogether!”

With hindsight we are so glad we ignored this advice.

Yes, we were nervous when we first touched down at Domodedovo airport in Moscow. After all, we all know Russia has a terrible reputation for LGBTQ rights, particularly in light of the awful anti-gay propaganda law passed in 2013. Nonetheless, we were absolutely fine during our travels there. We were even pleasantly surprised that there are thriving gay scenes in Moscow and St Petersburg.

This is our advice about travelling safely in Russia for gay travellers based on our first hand experience exploring the country as a same sex couple.

Is it legal to be gay in Russia?

The good news first: it is legal to be gay in Russia! In fact it has been legal since 1993. In addition, the age for sexual consent (16 years old) has been the same for both straight and gay couples since 1993, except in Chechnya. It’s also legal for a single gay man to adopt, you can change your legal gender, and gays are allowed to serve in the Russian military (under a “don’t ask don’t tell policy) unlike in some European countries like Cyprus, which has a total LGBT ban in its army!

Another surprising fact about Russia is that gay men are allowed to donate blood without any restrictions. In the UK, we are required to have 3 months of no sexual relations before we can even be considered.

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Small Towns Can Be Fun and Interesting – Traveling In Our Fabulous Gay World

September 6, 2018 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Ever go to a town with a population of about 2,000 to have a fun and interesting time when you absolutely know no one? We did a couple of weeks ago and had a fabulous time and met some really, REALLY wonderful and interesting people. Oakley, Kansas is located on Interstate 70 in western Kansas, 350 miles west of Kansas City and 250 miles east of Denver.

We checked out the motels ahead of time and chose the Kansas Country Inn, www.kansascountryinn.com which turned out to be the best one in town. Amanda was the Manager and had a personality perfect for her job description. She was fun, funny, very professional and made everyone staying at the motel feel right at home. She was a ‘hands on’ manager who knows what is going on and is on top of everything. More motels around the country needs to hire more people like her and they would get a lot more business. We could not have asked for a better place to stay out in western Kansas. She directed us to the best places to see and dine. There were some oil rig workers staying at the motel and we had a great conversation on the history and workings on what they do which was extremely interesting. They are such hard workers. They deserve double the salaries that they receive.

The first afternoon, we toured the Fick Fossil Museum, www.discoveroakley.com/167/Fick-Fossil-Museum. Kansas was a very different place 80 million years ago and an inland sea stretched from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico and Kansas was under water. In 1964 Ernest and Vi Fick began collecting fossils left by ancient sea creatures that inhabited this prehistoric sea. After collecting thousands of items, it was time to establish a museum. Any museum or town or anything is only as good as the staff or people involved. The receptionist, Donnette was a REAL JEWEL! She explained about the museum, the town and surrounding area. We enjoyed talking with everyone in Oakley but she was our favorite. We wish her well. She was ‘born FABULOUS’ and she is staying that way!

Our next stop was the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, www.buffalobilloakley.org/ which has a 2X life size Bronze statue of Buffalo Bill and a Buffalo. Like kissing the Blarney Stone one is supposed to kiss the Buffalo. They have a great Center adjoining the statue. We met a wonderful lady who works there, Alice and she was extremely interesting to talk with. She also gave us recommendations on where to go in the area and also where to dine.

Our first night we dined at the Buffalo Bill Bar and Grill downtown. The food was exceptional and our server Audra was very proficient and friendly.

The next day we drove 20 some miles south of town to visit The Chalk Pyramids and Monument Rocks, www.kansastravel.org/monumentrocks.htm. Out here in the middle of nowhere are these absolutely wonderful rock creations which you can park your auto and walk all around. One has to go the Grand Canyon or someplace like that to see this type of a scenic vista. They do not go for miles and miles however it is certainly worth the trip to see these extra ordinary structures. Do be careful because this on private land (the owners are very nice to allow visitors drive on their property for free,) but there are dozens of cattle walking all around and they do leave ‘droppings’ NOT to step in! Be sure and check out the photos on their website.

Back to Oakley we had lunch at the Dairy King and had a delicious cheeseburger and chocolate milk shake. Our clerk, Leesa was a delight to talk with. She actually is a cousin to Amanda, the motel manager. Needless to say the cheeseburger and milk shake was made from scratch unlike at the fast food restaurants. Then off to Russell Springs, Kansas about 30 miles southwest. The population is 24, yes, 24! It was the original county seat of Logan Country until 1963 which it was moved to Oakley. The beautiful county court house is now the Butterfield Trail Museum, www.butterfieldtrailmuseum.org/. which is full of history as well as hundreds of artifacts and relics from the area. Debbie who was in charge of the Museum was great! She loves her town and it’s rich history. A ‘friend’ of hers, Kendal walked in from town like one block away and he was equally interesting to talk with about the town and it’s history. They were perfect together and we think that they should get married. Needless to say the town has no grocery stores or service stations or anything other than it’s residents. On cold winter nights one needs to stock up on groceries and beer/liquor from another town far away.

That night we dined THE BLUFF restaurant in Oakley which was highly recommended to us by several people. The food was excellent! Our server, Jessie was friendly and professional. The two guys in the kitchen (and owners) certainly knew what they were doing and our food was outstanding! Three more people we want to mention was John at the Meat Processing business across the street from the motel. They process all of their own meat. Large cities needs a place like this. Unfortunately we were running late when we left and didn’t have time to purchase some meat to bring home. They have a wonderful grocery store in Oakley. Heartland Foods, where everyone is super friendly, especially Jack and Matthew. If you are ever driving along I-70, take a couple of days and stay in Oakley. You will be glad that you did. You will also meet some of the friendliest people around. Thanks again to Amanda at the motel for being so fabulous! For more information about Oakley, Kansas, check www.discoveroakley.com/

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD is written by Donald Pile and Ray Williams, Award-winning, Celebrity travel columnists who write for gay publications from coast to coast (And now legally married).

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

Gay Couples Owning Accommodations – Traveling in Our Fabulous Gay World

March 10, 2018 by J. Scott Coatsworth

For a lot of Gay couples, owning an accommodation is a perfect business for them. Some prefer a Bed and Breakfast, some prefer a resort while others prefer a hotel or motel. We have stayed in dozens of them and we have never seen one problem with a Gay couple owning them. They seem to all work well together with each having and knowing their own duties. It is a great way of meeting people without traveling themselves however more do take off and travel themselves. Actually we know a lot of str8 people who prefer staying in a Gay owned accommodations because they are cleaner, have better breakfasts and decorated better and they KNOW that they will have a great time.

Some of our favorite accommodations that are owned by Gay couples are:

In Santa Fe, the finest B & B is the FAROLITO BED AND BREAKFAST INN. Walt and his partner Wayne have owned it for many years and they are almost booked up all the time. They are within walking distance of downtown and they are located in a beautiful and scenic location. They have the best breakfast and their guests love them and their B and B and return year after year. Wayne and Walt know exactly how to operate their business and they work so smoothly together. Whether you stay there a few days or a week or more, this is the perfect place and Wayne and Walt are so hospitable. Check out their website at: www.farolito.com

In Palm Springs, California we enjoy the ESCAPE RESORT, which is owned by a Gay couple. Mark and Greg. It is one of the longest running, clothing-optional Gay resorts in the area. It is located within walking distance from downtown. They have 12 rooms from Queen and King and Suites. Mark and Greg KNOW how to treat their guests and that is why they have so many repeat guests that return. Different Gay resorts offer different things and the Escape Resort offers everything that one would want. You can be as private as you want to be or you can mingle with the other guests at all hours day and night. Mark and Greg are the perfect hosts and will certainly take care that you have a wonderful time staying with them. Their website is: www.escapepalmsprings.com

In Iowa City, Iowa we love the Brown Street Inn. Bob and his husband Mark have owned the Inn for several years. We think that this is the finest Inn in the entire Midwest. The Inn is within walking distance to downtown. They have 6 beautifully decorated rooms. It is true casual elegance in Iowa City’s historic Brown Street neighborhood. It is a 1913 Gambrel style Mansion. Guests from all over have heard about the Inn and how beautiful and historic it is. A short walk and you can find museums, shopping, entertainment and a lot of restaurants however they are located on a very quiet street. We LOVE this place and Iowa City as well! These gentlemen do EVERYTHING the ‘right way’ and that is why their guests have been returning for years.

Their website is www.brownstreetinn.com

In Boothbay Harbor, Maine, we enjoyed the TOPSIDE INN. Mark and his husband Buzz are the owners. They also have separate guest cottages to the side of the main house. They have a total of 21 guest rooms. With a picture-perfect location at the highest point in Boothbay Harbor which is a classic Maine Seacoast town, this 19th Century Sea Captain’s home has panoramic harbor views, seaside perennial gardens and quiet places to relax while steps away from downtown. The main house and their two classic summer guesthouses offers stylish and comfortable accommodations as well as indoor and outdoor common spaces to enjoy the magnificent views. When we last stayed there we met some wonderful and interesting guests. Their website is: https://topsideinn.com/

We can certainly understand why so many Gay couples own accommodations from coast to coast. It can be exciting, interesting and you do get to meet a lot of people across the country as well as from other countries who are visiting the United States.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: How We Travel

February 3, 2018 by J. Scott Coatsworth

We get a lot of inquires as to how we travel, as in flying, drive a car or RV or what. We have been writing our national travel columns now for 18 years. Except for one time when we took Amtrak on a 2 week trip out to the West coast, we always drive an automobile. We travel rather “light”. NOT! as we always have clothing with us for any occasion including tuxedos, coat and tie, western gear, leather gear, bluejeans and sweaters, polo shirts, cabana outfits and swimwear for the beach, etc. Yes, we do take a lot with us as you can see by the below photo.

We of course always have our final destination planned out, but when traveling to either coast we have to plan where to stop along the way and we usually just play that by ear. Long time ago we have learned that there is always a room at motels along the way. When you are driving and get to a new State, be sure and stop in their ‘welcoming center’ as they have free motel/hotel coupon books where you can get for 25% to 50% off the regular rates.

We have stayed at Ramada Inns and Holiday Inns in some States for under $50.00 with those coupons! Most of the centers have free coffee and tea. On our way back from our California trip in December, we stayed in a WIGWAM!!! at the 1950’s Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona where each guest had their own Wigwam! and yes, it did have modern features inside.

Dining on the road is a challenge. We usually go with the local restaurants and check them out on line before we go to thru that town. Outside restaurants is one of our favorite places for breakfast or lunch.

Whether a chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy or a local Mexican restaurant, we always try to find new and interesting places to dine. For dinner, we prefer fine dining at restaurants where we have dined before.

Finally on the subject of dining, we always enjoy dining at places where we cannot dine in the city where we live, which mean, no chain restaurants!

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: A Two Week Driving Trip to California

December 4, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

We decided to take a 2 week driving trip from our home in greater Kansas City to California. We always travel by auto and there are good Interstates all the way there. We usually stop in small towns for lunch and dinner since we really are not into chain restaurants. Usually they are good as they are so far on this trip.

Kansas is 400 miles long and really nothing to see or visit. However they do have largest Catholic Church in the Midwest which was built out of limestone over a year ago, so we did visit it. The architecture is very interesting.

Our first day’s stop was in Limon, Colorado which is a very small town. We always talk to everyone and a semi truck driver came in and we were talking with him. He had a truck load of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.

We kept telling him how much we enjoyed Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, but being such a small town they didn’t have any at the only small grocery store in town. Yep, he felt sorry for us and went out to his semi and brought back a 1/2 gallon for us. It PAYS to talk to people!

Our second night was in the middle of Utah and the only place to stay is in Green River which has a population of 952 and most everyone works in the 10 motels in town.

Needless to say after the sun goes down, there is absolutely nothing to do in town. However the scenery along Interstate 70 is absolutely incredible. Native American Indians are selling their hand made wares at the rest areas.

The next night we stayed in Primm, Nevada which is about 40 miles southwest of Las Vegas. Room rates at the resorts are like $39.95 so is much less expensive than staying in Las Vegas. We were both lucky on the penny slot machines. Ray first won $49.60 and Donald won $176.50. So that was a nice surprise!

At the Resort where we stayed they had on permanent display the actual auto that Bonnie and Clyde were killed in – with dozens of bullet holes in it.

Then, next, onward to West Hollywood where the temperatures are tremendously warm! Upon arriving to Hollywood the news came out that Jim Nabors had died so we went immediately to his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Stars on Hollywood Blvd. Flowers had already been placed at his star by fans.

Now we will have a very interesting time in West Hollywood and then more fun times in Palm Springs before driving back home.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Traveling Is the Best

August 26, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

We first met the Broadway actress Tovah Feldshuh in Ft. Lauderdale in 2007 where she was portraying Katharine Hepburn in our friend Matthew Lombardo’s “TEA AT FIVE”. In March of 2015 she hiked Mount Kilimanjaro with her son. She said that she was inspired after the 2014 death of her mother at the age of 104, and her own athletic role in Pippin in which she had to swing on a trapeze.

“I really do feel we’re only in this body once,” she said. “I just want enough money to buy experience. I can forego a dress, but the idea of taking a trip and trekking Mount Kilimanjaro or going on the Trans-Siberian railroad or tracking lemurs in Madagascar — these things are very exciting to me. To see the world until I leave my own body. It’s now or not at all.”

And of course we all know what Auntie Mame said about life, “Yes! Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.” And what a life she lived and she knew how to live life well. There were few dull moments in her life.

Unfortunately we know way too many people who live very boring lives, doing the same thing day in and day out, month after month and year after year, without traveling or seeing new things and experiencing how other people live.

Whether you want to take a cruise or hike up a mountain or ride the rapids on the river, or visit a large city or visit the forests or ocean, there are literally hundreds of things that you can do here in the United States.

A cross country driving trip is always extremely interesting, visiting the sights and sounds of the land along the way. Forget all the chain restaurants when you travel and try the local ones. Eat different things that you don’t normally do, from real southern cooking in the South or Cajun food in New Orleans to New England Lobsters, to Boston Baked Beans to Barbeque and grits. In Florida we have tried Alligator burgers and in New Mexico we have tried calf cheeks tacos. Perhaps they are something that we would not enjoy on a regular basis but we did enjoy trying them. We have dined with American Indians on their reservations as well.

We have been rafting down the Colorado River, climbed many mountains and discovered interesting underground caves and went on a boat ride thru the Everglades. For those who cannot afford to travel all around the country, just enjoy your own State. Google your State and visit their websites to see what your State offers. For instance, http://www.travelok.com/ gives a listing of dozens and dozens of things to do and see in that State.

So if you can only travel close to where you live and only have a couple or three days, you can still get away from your ‘regular life” and enjoy new and interesting things. You are never too old or young to travel. We are fortunate and we have been traveling with a str8 couple in their 80’s for the past two years and have driven in 17 States and are ready next month to drive with them out to California. We will be stopping everywhere to see everything and even still be sleeping in a Wigwam Motel.

So don’t be one of those people who Auntie Mame says is starving to death. Make your life something special, just for you!

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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BOOK REVIEW: 100 Things to Do in America Before You Die

August 5, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Earlier this month we attended a special event at the Kansas City Public Library. The Library is nationally known for having an extraordinary ‘Friends of the Kansas City Library” program which entails having national and regional authors giving programs. This was a very special program featuring Saint Louis, Missouri broadcaster and national travel writer, Bill Clevlen who recently had his book, 100 THINGS TO DO IN AMERICA BEFORE YOU DIE, published.

The auditorium was nearly packed with people wanting to hear about his travels. He said that it was the largest audience that he has had on his book tour.

Besides being a great travel writer, Bill is also a great raconteur who is highly skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interesting. He kept the entire audience listening to every word that he spoke. He was fun, funny and a true professional speaker. The audience would have stayed for a couple more hours listening to him.

His book tells readers about everything from Niagara Falls to Florida, Seattle, Los Angeles and different cities both large and small across America.

Among very interesting things he tells readers to do are: eating Thomas Jefferson Ice Cream at Mount Rushmore, riding a mule in the Grand Canyon, have a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby, drink free water at Wall Drug in the middle of South Dakota where coffee is only 5 cents, see the Beatles drums at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, watch a case at the United States Supreme Court as well as sitting in the bus seat that Rosa Parks refused to give up.

Other interesting things he suggests are visiting the beautiful fountains in Kansas City, Missouri which boasts more fountains than any city in the world other than Rome, taking a hot air balloon ride over Albuquerque, New Mexico, take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River and of course he lists 100 of things to do and see before you die!

In his book he also has a great series of Trivia questions which is very interesting like where is the highest State Capitol, why did the tradition of ‘dropping of the ball’ in Times Square begin in the first place?, can you name the state that has the most Presidential Libraries plus dozens more. Before his presentation, we had an interesting chat with him and compared notes about traveling.

Bill Clevlen hosts a weekly radio show and podcast in Saint Louis, Missouri called ‘Bill on the Road’ that features road trip ideas and uplifting stories. When he is not traveling or on the radio, Bill’s hobby is ‘pickleball’. He realizes that a lot of people enjoy traveling abroad but he really enjoys touring America and meeting people. You can visit his website: www.billontheroad.com We highly recommend that everyone purchase his book and you can order an autographed copy directly from him at his website.

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Hollywood Museum Salutes LGBTQ

July 15, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

We have been to the Hollywood Museum a couple of times and now they are having a special exhibit featuring the LGBTQ community. Steve Nycklemoe is the Director and Curator of the Museum and a VERY professional and friendly guy. We enjoyed meeting him the last time we were there and he gave a private tour of the museum for us.

The Hollywood Museum is thrilled to announce its 2017 salute to the LGBTQ community’s contributions to the entertainment industry. The fourth annual “REAL to REEL: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTQs in Hollywood” exhibit, in partnership with Los Angeles CityCouncilmember Mitch O’Farrell(CD-13) and LA Pride, is an educational, entertaining and informative retrospective of LGBTQ images in film, TV, new digital platforms – featuring costumes, props, photos, and iconic imagery all telling the story of the milestones and influence that LGBTQ characters and plot lines have had in Hollywood from early stereotypes to modern-day representations.

Additionally, REAL to REEL celebrates LGBTQ Icons those individuals and couples who may be openly LGBTQ or not, and who support the LGBTQ community.

The Hollywood Museum’s REAL to REEL exhibition, which coincides with the annual Christopher Street West Pride activities, offers a historic perspective spanning 100 years from silent films to today’s films, TV shows, and digital platforms.

“The museum welcomes the opportunity to create and showcase this important exhibition, sharing with the public the artistic expression and extraordinary significance of the LGBTQ culture and its effect and impact on the world through the medium of entertainment,” says Donelle Dadigan, Founder and President of The Hollywood Museum located in the Historic Max Factor Building.

The exhibit revisits monumental LGBTQ moments in history with Rev. Troy Perry, including the Black Cat riots (1967), and on display – the infamous sign that once hung at the entrance of West Hollywood’s Barney’s Beanery. Exhibit highlights include costumes from Transparent, How to Get Away with Murder, The Walking Dead, Empire, Trans America, Sordid Lives, Cruising, Orange is the New Black, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Ray Donovan, Mad Men, Arrested Development, Cabaret,K-11, as well as Cyndi Lauper’s Grand Marshall Costume (Toronto’s Gay Pride parade, 2015.

Additional exhibit items include famous costumes from Hollywood’s leading designers – Mr. Blackwell, Bob Mackie,Ret Turner, Nolan Miller, Edith Head – to today’s Project Runway with Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum, as well as Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful, Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots, Scandal, Two in a Half Men, True Blood, The Good Wife, and more. This year’s exhibit also includes, LGBTQ Iconsincluding Judy Garland, Betty Davis, Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler, Ramon Navarro, Rudolf Valentino, Charles Laughton, Sam Harris, Bruce Vilanch, Sherman Hemsley, Gere Jewell, Jerry Herman, Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner and many more.

The Hollywood Museum gratefully acknowledges the following ABC, Amazon Studios, BBC America, CBS, Discovery Life, Focus Features HBO, Logo, NBC, Netflix, OWN, Showtime, TLC and 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, as well as organizations serving the LGBTQ community including ONE Archives, Christopher Street West, The Lavender Effect, and The Glaad Awards, amfAR and more.

ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM IN THE HISTORIC MAX FACTOR BUILDING:

See 10,000 Authentic Show Business Treasures spanning more than 100 years of Hollywood history! Located next to the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building houses the largest collection of entertainment memorabilia on display in the world. It is home to thousands of costumes, props, photographs, posters, celebrity automobiles and other treasures from some of the most iconic films and TV shows ever made!

See Hollywood legends – past, present, and in the making! The museum attracts thousands of fans from around the world and was recently named one of the top tourist attractions by LA Weekly and by Trip Advisor, and was voted one of the Top 10 Museums in LA by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. The Hollywood Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

REGULAR HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Exhibit: Fri, June 10th – Sun, Sept 4th)

TICKETS: $15 Adults: $12 Seniors (62+): $12 for students with ID and $5 Children under 5.

ADDRESS: 1660 N. Highland Ave. (at Hollywood Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90028 MUSEUM INFO:www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com or Tel: (323) 464-7776

FOLLOW THE MUSEUM:

WEBSITE: www.TheHollywoodMuseum.com FACEBOOK: Facebook.com/TheHollywoodMuseum

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/

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TRAVELING IN OUR FABULOUS GAY WORLD: Treasure Island, Florida

May 20, 2017 by J. Scott Coatsworth

Need to get away and have a VERY comfortable, relaxing and enjoying time ? We have found the perfect place! Treasure Island, Florida is just about 8 miles west of downtown St. Petersburg and a little over 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport. You drive over the causeway and you are there. They have the most beautiful beaches and the beaches are extremely wide, like a block wide! The sand is perfect.

We also found the perfect place to stay….. Beach House Cabanas is owned by Eric and David Barenz, a married couple. Located at 12035 Gulf Blvd. and just a short block from the beaches, this is a ideal location. Eric and David purchased a very wonderful accommodation about a year ago and since ownership they have made it into an extra fabulous accommodation!

They know how to treat and accommodate their guests and their guests are spreading the word from coast to coast about how wonderful this accommodation is. They have one of the finest listings on tripadvisor from over 100 guests who have reviewed them on tripadvisors. Check out: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34693-d7390364-Reviews-Beach_House_Cabanas-Treasure_Island_Florida.html

They have 11 rooms and a magnificent courtyard area in the front with a huge fountain and palm trees and a lush tropical garden. All rooms are equipped with a fridge, micro-wave and even wine glasses and an opener. Each morning they have a Keurig coffee machine (and tea) and fresh fruit, breakfast bars and muffins and of course all is complimentary. This is a beautiful place where all the guests mingle and get to know each other.

After your morning breakfast pick up one of their complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas and walk a short block to the beach. They are very close to shops to purchase anything that one needs.

There is a Trolley that stops directly in front of them and goes up and down the entire beach area. A large Publix supermarket is within a few blocks and there is a convenience store in their block. Within walking distance they have dozens of restaurants with menus varying from seafood, steaks, Mexican and anything else you are into.

In all of our travels from coast to coast we have never stayed in a place that is this super clean and found the owners so hospitable as Eric and David. They will make your stay on Treasure Island a remarkable memory that will last forever.

Just be sure and take some sun screen to take to the beach. As the reviews on tripadvisor express, you go there as guests and you leave as friends. Thank you Eric and David for being so professional and doing things the ‘right way’. We just wish that more accommodations were operated as professional as you operate the Beach House Cabanas.
For more information on Treasure Island, visit, http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/treasure-island.html

Check them out at http://beachhousecabanas.com/ You can make reservations by calling them at 727.201.9940 or email them at
beachhousecabanasti@gmail.com

Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone!

Proud members of the IGLTA. You can email them at gaytravelers@aol.com and visit their website at http://gaytravelersataol.blogspot.com/