4/30/2008 at 1:45 PM
Tags: Lesbos, Frivolous Lawsuit Travel, Islands, LGBT, Gay Travel (all tags)
If a woman says, "I'm a lesbian," most people would assume she's making a statement about her sexual orientation, not declaring she is a resident of the Greek island of Lesbos. That's something a few Lesbians (capital L, denoting geography after this mention) would like to change, as three Greeks are taking the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece (OLKE) to court to demand the removal of the word "lesbian" from the group's name.
The term derives from the island's most famous inhabitant, the ancient Greek love poet Sappho whose poems described infatuation with women. Plaintiff--and Lesbian--Dimitris Lambrou told a judge:
Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos...[This lawsuit] is not an aggressive act against gay women.
Since Sappho lived some 2,600 years ago, one wonders why this has become an issue now. The word "lesbian" with the definition related to sexual orientation, not geographical locale, was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 1890.
Related Stories:
· People of Lesbos Take Gay Group to Court [AP, via Yahoo]
· Gay Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: downthedip]
by egw
1/11/2008 at 11:30 AM
Tags: LGBT, Gay Travel, Travel Marketing, American Airlines, Travel Advertising, Erik Torkells (all tags)
American Airlines unleashed a new print campaign featuring retro styling and two men walking off a "Casablanca"-style airplane to what looks like a Hawaiian vacation. (Though as Queerty notes, what gay man would wear socks with loafers?)
In addition to AA's LGBT-specific website, the ad also mentions that the airline has been recognized for six consecutive years by the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. That basically means that it's a company that treats all of its employees equally regardless of orientation.
Meanwhile, the travel industry as a whole is making Budget Travel editor Erik Torkells proud with lots of companies scoring well on that HRC Index. (American is among the 20 he mentions.) But he won't be snapping up an Avis rental car or a Royal Caribbean cruise: They still have progress to make, Torkells says, and they won't be getting a dime of his cash until thing change.
Related Stories:
· American Airlines Flies First Gay Print Ads [GayWired.com]
· Travel Industry, I'm Proud of You [Budget Travel]
· LGBT Travel coverage [Jaunted]
by pbb
12/13/2007 at 9:00 AM
Tags: Gay Travel, Australia Travel, Islands, Cruises (all tags)
Heading out on a gay cruise was already a bit yesterday when Aussie company AllGayCruises started up earlier this year, but now they've taken things to the next level. The company's now creating Australia's first gay island.
Strictly speaking, the island already exists--it's Lindeman Island off the Queensland coast--and it will only be gay for a week. But it sounds like it'll be a particularly colorful event. For six days immediately following the Sydney Mardi Gras in March 2008, AllGayCruises has basically rented out the whole of Lindeman Island for a massive gay party.
Seven big dance parties, a swimwear model contest, comedy nights and even the Gaylimpics will make sure that the fun really doesn't stop on Lindeman. You can already book accommodation, meal and party packages starting at A$1,299 per person ($1,150). Btw, the whole event is called Shipwrecked!, which we hope is not a bad sign of things to come.
Related Stories:
· Shipwrecked Island [Official Site]
· Australia Will Have First Gay Island [eTravel]
· Gay Cruising Catches Up Down Under [Jaunted]
[Photo: St. Murse]
by amandak
12/05/2007 at 3:00 PM
Tags: Gay Travel, Clubs, Bars, Hotels (all tags)
Buenos Aires, the capital of the land of tango and macho gauchos, is going gay. Exhibit A in the transformation is the newly opened Axel Hotel, the first specifically-for-gay-customers property to open in the city. And though it offers up a marketing campaign featuring much racier photos than the hotel-provided pic above, the Axel isn't driving the change in attitudes. Instead, says Alexei Barrionuevo in the New York Times, the hotel is the result of a newly open society.
This summer the city hosted a soccer World Cup for gay players, soon after a TV dating show made waves by showing gay men kissing on camera. Five years ago, BA legalized same-sex unions. Before that, Argentina's president declared equal rights, regardless of sexual orientation. And as Buenos Aires warms, gay travelers have started dropping by. Trying to capitalize on the tourism boomlet, of course, is the Axel Hotel.
That said, there's more to see than the hotel. Partiers of any orientation are welcome at Kim y Novak, a grungy bar with nothing but debauchery on its blog. Downtown, Palacio Alsina draws a mixed crowd with its drag queen hostess and go-go dancers. And mega-club Amerika is still the gold standard for those into the gay clubbing scene.
Related Stories:
· Axel Hotels [Official Site]
· In Macho Argentina, a New Beacon [NYT]
· Gay Travel coverage [Jaunted]
by pbb
6/08/2007 at 11:44 AM
Tags: Gay Travel, Parades (all tags)
Sunday, Santa Monica Boulevard will close its roadway for the people who patron most of its shops. The Pride 2007 Parade struts down the boulevard from Fairfax Avenue to Doheny Drive starting at 11 a.m.
A poll on the site asks attendees their motivations for attending the parade. It found 25 percent want to end hate, 25 percent hope for marriage equality, 23 percent are looking to find love, 8 percent are prompted by activism, and 4 percent by a love of volunteerism. Finally, 16 percent of attendees are simply searching for the perfect martini, they say. That's 101 percent. Apparently "mastering basic math" isn't one of the incentives.
With Paris chained to her mansion, looks like newly-out former NBA player John Amaechi will take on grand marshal duties this year.
Related Stories:
·LA Travel [Jaunted]
·Hotels in Los Angeles [HotelChatter]
by ced138
3/13/2007 at 4:51 PM
Tags: Gay Travel, Cruises, Nude Cruises, Nudists (all tags)
The folks over at Globorati, a most excellent luxury travel blog, let us know about a gay nude luxury voyage set for this May, complete with plenty of, um, gadgets, of course.
Sail into uncharted waters aboard a luxury Windstar yacht replete with flat-screen TVs and iPods for 148 guests who'll visit ports in Rome, Athens, Sorrento and Mykonos. Just imagine a gaycation without the attitude.
Yup, there it is, plain as day in the website's disclaimer--This voyage is for men who enjoy sailing nude.
The cruise organizers also promise "an Internet Café steps from the Roman ruins".
Gaycations, social networking cruises, and the possibility of clothes free wireless--sounds like Homorati 2.0 has arrived.
[Photo: dominiqs81]
Related Stories:
·Cruise Organizer [SourceEvents]
by markj
10/20/2006 at 3:02 PM
Tags: Los Angeles, Craigslist, Missed Connections, Gay Travel, Food, Restaurants (all tags)
You'd think that in L.A., most missed connections occur on the highway, but the most secret admirations seem to originate at the gym (or gym parking lot) and Starbucks. If you don't like scouting out potential lovers at the gym and are hoping to branch out when it comes to coffee, here are a few places in town where the most
Craigslist Missed Connections take place:
Fred 62
1854 N. Vermont Ave., L.A.
According to the L.A. Times, "the place has all the elements of a traditional American coffee shop" that serves "New Age diner cuisine that is consistently good." Enjoy punnily-named dishes as you check out the talent.
Pavilion's
8969 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
This is a grocery store. We're not sure what it is with the grocery stores in L.A. but people sure like spotting each other there. Maybe it's the temptation of all the food they're not eating. M4M spottings abound at this particular location. Heterosexual couples should try just about any Trader Joe's outpost.
Marco's Trattoria & Pizzeria
8136 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
"Marcos is where you will find the best Italian food at affordable prices. The space is intimate and charming. Food prepared just the way you like it." So says the Marco's website. Enjoy the airy atmosphere while you look for potential lovers or celebrity customers like Sam Mendes and Clay Aiken.
Related Stories:·
Missed Connections Coverage [Jaunted]
by Zulkey
10/20/2006 at 9:10 AM
Tags: Gay Travel, Cruises, Australia (all tags)
Gay cruises are not new in the northern hemisphere, but down in Australia it's all just about to begin. Being billed by promoters as "the most exciting & innovative cruise to ever depart from Australia,"
All Gay Cruises start running in March next year.
Almost 2000 passengers are expected to board the NaviGAYtion cruise that leaves Sydney on March 29. It then cruises to--well, to nowhere--and arrives back in Sydney four days later. Having no cruise destination is something Australians are pretty well accustomed to--check your map and you'll see you need a lot of time to get anywhere Down Under--so gay cruisers are ready to just party for the full 65 hour trip. Swimwear competitions, six major parties, eight international DJs and comedy and cabaret shows are set to keep them busy and on board until Sydney pops up on the radar again.
[Photo:
Steve J]
by amandak
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