Top Spots to Celebrate Gay Pride this Summer
By Rachel Berg, Editor
May 2006
Many destinations across the globe celebrate gay-pride during the summer season with parades, festivals and street fairs. This year promises to be a season of momentum for the gay and lesbian community with festivities stretching to both sides of the Atlantic. For those still contemplating where to celebrate this summer, Travelocity editors offer these travel-worthy Pride events:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The scene in Amsterdam is pure mayhem, with weekend-long street parties that culminate in the spectacular floating parade along the canals. Starting Aug. 4, the "Salvation Gold" party puts everyone in the mood for fun, and general revelry lasts all the way through the floating parade on Aug. 6, when 100 decorated boats bobble through the Prinsengracht and Amstel Rivers. The closing party takes place at the town hall, complete with popular DJs and musicians such as Boney M, Johnny Logan, Baccara, and Willeke Alberti. While you're in town, check out the Amsterdam Torture Museum if you're feeling naughty, or rent a bicycle built for two.
Austin, Texas
Pride activities kick off Texas-style on Friday, June 2 at 7pm with the 10th Annual Texas Swing, an event featuring two-step dance lessons, a silent auction, live music, and drinks at Saengerrunde Hall. During the mid-morning on Saturday, the Pride in Our Families Picnic is a chance to bring along the kids and play outdoors. The main Parade makes it way through downtown Austin that evening starting at 8:30pm. After, be sure to attend the rambunctious Hedwig and the Angry Inch sing-along at The Alamo Drafthouse. Sunday's Sunrise Brunch actually doesn't begin until 11am and will honor supporters and elected officials for their support of equal rights. Cap off the weekend with the Austin Babtist Women, an all-male comedy troupe, and Texas Gay Rodeo Association for the "CommUNITY of Pride" celebration.
Chicago
An entire month of choral concerts, sporting events, open mic nights and special races organized by gay-friendly businesses and community organizations begin on June 1 and reach their apex at the 37th Annual Parade on June 25. The parade commences that day at noon on the corner of Halsted and Belmont. Last year's event saw crowds of more than 400,000, and this year's numbers promise to meet and exceed all that came before. Don't worry if you can't make it to the Windy City until July. The Gay Games, an international sports and cultural festival with more than 11,000 participants, lasts from July 15 to July 22. Comedian Margaret Cho kicks off opening ceremonies at Soldier Field, and there will be tournaments in more than 30 sports including sailing, racquetball and golf.
London, England
Taking place each year in a different city, EuroPride is Europe's biggest gay and lesbian festival and counts Sir Elton John and Sir Ian McKellen among its participants. London hosts this year's events from June 16 to July 1, which includes some 400 events and galas, featuring a parade and a "Pride Against Prejudice" conference and a gala performance of Madam Butterfly. The 80-float parade takes place July 1, when you can also attend a raucous rally, cabaret and party celebrating this year's major legal achievement: civil partnerships for same-sex couples. If you can't make it to London in 2006, be sure to join in the EuroPride celebrations in Madrid in 2007 or Stockholm in 2008.
Los Angeles
Love, equality, and pride are the three buzzwords of this year's celebrations, which take place June 9-11 in West Hollywood Park. This is L.A., so count on some celebrity appearances with Taylor Dayne, The Bangles and Berlin among the ranks of featured performers. If you're an Amazing Race fan, you might spot Reichen among the crowds. Pavilion themes range from country, dance and Latin to erotic city and the (substance-free) "oasis of pride."
Miami/Key West
From the hot bods of South Beach to the tanned revelers of Key West, Florida promises Pride-style fun in the sun. A street fair stretches along Key West's Duval Street (700 and 800 blocks) June 9-10, followed by an appearance at The Waterfront Playhouse by comedian Vickie Shaw and respective parties at gay and lesbian-friendly hotspots Island's House and Pearl's Rainbow. For anyone who wants to hold onto the Pride spirit well past summer, the world's largest gay-only cruise departs Miami in January for carefree Caribbean islands on the brand-new Freedom of the Seas, an event being billed as "history in the making."
Montreal, Québec
There’s no denying that the annual Divers/Cité parade ranks as one of the summer’s highlights in Montreal. A play on the word Diversity, Divers/Cité literally translates as Diverse/City, highlighting the diversity that Montreal has to offer. Taking place on July 30, the Pride parade starts around 8:30 p.m. Running along René-Lévesque Boulevard from De Lorimier to St-Hubert, it is filled with all the sparkle and electricity of the day and lit by all the mystery and glamour of the night, and sets the tone for the days to follow: a rollicking celebration that explodes in a crescendo of infamous parties and great free outdoor shows through to the next weekend. While you’re there, don’t miss the 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 from July 29-Aug. 5 with sport, cultural and conference programs expected. Thirty-three sports disciplines will be represented during 7 days of competitions with participants from over 100 different countries around the world. International Tennis Superstar Martina Navratilova, Olympic Medalist Mark Tewksbury, and internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil are expected to participate in the opening and closing ceremonies to be held at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
New York City
As history goes, many say that New York is where the gay community took empowerment into its own hands. The storied Stonewall Riots are widely seen as a watershed when the gay rights movement fought back for the first time against persecution and harassment. Being New York, this year's celebrations are on a skyscraper-sized scale, with an entire week (June 18-25) dedicated to Pride events. The theme for 2006 is "the fight for love and life" and includes five official events: The Rally (June 18), the women-only Rapture on the River (June 24), the main march (June 25), the official PrideFest celebration (June 25) and the women-only Dance on the Pier (June 25).
San Francisco
June heralds the hanging of 500 exuberant rainbow flags up and down San Francisco's Market Street, and the weekend of June 24-25 ushers in the 36th Annual LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration. With Jennifer Beals as Grand Marshal, Saturday's celebrations kick off at the Civic Center, the site where same-sex marriages were performed (and then annulled) not so long ago. On Sunday morning, the unmistakable rumble of motorcycle engines signals the start of Market Street's colorful parade, featuring floats, marching bands, and more). You'll find concurrent events, vendors, celebrations, and performances all across town, from high-energy dance arenas and a block-long "Leather Alley" to the tent and picnic atmosphere along Harrison Street's "Bear Garden."
Toronto, Canada
For two years in a row, Toronto’s Pride Week was named Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Event Industry Star Awards (CEIA). Showtime's Queer As Folk television series was filmed in and around Toronto, and the city is home to one of the largest and most active gay/lesbian communities in North America. Past Pride celebrations drew as many as a million visitors. The weekend of June 23 will be filled with festivities, with the Pride parade and festival taking place on June 25. The theme of this year's parade is "Fearless," and the focus will be on honoring both the past and future accomplishments of the gay community. Be sure to browse the booths of community-related activists and non-profits at the Community Fair and Marketplace.
Vancouver, Canada
In 1978, a handful of enthusiasts shocked motorists as they paraded along the streets of Vancouver’s West End waving signs in support of gay rights. Since then, Vancouver Pride has grown significantly, becoming the largest parade on Canada's West Coast. Vancouver's Pride Parade takes place in Vancouver's West End district during the afternoon Aug. 6 and is immediately followed by the Sunset Beach Festival. Featuring live entertainment on a high-energy stage, the festival is the true crown and glory to end a week of "pride and joy." And remember: same-sex marriage is legal in Canada!
For more travel tips and advice, check out Amy Ziff's monthly column, Travel Trends & Advice from A to Z, at www.travelocity.com/atoz. To suggest a topic for a future column or to tell about a travel experience of your own, please email Amy Ziff at ask.amy@travelocity.com.
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