FOX NEWS says PV is one of the worlds Best Beach Towns!

Crystal blue water, vine-hung foothills and waterfalls and an idyllic old town have made Puerto Vallarta one of Mexico's most popular travel destinations.  

For years Puerto Vallarta lived in relative obscurity, eclipsed by more popular resorts like Cancun and Acapulco.  But over the last 50 years, word of Puerto Vallarta's beauty has gotten out!

Beaches

Puerto Vallarta boasts miles of pristine beaches. From secluded sanctuaries to hopping hotspots, the resort can meet any expectations. One of the town's most famous and popular beaches is Los Muertos, located in the Zona Romántica (Romanic Zone). Don’t let its name (translated as the beach of the dead) deter you. 

SUMMER TIME IN PUERTO VALLARTA!

"How hot does it get in Puerto Vallarta in the Summer?"

That is a question travel agents around the world get asked every spring!

Have you ever been to Texas is the summer?  Texas is HOTTER!
or Louisiana in the summer? Probably NOT that humid!

Rainy season, its various climatic characteristics and geographic distribution make of Puerto Vallarta its most lush and festive season.

True, summer can be a little hot and humid - and people say the rainy season is  June-September, with September the rainiest, all that said,  while the rain can spoil a day at the beach,  the tropical storms can be quite beautiful, when rain seems to march across the hills and lightning illuminates the sky. Also, frequently, the rain comes at night and/or in short spurts.

In PV, rainy season generally means nice sunny mornings with the clouds moving in mid afternoon, and a cooling rain by 4 or 5pm, usually lasting no more than an hour or so. Everything is washed clean, the dust settles, the air freshens, and then we await a beautiful sunset. And if we get a storm after sunset, words can’t describe how magnificent the light show is over the ocean. Free entertainment, right?!

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So, what else is there to do? There’s always the beach. If it starts to rain, there’s shopping. I’m always amazed to discover new shops that I didn’t know existed. So many streets to explore!

The Sierra Madre Mountain range surrounds the Pacific coast and protects Bahia de Banderas, enabling nature and diverse biodiversity to surface in an almost rhythmic process throughout the year, summer being its biggest boom.

Vallarta’s first indication of summer is the sudden appearance of increased precipitation, which leads to abundance, hope, joy and beauty.

“veranum tempus” meaning summer in Latin bears great meaning. Summer in Puerto Vallarta signifies ‘life’. No need for dictionaries or scientific research of any kind; simply look around you: thousands of trees and bushes have blossomed to an ever-lush shade of green, butterflies roam freely, listen to the chirping of the hundreds of birds and critters out there.

Keep in mind too -   since most people want to come in the winter to escape their snow and cold weather, summer is off season, and provides lots of deals and bargains!

Travelocity named PV a top 10 summer destination!

Is there a BEST BEACH in PV?

 Not really!  It's all pretty fabulous!

The gay beach is primarily, Playa Los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the city's largest public beach. Legend has it the beach's name (Dead Men's Beach) stems from a battle between pirates and local miners after which bodies remained strewn on the beach, but it's a legend, since there were never any miners in Vallarta The South Side of the beach is a popular gathering spot for gay and lesbian tourists. The North end is frequented mostly by locals, and national tourists. The city has recently tried to change the name of the beach to Playa del Sol.

However, if you want explore more beaches -

Playa Camarones (Shrimp Beach) - Col. 5 de Deciembre (vicinity of Av. Paragua - Hotel Buenaventura. This is the northernmost public beach in the City of Puerto Vallarta proper. It is named after the shrimp fisherman that once landed their launches on the beach to unload their catch.

Playa Olas Altas (High Waves Beach) - Col. Emilio Zapata - the beach extends from the Cuale River South to the fishing pier. In spite of the name, the waves offshore are not particularly high, and the beach is a popular place to swim, especially for locals and national tourists. The beach is lined with outdoor restaurants.

Playa Boca de Tomates (Mouth of Tomatoes) - a beach located near the mouth of the Ameca River. The beach is not very popular among international tourists due to the rocks that come ashore especially in the summertime. Also watch out for Crocodiles. Its proximity to the Ameca River which carries muddy rainwater in the summertime causes the water to lose its clarity making it appear dirty.

Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta

• Playa Gemelas - an undeveloped beach just North of the mouth of the Mismaloya river. The beach lies close to Los Arcos Marine Natural Area and can be used for access to the park from shore.
• Playa Mismaloya - at the mouth of the Mismaloya River. The beach was featured in several scenes from Night of the Iguana and the main set was located on hillside to the South of the beach. The beach is developed with a number of restaurants. (if you make it to Mismaloya, you MUST check out the hidden waterfalls and springs in the Jungle!!)
  

Virgin America Airline service between San Francisco and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  could begin as early as December.

PUERTO VALLARTA
is Mexico's most popular gay destination, bar none.  For over 20 years, the LGBT community has flocked to this  seaside getaway and it is now bustling with nearly 2 dozen gay bars and nightclubs, dozens of gay resturants and the whole town is gay-friendly!

While business is somewhat seasonal, like most warm weather places, Puerto Vallarta is less crowded in the summer months. That means great savings to tourists and lots of discounted rooms. 

From live music to cultural festivals, charity events and special interest group meetings, there's always something fun to do in Puerto Vallarta . Events in the Banderas Bay area encompass a broad range of interests and enthusiasms covering everything from Mariachi, Cultural, International Film, Fine Arts, and Gourmet Festivals to Fishing, Tennis and Golf Tournaments.


If it's your first time in Vallarta, you'll want to grab a copy of Gay Guide Vallarta , a guidebook  distributed free through most gay and gay-friendly businesses in Puerto Vallarta. Also downloadable online.

Once you get to know the town and the visitors  here, you'll notice this is one of the most re-visited destinations in the world (it's actually a statistical fact) -  thanks to great  weather, 5 star restaurants, it's picturesque quality and good value.

Pick and choose what suites you for your  own ideal vacation blend of relaxation and exhilaration; tranquility and activity.


There are now more choices than ever of Puerto Vallarta things to do  and tourist attractions for the adventurous or unadventurous traveler in Puerto Vallarta, including a wide  variety of activities and excursions, biking, canopy and eco-tours, snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving, boat cruises on Banderas Bay, horseback riding into the Sierra Madres and golf. Or simply lay on the beach and make new friends!

WELCOME TO THE BEST OF GAY PUERTO VALLARTA!

 

Puerto Vallarta  is a thriving  retreat for  gays and lesbians and every year  becomes more popular as a gay vacation spot.  With a great climate, beautiful ocean bay beaches, mountains and lush tropical jungle as the setting, Puerto Vallarta is a small city devoted to serving the visiting traveler.

Let us be your guide to everything gay and gay-friendly in Puerto Vallarta and also show you some things off the beaten path, that only the locals know about!

We’ll be covering it all!   THE BEST OF GAY  PUERTO VALLARTA!




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Michael Snell and  Derrick  Sorles   (773) 878-5323        or   e-mail us

Sundrenched beaches, vibrant cultural festivals and menus of exotic cocktails allure 2 million visitors a year to Puerto Vallarta from around the world.
 
Flanked by the lush and imposing Sierra Madre mountains, this is the brightest jewel along the scintillating Bay of Banderas on Mexico`s Pacific coast and a popular stopping point for cruise liners, who deliver regular sunseekers to enjoy a traditional Mexican experience against a backdrop of cool colonial charm.

Puerto Vallarta was not always the premier holiday resort we see today. It was initially chosen by Spanish seamen in the early 16th century as the ideal location to provide shelter from the ocean and its marauding pirates. Although it then remained out of the spotlight for centuries, it played a role in shipbuilding and was a focal point for the loading and unloading of silver and salt for local mines.

However, people did not settle here until the mid-nineteenth century, when the village was known as Las Penas. Tragedy struck in 1888 when a fire, that began in a tiny pot of grease, spread rapidly to engulf half the town. The name of the settlement was changed to Puerto Vallarta in 1918, just before tourism began to grow. But the town still remained relatively unknown until the 1960s when it gained celluloid immortality as the setting for the film `The night of the Iguana`. As the A-listers of the time began to flock to its shores, so its reputation as a fashionable holiday getaway was established. Today, the town`s old cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and terracotta roofs still bear witness to its colourful colonial history.



Holidays in Puerto Vallarta can be as relaxed or as active as you choose, with everything on offer from whale-watching, scuba-diving, river cruises and horse rides through the jungle. With no fewer than seven championship golf courses close by, this is also the ideal place to relax and tee off whilst enjoying breathtaking views across the ocean. The town itself is vivacious with a friendly community feel and boasts unrivalled shopping opportunities. Visit the Isla del Rio Cuale, a mid-town island that cuts Puerto Vallarta in two and shop at the craft market here for traditional village pottery, beadwork and jewellery; hand-blown glass also proves a popular souvenir. Puerto Vallarta is bursting with culture and music, with free outdoor concerts held at weekends in the main square. There`s even an important tradition of art here and a fine selection of galleries and Art season is celebrated every year from November to April.

As evening falls in Puerto Vallarta and the smell of roasted chicken and hot tortillas tempts you out onto the streets, you`ll discover over 250 international restaurants serving up a wide range of freshly prepared cuisine in settings ranging from beachfront shanties to elegant riverside bistros. Later on, the real party passion of Mexico is awakened in the town`s vibrant array of fun pubs, discos and live music venues, a testament to the insatiable Mexican appetite for partying through the night. Puerto Vallarta`s famous Malecon, or beachfront walkway is the centre of its dazzling nightlife, as well as the perfect place for an evening stroll with plenty of free entertainment along the way.



If you`re trying to decide on the best time to visit, the climate in this part of Mexico promises warm sunshine holidays all year round, with temperatures rising to around 90C / 32F in the summer months. The most idyllic conditions are found here in December and January, but this is also the peak of the tourist season.

Being a tropical resort surrounded by rainforest, it`s no surprise that Puerto Vallarta does experience considerable precipitation and there is a distinct rainy season running from June to october, the wettest month being September. During this time, you can expect frequent heavy rainstorms, usually in the afternoons, which on the plus side do leave the air clear and refreshed for the evening`s activities.


If it`s your first visit to Mexico and you`re looking for a classy holiday destination on the west coast that strikes a perfect balance between action and relaxation, be sure to check out the travel deals on offer for Puerto Vallarta. With accommodation ranging from budget hostels to luxury boutique resorts, you`ll find you have a world of choice at your fingertips when it comes to booking your ideal break.


Best Gay Puerto Vallarta

Researchers in Texas say they may have found a way to kill the HIV virus. The idea would be used, not only to control the disease for people already infected, but actually prevent infection for anybody who might be at risk!

There is going to be  a  HUGE piece of news released  on  December 1st - World  Aids  Day!

And check this out - Actors, performers, comedians, HIV activists, and scientists come together for this  PSA  to show support for Covalent Immunology, and Dr. Sudhir Paul. The Cast includes Lady Bunny, Justin Bond, Ben Andrews, Angie Pontani, Kristen Renton, Thea Gill, Wilson Cruz, The Pixie Harlots, and Hydeia Broadbent.  

$5 is all it takes - lets face it, a cure and vaccine isn't gonna come from the big pharma, its gonna come from a brilliant scholar/researcher...DR. PAUL!!


WATCH THE VIDEO


Covalent Immunology Foundation


READ MORE AT FOX NEWS

IF you want something NO ONE ELSE has yet, this hot new line from Barcelona is what you need! 

ES COLLECTION

Previously only available in Spain, it is spreading worldwide this year, but still in limited quantities.

Now going into its fourth  year of production they will be unveiling the 2010  underwear collection this fall in the US. I just got back from Barcelona and bought a couple of the swimsuits from the 2009 collection - VERY HOT! Clean lines, fresh styles, bold color combinations and amazing fit!

This swimwear and underwear for men, is honestly some of the hottest styles we have seen with PERFECT construction and craftsmanship. Made in Barcelona, "ES tries to be unique, different and fresh in a market that is fast and more brands are joining this fast market every day. Made in Barcelona with the best fabrics that we can get from the EU market but still we can be competitive with any other brand out there on quality, price,design and delivery."


     
                      

Their designs have a wonderful cut to them, accenting your body perfectly!  I purchased some of  their men’s underwear and men’s swimwear, and they fit comfortable and like a glove!  Many of the swimsuits  features the "Pack Up" system which can easily be removed if aren’t in the mood for extra padding however is perfect for giving you that perfect "beach bulge" if you want it! It does not make your package look HUGE or anything. But it just accentuates your own package nicely and provides a wonderful  smooth fit.


One of the great things about ES Collection Swimwear is the high quality of craftsmanship.  With extras like the metal grommet holes and the plastic tips on the drawstring you’ll never have to "fish" out the drawstring. They also use high quality zippers, rubber logos, and just overall high quality finishing.

Word of advice - As for sizing, I would suggest, if you are used to US  sizes, order 1 size larger than usual. Both my partner and I are 32-33" waist, and would normally buy  Medium - but  their Large fits perfect.  I always find European clothes run smaller than most US brands are labeled. If you are used to European sizes, these run true to size.

And who doesn't love a  SALE!  Each collection features "X" number of pieces in so many sizes. Each year when the new collection is launched, anything that did not sell from the previous collection, is marked down! So when you visit their website ES COLLECTION, make sure you check out the SALE OUTLET.

MUST SEE - VIDEO of the NEWEST ES STYLES and all of their HOT models!


If you are visiting Barcelona, stop by their main store and see the entire collection on display.
Consell de Cent, 218  and right around the corner is ES4U, the outlet store at Casanova, 56!

They also have a shop at 35007 Las Palmas de G.C., Carnary Islands and soon will  have stores in Bilbao, Valencia, and Madrid!
And of course, you can order  worldwide via their ES COLLECTION site!


The New Gay Travel Guides  and  Best Gay Cities

Diana's Tours mentioned  on AfterEllen this week!


Diana offers full day tours and also private charters. Her full day tours are fabulous!  an entire gay day at sea. You’ll enjoy a continental breakfast, lots of snacks and hors d'oeuvres and UNLIMITED OPEN BAR all day . In addition, there’s even lunch on shore. (There’s nothing like having lunch on the beach.)  The tour is a great way to make new friends while visiting Puerto Vallarta!

The tour also offers snorkeling and a post cruise cocktail at the famous gay and lesbian location - The Blue Chairs. The Blue Chairs is a hotel located right on the beach!

Diana DeCoste, your cruise hostess, celebrates her 9th season in Vallarta with her now famous gay and lesbian cruise. The cruise is also "Straight Friendly" so please bring 'em along (no minors please). This is an excursion not to be missed. Her cruise sells out in advance during the busy fall and winter season so book as far in advance as possible.

Diana's Tours!


The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta

 

6th Annual  Beef Dip / Bear week
                             in Puerto Vallarta this week!

 

Beach parties, a booze cruise, jungle adventures, discos and more promise to bring out the animal in you at this  annual Beef Dip in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico premier gay playground.

Dog tags (bear tags?)  allow you to enjoy all the planned events for free (or discounted) as well as great deals from community partners.

Hosted  by  Leather and Bear Tours,  a promotions and events company now in its third year. Based in Toronto, Leather and Bear Tours organizes several events in the Toronto area as well as its regular Beef Dip events internationally.


The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta

 

Mid December through Mid March is great for whale watching in Puerto Vallarta!   Banderas Bay is home to it own colony of Humpback Whales. 

Each winter, Humpback whales migrate south from their Arctic feeding grounds to bread and rear their young in the sheltered waters of Banderas Bay, making it one of North America’s premier whale watching sites.


The 2008/2009 Whale Watching Season is in full swing. Everyday the number of whales in the bay continues to grow. It won’t be long before we start seeing the births of new calves! Mating behaviors are being observed all over the bay.

You must be with a licensed tour guide/operator. Before booking your whale watching tour, please ensure that your tour company and/or their vessel is on this list. This list is operators that have been approved by the Mexican government to conduct whale watching tours on Banderas Bay.


There is an official “PUERTO VALLARTA WHALE WATCHING FORUM”   The Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Forum is a privately funded, ecological group that promotes education and responsible whale watching activities in and around Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay.


The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta and the New Gay Travel Guide

 

EVERY THANKSGIVING several thousand  gay and lesbian visitors pour into Puerto Vallarta for Thanksgiving week for LATIN FEVER and VALLARTA FEVER.

An alternative to Miami's very expensive WHITE PARTY WEEKEND, the Latin Fever and Vallarta Fever draw in people from around the world who want to come and party or just come and relax and mingle with the large gay crowd this weekend attracts.

There are daytime dances with djs on the beach, late night parties in nightclubs, sunday brunch, tea dance, roof top parties, big performers, go-go boys and lots of fun people!

Whether you come to party or just enjoy the large gay crowds, it is a fun time! And  very  affordable.

This is the 11th year for Latin Fever and the 2nd  year for Vallarta Fever, and each year the crowds grow that come to enjoy the city and the special parties.


SUN,  SAND  AND  HEDONISM!  See you there!

The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta and the New Gay Travel Guide

 

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos in Spanish) is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage (and others) living in the United States and Canada.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which take place on those days.

Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Observance of the holiday in Mexican-American communities in the United States has become more important and widespread as the community grows numerically and economically.

Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. People will go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and will build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, and photos and memorabilia, of the departed. Even Tequila!

The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.


When visiting Puerto Vallarta during late October through November 3rd, you will encounter processions to public alters and the local cemeteries. While this is traditionally a private family event, many alters are set up on the Rio Cuale Island are free to view by the public and should not be missed.  -  Cameras are not appreciated. As a tourist, please treat it with respect!


The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta and the New Gay Travel Guide

 

Puerto Vallarta will host  the  1st Annual Lesbian  Artists Festival

                              I FESTIVAL ARTÍSTICO LÉSBICO 


November  6th - 9th   -   4 days and 3 nights of Arts and Tours


 When we extend our wings, love gets up in flight and we raise up to the top of the fullness. -  We are a group of lesbian women interested in creating a professional arts and tourism-existence in Mexico.

As Puerto Vallarta's gay and lesbian community grows, so do the events! Each year, more gays and lesbians are moving to Vallarta and more and more come to visit.

Les Alebrijes is an adventure that aims to grow, go beyond the mythical ideas of groups
to raise gay and lesbian foster a society that has a great capacity to embrace and contain
 many communities.

We are convinced that our strength can generate radical changes to society and put lesbian in an important place in the economy of Mexico.

We invite you to participate in this effort by taking advantage of the spaces that we have to promote your talent, your art and your strength.  Here you can exhibit your paintings, drawings, records, music, books and anything else that represents your vocation and your work.

All are welcome to learn the art and buy the product of talent lesbian.
This will allow them to be financially supported and that we can strengthen our businesses to drive. 
 

For those who are not artists but do art with their businesses, also invited to participate in the directory business that we are about to open. This effort aims to generate synergy lesbian promote the growth of our businesses. 

Interest participants should Send data from your business, arts, products or services
 to lesalebrijes@lesalebrijes.com 

A LIMITED number of rooms have been secured at BUENAVENTURA GRAND  HOTEL. 
To check room availability and request a reservation,

 FILL OUT THIS FORM 

and send it to   reservaciones@lesalebrijes.com .



If more information is needed -  
 Contact Information: Adriana Thomas or Gabriela Ortiz

 

Calle: Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 962 Stree

 Col. Parque San Andrés Coyocán.

México DF 04040

Tels: 56 89 99 78, 53417503

Cels 5527 370370, 5539 550149         LES ALEBRIJES!

 

                       The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta and the New Gay Travel Guide

After a busy summer, Galleria Dante reopened  this week. Once again they will have “artists in residence” painting in the gallery, starting on October 8th, from 11 am until 2 pm featuring Juana Cortez and Oscar Solis.  They are here for only two days this trip.

"Since many of our artists live outside Vallarta, and collectors cannot visit their studios, we are bringing the artists' studios to them. At these "Open Studios", one or more artists will take turns painting on site. Last year the artists found this to be so successful, that many more will be working in the gallery this season.

December 21st, 2008 marks our 20th Anniversary in business in Vallarta.  Many of you will remember our Italian restaurant "Pizza Joe" which was in operation for seven years, and in 1995 we opened "Galleria Dante". We could not have done it without the support of  local artists and collectors, as well as the many wonderful people who have visited our fair city, (Mexicans, Canadians, Americans and Europeans), who patronized us and recommended us to all their family and friends. Thank you to all for the friendship you gave our family and our staff over the past 20 years. 

Many of our current artists in addition to their former techniques are experimenting with new materials and styles and are anxious to present these works to you throughout the upcoming season.
Artists Cherie Sibley, Peter Spataro, and Pipo Brockman continue with their Art Classes and workshops. We would be happy to forward them any inquiries. 

We are pleased to welcome Leticia Schmidt, talented  artists in encaustics, in addition to abstract oils and acrylics. We also received this month new sculptures by Israel Zzepda."

Hours are Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm (they do not close for lunch).

Closed Saturday and Sunday,  Show dates to be announced!.



The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta  and the New Gay Travel Guide

 

It’s not for nothing that the word "art" is embedded in the name Puerto Vallarta! With the exception of the capital, Puerto Vallarta has more important art galleries than anywhere else in Mexico. Artists from around the world gravitate to Puerto Vallarta’s beauty, which they mirror in their work – fashion, jewelry, sculpture, ceramics, painting, poetry, writing, the list is endless.


The first gallery opened in the early 80's. Now critics say its  Mexico's Art Mecca. Puerto Vallarta boasts over 30 art galleries and museums featuring art in all mediums. Both internationally famous artists as well as up-and-coming young artists live and create their artwork here, and the large number of galleries, art museums, and an eclectic mix of resident artists have made Puerto Vallarta a renowned international art community.

Despite  Vallarta's growing fame, local art is still priced fairly. Galleria Dante owner Claire Guarniere says, "Art collectors who know the value of art are always impressed with what they can buy in Vallarta." Located in the Romantic Zone, the newly expanded Galleria Dante features artists in an indoor-outdoor space that invites the viewer to partake in the entire scene. An interior courtyard with an intimate pool is surrounded by classical and modern sculpture, as if the art is on parade. Walls of cement and brick display lush abstracts of Montreal's Jean-Gabriel Lambert, Israel Zzepda's classic dreams of erotic abandon, and more.

 

Partners Jean Pierre Renucci and Jose Angel Villavicencio of Galeria Corsica have a talent for finding the best up-and-coming artists out of Mexico City. Their rainbow circle includes the intriguing Jorge Marin, who gives his sensual bird-men gymnasts' bodies, and Rocio Caballero's playful male and female nymphs, who gambol underwater with nude abandon. On a corner in the same neighborhood, which also boasts gourmet restaurants and boutiques, is the exclusive Galeria Omar Alonso, showcasing vibrant black-and-white photographs cleanly displayed on stark walls, punctuated by the ruptured metal nudes of Olivia Guzman.

Downtown Art Walks are held biweekly late October through April. During the "Art Season"  the public is invited to attend cocktail receptions during "Art Walk" inaugurations. With maps in hand, patrons stroll from gallery to gallery enjoying the art of the Downtown and Marina galleries' art walks. In Puerto Vallarta we are fortunate to be able to enjoy the fruits of many artists' talents. It is a little Mecca for those who collect, study, or just take pleasure from viewing.

 

The Best of Gay Puerto Vallarta and the New Gay Travel Guide

June is  GAY PRIDE month around the world!

It is traditionally celebrated the last Sunday of June, in most cities. Pride celebrations stemmed from the Stonewall Riots in New York City.

The Stonewall Riots were a series of violent conflicts between LGBT people and New York City police officers that began during a 28 June 1969 police raid, and lasted several days. They were centered at the Stonewall Inn and are widely recognized as the catalyst for the modern-day movement towards LGBT rights.

Gay pride or LGBT pride refers to a world wide movement and philosophy asserting that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Heterosexual people have sometimes asked me, "Why do you have to have a  pride day? Why are you so proud? We don't have  straight pride day?" - It's about not feeling ashamed of who we are. It's about showing people our numbers, that we are in fact EVERYWHERE. We come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Gay pride is about appreciating yourself and other members of our community for being different. GAY PRIDE means accepting yourself and celebrating who you are.


     

Gay pride advocates work for equal "rights and benefits" for LGBT people.  The movement has three main premises:
 
 - that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity,
 
 - that sexual diversity is a gift,

 - and that sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent and cannot be intentionally altered.

Someone at Cedar Rapids Pride said, "Often the hardest person to come out to is yourself.  GAY PRIDE doesn't just happen. It is hard work to overcome the profound effects of abusive religion and cultural abandonment that afflict all minorities. Self-esteem is the greatest achievement that you can reach in life. Your sense of self-worth is so valuable, that you work hard all of your life to find and express it. To reach your goal of self-esteem and happiness requires knowledge and positive experience."

Jed Ryan from Lick The Web says, "So, what is "Gay Pride?" It may not be so important that we find a universal definition. What's more important is that all of us feel positively and lovingly about being who we are-- in our case, definitely including but not limited to being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered-- at least for one moment in our lives and hopefully more. And that can be in June or any other month, at the Parade or any other location, or whether you're 17 or 70. Ultimately, the real and most important meaning of "pride" is in within each one of us."

Marches celebrating Pride (pride parades) are celebrated worldwide, and every year, the number of gay people and their supporters grows bigger and bigger! We're here, we're queer, you'd better get used to it!


Michael  Snell
New Gay Travel Guide