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Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County opened the area’s first LGBT+ Visitor Center to showcase attractions of interest to LGBT+ visitors. Greater Fort Lauderdale has been popular with the LGBT+ community for decades, welcoming 1.5 million LGBT+ visitors who spend $1.5 billion annually. The Visitor Center is a result of a partnership between the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The new center will be co-located with the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce in the heart of Wilton Manors, Broward County’s gay-centric district with the destination’s largest concentration of gay residents and businesses. “We are proud to have a long and positive history of supporting the LGBT+ community. The opening of this Visitor Center marks another important milestone in the uniqueness of our area in recognizing the value and needs of the LGBT+ visitor,” said Richard Gray, Vice President of LGBT+ for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are very excited about this latest advancement in calling attention to all of our great attractions, hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants that cater to this important audience.” The Greater Fort Lauderdale area has hundreds of gay-owned and operated businesses and the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country, and is noted as one of the most diverse and welcoming destinations in the world. The LGBT+ community has played a major role in the economic growth and development of the area and is a major tourism draw with its nightlife including some of the most popular LGBT+ bars in the country, such as Hunters Nightclub, and clothing and novelty stores, such as Pride Factory. Gay-owned business, such as Castelli Real Estate, have been drivers of real estate for many years and great ambassadors to draw new residents to Broward County. Many local businesses, such as Thasos restaurant, are active in providing support for LGBT+ causes in the community. “The economic impact the LGBT+ community locally cannot be understated, especially by LGBT+ visitors that come here from all over the world year after year,” said Keith Blackburn, CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “While LGBT+ travelers have many of the same needs as straight travelers, many unique needs exist. This Visitor Center will serve as a place where people can stop in, ask for recommendations and receive information about the community, our member businesses, events and organizations.”
Greater Fort Lauderdale is also home to one of the largest Pride Centers in the country, the world's first AIDS museum, the global headquarters of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, and the Stonewall Museum, one of the only permanent spaces in the U.S. devoted to exhibitions relating to LGBT+ history and culture. Recently, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB announced plans to host the first-ever Pride of the Americas Festival in 2020. The 10-day event will draw attention to the issues LGBT+ individuals face in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is expected to attract more than 350,000 attendees and will include a parade, a beach party, arts festival, social events and a human rights conference focused on LGBT+ rights. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has been welcoming LGBT+ travelers since 1996, when it became the first Convention & Visitors Bureau with a dedicated LGBT+ marketing department. Since then, Greater Fort Lauderdale has continued to break down barriers and facilitate visibility for the LGBT+ community at large, acting as a pioneer in the hospitality industry and ensuring that the destination is inclusive and welcoming with a diverse, safe and open community for all travelers. For more information on LGBT+ travel in Greater Fort Lauderdale, visit www.sunny.org/lgbt.
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The entire Key West community celebrates Pride each year and this year will be even bigger & better. Key West is a small town and the parade has a small town feel, with big surprises. Key West knows how to throw a parade, where the official motto is ONE HUMAN FAMILY! Celebrate PRIDE on a tropical island that is legendary for its laid back style and its open and accepting atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to party with friends, travel with family, or get lost in the magic of this tropical island, rediscover Key West and discover how one island’s One Human Family philosophy has created one of the most integrated and unique communities in the world. With Key West’s annual Pride Week (for a list of Pride events click here) taking place June 6-10, The Gates Hotel Key West invites guests and locals alike to celebrate on June 9 from 2-5 pm with the hotel’s first-ever Foam Pool Party. Guests can lounge underneath shaded cabanas with signature drinks in-hand from the on-site Prohibition-inspired bar, Rum Row, while cooling off in a pool filled with foam as part of the festivities. Those looking to spend Pride at The Gates Key West can book the "Poolside Cabana Package" by calling (305) 320-0930 or online to receive three free rewards including $25 flight credit, high speed WiFi, complimentary coffee, and much more. Click here for a special Connextions Magazine Poolside Cabana Package Special: "Poolside Cabana Package" at The Gates Hotel Key West, with rates starting at $189/night:
About The Gates Hotel:
Located at the entry point of the island on North Roosevelt Boulevard, The Gates Hotel is a gateway to all things Key West, providing you with the full island experience at your fingertips. The island of Key West can be accessed by plane, boat and car. Mixing contemporary design and retro Floridian flair, The Gates Hotel features guestrooms with modern amenities that uniquely combine upscale sophistication and polished service with the island’s casual laidback vibe. Rum Row, the hotel’s lively pool, bar, and lounge scene, welcomes guests to kick back in true Key West style with live music, handcrafted cocktails, and regionally inspired tapas. Patrons can channel the days of Prohibition with specialty spirits and the custom Gates Key West Hotel Rum from our exclusive partnership with First Legal Rum Distillery, or experience a taste of Cuban-Key West history at our very own cigar lounge featuring events and products from Rodriguez Cigars. Photo courtesy: Vitambi Springs Vitambi (Vee-tom'-bee) meaning: A tribal african word meaning pride. 269 acres of century-old oak trees, tropical palms and majestic pines that shelter four-themed campgrounds, rental homes, an inn, secluded cabins and bungalows, is only the beginning of this rare exotic getaway resort. The campground offers several choices for accommodations. The Pine Tree Inn is for those who like more traditional arrangements; it offers a dorm-style experience with private rooms and shared bathrooms. If you and your friends need more space and privacy, try one of the two or three bedroom homes complete with kitchen and living areas or secluded nature cabins. The Barracks offers military-style shared accommodations with other recruits, while individuals or groups may prefer the cowboy camp with its mesa lookout tower, the heavily wooded medieval camp or the pirate hideaway camp nestled in a tropical jungle setting. Other visitors may just want to simply pitch a tent in one of the expansive campsites or a remote area of the wilderness park. Not far from any camp is the Big Oak Lodge and Scrub Palm Spa with its spacious new shower house, including individual dressing areas, sparkling fixtures, tile floors, air conditioning and lockers for day use members. Other amenities include; the Bongo Bar, Woof’s dog park, a lakeside dock with a screened pavilion, a regulation-size beach volleyball court, miles of scenic hiking and biking trails and the Olympus gym. The offerings at Vitambi Springs are as unique and diverse as the community it serves. Managing Member, Steve McCloud says, "we’re building much more than a campground, we’re building a community." This all-male, member’s only, vacation camping resort is centrally located in Florida, just south of Lake Okeechobee. As stated by a recent traveler: "We just spent our first of what will surely be many weekends at Vitambi! The property is beautiful and perfectly rustic! Great friendly hospitality from all staff. Thanks Martin , Wayne, Neal and Steve ... You guys are great! See you soon!" -Richard and Bob As featured in Connextions Magazine, click to view more photos: Issue 6.
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Connextions Magazine, the award-winning LGBTQ Travel Magazine, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.
Connextions Magazine LLC - PO Box 242, Calverton NY 11933
MISSION: Connextions Magazine is The Travel Magazine for the LGBTQ community. Making connections to travel like a local, whether on a quick weekend getaway or a luxury vacation, Connextions transports our readers through dazzling photography and insightful content about gay travel, dining, queer culture and style to destinations and memorable travel experiences across the globe. We are your Connextions to the world!
Connextions Magazine, the award-winning LGBTQ Travel Magazine, is your trusted resource for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel destinations, vacation ideas, fun travel videos, LGBTQ travel guides and the latest news relevant to our entire rainbow community. Connextions Magazine focuses on celebrating the LGBTQ Traveler providing information on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer travel, our LGBTQ culture, the diverse style of our rainbow community, adventures, gay romance, tips for Lesbian Moms, Gay Dads, Bisexual, Transgender Parents and families.
Connextions Magazine LLC - PO Box 242, Calverton NY 11933
MISSION: Connextions Magazine is The Travel Magazine for the LGBTQ community. Making connections to travel like a local, whether on a quick weekend getaway or a luxury vacation, Connextions transports our readers through dazzling photography and insightful content about gay travel, dining, queer culture and style to destinations and memorable travel experiences across the globe. We are your Connextions to the world!
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LIVE | TRAVEL | CONNECT®
Copyright © 2010 - CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE, LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LIVE | TRAVEL | CONNECT®