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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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Located right on the South Beach strip of Ocean Drive, enjoy dinner, drinks and a whole lot of entertainment at Mango's Tropical Cafe. The place is easy to find - just look for the parrots. In front of the restaurant, as well as just across the street, they offer pictures with the beautiful birds... then invite you for dinner.
The band played Caribbean jams and dancers entertained us while we ate dinner and had a few drinks. For the record - the place isn't as sleazy as their website makes it look. My partner and I took our two teenage daughters there and we all had a blast. http://www.mangostropicalcafe.com/index.php Sidelines Sports & Video Bar re-opened its doors to the public on August 21st, 2013 after closing for several weeks to give Sidelines a fresh and modern facelift. Sidelines Sports & Video Bar now has over 24 TV's placed throughout the 3150 Sq ft bar and outside patio area where sports fans and non sports fans can be found watching over a dozen various sporting events at any given time throughout the day and evening. As the night progresses, Sidelines turns into a video lounge with state of the art LED lighting, a VIP bottle service area, and the newest and hottest music videos from around the world can be seen on all 24 TV's. There is something for everyone at the all new Sidelines!Since reopening, Sidelines has been busy working on the rebranding as Sidelines Sports & Video Bar which has included new events & drink specials, a new logo, and the newest addition, a brand new website which launched this past weekend. The website is still located at its original domain www.sidelinessports.com which was launched 7 years ago. The new site includes an interactive section where viewers can browse through the weekly events, upcoming events & drink specials being hosted at Sidelines, make reservations for a table in the VIP Area, view photos from past events, and so much more. Soon viewers will be able to purchase tickets for upcoming events such as the highly anticipated MMA and Pay Per View Boxing Events that Sidelines has not shown in the past. The new site allows you to access everything from your computer, ipad, or smart phone so you can always know what is going on at Sidelines Sports and Video Bar 7 days a week. About Sidelines Sports & Video Bar Sidelines Sports & Video Bar has been providing a fun, friendly and a “Cheers” like atmosphere for over 7 years here in Wilton Manors. Sidelines is a smoke-free environment with an outdoor patio for gay and gay-friendly men and women who enjoy all kinds of sports, as well as some of the hottest music videos and mixes out in the music market. Sidelines Sports & Video Bar has over 24 flat screen TVs, pool tables, dart boards, Wi-Fi access, and video games for your enjoyment 7 days a week. Sidelines is a gay owned and operated sports bar that has become one of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s favorite gay venues. Voted #1 Gay Sports Bar in South Florida this year by Local 10 viewers, and awarded the Best Community Supporter award by Florida Aids Walk. Sidelines Sports & Video Bar is located at 2031-A Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, Florida, 33305. Their telephone number is (954) 563-8001 or you can also visit them online at www.sidelinessports.com. Florida’s Oldest restaurant and the World’s largest Spanish restaurant, opened in 1905, is located in the historic district of Ybor City in Tampa. Still owned by the Hernandez Gonzmart family today, this award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine is worth a spot on your bucket list! Not only is the dinner absolutely divine, but the flamenco dancers who perform nightly are breathtakingly talented! Some of the same century-old family recipes are still on the menu, such as Paella "a la Valenciana," Snapper "Alicante" Pompano en Papillot, Corvina "Russian Style" and Filet Mignon "Columbia." We only had the pleasure of visiting the original Ybor City restaurant, but the Columbia has 6 locations throughout Florida. Check their website for a complete look at the menu, all their featured recipes, and a historic timeline that dates back to 1905 at columbiarestaurant.com 2117 East 7th Avenue Tampa, Florida 33605 Telephone: (813) 248-4961 Be sure not to miss future issues of Connextions Magazine! CLICK HERE to subscribe to the digital edition, FREE; order your print subscription; or purchase a copy of this issue.
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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.
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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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Copyright © 2010 - CONNEXTIONS MAGAZINE, LLC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
LIVE | TRAVEL | CONNECT®