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Save the Date
December 26: LGBTQ Year-End Bash
Returning to the Ritz in Hell's Kitchen for end of the year bash! More Info

December 31: New Year's Eve 2k16 Annual BoiParty Spectacular! 
DJs NANDI and RAFAEL SKY on the main floor DJ LIGHT FACTORY on the lower level 2 Floors.  More Info

Free Tickets CLICK HERE!
Available to be Reserved Beginning Today, Thursday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET

Observatory at Top of One World Trade Center Will Provide Unparalleled Panoramic Views of New York City and Three Floors Filled with Innovation and Inspiration

One World Observatory today announced the details for its free open house on Thursday, May 28, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET. Tickets will become available to the public today, Thursday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET and will be available online only at http://owo.nyc/openhouse.

Ticket availability will be limited. The open house offer is valid for up to two complimentary tickets per customer and available on a first-come, first-served basis, while tickets last. Customers will select their entry for a timed admission while reserving tickets online. The offer is not available over the phone or at the Box Office. All guests must present their printed e-ticket admission voucher to receive entry on the day of the open house.

“The open house will be the culmination of a week of exciting preview events leading up to the official opening of One World Observatory on Friday, May 29,”  said David Checketts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Legends, operator of the Observatory. “We look forward to sharing a preview of the observatory experience with the public as we celebrate our countdown to opening day.”

Positioned on top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – on levels 100, 101, and 102 of the One World Trade Center building – One World Observatory will provide guests with unique, panoramic views of New York City, its most iconic sites, and surrounding waters from above 1,250 feet. A customized guest experience will complement the seemingly endless views – which evoke feelings of the City’s signature pride, hope and determination – and include exhibits and dining options, including a sit-down restaurant.

The experience will invite guests to explore all three levels, each equipped with the latest in innovative technology. Upon entry, guests will be greeted in the Global Welcome Center, where a large video board will feature salutations in an array of languages, and a dynamically generated world map will highlight the hometowns of visitors. Guests will then proceed toVoices, which tells the personal stories of the men and women who built One World Trade Center, and Foundations, which displays facts about the very bedrock on which the building stands. Visitors will board one of five dedicated elevators,termed Sky Pods, to ascend to the 102nd floor in under 60 seconds.  Immersive, floor-to-ceiling LED technology in each cab invites guests to experience a virtual time-lapse that recreates the development of New York City’s skyline from the 1500s to present day.

The Sky Pod elevators, among the fastest in the world, will bring passengers directly to the SEE FOREVER™ Theater on the 102ndfloor. The SEE FOREVER™ Theater will present a two-minute video presentation that combines bird’s eye imagery, time-lapse shots with abstract textures and patterns to present the unique rhythm and pulse of New York City to dramatic life in three dimensions.

The Main Observatory space on the 100th floor will include an interactive skyline “concierge” – City Pulse – that allows guests to deeply connect with the landmarks and neighborhoods they observe from above. At City Pulse, global ambassadors will be stationed under a ring of HD video monitors and outfitted in gesture recognition technology, summoning imagery to the screens and providing guests with close-up views and personalized recommendations.

The Main Observatory also features the Sky Portal where guests are invited to step onto a 14-foot wide circular disc that will deliver an unforgettable view, using real-time, high-definition footage of the streets below.

One World Observatory will also offer three distinct dining options on the 101st floor available to guests with Observatory tickets, including access to curated eateries from casual café fare to seated fine-dining. Catering will be available on the 102nd floor, which will operate as a 9,300 square foot special event space with a maximum capacity of 300. The premier space will include floor-to-ceiling, uninterrupted views, high-end décor and an exclusive, customizable experience with a state-of-the-art sound system and HD projection capabilities.

Price of admission will vary. Guest admission for adults ages 13-64 will be $32. Guest admission for children ages 6-12 will be $26, and guest admissions for seniors ages 65+ will be $30. Guests 5 and under will be admitted at no charge but must have a ticket to enter. All tickets are timed admission and will be valid for a specific time and date. For best availability for summer 2015, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance.

The Observatory is open year round. Starting May 29th until September 7th operating hours will be 9 a.m. until midnight seven days a week with the last ticket sold at 11:15 p.m. Non-summer operating hours of One World Observatory are from9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week with the last ticket sold at 7:15 p.m.  Throughout the course of the year operating hours will be expanded during holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As previously announced, One World Observatory will offer complimentary admission to 9/11 family members and the rescue and recovery workers who responded on 9/11 and in the months after. Admissions will be administered by the 9/11 Tribute Center, a project of the September 11th Families’ Association that brings together those who want to learn about 9/11 with those who experienced it.  Visit tributewtc.org/observatory for more information. Complimentary tickets must be reserved in advance of visit.

Special discounts will also be offered to active and retired members of the U.S. military, with full details to be released at a later date.

Special group rates, for 20 or more, may also be available to travel professionals, corporate groups, organizations, schools and camps. Submit your inquiry online atwww.OneWorldObservatory.com/groups.

The Observatory experience will also offer a variety of Priority and Flex ticket options, available for an additional charge.

For more information on tickets, please visit www.OneWorldObservatory.com. Tickets are on sale for all dates throughJanuary 3, 2016. Tickets for days after January 3, 2016, will become available at a later date.

One World Observatory is located at One World Trade Center, New York, New York 10007. The entrance to the Observatory is located on the West Plaza located alongside West Street at the Northwest corner of the World Trade Center site near the intersection of West and Vesey Streets.

The Central New York pride parade and festival was held on June 21, 2014.

The beautiful blue skies only added to the colorful celebration of beautiful people and lots of love!

In honor of CNY Pride 2014 and Reflections of Pride Stone Wall 45, the famous National Grid art deco building in downtown Syracuse New York was lit up in Lavender during pride week. This is a huge movement for the celebration of CNY Pride and the movements and struggles of the LGBT communities. For years, the sister building in New York City- Empire State Building has cast it's rainbow lights, and now Syracuse can stand tall in colored lights as well.

In celebration of Pride 2014, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park is offering a Summer of Pride Package to create a special getaway for those who are proud to love freely.

The package includes overnight accommodations at the lower Manhattan property and daily breakfast at 2West Restaurant. In addition, guests receive the following:

·         $50 spa credit to the Ritz-Carlton Spa

·         Complimentary Wi-Fi

·         2500 bonus Rewards points

·         Complimentary Pride Welcome Gift for guests who stay over Pride Weekend

The Summer of Pride Package starts at $400 per night and is available throughout the summer, for Thursday through Sunday stays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend.

For more information: The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park

Read the Connextions Magazine review of The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park in Issue 11.

Read the Connextions Magazine review of the kick-ass 2West Restaurant!

Long Island Pride
June 14, 2014

Long Island, New York
Photos courtesy Manny Velasquez-Paredes

Dyke March in Buffalo Shows Community Solidarity
By:  Joe Stabb

Over 200 individuals paraded in the Dyke March in Buffalo, NY, on May 31, 2014, in a show of solidarity.  The purpose of a Dyke March is to increase lesbian visibility and activism and have grown to be more inclusive of all womem-loving-women regardless of labels, including bisexual, intersex, and transgender women.

“We march all together, “ says Harper Bishop, 29, volunteer organizer. “This is an overtly political statement for women to express themselves against the mysogyn in places where women are not able to express themselves.”

This event is about women claiming their space, being visible in that space, and going into their daily lives expecting and receiving the respect that they deserve.

For several years, the Dyke March has been growing.  In 2013, there were just under 100 participants in the march.

“This is the only thing I have,” says Phirom, 31, marching participant.  “It is empowering being around everyone that relates to the struggle.”

Some participants are here attending for the first time.  According to Chloe, 25, marching participant, she is, “excited to see people embracing their differences and similarities.  To celebrate the queer scene in Buffalo.”

Or, Rachel, 27, marching participant, who moved to Buffalo less than a year ago from Atlanta, says, “Buffalo seems to have more open spaces for LGBT individuals.  It is a good time to be here and live your life.  This is a community of many identities.”

For more information on the history of the Dyke March in the United States, visit:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyke_March

Gay 5K Supports Healthy Pride
By:  Joe Stabb

Photo :  Robert McMillan, 25, Chattanooga, TN

An increase in over 100 participants from last year, the Gay 5K promotes healthy activities for the community.  The Gay 5K, “is a healthy activity that is fun and draws different people from the community,” says Justin Azzarella, Buffalo Pride Volunteer Organizer.  “About half of the people here are straight allies that want to show their support for the LGBT community.”

The winner of the 2014 Buffalo Pride Gay 5K was Robert McMillan, 25, from Chattanooga, TN.  He is a straight ally and has been running races since he was 12 years old.

The Buffalo Pride Festival continues this week with several events.  Friday, May 30, is the Chroma Art Opening.  Saturday, May 31, is the Dyke March and Allen Street Festival.  Then, the finale on Sunday, June 1,  with the Pride Parade and Pride Festival at Canalside.  For more information on these events, visit www.buffalopridefestival.com.

Check our social sites for updates all weekend long from Buffalo Pride!

www.facebook.com/connextionsmag    |     http://twitter.com/connextionsmag  

JOIN HARLEM PRIDE'S INAGURAL CELEBRATION OF LGBT PRIDE MONTH

WHAT:  Harlem Pride will host its monthly networking mixer "In the Mix” this Wednesday to kick off this year’s “5th ANNUAL HARLEM PRIDE CELEBRATION.” This special monthly event was created to unite the members of Harlem LGBT community, their friends and allies.

Harlem Pride Board Members will announce the calendar of events for the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Celebration, June 22nd- June 29th.

WHO:   The Harlem Pride Board will introduce the Harlem Pride 2014 Sponsors and Partnerships

Official Hotel Sponsor:    Aloft Hotel Harlem
Media Sponsors:  Columbia (Harlem) FunMaps & Edge Media,  
Official Travel Sponsor:  Zenbiz Travel
Special Collaboration:  3rd Annual Dominican Film Festival
       
Sponsors:   
Columbia University Medica  Center
Metropolitan Community Church of New York       
Testing Makes Us Stronger
William F. Ryan Center        

Partners include:
LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent      
Rivers At Rehoboth
SAGE Harlem,               
The Gatekeepers Collective

Public Relations & Event Management:  Global Network of Black Pride   

WHEN/WHERE:   Harlem Pride "In the Mix" Monthly Mixer
Wednesday, June 4 201
6:00p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Aloft Hotel -Harlem
WXYZ Lounge
2296 Frederick Douglas Blvd
New York, NY 100

For more information and a full calendar of events for this year's pride festivities, visit: www.harlempride.org