by TopView Sightseeing & Kev Berry

I love traveling alone! Not having to follow anyone’s schedule but your own is the best. Following your own impulses while walking around a city you don’t know too well can often provide great memories. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when booking a trip to The Big Apple, but have no fear, I am the loneliest New Yorker of all, and I’ve got The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Alone in New York!

First of all, let’s talk about getting around. While the subway makes the city fly by, if you’re in no rush, I suggest walking as much as you can. The best way to get to know any city is on foot, and in New York, there’s so much to explore with surprises around every corner. Central Park provides seemingly endless opportunities for exploration, and even after years of exploring the park, this writer has barely even scratched the surface. Take a walk up the broad tree-lined mall to Bethesda Fountain, and from there take any of the winding paths north and see what you find! 

Head over to the Museum Mile on Central Park West and pop in at any one of the stunning museums and check out the art and artifacts on display! If you’re downtown, check out the shopping scene in SoHo, where the stores are impeccably designed to give patrons an eye-popping experience. (Not a big fan for walking too much? Consider taking a bus tour to save you some legwork.)


After all that walking, you’ll probably be pretty hungry. With such an exciting food scene in the city, making a choice can be tough. The Counter, a build-your-own-burger bar with an unbelievable happy hour, at 41st and Broadway is a great spot for a quick pre-theatre bite. 

Gazala’s Place on 9th Avenue is a killer Middle Eastern joint with a BYOB policy and an insanely affordable wine store directly across the street. If you’re looking for a bite in less familiar territory, head up to 148th and Broadway, where Harlem Public will wow you with their beers, signature cocktails, and wild burgers; or down to Fort Greene, where Smoke Joint will satisfy your barbecue cravings with their unbelievable brisket, pulled pork, and a slew of sides to choose from, like mac and cheese or housemade slaw. If you’re craving a New York slice, Bleecker St. Pizza is the absolute best, and their Nonna Maria pie is a must-try.

At the end of the day, you’ll be pretty tired. The Pod Hotel Times Square has small rooms for single travelers on a budget. It’s brand-new and almost every single room has a great view. If you’re interested in exploring one of the outer boroughs of the city, try renting an AirBnB in BedStuy, Crown Heights, or Astoria, and check out their hopping nightlife and brunch scenes on the weekend.
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Landing in New York City for a solo vacation can be daunting. But if you put on your shoes, start walking, and follow your impulses, and this guide, I guarantee you’ll have a killer trip.

The Legal Aid Society, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project lauded a decision rendered by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) that acknowledges gender non-conforming New Yorkers’ right to health coverage under Medicaid.
 
“No New Yorker should be denied medically necessary, gender affirming health care, and we are glad to see that Albany finally recognizes this right,” said Heidi Bramson, Staff Attorney with the Health Law Unit at The Legal Aid Society. “The Legal Aid Society is hopeful that this historic, precedent setting decision will inform insurance plans, health care providers, judges and gender non-conforming individuals that health care discrimination on the basis of gender identity is illegal and it has no place in New York.”
 
“We are pleased with the Department of Health’s decision in this important case, which should further cement the rights obtained in Cruz v. Zucker - that transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming New Yorkers have access to medically necessary, gender affirming health care,” said Wesley Powell, partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher.

"It is upsetting for AV and every other non-binary New Yorker that legal intervention was necessary in this case. It should be understood that every New Yorker must be provided with healthcare regardless of gender identity and expression. We hope that the Department of Health takes this issue seriously and begins to inform more New Yorkers of their right to access healthcare and that the Department of Health enforces the true scope of the Cruz ruling with all their contracting health and insurance companies,” said Mik Kinkead, Staff Attorney with the Sylvia Rivera Law Project.

Background
In 2014, The Legal Aid Society, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project and Willkie Farr & Gallagher filed Cruz v. Zucker to challenge a New York State regulation that banned Medicaid coverage for transgender health care. That case led to a repeal of the ban and an amended regulation, which became effective in December 2016, requiring Medicaid coverage for all medically necessary transgender health care for individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD).  The Legal Aid Society now regularly represents transgender Medicaid recipients to enforce the right to gender affirming care secured through Cruz v. Zucker.

AV is one such client. AV is a 27-year-old transgender person and identifies as non-binary. On February 22, 2017 AV’s doctor requested Medicaid coverage for a reduction mammoplasty as medically necessary treatment for AV’s GD. This procedure was denied by AV’s Medicaid plan, Healthfirst. AV requested a fair hearing to challenge the denial, which was held on June 8, 2017. The Decision, issued by New York State on June 14, 2017, upheld Healthfirst’s denial. Disturbingly, the administrative law judge (ALJ) found that the regulation does not apply to non-binary individuals, thereby imposing a requirement that does not exist within the regulation: that individuals must be transitioning strictly either from male to female or from female to male.    

On October 6, 2017, Legal Aid submitted a request for a corrected decision. However, despite months of waiting, Legal Aid did not receive a response. In January of 2018, a group of advocates addressing the ongoing barriers to gender affirming care for transgender people sent a letter to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) alerting them to these challenges. In this letter, AV’s case was mentioned and a request for intervention was made. While DOH did eventually respond to Legal Aid in late March, stating that they were considering our request, there was still no resolution or significant movement weeks later.
On April 27, 2018, Cruz counsel sent a letter to New York State’s Office of the Attorney General alerting it that the erroneous fair hearing decision was a violation of the final judgment and order in Cruz and informing it of our intention to file a motion to enforce the judgment. One week later, on May 4, 2018, DOH informed Legal Aid that AV’s fair hearing decision would be vacated because the regulation does provide coverage for non-binary individuals and that a new decision would be issued ordering coverage for AV’s medically necessary health care. That decision was issued on May 11, 2018.
 
The decision is accessible here.

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!

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

By Contributing Writer David Duran (@TheeMuki)
Originally & exclusively published in Connextions Magazine Issue 14.

Most have heard of Jazz at Kitano in NYC, being that it's one of the premier night spots to hear some of the best jazz performers in the city, but did you know that just outside of the intimate lounge, is a gorgeous, luxury boutique hotel property? The Japanese owned and inspired hotel turned 40 this year, and although it has been a landmark property to residents on Park Avenue for decades, this once mostly business traveler hotel, is excited to show off all it has to offer to every type of Manhattan visitor.

The hotel is a perfect blend of traditional Asian hospitality with contemporary convenience. Upon entering the grand lobby, guests are treated to world-class works of art. Sculptures dominate the main floor while acclaimed art graces each wall. The service at the Kitano is unlike any other. Everyone is warmly greeted and made to feel at home the moment they enter from the fast-paced and often stressful streets of the Manhattan.

Guests can enjoy Kaiseki cuisine at their signature restaurant, Hakubai, located just below the lobby in a very traditional Japanese setting. Kaiseki is a distinctive and delicate cuisine with roots in Zen Buddhism and the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Prices for a full Kaiseki dinner are $98 or $170 per person.

One unique feature of this property is located on the 17th floor. The Tatami Suite, a one-bedroom suite that provides an authentic experience of Japanese hospitality and culture. The suite features all-natural wood floors, tatami mats and shoji paper screen. Guests can either book the room with two twin beds or request the traditional futons. Within the bathroom there is a soaking tub and separate washing area, customary to Japanese culture. The 805 sq. foot suite is a one of a kind experience, most likely not the best fit for the average traveler, but is an example of the hotel’s ties to Japanese customs.

There are many other suite types to choose from, but ones that stood out were the Townhouse Suites, located on floors 4 through 6. These split-level layouts, with king-sized bedroom and separate living room are situated in the historic Rockefeller townhouse. The suites are unique and overlook East 38th Street.

The remaining accommodations are large for NYC hotel standards and have all the modern conveniences that any traveler would ever need, and some extra that you might not necessarily need, but will appreciate nonetheless. Each of the 149 guest rooms is equipped with a Toto toilet, a combination bidet and toilet. With each toilet costing $1500, after using them, guests will value their worth.

"There's No Place Like Home" for the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Celebration

Harlem Pride, New York City's  SGL/LGBT organization representing the residents of the uptown enclave has announced Sunday, June 22nd through Sunday, June 29, 2014 as the 5th Annual Harlem Pride Week .  The theme of this year's week-long celebration is "There's No Place Like Home," a reference to the 40th anniversary of the 1974 Broadway musical The Wiz.  The Tony and Drama Desk Award winning musical starred recording artist Stephanie Mills, directed by Geoffrey Holder and highlighted the choreography styling of Harlem resident, George Faison.  In 1978, Quincy Jones produced the film version of the popular Broadway musical.   The film showcased Harlem USA and starred entertainment legends; Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor.

Carmen Neely, Harlem Pride, President states "We are honored to celebrate our Harlem Pride 5th Anniversary Celebration.  It's been a wonderful five years and our growth has been tremendous.  We thank all who have supported us through these years and invite folks who are new to us to come be a part of our family as we celebrate SGL/LGBT PRIDE in Harlem!"  Harlem Pride Week 2014 will commemorate and rejoice in the great courage, brains and heart of a community, when thousands of Same Gender Loving (SGL) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) NYC residents and tourists are expected to converge upon Harlem to enjoy one of the city's most extraordinary events.

For more information on Harlem Pride Week 2014 and weekly announcements: visit www.harlempride.org, Facebook.com/HarlemPride or Twitter.com/HarlemPrideNYC

Join Connextions Magazine at the GLBT Travel Expo!

April 27, 2014
NYU Kimmel Center - Rosenthal Pavillion
1-5 pm

Our 2nd year in attendance and looking forward to another year of travel community success!

See you there!  #glbtTravelexpo

Click here for more info --> http://www.glbttravelexpo.com/happiness/

Learn more about The Handsome Father, how to get involved, and meet other gay fathers, father-to-be and the professionals that support them! Be a part of building an organization by gay dads, for gay dads and those wanting to be dads one day!

Please share with anyone you know who may be interested!

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2014
NETWORKING RECEPTION
The LGBT Center NYC
 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Meet the co-founders,  other gay dads in the area, men interested in becoming fathers, and the agencies and professionals willing to help them!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014
PHOTO SHOOT
The LGBT Center NYC
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All families headed by gay fathers are welcome to come have a professional photo taken for free by acclaimed photographer Michael Thad Carter. You will receive a retouched digital copy for your own personal use. 

http://www.thehandsomefather.org/

Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York, the Forbes Five-Star flagship of the TRUMP HOTEL COLLECTION™, invites all couples to make their wedding day uniquely Trump. With one-of-a-kind service and luxurious amenities, its customizable wedding-day options make for a memorable celebration custom-tailored to the happy couple. On their big day, couples can exchange vows in Central Park’s picturesque outdoor setting and capture their special day in an outdoor photo shoot. After the big “I do,” the newlyweds will depart their ceremony in style with a complimentary 45-minute horse-and-carriage ride through the park – the hotel’s gift to the couple when they confirm their wedding.

Post-ceremony, newlyweds will start their stylish new lives together with a personalized wedding reception with all of the bells and whistles. Whether it’s a formal brunch for 10 or intimate dinner for 30, guests will enjoy the finest in dining with custom menus catered by three-Michelin-star-restaurant Jean-Georges. The hotel’s in-house florist is available to customize all of the couple’s floral needs, and as always, the Trump Attaché will be on hand to customize the guests’ experience, and fulfill any and all requests.

As the wedding day comes to an end, the couple will segue right into their honeymoon with overnight accommodations in the hotel’s luxurious guestrooms and suites, many with park views. A couple’s massage can also be arranged at the hotel’s newly renovated Trump Spa or in-room for privacy and pampering after the big day. Weddings based on a party of 30 guests are priced from $11,500.

For more information or reservations guests may call (855) TRUMP-00 (878-6700) toll-free. Pricing does not include applicable taxes, fees and gratuities. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions may apply.

About Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York

Soaring above Central Park and Columbus Circle, the majestic Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York – the only Forbes Five-Star/AAA Five-Diamond hotel with a Five-Star/Five-Diamond restaurant, Jean Georges – is an icon delivering the highest level of service, style and exclusivity. The 52-story structure features 176 luxurious guest rooms and suites, complete with European-style kitchens, marble bathrooms, and spectacular views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Amenities include a 6,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, in-room dining by the Three-Michelin-Star Jean Georges, the personalized service of the Trump Attaché™, 55-inch HDTVs in each room, and much more. In 2010, the hotel completed a magnificent renovation led by Ivanka Trump, and was selected as one of Travel + Leisure’s “500 World’s Best Hotels,” and included in Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” and Elite Traveler’s “Top Suites of New York City.” Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located at One Central Park West, New York, NY 10023. For more information, please call (855) TRUMP-00 (878-6700) or visit www.TrumpHotelCollection.com. Connect with Trump International Hotel & Tower New York on Facebook and Twitter.

Luxurious Living & Outstanding Personal Service

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park hotel offers a convenient location and contemporary interior design coupled with spacious luxury suites and unbeatable personal service.

Unlike typical New York hotels, which offer slow elevators that take you to a cramped room on the 44thfloor, The Ritz-Carlton offers 298 spacious guest rooms and 39 luxurious suites, ranging from 425 square feet up to 2,500 square feet.  The award-winning property features expansive windows and telescopes in each of the rooms with a Statue of Liberty view.

The Ritz Carlton in Battery Park offers same-sex wedding packages, including a stunning photographic backdrop of the Hudson River and The Statue of Liberty. 

Click here to read the full article.