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GAY PRIDE - DATES

Austin Pride Parade 2008
June 14
Barcelona Pride 2008
March 19 - 24
PRIDEChicago 2008
June 29
Denver Pridefest 2008
June 21 - 22
Glasgay! 2008 Festival
Oct 1 - Nov 9
Las Vegas Pride
May 2 - 4
Mexico City Pride
June 26 - 30
Pride Toronto
June 20 - 29

To check out the complete list, click here

Pride 2008 Greetings LGBT Travelers!

Spring is here, which means that summer is right around the corner. Thirty nine years ago on a hot summer night in New York City a group of drag queens, gay men and their friends grew tired of the endless bar raids. The Stonewall riots have become our community’s symbol of Pride and each year cities across the US and around the world hold Pride marches and festivals, usually in the summer.

This issue we’ll look at some of those destinations, as well as a calendar for these celebrations. You’ll definitely want to take note and make plans for this summer to celebrate yourself and those you love – because life is a vacation!

-Zachary Mikles, Managing Editor

PRIDE 2008

While most Pride parades and festivals are held in the summer, there are some that are held in spring and fall. In the US, two of the most popular parades are New York and San Francisco. A great resource for Pride festival dates is InterPride, the International Association of LGBT Pride Coordinators. For parade dates, check our list of Parade Dates.

New York City – Celebrating Stonewall
June

You’ll want to book your hotel early as this is a very popular Pride destination. When you visit the birthplace of the LGBT Pride movement in the US, be sure to check out two of the best Times Square hotels:

San Francisco – Castro Street & Beyond
June

You’ll meet infidels rather than Fidel if you decide to make San Francisco your Pride vacation spot. Although the Castro has become decidedly more "family-friendly" over the past few years, it is still the center of the LGBT community for many, as a new generation of our community discover the magic of this Golden Gate city. Need a place to stay? Click here.

EDITOR'S TRAVEL TIPS
Plan ahead, and hopefully you won’t need that extra suitcase. If you’re attending a special event and have a unique outfit, look into sending it to yourself care of your hotel. This way you can pack it in a box to your specifications and not have to worry about it getting smashed en route by those gorilla luggage handlers. And remember, most hotels offer laundry and dry cleaning services if you’re in a pinch. Always notify your hotel to expect a package for you ahead of time!

Paris Paris – Gay Paree
June

Paris made major strides in the arena of LGBT visibility when Bertrand Delanoë was elected as its first out gay mayor. The wonders of Paris abound and Pride is no exception. The week preceding the parade is filled with parties and celebration of all kinds leading up to a truly phenomenal parade.

Amsterdam – Tulips are always better
August

Feeling decadent? Then you’ll definitely want to check out what is hailed as one of the best Pride celebrations in the world. Amsterdam is home to the unique floating Canal Parade as well as multiple parties, dances and general merrymaking. Check for gay-friendly hotels here.

On a side note, no matter where you decide to celebrate Pride this year, take a moment and remember why we celebrate, as we strive for greater equality around the world. Many of our brothers and sisters live with discrimination, prejudice and even danger every day – so it is important that each of us make sure we are out and proud at least one day a year. Stand Up!

Astrolabe - definition from Wikipedia
The astrolabe is a historical astronomical instrument used by classical astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. Its many uses included locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars; determining local time given local longitude and vice-versa; surveying; and triangulation. In the Islamic world, they are and were used primarily for astronomical studies, though astrology was often involved there as well. Astrologers of the European nations used astrolabes to construct horoscopes.