User:Rdunn23/sandbox

This is all in addition to what already exists on the LGBT tourism Wikipedia page.

LGBT Family Travel: This is an overlooked market but is finally starting to come around. In July 2004 Rosie O’Donnell launched “R Family Cruises” the first cruise that is specifically designed for and directed at LGBT parents with kids. They are also expanding to offer noncruise vacations as well. Since many LGBT friendly resorts and hotels have a no kids policy LGBT families have limited options of traveling (with the whole family) within their own community now thanks to “R Family Cruises” they now have more options.

The Washington DC based Family Pride Coalition organizes family events at places like gay friendly Provincetown, Mass.; Saugatuck, Mich.; and Disney World. Family Pride is now partnering with R Family to make Family Pride even bigger with activities like bonfires on the beach, picnics, dances, carnivals, a pirate dinner and a “R- aMAHzing Race.”

Throughout the country there are also LGBT camps that help families “struggling with their unusual circumstances”. They can serve as a kind of therapy for families since they are with others they can relate to- making these camps become more popular. The camps offer fun activities like swimming, horseback riding, and campfires but they also offer confidence-building workshops, affirmation exercises, and social justice programs- all very important offerings to the LGBT community.

LGBT Events: LGBT events are important to LGBT tourism; it gives the community an event to be a part of and new places to discover. According to gaytravel.com the top ten best gay pride events are: 1. Sydney Mardi Gras 2. Amsterdam’s Canal Parade 3. Berlin Christopher Street Day 4. Buenos Aires gay pride event 5. San Francisco Pride Celebration 6. London’s Pride Festival 7. New York City Pride 8. Madrid Pride 9. Montreal 10. Pensacola Memorial Day Weekend.

A couple more to note are two of the largest but in unique categories: The first is the largest “unofficial gay pride event” and the second is the largest free gay pride event: “Gay Day’s at Disney World in Orlando, FL” held the first weekend in June is the biggest unofficial gay pride events in the world. Since Gay Days started about 150,000 people attend this six-day event that includes “17 pool parties, a business expo, a comic-book convention, a film festival, an after-hours trip to a Disney water park (think dance music and guys in very small swimsuits), bobble-head painting, and tie-dying for the kids, rivers of alcohol for the adults, and on June 5th the great culmination: 20,000 to 30,000 lesbians, gays, and their families and friends descending on Disney World, everyone clad in red shirts to signify their presence. (Cloud)”

Seattle Pridefest; held at the last weekend of June is the largest free pride festival in the country. It includes the Capitol Hill Pride Festival that has outdoor stages, a Kids Zone that has family entertainment until 6pm- events after 6pm are 21 and over. Then on Sunday is the Gay Pride Parade that goes through downtown Seattle and ends at a larger festival at the Seattle Center. It includes “4 stages, world-class entertainment, action and advocacy for the LGBT community, and thousands of vendors (SeattlePridefest).

Please refer to [|List of LGBT Events] for listings and dates of gay pride events

LGBT Travel Resources:

The IGLTA website is notably one of the most popular websites for resources on LGBT travel; they include a trip planner of many different places around the world, an extensive list of upcoming gay-friendly events around the world, and a “specials” page; where you can find deals on car rentals, hotels, and more.

Expedia now offers a gay travel search option and a gay travel expedia page. On here is a list of the top and most popular LGBT friendly hotels, the most famous LGBT events, and top gay travel destinations including San Francisco, New Orleans, Curacao, and Amsterdam. Each travel destination includes a blurb about, good places to stay, things to do, romantic places, nightlife, and “know before you go.”

Gaycities is a unique travel website that uses the advantage of social networking. It is a LGBT tourism website where people can read and share their opinions on different places and suggest new places. You can search and follow people that have the same “tastes and interests” as you. You can also add photos and post questions on their discussion boards.

I think that your addition to the LGBT tourism article was quite informative and included some very interesting additions. I am surprised that Seattle's pride fest is larger than the one held in San Francisco. It is also awesome that there are more family friendly gay venues available. I think that you did an awesome job in discovering information for the article.

Peer Edit Response Hi there! I just wanted to mention that you should write out Massachusetts and Michigan because people from all around the world has access to our Wikipedia site and they might not know what you mean. And before you use the acronym "LGBT" you should write out what it is if it hasn't been written out before :) other than that, very informative and an interesting read!! :)

Teek28 (talk) 06:17, 22 November 2013 (UTC)