Travel Communities
Grape Expectations at the Big Gay Grape Stomp in Napa
Remember that episode of I Love Lucy where our favorite redhead tries her hand—well, feet—at grape stomping? Lucy is at first perplexed and disgusted, then she begins to enjoy herself, and then hilarity ensues.
It’s a classic bit from what seems like a completely bygone black-and-white era, but here I am reliving much of it, including the barefoot stomping and hijinks, in fabulous living color at the annual Great Gay Grape Stomp, hosted this year at Peju Vineyard (8466 St. Helena Highway; 800-446-7358; Peju.com) in Rutherford, California.
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The Dinah’s Mariah Hanson To Receive First-Ever Legacy Award
Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah, is kicking off the silver anniversary of the world’s largest all-girl party with a string of honors.
The Palm Springs community is recognizing Mariah for her invaluable contribution to the Coachella Valley LGBT community with the first-ever Legacy Award, an honor to pay tribute to remarkable individuals for their achievement and leadership advancing the LGBT community, presented by The Center.
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Sarah Toce Takes The Communications Director Seat At Seattle Pride
Seattle Pride announced that Sarah Toce will immediately assume her new role as communications director and board member of the Washington’s largest Pride organization Friday.
Sarah joins nine other board members as the annual event which hit the big 4-0 in June.
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DJ WildFire Gets Women Into The Groove
Blending music together creating an eclectic energy throughout the dance floor is what got Jennifer “Jenn” Davis, better known as DJ WildFire, hooked on spinning for any party.
It’s a meditative practice that resonates in her soul and inspired her to be a DJ nearly 20 years ago.
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Miss Fit Adventures is Fit for the Journey
Growing up on the southern Oregon coast, Nikki Becker, owner of Portland-based Miss Fit Adventures, found solace in the natural landscape and being outdoors.
“Nature saved me. It saved my life. It was a place that I found solace. It was a place where I found strength being on the river. It’s just a place that I was able to get away and take care of myself,” says Nikki.
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Women Escape To The Sea At EDEN Pacific Northwest
It was a warm weekend in the coastal town of Seaside on the Northern Oregon coast when women started arriving for the first annual EDEN Pacific Northwest.
The women were excited as they unpacked their cars and wheeled their luggage into the Shilo Inn Oceanfront (30 North Promenade; 503-738-9571; ShiloInns.com/search_results.asp?PI=CSSOR), the host hotel for the long weekend on the beach.
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Belinda Carroll’s Knack For Being Funny
The café in the Pacific Northwest coastal town was shaking with laughter as Portland-based comedian Belinda Carroll delivered the laughs straight up (so-to-speak) during the first annual EDEN Pacific Northwest.
This year the Portland-based comedian is back as a part of the comedic crew – that includes Julie Goldman and D’Lo – to deliver those punch lines that will leave the women doubled over in laughter during the all-girl weekend getaway in Seaside, Oregon, October 2 – 5.
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D’Lo Knows No Boundaries In Comedy and Travel
It doesn’t hurt having friends in many places, especially if your life consists of being on the road much of the time, at least that’s what comedian D’Lo has found.
Knowing artists and activists in different cities allows the queer Tamil Sri L.A.nkan-American to not feel like such an outsider, he says.
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5 Travel Safety Tips for European LGBT Travelers
The number one concern for lesbian, bisexual women, transgender and straight women travelers and their families is staying safe while traveling.
Europe’s attitude toward LGBT people is rapidly changing from country-to-country. Much of that change is due to the European Union’s strict human rights rules – that are inclusive of LGBT rights – that countries need to adhere to when applying to become a part of the union and maintain once they are accepted.
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Beverly McClellan Returns To Her Roots
Beverly “Bev” McClellan hushes her birds and dogs as she looks out onto the porch and up into the sky at the swirling clouds threatening another thunder and lightning storm at her new home in Ashville, North Carolina.
After 20 years living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Gate City, Virginia native has returned home, settling in a log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains about an hour and a half from where she grew up on the border of Virginia and Tennessee.
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New Rainbow Honor Walk Honors Queer Women In Bronze
Changes are underfoot around the Castro neighborhood from new buildings to the newly unveiled Rainbow Honor Walk that was revealed September 2.
It was a warm sunny day in San Francisco when Girls That Roam toured the Castro to check out the new bronze plaques honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who have made extraordinary contributions to art, culture, history, science and more.
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Lake Arrowhead: Southern California’s Lake and Mountain Escape
On a hot summer day, my girlfriend and I were ready to ditch the concrete jungle and get back to nature with a quick weekend escape to the lake and mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California.
The lobby was buzzing with travelers checking in to the elegantly appointed Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa (27984 California 189; 909-336-1511; LakeArrowheadResort.com) in Lake Arrowhead, California when we arrive on a busy Friday evening.
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