Gay and Lesbian Vacations: Newsletter

With our ZiptoThere.com/gaytravel "visits" in the past we have talked with city representatives about the destination’s draw as a gay and lesbian vacation site. Sometimes the visits have also been personal records of touring the destination ourselves. Well this visit is going to be a little different.

We are Spotlighting New York City this time for one specific weekend, and our "visit" is more about the opportunities available that weekend to enjoy the thriving LGBT community in this fascinating city, as well as the opportunity to share in the compassion and pride the New York City LGBT community shares with others.

Specifically, we are talking about visiting New York City the weekend of June 25-28, 2010. ZiptoThere.com/gaytravel wants to provide you the opportunity to help others one day and then share in the pride with others the next day. Oh yeah, and before, in between and after, there is a lot of opportunity to experience the Big Apple all the way to the core!

On Saturday, June 26th, the American Diabetes Association is staging their "NYC Tour de Cure", and we would like to invite you to come along for the ride. The "Tour de Cure" is an annual fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association to raise money for the research into the cause and cure of diabetes, advocacy and diabetes education programs. The NYC Tour de Cure is a cycling event which will include course routes of 15, 30, 55 and 100 miles.

There are numerous opportunities for you to become a part of this exciting day and important cause. Naturally, there is the chance for you to ride along with everyone else on one of the exciting courses through New York City and even across the rivers on the longer courses. Additionally, there are opportunities to volunteer to assist with the event that day, and of course supporters and rooters are always welcome to help drive the cyclists onward. For the complete information about how you can share your compassion, access www.main.diabetes.org/NYCTourdeCure.

On Sunday, June 27th you are able to become a part of the history of New York City by celebrating Gay Pride and the Heritage of the gay rights movement in its birthplace. The New York City Pride 2010 theme is "Liberty and Justice for All" and is actually celebrated the entire previous week with the big events happening on Sunday, the 27th.

Just in case you are also able to be in New York the weekend before, you can join in the official New York City LGBT Rally on Saturday, June 19th from 4pm-8pm. The Rally takes place on the expansive Rumsey Playfield in the heart of famous Central Park. This free, and open to the public event, features well-known performers and LGBT speakers from the community to kick-off the Pride Week events.

One month after the infamous Stonewall Riots in June 1969, about 500 people gathered in Washington Square Park, the heart of Greenwich Village, for a "Gay Power" demonstration. This was followed by a candlelight vigil in nearby Sheridan Square, across from The Stonewall. This was the start of the now annual NYC LGBT Pride Rally. For the past twelve years the Rally has been held in Bryant Park, in mid-town Manhattan. Now you have the opportunity to be part of the first-time-held LGBT Rally in the middle of Central Park.

After you have shared your day with the "NYC Tour de Cure" on Saturday, June 26th, you will be ready to party with Pride. Now in its seventh big year, this is the night for the staple Pride event for women in New York City, "Rapture on the River: A Women’s Dance". This exciting Pride event is located right on the Hudson River itself on Pier 54 from 6pm – 11pm. This is your opportunity to dance as the sunsets and on into the night under the stars, with Pride.

Sunday, June 27th marks the culmination of Pride Week and the full day of celebration starts at noon with the "The March". You can join millions of people along the route beginning at 52nd Street and winding its way down the famous 5th Avenue into historic streets of Greenwich Village. This year’s march will be led by its Grand Marshals, Dan Choi and Judy Shepard.

The New York City March began in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Riots, as an annual civil rights demonstration. Over the years, with the out break of AIDS, its purpose was broadened to include the fight against AIDS as well as an opportunity to remember those lost to the illness and the related violence and neglect. It has also become an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and pride of the LGBT community, despite the setbacks, and has become a vehicle to celebrate the lives of LGBT people and the community. It is a great celebration of which to be a part this day.

The day does not stop there. After finding your perfect viewing spot along the route to enjoy the March, filled with colorful and exciting floats, representatives from many LGBT and LGBT-friendly organizations and businesses, and other unexpected spectacles, its time to enjoy "PRIDEFEST".

This annual Pride Street Fair is actually staged all day from 11am to 7pm, located on Hudson Street in the heart of the West Village where the March will end. Another free and open to the public event, PrideFest is designed to bring together local residents and families, community leaders and area business owners to celebrate in the street. However, PrideFest also invites thousands of NYC visitors to become part of the family on this day. This is the 18th annual PrideFest event and combines vendors, entertainers and community activities for a day of fun celebration of LGBT Pride in the name of equality.

But wait! You aren’t done yet! Its time to dance!

Tonight Pier 54 once again becomes the site for an exciting celebration with "Dance on the Pier: Dance 24". You can start moving to the DJ’s beginning at 4pm, and keep going until 10:30pm when the skies over the Hudson River will be lit up with the NYC Pride Fireworks extravaganza. While the Dance on the Pier was born out of a time when LGBT persons could not dance openly and proudly together, it has now become an opportunity to celebrate how far the gay rights movement has come, so come join in and dance with Pride.

So, what are you waiting for? New York City is waiting for you, especially the weekend of June 26th and 27th. ZiptoThere.com has put together some great weekend packages at a variety of hotels throughout the city, something for everyone. Just click here to take a look at these deals.

ZiptoThere, Tour de Cure and NYC Pride are looking forward to your visit to NYC – all are welcome!