As part of our ongoing event partnership with TBEX, a 20 percent discount on registrations is available for their upcoming conferences in North America: 29-31 May, Bloomington, Minnesota; Europe: 14-16 July, Stockholm, Sweden; and Asia Pacific: 13-16 Oct., Manila, Philippines. TBEX creates opportunities for DMOs, travel brands, PR firms and their clients to engage with the most influential travel bloggers and leading digital content creators worldwide. Use the code IGLTA20 to register now.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
Please support the current small business members of IGLTA, such as Gaytoursmexico by MMT, a gay-owned tour operator that specializes in custom-made tours and beach vacations along Mexico's Caribbean coast; and Washington D.C.'s The Embassy Row Hotel, with newly renovated rooms and innovative dining in gay-friendly Dupont Circle.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
The Trevi fountain in Rome was lit up in rainbow colors on the night of 11 May. That's because the Italian parliament passed a bill approving civil unions for gay couples.
Until now, Italy had been the last major Western democracy not to legally recognize same-sex partnerships of any sort.
"We've been waiting for 30 years to have such a law," said Vladimir Luxuria, a transgender politician and activist who still goes by her birth name but identifies as a woman.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
South Africa is a mature tourism market, but even more so when it comes to the LGBT tourism market in comparison to the rest of Africa. As Indaba hosted its first LGBT discussion on the matter (better late than never) — it is clear that South Africa is in a position to help enlighten when it comes to this particular niche market.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
LGBT business travelers move the world like anybody in the industry. Unfortunately, there are myriad concerns that follow the LGBT corporate traveler on their respective trips.
Top of the list are trips that encompass countries where the community isn't just frowned upon, but remains a volatile subject that may just put travelers in danger.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
While Thailand is often referred to as "a paradise" for the LGBT community, ironically, Phuket Pride is the only pride parade in the kingdom.
From bar boys to doctors, a hundred LGBT individuals gathered on 1 May to march along the Patong beachfront to celebrate the annual Phuket Pride Week. Organized by the charity organization Phuket Loves You (PLU), and with support from local businesses, the event has been held annually since 1999 to raise money for LGBT and HIV charities in Phuket, which give locals better access to quality sexual health support.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
President Raúl Castro's daughter has led Cuba's largest Pride event ever — as LGBT activists call for recognition in the country.
Mariela Castro is a prominent supporter of LGBT rights, and has repeatedly pressed her father to introduce gay rights reforms in the country.
Castro — who is the head of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education as well as an MP — led a march through the streets of Havana to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
When the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage last year, Sari Skalnik heard gay wedding bells in Old San Juan.
The veteran wedding planner knew that Puerto Rico was singularly positioned to become the new hot spot for same-sex destination weddings.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
Some 50 activists backing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community staged a rare sit-in Sunday in Lebanon to demand the abolition of a law criminalizing relations "against nature."
In the first such protest in four years, they also demanded the release of four transsexual women as they gathered outside the Hbeish gendarmerie in Beirut, where activists say morality police often hold such suspects.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
Long a repressive region for the LGBT community, in recent years Leftist governments have made human rights a priority and furthered equality.
Although Latin America is often viewed as having a strong culture of "machismo" throughout the world, the region has lead the world in passing measures ensuring equality for its LGBT communities. These are some of Latin America's biggest gains for equal rights.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
The U.K. government's Scottish Secretary has pledged that he will work with Scotland's government to make sure LGBT rights reforms are implemented across the U.K.
The Scottish National Party held on to power in this month's Scottish Parliament elections — and the party's manifesto pledged to bring about reforms on LGBT issues within Scotland, including gender recognition for transgender people.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
Two Equality California-sponsored bills advancing the civil rights of LGBT people in California and across the country were approved by the California Assembly. Assembly Bill (AB) 1887 was approved by a vote of 54-21 and AB 1732 passed by 55-19.
AB 1887, authored by Asm. Evan Low (D-Campbell), would prohibit state-funded or sponsored travel to a state that, after June 26, 2015, has enacted a law that voids or repeals existing state or local protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, or has enacted a law that authorizes or requires discrimination against same-sex couples or their families on those bases. AB 1887 is co-sponsored by Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
17 May 2016 22:38:57 CDT
