Focus On The Rainbow

TAKE BACK PRIDE

Honolulu’s Waikiki Beaches, probably the most famous stretch of pristine sand in the world, have been the playground of the rich and famous since Hawaiian royalty times in the 1800’s. Today, America’s tropical paradise still engenders that daydream of “wish we could be there now” to hopeful travelers worldwide, and Honolulu’s Waikiki offers the best value and adventure possibilities and extraordinarily easy access for your vacation dollar.

Honolulu offers nonstop flights from over thirty cities in the Americas, Asia and Australia. Due to its unique mid-Pacific location for stopovers and refueling, vacation dollars in Honolulu stretch farther, perfect for value-minded destination weddings, family reunions as well as adventure or relaxation vacations.

When considering fulfilling your wanderlust or planning that wedding or reunion, you can easily step up the sophistication and settle into a Zen-like experience by making a boutique property like Waikiki’s Hotel Renew your elegant yet affordable base camp.

This small hotel, just steps from the beach, left all the grass skirts behind at the standard mega-hotels, in favor of an upscale spa-themed decor, a service-focused staff, a wide array of services, experienced and creative wedding and group planning and several attractive money-saving stay packages. Complimentary beach gear can save guests hefty rental fees on boogie boards, too. Trip Advisor ranked the property #1 for business travelers and #2 for leisure guests from a field of 98 competitors, a flattering feat considering the five-star brands within a ten-minute radius.

After a day at Waikiki, non-swimmers to expert divers alike can enjoy Hanauma Bay’s friendly sea life, a trip up to Diamond Head’s spectacular views, partake or watch Oahu’s thrilling and world-famous North Shore surfing, equestrian rides, exploration of the cultural and culinary offerings of the Polynesian Cultural Center or hiking in the back country. Kick-start your shopping adventure with Renew’s Super Shopping Spree package which includes a $100 VISA gift card with all three-night minimum stays. Their unique packages and spa treatments across the street at Spa Olakino will recharge any guest after the flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Meanwhile, all the preparations for a stress-free wedding, unions, or special group event can be underway with a drink awaiting you at Lounge Renew’s happy hour! A soothing dose of warm sand between your toes is waiting. The complimentary breakfast is a nice plus, too. With the recent New York Times’ thumbs up review, Hotel Renew exudes uber cool. – Source – PR Newswire

Hotel Renew is a member of IGLTA.

Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel agency, announced today that it has opened an LGBT travel site to serve as a resource for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers. Expedia.com developed the store in partnership with the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), the leading global organization dedicated to connecting businesses in the LGBT tourism industry.

Expedia’s LGBT site currently features 10 domestic destinations and five international destinations that feature a broad assortment of gay-friendly hotels, events and festivals, and hotspots. North American destinations are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Provincetown, Puerto Vallarta, San Francisco, Toronto and South Florida. International destinations are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and London. Hotels are searchable within each destination.

“At Expedia.com, this is in keeping with our mission to be the best place to book travel,” said Tim MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager, Expedia.com. “This page will simplify and improve the shopping and booking experience for LGBT customers. It was based on research illustrating the difficulty in finding LGBT-welcoming hotels, and our solution was vetted by a group of LGBT professionals at Expedia® and a roundtable of gay travel community members. IGLTA helped us determine the hotels that populate the store.”

During the shopping process, travelers can now search under Hotel Preferences for “LGBT-welcoming” hotels. At kick-off, about 500 hotels currently meet this definition.

Expedia.com customers booking accommodations can save big when booking LGBT-welcoming hotels as a package through Expedia.com. And as always, there are no flight booking fees, nor Expedia change or cancel fees, when booking through Expedia.com.

For more information on LGBT travel options, visit www.expedia.com/daily/gaytravel.

Source – PR Newswire

One of this blog’s media partners, EDGE, has a very good article written by Joseph Erbentraut about Gay Republicans and their outlook, goals and as you’ll read in the article “internal cat fighting” of how LGBT Equality should be achieved.

The actions of Lt. Dan Choi and others who have chained themselves to the White House fence and sat inside lawmakers’ offices in recent months have illuminated a growing schism between an already small sub-section of LGBTs: Gay Republicans.

Charles Moran, national spokesperson for the Log Cabin Republicans, told EDGE last month he saw common ground between the goals of his organization and GetEQUAL.

“These are committed activists who are really calling out the larger organizations for their lack of advocacy,” said Moran. “These are times when their advocacy work and the things we’re doing to increase pressure on the Obama administration can work in concert with each other.”

Jimmy LaSalvia, executive director for GOProud, a new gay Republican organization affiliated with Right Pride, faulted Moran for his support of GetEQUAL’s actions. GOProud grabbed national headlines earlier this year after its members attended the Conservative Political Action Committee’s annual convention.

“This demonstrates why the Log Cabin Republicans have no credibility in Washington,” said LaSalvia “Their [GetEQUAL’s] tactics do absolutely nothing to advance the issue. The issue of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is being taken very seriously by Congress right now and it doesn’t help matters to be disruptive at a time where we’re trying to argue open service by gays in the military won’t be disruptive.”

supperclub, San Francisco’s most extreme and extravagant nighttime destination, has announced its lineup of fabulous events for LGBT Pride 2010 from June 17-26. Known around the world for its unrestrained blend of art, cuisine, cocktails, music, and creative performances—all experienced from its plush oversized beds—the South of Market lounge/restaurant/event space will present a quixotic mix of queer themed dinners, cocktail receptions, dance parties, special guest appearances, and plenty of surprises.

 “supperclub is a place where being bored is not an option,” said General Manager Edme Straver. “We’re welcoming everyone to come and celebrate, express themselves and get their senses stimulated.”  

LGBT festivities kick-off on Thursday, June 17 at 8 pm with “Art Attack” hosted by video and performance artist III (“Three”).  Curated by Joe Landi of the Garage All-Stars, the evening will benefit the National Queer Arts Festival, and will feature a night overflowing with performance, art and beauty from a variety local San Francisco Bay Area queer talent, including collaborations from Makeup Mutiny, SF Moving Men, Welcome Matt and Josh Klipp, with stimulating soundtracks provided by supperclub’s resident DJs.  

An Official 2010 San Francisco Pride Event, Saturday, June 19 is a birthday bash for all Geminis. Co-sponsored with mypartner.com, the evening will include a four-course surprise dinner created by Executive Chef Daan Jetten, a VIP “lounge”, and Svedka Vodka drink specials for all Geminis.  The guest DJ lineup features Matrix Fillmore’s Manic Mondays, DJ Mei-Lwun , and COCKBLOCK’s DJ Nuxx.  Aerial performances by Grey Lux, dance performances by Ms Vee, and multi-media performances by visual artist III will be presented. The evening will benefit the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for Breast Cancer.

“Decompressed and Undressed” is the inspiration on Tuesday June 22 for a night of cocktails, canoodling, and a three-course dinner served to guests while they recline on supperclub’s comfortable beds.  Guests and staff are encouraged to wear as little as possible to dinner, so people watching promises to be particularly appealing in supperclub’s two-tiered dining room. Complimentary coat/clothes check.  

Leather Daddies, Cubs, Subs, Dominatrix Mamas and fetish enthusiasts are all welcome at Wicked Wednesday on June 23.  Titillating S&M and bondage- themed performances and art will be presented throughout the evening. The four-course dinner will be followed by dancing in the Salle Neige and after-dinner drinks in supperclub’s seductive Chambre Noir, equipped with mirrors, handcuffs and a stripper pole. 

Thursday, June 24 is Ladies Night at supperclub.  For the estrogen-blessed, the night will the feature cocktails in the all-red Bar Rouge, a finger-licking four- course gourmet dinner, sensual female performers, and a sexy all-girl after party. 

supperclub will also host an Official 2010 San Francisco Pride Event on Friday, June 25. This special supperdeluxe “Art Attack” will include a stimulating array of queer entertainment and surprises, four courses of delectable delights, and special performances by III, Ride, and Miss Vee.  Following dinner, supperclub proudly welcomes international sensation DJ Lady Kier of Deelite and the much- anticipated reunion of San Francisco’s infamous drag band Pepperspray.  The Chambre Noir Lounge will be hosted by the Bright Young Gentleman’s Adventuring Society, and complete after-party details are available at www.visualsby3.com .

supperclub’s sparkling Glitter Pink Party on Saturday, June 26 begins at 7 pm. The super supperdeluxe celebration will offer a four-course surprise feast, festive and fabulous entertainment, and serious booty shaking on the dance floor.  Free shots will be provided at the door for guests wearing pink.  

supperclub really is a unique “only in San Francisco” nightlife experience and it reflects the spirit and creativity of the city,” added Straver. “Gay pride is one part of that fabulous spirit– and all of these special events will be too.”  

Located at 657 Harrison Street at Third, supperclub San Francisco is open Tuesdays through Sundays, with dinner seating beginning at 7 pm each night. Reservations are recommended: 415-348-0900.  For more information, please visit www.supperclub.com . – Source – Press Release

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Many things about America stir wonderment in global friends and foes alike: a spirit of ingenuity, a belief in opportunity, and a commitment to freedom are all American hallmarks that modern nations emulate.

But according to a May 19 CNN article, America’s military allies are struck by the disconnect between those virtues and the fear that if the U.S. fully integrates its armed forces by setting aside a 17-year-old ban on service by open gays and lesbians military morale and combat readiness will suffer.

America’s allies know from first-hand experience that dire warnings of mass chaos in the ranks and sexual predation are only so much vapor–because those same allies have long since integrated their own fighting forces, with no adverse effects. – Read more at EDGE.

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In an article written by Derrick DePledge at the Honolulu Advertiser, it isn’t clear that Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle will sign into law the Civil Union Bill which has been passed which would allow gays and lesbians to form such unions.

Why ? Well no surprise here, Republican Conservatives and other anti-gay groups are expressing concern that civil unions for gays and lesbians equate same-sex marriage. Here’s some snippets from the article published on Sunday.

Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she has not made up her mind on civil unions but described the bill passed by the state Legislature as the equivalent of same-sex marriage.

Her description is identical to complaints from religious conservatives who oppose civil unions and to a resolution approved yesterday by state Republicans who want her to veto the bill.

“It does appear to me on reading it, that it really is same-sex marriage, but by a different name,” Lingle told reporters during a break at the state GOP convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikīkī. “But I want to wait and hear people out.”

Lingle has said in the past that she would consider some form of domestic partnership legislation but she has opposed same-sex marriage.

The governor made it clear yesterday that she believes domestic partnerships are different from the civil unions described in the bill.

The bill would give same-sex and heterosexual couples who enter into civil unions the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as in marriage under state law.

“Civil unions is an alternative legal mechanism to ensure that all couples and families get the same equal treatment under the law. But it’s not a marriage,” said Alan Spector of Equality Hawai’i, a group that has campaigned for civil unions.

Spector said a poll taken for activists in March 2009 showed that people draw a distinction between civil unions and same-sex marriage. Support for civil unions, the poll found, is far higher than same-sex marriage.

“The other point is, if civil unions and marriage were the same thing, how many married opposite-sex couples would be willing to trade in their marriages for civil unions?” he asked.

Read the full article by going here.