https://www.sgn.org en-us 2026 Seattle Gay News 9/9/2026 EST https://www.sgn.org/rss https://www.sgn.org/story/169279/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/169279/Travel There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when a small town decides to throw open its doors — not just to visitors but to everyone. Walla Walla has long been celebrated as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier wine destinations, but beyond its acclaimed vineyards lies a welcoming community that embraces creativity, diversity, and authentic hospitality. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a culinary adventure with friends or simply searching for a destination that celebrates individuality, Wal Thu Aug 13 2026 12:00:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/168140/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/168140/Travel On the map of developing countries in South America, Brazil stands out among its neighbors in the field of Queer health. It has become a global leader in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS, pioneering various social initiatives that have established it as a successful model for responding to the disease. The collaboration between public policies and multiple sectors — including healthcare professionals, researchers, LGBT activists, civil society, and nongovernmental organizations — was essential t Thu Jul 09 2026 10:07:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164717/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164717/Travel Combine a college town with a diverse economy, sprinkle in 35,000 LGBTQ residents and two gayborhoods (Short North and German Village), plus several good museums and some affordable hotels, and you are talking about Columbus, Ohio, a Midwest gem. Pride is every day in Columbus (the largest city in Ohio) and so matter-of-fact, which is amazing for the Midwest. The city boasts a happy, fun-loving crowd — and more bars than any other city I have been to! The Franklin Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a mus Mon Mar 30 2026 10:56:53 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164655/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164655/Travel I was in Palm Springs for the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention back in October 2025. Over 750 attendees from 32 countries attended — a new record. And this is despite the drop in large corporate sponsorship support (as has also been seen at Pride events). A highlight was the IGLTA Foundation fundraiser at the Dinah Shore estate (owned by Leonardo DiCaprio). It sleeps 16 and has six bathrooms and can be yours for around $5,000 a night. Fri Mar 27 2026 17:20:30 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164654/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164654/Travel Although the temperatures can reach -40 degrees (so cold that it is the same in both Celsius and Fahrenheit!), Chicago is still definitely worth a visit in the winter. The museums are terrific, hotels are more reasonably priced, and there is so much to do! Fri Mar 27 2026 17:09:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164653/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164653/Travel New York City doesn’t unfold — it performs. From the neon pulse of Times Square to the intimate cabaret glow of 54 Below, Gotham feels less like a destination and more like a rotating stage where fashion, theater, nightlife, and memory all collide. Whether you’re here for the spectacle or something more underground, the city rewards curiosity. Fri Mar 27 2026 16:06:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164652/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164652/Travel The Twin Cities — St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota — are known for their vibrant, hospitable culture and indomitable spirit of fighting injustice, similar to Seattle in many ways. Whether you’re planning to make the move or going on a friendly visit, there is much to love about The Star of the North’s two major cities. Minnesota is considered one of the most Queer-friendly states in the US, with robust legal protections and human rights laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender. Fri Mar 27 2026 15:44:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164606/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164606/Travel Costa Rica may be known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and ever-present “pura vida” (pure life) philosophy, but it’s also one of the most progressive and inclusive destinations in Central America when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and culture. With legal same-sex marriage and a growing Queer community thriving in both urban and coastal regions, it offers a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates diversity amid natural beauty. Costa Rica’s journey toward Queer equality has been marked by steady and me Thu Mar 26 2026 12:58:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164605/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164605/Travel If you arrive at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac, or SEA) terminal via the skybridge from the parking garage, you’ll be welcomed into a sleek, ultramodern space with wood paneling and white fluorescent lights. There’s ample space to move about and vibrant artwork to draw your eyes. Everything feels cleaner, more spacious, and, for those in a wheelchair, more accessible. If you’re a passenger on Alaska Airlines, you’re in the right place. However, those taking any other airline will notice Thu Mar 26 2026 12:48:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164578/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164578/Travel Paris has a way of making you feel like the main character in your own romantic film. It invites you to be seen, to be bold, and to fall in love — not just with its iconic landmarks but with yourself. For Gay travelers, this feeling is even more profound. Here, rainbow flags fly above bustling cafés, and same-sex couples stroll hand in hand along the Seine. In Paris, queerness isn’t just an accepted part of the scenery — it’s joyfully celebrated. While the entire city exudes an air of inclusivity, the heart Wed Mar 25 2026 14:24:24 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164577/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164577/Travel The first time I realized I didn’t understand Thailand, I was standing in a crowded bar, dancing alone. Music pulsed through the room, lights flashed across a sea of seated bodies. No one moved. No one cheered. No one sang along. They simply watched if the performance deserved reverence more than reaction. Meanwhile, I was on my feet, busting down and unsure whether I was the only one doing it wrong. Just weeks earlier, I had arrived in Thailand to teach English. After a short orientation in Bangkok, I was Wed Mar 25 2026 13:18:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164572/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164572/Travel Manchester, England, is not only famous for its industrial heritage, music scene, and football clubs, it’s also home to one of the most vibrant and historically significant LGBTQ+ communities in the UK. Often referred to as the "Gay capital of the North," it has been a pioneer in Queer rights, visibility, and celebration, cultivating a culture of inclusivity that continues to thrive today. The roots of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ history stretch back centuries, but it was during the 19th and 20th that the city trul Wed Mar 25 2026 12:55:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164571/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164571/Travel As I stepped into the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center, the first thing that greeted me was my reflection framed by the words “See History, Be History.” It felt like both a welcome and an invitation. As part of the Wall of Solidarity — a lively exhibit celebrating love, community, and Queer joy — the frame establishes the mood for what comes next. It’s not just a space to learn about history, but a place where you feel yourself become part of it. Located at 51 Christopher Street in New York City’s Wed Mar 25 2026 12:45:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/164569/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/164569/Travel Some years ago — almost five precisely — having little or no money and nothing in particular to interest me in the midst of pandemic lockdown, I thought I would traverse the sandy shores of Lake Athabasca in the wilderness of northern Saskatchewan to be a cook’s assistant for a Canadian mining expedition. Little did I suspect then how much living and working there for the summer would put my newfound womanhood to the test and push me to both my physical and mental limits. We set out from Fort McMurray, Albe Wed Mar 25 2026 12:23:28 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/157667/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/157667/Travel If you’ve been around the internet long enough, you’ve probably seen a photo of a sad-looking kiddie pool filled with plastic balls in an even sadder-looking empty room. But what you might not know is that photo is from the original DashCon, a convention designed by and for Tumblr users. Wed Sep 03 2025 14:44:22 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/157124/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/157124/Travel Valencia, Spain, is getting ready to host the 2026 Gay Games, and tourism boosters are already preparing to put the city’s best face forward, with the hopes of enticing some of the estimated 8,000-12,000 attendees to return again and again... Wed Aug 20 2025 19:25:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/156335/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/156335/Travel Need a getaway? Consider Bellingham. Framed by rugged mountains and sparkling waters, it offers an escape, a chance to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life... Tue Jul 29 2025 09:49:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/155972/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/155972/Travel On a street in Cagli, a small town in the Marche province of Italy, I saw a rainbow flag. I was so happy, immediately thinking, “Oh my gosh, they have Pride flags here — that’s amazing!” As I was to be in Cagli for a month on a foreign correspondence program with ieiMedia, I felt relieved, believing that at least the town was affirming... Fri Jul 18 2025 09:24:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/154931/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/154931/Travel Central Park, in the heart of New York City, is where pigeons mingle with poets, tourists stumble across secret gardens, and skyscrapers disappear behind the tangled wood of American elms. Fri May 30 2025 10:30:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) https://www.sgn.org/story/154930/Travel https://www.sgn.org/story/154930/Travel What with the hassle of traveling into Manhattan from other boroughs or out of town, it is understandable that most travelers to New York City would want to stay close to the action. Fri May 30 2025 10:30:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)