Being part of a Community means knowing the happenings in our Rainbow World around us.
Whether news is local, national or international, this section is designed to provide a good cross-section of current Global Queer content affecting us in the travel industry, or locally as Rainbow citizens.
We thank our media & event partners, and sister travel organizations for keeping us in-the-know, so that we can provide the best snapshot of Rainbow Travel News in the world around us.
Gay and lesbian foreigners may soon be allowed to marry in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Usually when going on vacation, you travel with a purpose. It can be for rest, relaxation or a bit of adventure, but would you travel to tie the knot? A lawmaker in Buenos Aires just introduced some legislation which she hopes will make that an option. Source:
Instinct Magazine Read more...
Hilton Targets Travelers During Pride Season
As the 2012 Gay Pride travel season begins, Hilton Worldwide has announced a new special offer hoping to lure LGBT travelers into their hotels. The "Stay Hilton. Go Out." package extends discounts and added value for LGBT travelers and their friends. Source: Instinct Magazine
Read more...
Orlando to bid to host 2018 Gay Games
Orlando’s new gay and lesbian visitors’ bureau will announce that it will bid to host the 2018 Gay Games. It’s part of a desire to make the Florida city — home of Disney World — a gay destination for events other than the annual Gay Days, held each June. Source: Jim Buzinski Read more...
You're invited to an evening of European GAYcations! Limited spaces are available – RSVP Today! Are you planning a trip to Europe this year? Rainbow Travel and Collette Vacations invite you to an evening of lively conversation about the travel options for gay men, lesbians, their friends and family.
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Reception: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Presentation: 7:30pm
2nd Floor, 506 Church Street, Toronto View Location Here
Drag yourself to Sydney's Mardi Gras on board Australia's Historic Indian Pacific Train
The Indian Pacific has 'come out of the closet' this year with a special carriage decorated in glitter and feather boas. The 'DRAG' train will depart Adelaide on Friday 02 March, arriving into Sydney the following morning - just in time for the annual Mardi Gras Street Parade. On the way, the 'DRAG' will make a stop in Broken Hill where guests will be taken to a gala show at the famed Palace Hotel, where part of the 1994 hit movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was filmed.
More Information...
Thomas Cook Rainbow Travel Open House Thomas Cook Rainbow Travel hosted their first open house on 19 October. Visitors took advantage of exclusive cruise and sun vacations promotions that were available for one night only, and travel industry representatives exchanged supplier tips.
Pat explaining Sale offers to clients
Bruce, Liz and Heidi Celebrate our new Partnerships
LGBTQ Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Announced Michelle DuBarry, Boyd Kodak, and the Honourable late Jack Layton to receive INSPIRE AWARDS at December ceremony. Rainbow High Vacations is a proud member of this new community organization that recognizes the heroes among us. More...
Pumpkin Carving Contest Rainbow.Travel won FIRST PLACE in the annual Halloweek Pumpkin Carving Contest at o'Grady's in Toronto, with their "Mardi Gras" themed multi-story, multi-pumpkin costumed extravaganza!
LGBT Sports Community Comes Together On November 5th, Outsport Toronto hosted their 2nd annual Fall Scrum for the LGBT amateur sports community - a full day conference on sport topics including LGBT sports psychology, injury management, volunteerism and governance. Guest speaker Patrick Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke generated lots of local media mentions. A terrific initiative to assist sports teams to develop their leagues and prepare for upcoming international LGBT Sports events, the 2013 World Outgames in Antwerp, Belgium and the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland. More information...
Is India the next new gay destination? India is appearing more frequently in news items surfacing in the gay travel industry. Two years ago, the Delhi high court decriminalized relationships between same-sex couples. Since then, several new gay tour operators have appeared, promoting gay tourism and customized LGBT tours throughout India. The latest news sees the mainstream Indian entertainment press detailing a simmering rivalry between Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, two Bollywood movie stars, escalating when one made the cover of a gay magazine that is pitching him as the next gay icon. The article also notes that both actors are supporters of gay rights. According to DNAIndia.com "As for their own chemistry, while the two actors have always laughed off their blow-hot-blow-cold vibes, insiders reveal that it's always been a friends-by-far situation".
Our gay adventure travel partner Out Adventures is leading comfort-tours to India in October, January and March. More details here.
Calling all Lesbian Travellers!
Not much is known about the lesbian travel market, and you can change that! Fill out Curve Magazine's lesbian travel survey and you might win a hotel stay at The Angler's Boutique Resort in Miami Beach.
Are your Travel Dollars funding Antigay Groups?
Six major travel companies have publicly ended their relationship with the Christian Values Network, a US-based online platform that allows consumers to donate a portion of their purchases from participating companies to antigay groups.
A campaign by U.S. LGBT organizations Change.org and AllOut.org, persuaded Sandals Resorts, the Westin Hotel Group, Radisson and Country Inns & Suites, Expedia.com, Avis and Hotels.com to stop allowing proceeds to go to antigay groups through CVN. Support companies that stand by your equal rights, and be aware of those that do not.
The campaign continues to lobby the hundreds of companies still participating in the CVN scheme. You can participate in the letter-writing campaign here.
Good Luck to all Vancouver OutGames Athletes The 2011 North American OutGames begin next week in Vancouver, and Rainbow High Vacations, the official travel partner, wants to wish every athlete, participant, volunteer and spectator the best of game and best of fun. May your balls be mighty, your bats be swift, and your locker rooms be steamy. Haven't arranged your travel plans? IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GO!! But next week is your last chance to get in on the action, and take advantage of our special rates for airfare.
Gay Marriage Update: New York
For over a decade the issue of same-sex marriage has been a buzzword throughout American politics. In June 2011, New York lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed. New York now joins Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont as states who can now issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Competing legislation, lawsuits and ballot initiatives to either legalize or ban the practice have caused rifts within religious and political groups, private families, and mainstream media. The legalization of same-sex marriage in the United States has been placed at the center of the agenda for many gay-rights organizers pushing money and human resources into dozens of state capitals. Congratulations to our LGBTQ communities in the U.S.A.
Keep up the good fight!
Toronto Pride Contest Winner
Angela from Ottawa, our winner of a trip to Toronto Pride, tells of her fabulous weekend, which included transportation on VIA One, 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Downtown, tickets to the Dancap Productions musical "9 to 5" and marching with her contingent of choice in the Toronto Pride Parade.
"I love Toronto Pride, it's the one time of the year when anyone and everyone comes together to have a little fun. It may be overwhelming for some but I'm used to the kind of craziness that happens. This trip turned out to be the best pride I've had in the last decade! I was planning to drive down to Toronto by myself. But then I was notified I won the trip to Toronto. The train ride was great, there were no delays and the service was impeccable. It was nice to be able to be a passenger. The location of the hotel was perfect; we were close to all of the activities. I couldn't get that song out of my head after watching the Musical 9 to 5. My favourite part is participating in the parade with the Canadian Forces. It makes me feel proud."
Thanks to our partners VIA Rail, Holiday Inn Downtown, Pride Toronto and Dancap Productions.
Community Inspiration
The past year has seen a mobilization for change. Community Prides under review, new coalitions emerging within our communities and between the businesses that support these events.
Viral "It Get's Better" campaigns to give support to youth who are bullied, and the push-back for more than just support.
The GSA Movement: Gay Straight Alliances of youth in high schools, and a new activist movement born when they are opposed by administrators and school boards.
Out of this sea change new alliances are forged and new leaders are born. Read about those who Inspire us all and those who will be leading the Toronto Pride Parade as Honorary Grand Marshalls here.
Thomas Cook Partnership We have chosen to become an affiliate of one of the world's largest travel brands so that we can increase the value of travel offers that we can provide to you. Effective July 1st, our retail agency will be co-branded with our new travel partner, Thomas Cook Canada and we will operate at Thomas Cook Rainbow Travel.
A special thanks to media partner, HomoRazzi.com
This month Rainbow High Vacations welcomes HomoRazzi.com to our extended family. This Vancouver-based online publication headlines the news and gossip of all things incredible with the LGBTQ world of news and entertainment. A special thank you to all the team at HomoRazzi.com for helping us spread the news on Toronto Pride!!!
Labour Day, Rubgy and Bears, OH MY!!!
Rainbow High Vacations is excited to announce its new partnership with Labour Bear Weekend and Muddy York Rubgy. Join us in Toronto this September for an incredible five day Bear bash, celebrating the second annual Labour Bear Weekend.
Last year's event was such an amazing success that this year's edition is set to be bigger, better and filled with even more bears. To expand the reach and excitement of this festival, The Bears have partnered up with the Toronto's Muddy York Rugby Team who will be throwing their "Beaver Bowl" International Gay Rugby Tournament on the same weekend, Sept 1-5. RHV is excited to work with both groups, and are excited for the several joint events coming your way, including a shared experience at the host hotel, Holiday Inn Downtown Centre.
Where the Girls Are Rainbow High Vacations and WRIB hosted their first "Where the Girls Are" travel information evening lastweek. 20+ Lesbians filled RHV's office to learn about hot and safe destinations for women travelers. We laughed, we drank and mingled - a good night was had by all Attendees filled out a ballot to win an Olivia cruise!
Winner of Toronto Pride contest
And the winner is Angela Vasiliou. Angela will travel to Toronto Pride on VIA Rail, and stay 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Downtown Centre, while enjoying tickets to Dancap's new musical theatre sensation "9 to 5: The Musical" based on music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, as well as dinner at Zelda's Restaurant & Bar. Thank you to all of our readers who entered! Look out for our next contest in upcoming newsletters.
Brazil greenlights LGBT unions In 1995 a was proposed in Congress to change Brazilian federal law and allow for recognition of LGBT unions. It was faced with strong opposition and not approved until this past month, May 2011. Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) has ruled to recognise LGBT unions which are established as being Stable Unions (União Estável).
In Brazil, the constitution outlaws prejudice based on origin, race, gender, skin colour, age or any other form of discrimination. This was the basis of a Public Civil Action (Açào Civil Pública) in 2005 - had it been successful at the time, it would have legitimised LGBT marriage throughout Brazil. However, it was decided that this matter should be determined by Congress and not in court. Although the constitution and federal law do not specifically prohibit LGBT marriage it fails to acknowledge it officially. Marriage law in Brazil as per federal law defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Now in 2011, LGBT couples who can establish they are in a stable union will qualify for the same rights and obligations as a family entity (entidade familiar). These rights extend to inheritance, pensions, social security and health insurance, shared income tax return, the right to adopt children and, in the case of separation, legal alimony and separation of property.
International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (I.D.A.H.T.)
Homophobia and Transphobia are still as destructive as ever. From Uganda to the Middle East, from youth suicides across the USA, to recent gay-bashings near Toronto's gay Village, this on-going battle demands community togetherness now more than ever, and urgency for change.
PFLAG Toronto (Parents, Familes & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the City of Toronto recognized efforts around the world and here at home, for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (I.D.A.H.T.) by raising the Pride Flag at City Hall on Tuesday, May 17th.
There's Power in our Pride! Please take a few minutes to complete Community Marketing's 5th Annual LGBT Global Community Survey. Last year over 45,000 LGBT citizens participated in this study, which helps open minds and doors around the world, and influences positive changes for our community. It takes about 10 minutes. Everyone who completes the survey by June 15th will be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 cash prizes, or if you win, you can designate a charity to receive the $100. Click here to start the survey, or paste the following into your browser: http://www.LGBTSurvey.com.
Travel Gay Canada has a new website! Travel Gay Canada has a new website that will be a comprehensive resource of information for gay travel in Canada. Check www.travelgaycanada.com frequently for great info on gay Canada!
Travel Night for Women "Where the Girls Are: A Travel Night for Lesbians & Friends" presented by Rainbow High Vacations and WRIB, explores the diverse hot spots where you can safely travel to meet and mingle with other lesbians. Discover the joys and freedom of lesbian travel on Wednesday, June 8th at PIZZAIOLO, 461 Church Street in Toronto, at 6:30pm. RSVP to info@rhv.ca
– space is limited!
Angela from Ottawa, our winner of a trip to Toronto Pride, tells of her fabulous weekend, which included transportation on VIA One, 2 nights at the Holiday Inn Downtown, tickets to the Dancap Productions musical "9 to 5" and marching with her contingent of choice in the Toronto Pride Parade. 
