It’s inescapable. For 10 days every July hundreds of thousands of people descend upon the Stampede Grounds in Victoria Park. "The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth" hits town and everywhere you look it’s denim jeans and cowboy hats. Since 1886, when Calgary hosted its first agricultural fair, things have grown into what you see today. The Stampede provides something for everyone, whether you are a thrill seeker looking to ride the rides, enjoy partaking in an annual corn dog or root beer and bag (or three) of mini donuts...

And so it begins. For the first time since 2019 the Calgary Stampede returns in all it’s glory with no restrictions, and with it several events both on and off grounds that the LGBTQ community will enjoy. Let’s take a look at the few of the highlights...

Just down the street from the Calgary Tower on 9th Avenue is the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, one of Calgary’s oldest historic buildings. It’s within walking distance of the majority of Calgary’s gay nightlife, making it an excellent destination for gays and lesbians visiting Calgary for business...or pleasure. I usually walk by this building in awe – the appearance of three towers at the front is really quite impressive! So it was quite an honour to have Marketing Manager Nancy Jackson take us on a tour of this fabulous building......

For more than a year, the Covid-19 pandemic has created challenges to organizers of indoor/outdoor events around the world. Lots of events either have been cancelled completely or gone to an online format. Destination prides, like Jasper Pride where tourists and locals come together to celebrate pride are a challenge to put together with travel restrictions, social distancing, and other Covid-19 restrictions in place. Though, Jasper Pride has always been a shining example for showing how a whole town can come together for Pride and they have figured out how to bring people together while working with Covid -19 restrictions in place keeping locals and visitors safe. We checked in with Jasper Pride organizers to see how everything is coming together for this year’s event....

My fiancé and I had each been to Montreal many years before we got together, and we both had fond memories of it, so we were excited to go back again as a couple. Our trip was planned around Fierté Montréal which takes place each August, but like most cities had either been on a hiatus or very toned down over the past couple of years. Luckily, the city was as amazing as we remembered, and the Pride activities made it extra fun.

My fiancé and I had both been to Quebec before on separate trips, but neither of us had visited anywhere within the province other than the city of Quebec or Montreal. Those two cities are likely the main places you hear about or think of when planning to visit la belle province, but there is of course a lot more to check out as well. With that in mind we spent a few days in the Montérégie and Eastern Townships regions to explore more of what the province has to offer a gay couple like us.

For years I’ve heard about Aspen Gay Ski Week, but it wasn’t until this year that I decided to take the journey out to Colorado to experience the event for myself. Now in its 43rd year, Aspen Gay Ski Week attracts guests from around the country, and possibly around the world....

In the heart of Pence country lies a gay oasis that needs to be on everyone’s list of places to visit. Bloomington, Indiana is one of the most welcoming and gay-friendly small cities I have ever traveled to, partially due to Indiana University and the LGBT initiatives they have implemented over the past few decades. This coupled with a bohemian lifestyle among residents makes it a great destination to visit for a weekend getaway....

Exploring Cartagena, Medellín, and Fredonia. It turns out that Colombia, a country known for its vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes, is also a great spot for LGBTQ visitors. From the sun-kissed beaches of Cartagena to the temperate climate of Medellín, and the lush coffee plantations nestled in areas like Fredonia, Colombia is a destination that promises diversity and adventure.

This was my fourth visit to Columbus, Ohio and every time I visit, I discover something new. What a lot of people don’t realize about this thriving mid-west city is that its LGBTQ community is one of the largest in the United States and growing every day....

While some people’s bucket lists include things like running marathons, climbing Machu Picchu, or joining the mile-high club, for RuPaul’s Drag Race super-fans like us, it was all about racing to DragCon! This year, that line got scratched off the list with a trip to DragCon LA 2019....

If you live in a cold weather climate like I do, there is no better feeling than visiting a warm destination towards the end of the winter season. And what better place to visit than one of my old stomping grounds and the place where I officially came out, Fort Lauderdale, Florida....

For the past few years, I’ve heard about a small town in Michigan known for its LGBTQ friendliness and charm, but it wasn’t until recently that I had the opportunity to visit Saugatuck and its neighboring town, Douglas. If you don’t live within driving distance, you’ll probably have to fly into Grand Rapids, another Midwestern city worth exploring. The journey will be well worth it....

Throughout my career as a travel journalist thus far, I have been to Texas about a dozen times for both work and pleasure. However, the one city I never visited until recently was Houston. I quickly noticed that each Texas metropolis has its own flavor. Houston is no different. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the city, which is home to a great mix of art, music and LGBT culture.....

Indianapolis has always felt like a second home to me. I used to publish a gay magazine there called UNITE a few years ago, so I was frequently visiting the city. This time, I wanted to experience things that I may not have had the chance to see on previous visits.....

The only things I knew about Kansas City prior to visiting, were the tales of legendary BBQ and the Chiefs. I went with an open mind and little expectations. The city has been generating a lot of positive buzz as of late, so I thought I’d see what all the talk was about. I found the city to be on the cusp of a breakthrough so to speak. A sleeping dragon ready for its day in the sun. The next "It City" - Nashville being the current "It City" and where I reside.....

After two years of mostly virtual Pride festivals, it’s exciting to have a Pride season full of in-person gatherings again. While obvious choices might be major events in the big cities, there are of course many others as well that could be flying under your radar. Long Beach Pride was exactly that for me – I had no idea it was the third largest Pride festival and parade in California, attracting nearly 100,000 LGBTQ+ people and allies..

I am always up for a big adventure, so I thought visiting Milwaukee right before winter would be a good idea. Little did I know, winter comes early in Wisconsin. I was greeted with a small snow storm and below freezing temperatures, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. It was my first time visiting the city and I had lots to see....

New York City is a vibrant and diverse destination with a unique energy all of its own. It’s probably my most visited city in the world and I enjoy being there every time I go. There is always a lot to see and do, and if you’re part of the LGBTQ community, there are plenty of venues there just for us.

For LGBTQ travelers seeking a dynamic and inclusive getaway, Pennsylvania is a treasure trove of enriching experiences that celebrate diversity and pride. I recently explored two cities in this state, starting with the vibrant and history City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia..

For years I have heard about Salt Lake City’s thriving LGBTQ community, but I had yet to experience it firsthand. The Advocate even called Salt Lake City, one of the ten ‘Queerest Cities in America.’ Recently, I had an opportunity to travel to the Beehive State with my good friend and internationally known EDM musician Joey Suarez, where we had a chance to revel in the city’s attractions and culinary scene and see what all the hype was about....

Thailand has long been on the radar for LGBTQ travellers - and for good reason. The country strikes a perfect balance of vibrant city life, breathtaking nature, rich culture and outrageously fun gay nightlife scene. From the temples of Bangkok to the chill beaches of Koh Samet I recently explored some of Thailand’s most iconic spots....