Travel: LGBT Travelers Can Revel in 2016 Lineup of Fabulous Las Vegas Events

Travelers looking for an exciting and colorful array of LGBT events can look no further than the Entertainment Capital of the World. This year ushers in a blending of events that offer an incredible variety of opportunities for only-in-Vegas moments, including daylife, nightlife, entertainment, sporting events, festivals, conventions and more. With celebrated events returning for another fantastic year, and new events making their debut, this year will truly be extraordinary in Las Vegas.

For the first time in National Gay Basketball Association (NGBA) history, the NGBA will host their National LGBT Basketball Championships April 22-24 in Las Vegas. The Coady Roundball Classic brings 36 LGBT and Ally teams from across the U.S. and Canada to Las Vegas and is the longest running LGBT basketball tournament in the world.

Created for lesbians by lesbians, the fun-filled Dinah Vegas returns for its fifth year in Las Vegas. Guests of the weekend-long event can revel cocktail parties, sunshine, poolside fun and more, April 28 – May 1. Caesars Entertainment welcomes the ladies in style with live entertainment from a top-tier line up of Lesbian DJs including Dawna Montell, Dirty Kurty, Whitney Day and DJ Du Jour. Event highlights include a headlining performance by former Pussycat Doll Kaya at the Infinity Pool Party inside Flamingo Las Vegas and the always anticipated Vegas White party at Chateau Nightclub at Paris Las Vegas.

Poolside summer fun continues with Las Vegas’ longest running LGBT pool party, Temptation Sundays which makes its triumphant return for its seventh season at Luxor Hotel & Casino on May 15. This celebrated poolside party takes place every Sunday afternoon May – Sept and features the hottest DJs spinning top tracks, specialty beverages and celebrations.

Las Vegas welcomes the Prime Timers Western Regional Gathering, May 1-5 at The Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The gathering is arriving in Las Vegas for its seventh year and brings mature gay and bisexual men together for four days of tours, workshops, activities, friendship, support and personal growth.

Las Vegas welcomes the largest gay dance festival of the summer, Matinee Las Vegas, May 27– 30. The festival is celebrating its sixth year and the festivities will take over Rumor Hotel for four exciting days of revelry. Plus, the Water Park event is back for a new all-day and night edition at Cowabunga Bay May 28. Matinee Las Vegas features sizzling parties, bumping DJs and welcomes thousands of LGBT partiers from coast to coast.

Another first, Las Vegas welcome the Big Gay Men Organization’s Western Coast Conference taking place at Luxor Hotel & Casino July 7–11.  This year’s event offers a vendor hall, hospitality suites, evening entertainment options and concludes with the Temptation Sundays pool party.
                              

                                                                 
The Las Vegas Showgirl Invitational bowling tournament is Sept. 2-4. The event takes place at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall and includes team competition, as well as singles and doubles tournaments all weekend long. Join local bowlers and teams from across the U.S. in this fun LGBT bowling tournament.
  Las Vegas PRIDE takes place Oct. 22 and 23 with a lineup of events that celebrate the diversity and uniqueness within the Las Vegas LGBT community. Events include the annual PRIDE Night Parade on Oct. 22 in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas. The PRIDE Festival is in a new, larger location at Sunset Park Oct. 22-23, providing additional space for entertainment. The two-day long event encourages attendees to celebrate their pride with members of the Las Vegas LGBT community and straight allies and enjoy an exciting weekend of events, entertainment and nightlife.
  World Gay Rodeo Finals trots into Las Vegas Oct. 20-23, celebrating their 30^th anniversary. Spectators can enjoy a multitude of events from bull riding and roping to barrel racing and steer decorating as well as the crowning of the TGRA royal court. The annual three-day event will be held at South Point Hotel, Arena & Equestrian Center.

New Horizons Nevada will host their annual May Fun Festival May 1-5 at the Tuscany Suites hotel. This festival brings together adult gay men for five days of social activities, banquets, pub crawls and more while benefiting the Senior Affordable LGBT Housing project.

To learn more about how LGBT special events or how to book a fabulous vacation, visit www.LasVegas.com/GayTravel. 

Las Vegas: Satisfy Your Appetite

If you're in the mood for the dining experience of a lifetime, look no further than the incredible restaurants of Las Vegas.

Be A Part of History in Las Vegas on 12/13/14 and Say "I Do" for Free on The High Roller

The High Roller and The LINQ Promenade are set to be home to hundreds of “in-motion” weddings and non-stop celebrations on the auspicious date of 12/13/14 – the last sequential wedding date of this century. Declare your never-ending adoration with a picture-perfect wedding above the Las Vegas Strip on the world’s largest observation wheel, the High Roller. To celebrate the lucky date, the High Roller will host free simultaneous in-cabin weddings on the impressive wheel for two hours and two minutes beginning at 10:11 a.m. and ending at 12:13 p.m. Be a part of history and among other couples saying “I Do” on this ceremonious occasion.

To be among the betrothed couples participating in the free weddings or vow renewals on the wheel, Caesars Entertainment is welcoming crazy-in-love couples on a first-come, first-served basis. Those wanting to wed must bring the required marriage license, state or government issued identification and of course their never-ending-love and a sense of adventure. Each of the lucky couples will not only receive the free wedding, but also a complimentary champagne toast and commemorative photo following their “I do.”
Although this truly extraordinary day of weddings begins at 10:11 a.m., interested couples may secure their place in history by arriving to line up as early as 8 a.m., complete with marriage license in hand. The first licensed-to-wed couples will begin boarding the 28 circular cabins of the High Roller at precisely 10:11 a.m. for two hours and two minutes for the morning of simultaneous round-the-wheel weddings. The free weddings on the wheel continue until the stroke of 12:13 p.m.
To make the day official for couples who want to either wed or renew their vows on the landmark date, a search is underway for ordained ministers in Las Vegas who want to participate in this historic event by officiating weddings inside the cabins of the High Roller. An open call will be held on Thursday, Nov 20 from 10am-2pm at The LINQ Fountains. To be considered, those interested must be certified and licensed as a wedding officiant in the state of Nevada and must be available between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 12/13/14. For more information, visit our Las Vegas Blog, The LINQ, as well Las Vegas Weddings.

Las Vegas Celebrates First Legal Same-Sex Wedding Performed at Flamingo Las Vegas

Caesars Entertainment Properties in Las Vegas celebrated the first legal same-sex wedding at the beautiful Garden Chapel of the Flamingo Las Vegas on Saturday, October 11.  

Grooms Atrau Stoller and Raymond Huntington of Washington State had originally planned their union as a destination commitment ceremony and when they learned of the change in Nevada law they filed for a wedding license and exchanged legal vows of marriage. Exchanging vows in the beautiful gardens of Flamingo Las Vegas, the newly married couple and wedding guests made their way to the High Roller Observation Wheel where they celebrated with a champagne toast at 550-feet above the Las Vegas Strip.

Travel: A Foodie's Guide to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world. First-class shopping, luxurious spas, astounding resorts, famous celebrities from across the globe, and of course, some of the finest dining in the world. gaytravel.com has compiled a list of top eats for LGBT travelers headed to Las Vegas this Fall. Prepare your taste buds for an exquisite experience in a city that has raised the bar on fine dining.

Las Vegas' Liason Nightclub Grand Opening This Month

Who's up for a weekend in Vegas? Liason nightclub will have their grand opening celebration September 20 hosted by the divine Laverne Cox.

Gay Days Las Vegas - Six Weeks and Counting

It's less than six weeks to your Gay Days Las Vegas, the perfect end-of-summer vacation!

Click HERE to purchase your Gay Days Luxor room which includes your pool party passes.

This year we have another great lineup of DJ's for Gay Days in Las Vegas. The pool parties will be jumping at the Luxor! Here's the listing of DJ's who will be spinning at the pool parties.

Thursday, Sept 4 DJ Eddy & DJ Axis
Friday, Sept 5 DJ Chris Adams & DJ Ryan Tiffin
Saturday, Sept 6 DJ Brett Law, Dj Sinna-G and DJ ChiChi LaRue
Sunday, Sept 7 Party hosted by the Luxor

Click HERE to purchase Gay Days pool party tickets if you are NOT booked at the Luxor. Outside guests are welcome.

Las Vegas' Liaison Nightclub Now Taking Reservations

Never has a nightclub catering specifically to LGBT patrons been located inside the doors of a Las Vegas Strip casino venue. But that will all change when the new 7,000-square-foot Liaison Nightclub opens its doors to the public on Friday, June 20 at 10 p.m.

The nightclub, being launched by Las Vegas nightclub impresario Victor Drai and gay nightlife king Eduardo Cordova, in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, will make history when Bally’s Las Vegas welcomes the luxurious new nightclub during its official soft opening.

Inside Liaison, guests will find the elegant nightclub with its center-strip location decorated with saturated and sexy dark finishes of gold and black and adorned with an abundance of mirrors and Venetian-style chandeliers.

The nightclub is intimate, yet spacious enough to offer the social experience of which patrons of Drai’s venues have come to expect.

“With our After Hours club positioned to move back to its original home underground at The Cromwell, I wanted to use the space to continue to transform the nightlife scene in Las Vegas,” explains Drai. “Now I have an opportunity to bring a gay nightclub to the center of the Strip, and with Caesars Entertainment and Eduardo Cordova on my team, I have no doubt that Liaison will be a game-changer.”

“We are proud to be the home to Liaison and have no doubt that Victor will bring the same type of excitement and sophistication that he brings to all his endeavors,” says David Hoenemeyer, regional president, Caesars Entertainment. “This is an historic and exciting venture for all of us involved and it will no doubt enhance the guest experience for the gay travelers that visit our hotel and city every year.”

Liaison Nightclub will feature two club rooms, two DJs, multiple bars, a stage, and ample space for surprise performances. It will offer a seven-night-a-week experience featuring an eclectic mix of international house, edm, top 40 hits, hip-hop mashups, and even a drag night.

Liaison’s Resident DJ line-up includes Ryan Kenney, Dave Aude, Brynn Taylor, Derek Monteiro, Nick Ayler, Joe Gauthreaux, Wayne G, Erez Ben Ishay, Laszlo, Brett Rubin, Shai Peri, and Jon Cha.

The nightclub’s star-studded Grand Opening celebration, however, is set for August 23, with more details to come.

Travel: Liaison, The First Gay Nightclub on the Las Vegas Strip

To say that Victor Drai is a busy man would be an understatement. Currently putting the finishing touches on his new Drai's Beach Club • Nightclub at The Cromwell in Las Vegas (opening Memorial Day Weekend), Drai has announced the opening of Liaison: the first-ever gay nightclub at a Las Vegas casino. Located at Bally’s, Liaison will open this summer in the space currently occupied by Drai’s famed After Hours nightclub and the club will be holding casting calls for all positions in Las Vegas on May 17 at Drai’s After Hours and on May 20 in Los Angeles at Victor Drai’s new Rare by Drais.

Together with Creative Director Eduardo Cordova, the man who has been credited with bringing gay nightlife to the forefront of the club scene in Las Vegas, Liaison will be a seven-night-a-week experience featuring an eclectic mix of hip hop, rap, top 40 and a drag night. “With our After Hours club positioned to move back to its original home underground at The Cromwell, I wanted to use the space to continue to transform the nightlife scene in Las Vegas,” explains Victor Drai. “Now I have the opportunity to bring a gay nightclub to the center of the Strip, and with Caesars Entertainment and Eduardo Cordova on my team, I have no doubt that Liaison will be a game-changer.”

Gay Denver, Are You Ready to Be Xposed in Las Vegas?

Xposed!, the ultimate Saturday LGBTQ Beach Club Party in Las Vegas, makes its debut March 29 at the Beach Club at The New Tropicana resort in Las Vegas and it sounds like my kind of party!

Travel: Las Vegas Pride

It's time once again for Pride in Las Vegas!

Head downtown on Sept. 6 for the annual PRIDE Night Parade. Warm up with the pre-party at Fremont Street Experience and enjoy the parade through the heart of downtown. Then it’s on to the daylong celebration Sept. 7 at the PRIDE Festival from noon-10 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater.

Fabulous Las Vegas returns Sept. 3–8. This one-of-a-kind celebration includes events such as PRIDE Family Bingo at Circus Circus, the hilarious standup of comedy queens Margaret Cho (Sept. 6) and Kathy Griffin (Sept. 7), and Temptation Sundays, the signature pool party at Luxor followed by REVO at The Mirage’s Revolution Lounge.

There’s more excitement to be had at Gay Days Las Vegas Sept. 3–9 with daily pool parties, dance parties, The Gay Days Expo at Luxor and other Gay Days events at the Tropicana, Rumor and all over town!

Gay pool parties in Las Vegas? Count me in!

Pool season has arrived – so get out your swimwear and enjoy a day by the pool like never before! No place embodies fun in the sun like Las Vegas, home to lavish pool parties all summer long. Kick things off at the Matinee Las Vegas Festival May 25 – 28, which includes pool parties at Rumor and special events all weekend long. It’s four days of nonstop revelry that will get your summer off to a spectacular start. Then give in to Temptation every Sunday – the weekly LGBT pool party at Luxor hosted by J. Son! Temptation features themed weekly events complete with cool drink specials and more. There’s something unique every week, including the Sirius XM OutQ The Focus Group broadcast party on July 15, the Instinct magazine fashion show August 19, the Las Vegas PRIDE kickoff party September 2 and more! Make Vegas a part of your summer fun and soak up the exciting pool scene! Find out more at VisitVegas.com.

Share Nightclub Las Vegas Recognized by Senator Harry Reid

U.S. Senator and Majority House Leader Harry Reid applauded Share Nightclub’s Las Vegas grand opening in a recent congratulatory letter, where two charities, NOH8 and Golden Rainbow, shared the spotlight at the March 3 celebration. 
 

E! Entertainment’s Ross Mathews hosted the event with many celebrity friends attending but the main headliner was Share’s contribution to the LGBT community.   Senator Reid stated, “Share will provide a fun, exciting and unique entertainment destination for the Southern Nevada LGBT community and friends alike.” 

NOH8 marriage equality snapped their iconic images for Vegas locals and visitors to continue the campaign of awareness for gay rights.  In a SHARE weekend that had already received Proclamation from Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman, Senator Reid commented in his letter, “I commend you [Share] for using your wonderful venue to bring focus to these issues.”

Michael J. Crisp, Executive V.P. of the Vista Group and Share partner commented, “We are thrilled with the rave reviews Share has been receiving and expect only more great things in our future since Share Nightclub is not only a fun, gay hot spot but a focal point for greater LGBT causes.”

Adding to the revelry, local HIV/AIDS nonprofit Golden Rainbow performed an exclusive sneak peek of its “Ribbon of Life” fundraiser in June.  The Senator, who also supports anti-hate crime legislation added, “I wish you the very best for success … congratulations!” 

Travel: A Night in Las Vegas

Passport reporter Camilo Gomez takes us on a whirlwind tour of gay-friendly Las Vegas. Our first stop is sleek and sexy, The Chandelier at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas where he discovers Fire Breathing Dragons.

Travel: Gossip in Las Vegas

GOSSIP, the Pool at Rumor Boutique Hotel in Las Vegas is the perfect spot for relaxed lounging or enjoying the sparkling pool.  Beginning on May 1st, the pool party scene is about to be transformed, and Gossip will be the site for premier LGBT promoter Eduardo Cordova’s newest Sunday creation, Sunkissed Pool Party & Brunch. 

 

Teaming up with The Siegel Group, Cordova has created the ultimate Sunday event - a pool party that begins with brunch at Addiction and then moves to Rumor’s unparalleled pool area featuring cabanas and hammocks positioned amongst the hotel’s swaying palms.  Each Sunday will be jam-packed with grooves from resident DJ Roger Gangi and bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s served all day long; the result--a relaxed scene that cannot be found at any other Las Vegas resort. 

 

With a Miami meets LA meets Palm Springs vibe that is still distinctly Vegas, Sunkissed at Gossip gives the Las Vegas gay community a new place to call home each Sunday.  “Rumor is the perfect setting for Sunkissed because it is more intimate and private than the big casinos,” explains Cordova.  “At Gossip, we have the whole pool area instead of being sectioned off somewhere; we are going to enjoy every inch of Rumor’s amazing outdoor pool area and courtyard.  I have no doubt that Sunkissed at Gossip will be the new place to see and be seen. Additionally, we are partnering with some really special LGBT non-profit organizations so that we can give back to the community every week.”

 

Addiction, Rumor’s intimate and eclectic restaurant will also be a highlight of the day, beginning with a Sunday Brunch that will either cure the party from the night before or get the Sunday party going!  Featuring multiple all-you-can-eat brunch stations for just $35, the selections include: Old School Breakfast featuring Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage and Potatoes; Omelet Fire Station with made-to-order creations adding in the freshest meats and vegetables, as well as the Addiction Station with Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Silver Dollar Butterfinger Marscapone Pancakes and an old-fashion Waffle.  Add to that, a drink menu which is equally as tantalizing and features one-of-a-kind cocktails such as Tipsy Tea and the Rumor Mill Daiquiri, and the 150 room, all-suite boutique hotel will most certainly set the standard for gay (or straight) pool parties.  

 

“We are excited to have Eduardo bring Sunkissed to Gossip, the Pool at Rumor,” notes Michael Crandall, director of business affairs for The Siegel Group. “There is really no other pool area like this in Las Vegas.  There might be bigger ones or fancier ones, but none have the unique, casual and sexy feel of this pool.  It’s intimate, but definitely big enough to welcome a big day of partying.” 

 

In addition to Sunkissed Sundays, Gossip at Rumor has just launched a weekly calendar that gives locals and visitors the best options for enjoying the summer heat.  At Gossip, guests can hide-out in a seductive private cabana or be seen sunning on a poolside chaise with a cocktail from the bar. By day the sun and sparkling water soothe and energize just steps from a Rumor suite. By night, it transforms into a happening hideaway with DJ's spinning under the stars.

 

Las Vegas: Moulin Rouge at Krave

Las Vegas' Krave becomes Moulin Rouge on November 21.

Sounds fun.

I'm going to need a Las Vegas weekend here pretty soon myself.

Mariah's toast to gay marriage

I'm not much of a Mariah fan but this is pretty cool.

Some guy proposed to his boyfriend after being brought onstage at a recent Mariah Carey concert in Las Vegas and got applause from the audience and a champagne toast from the imperfect angel herself.

Aw, so sweet. - via Advocate.com

Deployment: Gays in the military ... and in Las Vegas!

Gay List Daily reports that Deployment - an annual event bringing together gay servicemembers and their admirers - is coming to Las Vegas the weekend of October 9-11 and will be offering up a decadent roster of dance parties, pool parties, BBQs, and lots more for men in - and out - of uniform.

Sounds fun.

*Update: The event has been cancelled due to low sales.

Win a free trip to Las Vegas

Enter Passport.com's sweepstakes for a chance to win two tickets to NeonFest, the GLBT International Film Festival in Las Vegas. And that’s only the beginning. Your getaway will also include roundtrip airfare and three nights at Paris Las Vegas, a $500 Miracle Mile shopping spree and limo transfers. It’s all on Passport, the Vegas Experts at US Airways Vacations. Enter now for your chance to win this terrific vacation and spend January 21-24, 2009 in Las Vegas.

Who says Denver isn't 'fun'?

According to The Wall Street Journal, employees of the Federal government are being steered away from 'fun cities' like Las Vegas and Orlando to more "buttoned-down" places like Denver and St. Louis for conferences.

Rude.

Denver is fun!