152 LGBTQ Elected Officials Call on 116th Congress to Act on Four Key Initiatives to Advance LGBTQ Equality

More than 150 openly LGBTQ elected officials and newly elected officials from across the nation are calling on the incoming U.S. Congress to act on four key initiatives related to LGBTQ equality. The letter was drafted after a closed-door convening of LGBTQ elected officials at LGBTQ Victory Institute’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference last week. The conference is the largest convening of LGBTQ elected officials in the world – with more than 140 elected officials from 26 countries, as well as 400 other advocates and leaders.   
 

The letter calls on Congress to:

1. pass The Equality Act to expand non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
2. reduce HIV/AIDS by forming an advisory commission, advocating a “Getting to Zero” goal, and taking proactive measures to address disparities in communities of color;
3. protect trans people from anti-trans Trump administration policies and other measures; and
4. improve LGBTQ rights globally by supporting asylum claims and ensuring LGBTQ rights is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.

“LGBTQ political power is growing thanks to the rainbow wave of LGBTQ people who won elected office in November – and this letter is the first sign of us wielding that new power,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. “The current U.S. Congress failed to advance equality policies and legislation that most Americans support: non-discrimination protections, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis, protecting trans people from abusive policies, and being a moral voice on the global stage. The next Congress can remedy these wrongs and LGBTQ elected officials are determined to add their voice and energize their constituents around these important measures. The officials who attended our conference and signed this letter won elected office because voters demanded authentic, values-driven leadership. That is what they are delivering on and we hope the new Congress delivers as well.”

The letter will be delivered to members of Congress in the next session and was spearheaded by West Hollywood City Councilmember John Heilman and organized by LGBTQ Victory Institute. The complete text can be found at victoryinstitute.org/116congressletter.

The 152 signatories so far include:

Zach Adamson, Vice President of Indianapolis City-County Council (IN)

James Aguilar, San Leandro Unified School Board Trustee (CA)

Victor Aguilar, San Leandro City Councilman-elect (CA)

Ben Allatt, Vice President of Harrisburg City Council (PA)

Raghib Allie-Brennan, Connecticut State Representative-Elect

Francena Amparo, Dutchess County Legislator (NY)

Nickie Antonio, Ohio State Representative and State Senator-Elect

Judy Appel, Berkeley Unified School District School Board Trustee (CA)

Kelvin Atkinson, Nevada Senate Majority Leader

Barbara Baier, Lincoln Board of Education Member (NE)

John Bauters, Mayor of Emeryville (CA)

Wendy Berry, West St. Paul City Councilmember (MN)

Jeremy Blake, Newark City Councilmember

Joshua Boschee, Minority Leader in North Dakota House of Representatives

David Bria, Yardley Councilmember (PA)

Lisa Bunker, New Hampshire State Representative-Elect

Sara Burlingame, Wyoming State Representative

Deborah Butler, North Carolina State Representative

Ed Butler, New Hampshire State Representative

Christopher Cabaldon, Mayor of West Sacramento (CA)

Park Cannon, Georgia State Representative

Andres Cano, Arizona State Representative

James Cappleman, City of Chicago Alderman

Kevin Carden, Recorder in Corporation of Harpers Ferry (WV)

James Chang, Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board Commissioner (CA)

Cesar Chavez, Arizona State Representative

Justin Chenette, Maine State Senator

Chris Clark, Mountain View City Councilmember (CA)

Cathy Connolly, Minority Floor Leader in Wyoming House of Representatives

Richard Conti, President Pro Tem of Albany Common Council (NY)

Christopher Constant, Anchorage Assemblymember (AK)

Julian Cyr, Massachusetts State Senator

Allison Dahle, North Carolina State Representative-Elect

Thomas Davidson, Summit County Commissioner (CO)

Larry Forester, Signal Hill Councilmember (CA)

Michael Defusco, Hoboken City Councilman (NJ)

Scott Dibble, Minnesota State Senator

Beth Doglio, Washington State Representative

Randy Downs, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner (Washington, DC)

Adam Ebbin, Virginia State Senator

Harrie Farrow, Carroll County Justice of the Peace (AR)

Ryan Fecteau, Maine State Representative and Assistant Majority Leader

Greg Ford, Vice Chairman of Wake County Board of Commissioners (NC)

Larry Forester, Signal Hill Councilmember (CA)

Shay Franco-Clausen, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (CA)

Jesse Gantt, Vice President of Susquehanna Township School Board (SD)

Brian Garcia, Tempe Union Governing Board Member (AZ)

Joseph Geierman, Doraville City Councilmember (GA)

Steven Glassman, Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner (FL)

Diana Gonzalez, Vermont State Representative

Mary Gonzalez, Texas State Representative

Michael Goodnow, Bremerton City Council (WA)

Steve Hansen, Vice Mayor of Sacramento (CA)

Bruce Harris, Mayor of Chatham Borough (NJ)

John Heilman, West Hollywood Councilmember (CA)

Rosanna Herber, Director-Elect of Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Leslie Herod, Colorado State Representative

Dana Hilliard, Mayor of Somersworth (NH)

Jon Hoadley, Michigan State Representative

Matt Hughes, Town of Hillsborough Commissioner (NC)

Megan Hunt, Nebraska State Senator-Elect

Jay Irwin, Ralston School Board Member (NE)

Andrea Jenkins, Vice President of Minneapolis City Council

Laurie Jinkins, Washington State Representative

Anne Kaiser, Maryland House of Delegates

Gabe Kearney, Petaluma Councilmember (PA)

Michelle Kennedy, Greensboro Councilmember (NC)

Audra Killingsworth, Apex Town Councilmember (NC)

Rebecca Kislak, Rhode Island Representative-Elect

Geoffrey Kors, Palm Springs City Councilmember (CA)

Ben Ku, Gwinnett County Commissioner (GA)

Shawn Kumagai, Dublin City Councilmember-Elect (CA)

Sandra Kurt, Clerk of Courts of Summit County (OH)

Jack Patrick Lewis, Massachusetts State Representative

Marko Liias, Washington State Senator

Signe Lindell, Santa Fe City Councilor (NM)

Bill Lippert, Vermont State Representative

Raymond A. Lopez, City of Chicago Alderman

LaWana Mayfield, Charlotte City Councilmember (NC)

John McCrostie, Idaho State Representative

Tippi McCullough, Arkansas State Representative-Elect

Luis Medina, Lewisburg Borough Councilmember (PA)

Douglas Metcalfe, School Director of Twin Valley School District (PA)

Lisa Middleton, Palm Springs Councilmember (CA)

Daniel Miller, Treasurer of Harrisburg (PA)

Brian Mock, Chamblee Councilmember (GA)

Dominick Moreno, Colorado State Senator

Marcia Morey, North Carolina State Representative

Jason Morgan, Washtenaw County Commissioner (MI)

Kevin Morrison, Cook County Board Commissioner (IL)

Jeremy Moss, Michigan State Senator-Elect

Garrett Muscatel, New Hampshire State Representative

Donna Nesselbush, Rhode Island State Senator

Andrea Olsen, Montana State Representative

Laura Parmer-Lohan, San Carlos City Councilmember (CA)

Roy Peterson, New Carrollton City Councilmember (MD)

Greg Pettis, Mayor of Cathedral City (CA)

Michael Poppa, Roeland Park Councilmember (KS)

Karin Power, Oregon State Representative

Jeffrey Prang, Assessor of Los Angeles County (CA)

Austin Quinn-Davidson, Anchorage Assemblymember (AK)

Gabriel Quinto, El Cerrito Councilmember (CA)

Sam Park, Georgia State Representative

Neil Rafferty, Alabama State Representative-Elect

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, City of Chicago Alderman

Alex Randolph, Vice-President of City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees

Greg Razer, Missouri State Representative

Alex Reber, Millersburg Borough Treasurer (PA)

Lois Reckitt, Maine State Representative

Janelle Rettig, County Supervisor of Johnson County (IA)

Felix Rivera, Anchorage Assemblymember (AK)

Lamont J Robinson, Illinois State Representative-Elect

Paul Rosenthal, Colorado State Representative

Evan Ross, Amherst Town Councilor (MA)

Deborah Ruggiero, Rhode Island State Representative

Susan Ruiz, Kansas State Representative-Elect

Michael Sabatino, Majority Leader of Yonkers City Council (NY)

Janelle K. Sarauw, U.S. Virgin Islands Senator

Lori Schreiber, Abington Township Commissioner (PA)

Chris Schwartz, Black Hawk County Supervisor (IA)

Katie Scott, Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners (MI)

Kristin Seale, Director of Rose Tree Media School Board (PA)

Damon Seils, Mayor Pro Tempore of Carrboro (NC)

Debra Shore, Commissioner of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Jeffrey Slavin, Mayor of Somerset (MD)

Paul Smedberg, Alexandria City Councilmember (VA)

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida State Representative

Marque Snow, Omaha Public Schools Board of Education Member (NE)

Karen Stegman, Chapel Hill Councilmember (NC)

Ty Stober, Vancouver Councilmember (WA)

Ron Strouse, Mayor of Doylestown (PA)

Michael Sutphin, Blacksburg Town Councilmember (VA)

Eric-John Szczepaniak, Kenowa Hills Public Schools Board of Education Member (MI)

Joshua Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor-Elect of Guam

Brianna Titone, Colorado State Representative-Elect

Tyler James Titus, Erie City School Board Director (PA)

Dave Upthegrove, King County Councilmember (WA)

Alex Valdez, Colorado State Representative

Nancy VanReece, Nashville and Davidson County Metro Councilmember

Lawrence Webb, Chair Falls Church City School Boardmember

Jennifer Webb, Florida State Representative-Elect

Tyller Williamson, Monterey City Councilmember (CA)

Claire Wilson, Washington State Senator

Matthew Wilson, Georgia State Representative-Elect

Brett Withers, Nashville and Davidson County Metro Councilmember

Patrick Wojahn, Mayor of College Park (MD)

Brandon Woodard, Kansas State Representative

Zach Young, Goodlettsville City Commissioner (TN)

JoCasta Zamarripa, Wisconsin State Assemblymember

Ahmad Zahra, Fullerton City Councilmember (CA)

Amy Zanelli, Lehigh County Commissioner (PA)

Les Zendle, Desert Healthcare District Director (CA)

Uno Mas Taqueria: Farm-to-table, absolutely fresh locally sourced food

Uno Mas Taqueria y Cantina is one of those cool little hole-in-the-wall gems that once discovered, you don’t want to tell your friends about in case it gets too busy.

They opened in 2013, bringing elevated street tacos to South Pearl, along with specialty tequillas and drinks, traditional tortas, appetizers, and classic Mexican desserts.

Get Your Tickets for the largest Nuggets Pride Night ever

Make sure you grab your tickets and help One Colorado take over the Pepsi Center for the third annual LGBTQ Pride Night with the Denver Nuggets on Friday, December 14th! Get your tickets here!

The Nuggets will be taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder -- you won’t want to miss it! All ticket purchases will include a Denver Nuggets Pride Night t-shirt and a $5 donation to One Colorado.

OUT on VOD: 1:54

 In 1:54, Tim is a shy sixteen-year-old athlete with a natural gift for running, dealing with the loss of his mother as well as his sexuality. However, the last four years of high school have been tough on him because of Jeff and his crew. In his last year of school, Tim is sick and tired of feeling like a loser, and wants to shine for once. He decides to stand up to Jeff by dethroning him in the 800m championship, the event Jeff is known for in school. But behind the competition and rivalry, a secret is wreaking havoc. After a personal video is shared on social media, Tim’s private life is about to explode into the public eye. Soon Tim finds himself pushed to the edge because of the pressure he endures, the edge where human limits reach the point of no return.

Sin City Classic LGBTQ Sports Festival Returns for 12th Year

The Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA) is pleased to announce that 20 sports will compete at the 12th annual Sin City Classic Sports Festival. With registration now open, the festival has grown to include a global footprint and has become the world’s largest annual LGBTQ sporting event. The 2019 Sin City Classic will take place on January 17-20, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“As the festival continues to thrive, we know our athletes’ expectations remain high. To that end, we have added more nightly events than ever before to help keep the athletes busy both competing and making connections with other athletes and friends over the course of the four days,” said Ken Scearce, tournament director for Sin City Classic.

Each January the festival brings together LGBTQ sports associations from around the world in order for LGBTQ athletes, fans and allies to enjoy a weekend full of competition, companionship and fun. In addition to a full roster of sporting competitions, the festival includes nightly social events, including an Opening Night registration party and the Closing Night celebration, which will be held at the LINQ Promenade’s Brooklyn Bowl.

This year the Sin City Class has adopted a new initiative, “Play You.” The tournament welcomes all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation, and promotes an open environment for everyone to participate in sports through the “Play You” initiative. Athletes attending the festival “play” sports in their local communities, but it is not always easy to be “you” in some cities. The Sin City Classic encourages athletes to attend, participate and live authentically.

GLASA started the Sin City Classic 12 years ago as a softball tournament. Over the years the tournament has grown to include over 240 participating softball teams, as well as an additional 24 sports having participated at some point throughout the years. GLASA remains committed to creating the best experience possible for all the dedicated athletes who participate and the fans and allies to come to enjoy the festival.

“Since 1978, GLASA’s mission has been to create a fun, safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ people to play sports, regardless of their athletic experience or ability. While our primary focus is softball, partnering with many other great sports organizations on the Sin City Classic has allowed us to reach so many more people,” said GLASA Commissioner Larry Ruiz. “We sincerely hope that the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas is a blast for everyone who attends. We also hope that it helps to grow excitement for LGBTQ sports in local communities everywhere.”

One Colorado: Time is running out to enroll in health insurance

By Cara Cheevers, Policy Director, One Colorado Education Fund
Do you need to purchase health insurance on Connect for Health Colorado, our state’s health insurance marketplace? You’ve only got a few more days to do so to have health insurance that starts on January 1, 2019.

Are you seeking insurance coverage for transition-related care or a person living with HIV that needs specific prescription drug coverage? We’ve got some resources that will help find the insurance carrier that’s right for you.

Here’s what you need to know: 
• Saturday, December 15, 2018 is that last day that you can purchase health insurance that will begin on January 1, 2019
• You have until January 15, 2019, when open enrollment ends, if you don’t need insurance that starts on January 1st.
• You can talk to a navigator and purchase health insurance online from Connect for Health Colorado.

We’ve also released three new and improved health insurance guides, so that transgender Coloradans and people living with HIV can make informed decisions about which insurance companies provide them with coverage that meets their needs: 

• 2019 Transgender Health Insurance Buyer’s Guide
• 2019 Hormone Therapy Prescription Coverage Guide
• 2019 PrEP and HIV Prescription Coverage Guide

These guides not only look at whether the seven plans on the marketplace cover behavioral health services, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery, but also review the availability of an LGBTQ health navigator, coverage of puberty blockers for minors, quality of hormone therapy coverage, and HIV prescription coverage.

Don't wait to get covered! You have until December 15, 2018 to get health care that starts on January 1, 2019. Shop online now or call 855-PLANS-4-YOU.
 
P.S. Don't forget to tell your friends and family — share this on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtags #GetCovered, #COHealth, and #LGBTQHealthMatters!

Do You Want To Reach Denver's Gay Community? Advertise With Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Do you want to advertise to Denver’s gay community? Of course you do, it’s the 7th largest in the United States! And the best way to reach them is with MileHighGayGuy – Colorado’s Best Gay Blog.
 
Just click the Advertising page or email sales@milehighgayguy.com to get started today.

Koelbel Urban Homes: The New Modern in Denver

Koelbel Urban Homes (KUH) has quickly emerged as a leader in creating urban neighborhoods that promote community and synergy by integrating life, work and play.

As the newest division of legendary developer Koelbel and Company, KUH is focused on in-fill properties, designing and building innovative homes tailored to each unique site.

Offered homes run the gamut of detached single-family homes to svelte modern attached designs featuring today's popular spaces, such as rooftop decks and open-plan concepts. All KUH homes, of course, are designed for optimum living and with respect for the surroundings.

Are You Gay With Something To Say? Bloggers Wanted For Denver's Best Gay Blog!

Are you a new or experienced writer or blogger? Do you want to be? Or maybe you're just some gay guy with something to say? Well, what better forum for you than MileHighGayGuy?

MileHighGayGuy is looking for regular and guest bloggers to write about local news and events, do music and movie reviews, or write opinion or feature pieces from a gay perspective.

These are unpaid positions but offer the opportunity to be published in Colorado's Best Gay Blog (2010, 2011, 2012 OUTstanding Awards, Denver 2012 #WebAwards), expand your audience and gain valuable experience. There's also swag available in the form of free movie and concert tickets, music, books and other cool stuff.

If interested, shoot an email over to Drew Wilson at drew@milehighgayguy.com. And if you've got column or story ideas to pitch, this is the place to do it.

Nice to See StevieB: Done With School

By StevieB

Today was the last day of class. I have to say this is the very first time I’m sad about this. Historically, I’m counting down the days until the semester ends. Dreading the last couple of weeks. But, this semester has been completely different. My classes have been amazingly interesting; Feminist/Queer Philosophy and a history class about Denver.

This is ironic as the history class was based upon the racist KKK dickheads that controlled Denver in the early days. Followed by a class based on liberating modern voices in queer literature. In fact this morning I received this...




It didn’t hurt that I’m 100 years old and actually lived the ‘80’s/‘90’s AIDS crisis. At one point I was explaining Act Up to 20 year old girls. Like I was on the front porch of a gay retirement home in a rocking chair. But, hey, I guess I got an "A".

The Denver history class is motivating me to start a new YouTube channel. Based loosely around the traditional history narrative about a western US city, but with a marginalized voice perspective. Like what happened to Denver’s China Town? Spoiler: Racists. It’s callled the "1880 Race Riot", but really it was a "white assholes with torches"

So, yeah. This semester was actually amazing and I’m sad to see it go.

STDs are Up in Denver. Get Down with Testing Today!

Regular STD testing is an important part of your self health care. STD and HIV testing is offered at Denver Public Health’s Denver Metro Health Clinic and other community partners.

Syphilis infection rates have increased 30% in #Denver County since 2014. Testing is easy and treatment works! Find a location here DenverPublicHealth.org/GetDown.

Bearracuda Denver is Back!

MileHighGayGuy is proud to once again partner up with Bearracuda Denver for their upcoming Winter Party at Ophelia's. Don't miss DJ Matt Consola, the sexiest go-go bears in all the land, and much, much more! Now in 61 cities across the world, Bearracuda is the largest attended bear dance party in the U.S.!

WalletHub Names Denver One of 2018’s Best Places for New Year’s Eve

Source: WalletHub

With New Year’s Eve around the corner and the majority of Americans spending up to $200 each on the occasion per year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018’s Best Places for New Year’s Eve Celebrations (as well as accompanying videos) to go along with its 50+ New Year’s Eve Facts – Traditions, Spending & More infographic.
To help Americans ring in the new year without breaking the bank, WalletHub compared the 100 biggest cities across 28 key metrics. The data set ranges from legality of fireworks to average price of a New Year’s Eve party ticket to forecasted precipitation for Dec. 31.
 

Best Cities for New Year’s Eve
1	New York, NY		11	Miami, FL
2	Los Angeles, CA		12	New Orleans, LA
3	Atlanta, GA		13	Philadelphia, PA
4	San Diego, CA		14	Birmingham, AL
5	Las Vegas, NV		15	Seattle, WA
6	Denver, CO		16	San Antonio, TX
7	Orlando, FL		17	Dallas, TX
8	Chicago, IL		18	Louisville, KY
9	Washington, DC		19	Nashville, TN
10	San Francisco, CA		20	Virginia Beach, VA

HIV Activists Announce Alternative 2020 Conference in Mexico City

An alliance of key population-led networks, networks of people living with HIV, treatment activists, and supporters has formed to organize an international community-led conference titled HIV2020: Community Reclaiming the Global Response. The event is scheduled to take place in Mexico City, July 6-8 of 2020, and will run concurrently with the 2020 International AIDS Conference which is happening in the United States. The HIV2020 Alliance has decided to organize the community-led event to provide a safe alternative for individuals who cannot or will not attend AIDS2020 due to discriminatory U.S. immigration and travel policies directed to people from Muslim, African, Caribbean and Latin American countries, people who use drugs, sex workers, and transgender people. The announcement of the event comes on the advent of Human Rights Day, as the conference aims to offer new opportunities to reaffirm the leading role communities can and should play in the global fight for sexual health and human rights.

The International AIDS Society's (IAS) decision to host their 2020 event in the San Francisco Bay Area sparked vocal protests and calls for an "AIDS2020 For All" and an "HIV Power Shift" at the 2018 International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam this July. IAS's decision went against the recommendations of community advocates worldwide, including the national networks of people living with HIV in the U.S., creating a dilemma for many in the global HIV movement. The HIV2020 Alliance's decision to hold an event parallel to the 2020 International AIDS Conference is not without precedent. When the IAS hosted their last event in the U.S. in 2012, sex worker activists and people who used drugs organized their own events in India and Ukraine in protest. In fact, key populations have been organizing their own pre-conferences at IAS events to specifically address the needs of their communities for over a decade.

"It is irresponsible to put on an event of this size in a country that is inhospitable to people most affected by HIV and AIDS. The IAS's decision resurfaces questions about the importance and community-relevance of large, multi-million-dollar conferences in the face of shrinking investment in the global HIV response," said George Ayala, executive director of MPact Global Action for Gay Men's Health and Rights. "Their decision to move ahead with a conference in the U.S. suggests a willingness by mainstream HIV actors to tolerate the discrimination of people from Muslim, African, Caribbean and Latin American countries, people who use drugs, sex workers, and transgender people. We plan to rectify this and to work with community members to reclaim the global HIV response at the HIV2020 conference."

HIV2020 will be a community-centered, key population-led, interdisciplinary, intersectional, and sex positive event. Its aim is to: build safe and friendly space for the equitable exchange of information, knowledge, experiences and expertise by ensuring diverse voices are heard and reflected; promote community-led solutions and good practice in sexual health and human rights; amplify community voices in calling out the inequities experienced across key populations and specific legal restrictions on some key populations' right to freedom of movement; demonstrate the importance of meaningful involvement of communities in health and human rights responses; reaffirm community commitments and priorities to global health and human rights responses (inclusive of HIV); and model an innovative approach for deliberating new research, tools, and strategies and their real-life implications, with communities as equal partners.

Organizers are calling for statements of solidarity with HIV2020. Advocates, community-based organizations, healthcare and service providers, researchers, public health officials, and funders are invited to endorse the event in writing, on social media, and during high-level global meetings.

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater becomes the first Florida destination in the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s Global Partner program

The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association today announced its global partnership with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the tourism marketing organization for the popular destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. As a Global Partner, Visit St. Pete/ Clearwater strengthens its commitment to LGBTQ+-welcoming travel and IGLTA, the organizational leader in advancing LGBTQ+ travel around the world.

“St. Pete/Clearwater’s partnership with IGLTA brings with it a level of global recognition in the LGBTQ+ tourism space like no other,” said David Downing, CEO & President of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. “We’re honored to work with IGLTA to continue growing as an authentically LGBTQ+-inclusive destination.”

LGBTQ+ inclusion is built into the destination’s DNA. St. Pete Pride is the largest Pride event in the state of Florida, drawing some 200,000 visitors annually, and the city is home to a year-round LGBTQ+ welcome center. In 2017, St. Pete hosted IGLTA’s 34th Annual Global Convention, attracting tourism professionals representing 36 countries—the most globally diverse convention that the association had hosted at the time. That same year, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater was honored during Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Business of Pride awards for its LGBTQ+-focused marketing efforts.
As an IGLTA Global Partner, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater will have increased engagement with the association’s global business members and its progressive offerings will receive enhanced visibility among LGBTQ+ travelers.

"One of the most exciting aspects of holding our Annual Global Convention in St. Pete was being able to share this LGBTQ+-welcoming gem with so many industry leaders from around the world who had not yet experienced its charms,” said IGLTA President/CEO John Tanzella. "Through this global partnership we can continue building upon that success and showcase St. Pete/Clearwater—from its gorgeous beaches to its world-class museums—to an even wider network of global LGBTQ+ tourism professionals and travelers.”