OutThere’s Post

🌈 Sometimes, positive surprises come from some of the least expected places, as Copenhagen Pride has learned the hard way - jumping on the populist bandwagon has consequences: Following their widely criticized and politicized requirement for business partners to "report on their position towards business operations in Israel and provide 'satisfactory answers,'" Danish Industry decided to end their 10-year collaboration with Copenhagen Pride. "We are stopping formal cooperation with Copenhagen Pride because the organization's work with inclusion and diversity is simply overshadowed by increased politicization, which divides more than it unites," says Dansk Industri's advisory director, Kinga Szabo Christensen. 👏👏👏 And just to remind that among Copenhagen Pride's commercial partners are companies that operate in Qatar, China, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and until recently, Russia. You know, the places where (as opposed to Israel) being publicly LGBTQ+ means imprisonment or death. But somehow, they never asked companies operating in these regions for 'satisfactory answers' 🤷♀️ https://lnkd.in/d__SUzdF

🏳️🌈 The future of gay tourism is bright. As LGBTQ+ people continue to gain acceptance around the world, the demand for gay-friendly travel is expected to grow. This will create new opportunities for destinations and businesses that cater to this market. Economic impact of gay tourism: Gay tourism has a significant economic impact on the destinations that receive it. In addition to the direct spending of LGBTQ+ travelers, this segment contributes to job creation and supports local businesses. A study by the Williams Institute at UCLA found that gay and lesbian tourists in California spent an estimated $11.5 billion in 2017, generating $1.7 billion in tax revenue and supporting 17,000 jobs. Gay pride events: Gay pride celebrations, also known as Pride, are a fundamental element of LGBTQ+ tourism. These festivities, which take place all over the world, commemorate LGBTQ+ culture and identity through various events, such as parades, festivals and parties. Some of the most recognized Pride events include those in San Francisco, New York City, Toronto, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and Berlin. These events attract millions of people each year and represent a major source of income for the tourism industry. https://lnkd.in/efSjQB7g

A little wander through gay culture and business. There were three gay clubs in my area when I began social transition. One abruptly closed its doors within a month after I began transition. Another had its building torn down to build high rise apartments and moved into the property of the third gay club. The third gay club's property was owned by the club's owners. They sold that property to a developer to tear it down and turn it into high rise apartments. We expect it to disappear in 2024. At the same time... the area has, and continues to have at least three, if not four queer venues. Two more venues owned by one of the queer venue owners that have turned into the neurospicy/queer/trans/gender non-conforming hangout. And several mainstream venues went queer and trans inclusive because it simplified their logistics on events with highly gendered crowds. Long term... gay and queer venues will be expunged due to real estate speculation. For now... gay venues are falling faster. And it aint because of the queers like me.

Looking for #partners to promote first #vogueball in Georgia,Tbilisi 🏳️🌈 The Georgian Vogue Ball stands as a revolutionary event, pioneering as Georgia's inaugural venture into Vogue culture. This event seeks to import the dynamic and rich tradition of Vogue, which took root among the African American and Latino LGBTQ communities in late 20th-century New York City, to the Georgian scene. It's more than a festivity of dance and art; it's an emblem of diversity, inclusiveness, and expressive freedom. Goal The aim of the Georgian Vogue Ball is to forge a memorable experience that goes beyond the conventional limits of art and culture, nurturing a welcoming atmosphere for personal expression. The introduction of ball culture to Georgia signifies a step towards progressive values and creative novelty. Partnership Requirements To bring this grand vision to life, the Georgian Vogue Ball is looking for partners dedicated to enhancing cultural diversity, artistic innovation, and social inclusion. Suitable partners include businesses, cultural entities, people from art spheres, corporations, cultural institutions, and community groups eager to back an event that not only draws significant attention but also impacts society positively. Benefits for Partners Associating with the Georgian Vogue Ball offers partners a chance to be part of a distinct cultural spectacle, attracting media coverage and public interest. This collaboration serves as a prime opportunity for organizations to showcase their dedication to diversity and inclusivity, engage with a varied and vibrant community, and be aligned with a trailblazing cultural initiative. Please like this post so more people can see and engage with an event <3

Today, the European Pride Organisers Association announced the list of cities bidding to host EuroPride 2027. Joining Pride in Gloucestershire are Turin, Torremolinos, and Vilnius. EuroPride is licensed to a different Pride/Host city each year, this year it takes place in June in Thessaloniki, Greece, and next year in Lisbon, but in recent years, it has been held in Copenhagen, Malta, Vienna and Belgrade, with the last one held in the UK being London in 2012. The event can last up to 2 weeks and involve a festival, march, Human Rights Conference and an array of LGBTQ+ arts and culture activities and can attract over 100,000 people from across the globe. Whilst each organisation has five months to complete their bids and be ready for publication on 8th September, Pride in Gloucestershire is confident in presenting a competitive and meaningful case to bring this prestigious global event to Gloucestershire and the UK. Pride in Gloucestershire spokesperson Richard Stevens (he/him) commented, “2027 will mark 15 years since EuroPride was last held in the UK. The UK, once known for its strong LGBTI+ credentials, has seen a continuous decline in not only its international standing but also community confidence and fear from a rise in hate crime and the creeping influence of extremists. With Gloucestershire’s reputation for hosting world-class events coupled with our reputation for being inclusive and community-focussed across a whole region, we feel that we will be able to deliver a EuroPride with the impact that empowers the LGBTI+ community not just in the UK but across the whole of Europe.” Lenny Emson (he/him), President of the European Pride Organisers Association which licenses EuroPride, said: “With the increase in right-wing and far-right governments and politicians across Europe, Pride events are becoming ever more important as an opportunity for the LGBTI+ community to come together and show their strength in numbers and togetherness. EuroPride continues to grow in importance and as a stand against the weaponisation of LGBTI+ rights in politics wherever it takes place.” EuroPride has the ability to enact change and directly improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people. The Gloucestershire team says that even though they expect this to generate at least £30m directly for the local economy, using this opportunity to create a true legacy for LGBTQ+ people is our primary focus. Whilst our plans must be kept under wraps until September, we welcome any interest from people, organisations or businesses interested in getting involved in either supporting our bid or playing their part should our bid be successful.

🌈 Embracing Authenticity: A Reflection from ITB Berlin 🌈 It was great to talk with Giuseppe Giulio yesterday (Thomas Bömkes, Camila Hidalgo thanks a lot for that opportunity at Messe Berlin. Traveling can be an enriching experience, but sometimes unexpected challenges arise that test our patience and resilience. It was great to talk about my life experience and challenges like: -> Having an ID card that doesn't align with your appearance or gender identity can be a challenging experience, as I've personally encountered. 🌞Just yesterday, I learned about a progressive initiative in Germany that offers an additional card specifically for individuals in transition. This simple yet impactful measure spares people from the exhausting ordeal of repeatedly explaining their identity to others, a situation I've unfortunately had to navigate myself.🌞 Thanks for joining our discussion and meaningful conversation after panel Nicolò Manfredini, IGLTA, Nick Antipov, Earenya Emiliana Guerra 🏳️⚧️ It was great to meet in person folks from Queer Destinations: Adrian Hernandez and Edgar W. 🌈The highlight of the conversation was witnessing the dedication of establishments like hotels, where staff undergo comprehensive training on trans issues. This commitment to inclusivity fosters a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons—a testament to the power of education and empathy.🌈 Together, let us strive to create a world where every individual can live authentically, unencumbered by fear or prejudice. #QueerDestination #IGLTA #TransVisibility #TransSafety #Inclusion #Equality #Authenticity #LGBTQIA+ 🏳️🌈

Have you heard about the 'Be Who You Want To Be' initiative yet? Marking a significant step towards creating an LGBTQ+ friendly village within the town centre, it underscores a commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to express their true selves without fear of discrimination or prejudice. It aims to build upon the existing concentration of LGBTQ+ friendly establishments within the BID, particularly in areas such as Queen Street, Springfield Road, Dickson Road, and Lord Street. Rather than confining individuals to a specific neighbourhood, its mantra emphasises the freedom for everyone to embrace their authentic selves. Since the initiative was first unveiled last August, there has been positive changes in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. However, there is still work to be done, which is why we are pleased to see the collaboration between the business community, council, arts groups, and other stakeholders in supporting this big step for Blackpool. With approximately 15 LGBTQ+ bars and numerous LGBTQ+ friendly guesthouses in Blackpool, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents and visitors. https://lnkd.in/eHYSMDMY #Blackpool #BlackpoolBID #WeAreBlackpoolBID #BlackpoolImprovementDistrict #BlackpoolBusiness

As #Thessaloniki, #Greece is welcoming the global LGBTQ+ community for the Europride 2024 (June 21-29), ForwardKeys and Queer Destinations have zoomed in on travel trends to the #destination to assess the impact of such an event on #travel flows. The data shows a notable rise in demand, particularly from Sweden, with a 29% increase in arrivals the week before #EuroPride and a staggering 89% increase during the event itself. The UK also demonstrates strong performance, with continued interest even after the event concludes, suggesting EuroPride's potential to extend the tourism season beyond the main event dates. "While popular with the LGBTQ+ community across generations, we can see that younger audiences, such as Generation Z, are increasingly interested in these types of international events. Europride is just one of the many success stories internationally, along with Pride events in Mexico, Barcelona, Madrid, New York, and São Paulo," said Edgar Weggelaar, CEO at Queer Destinations. “Benchmarking Thessaloniki against past editions of EuroPride provides a broader perspective on the event's impact. EuroPride 2023 in #Valletta saw a +13% increase in arrivals during the event week, while #Vienna, the 2019 host, experienced a +10% increase compared to the previous year. The consistent increase in international arrivals to host cities suggests that EuroPride reliably attracts international visitors," commented Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence & Marketing at ForwardKeys. Read the full story here: https://hubs.la/Q02D8xl80 #traveltrends #destinationmarketing #destinationmanagement #LGBT+ #pride #queer #data Queer Destinations Edgar W.

We are three weeks way from Florida’s only statewide LGBTQ+ tourism convention. We have reached out to every destination in Florida inviting them to join us for conversations around inclusion. It’s been an interesting year with many destinations stepping away from these conversations. We’ve even had a couple of DMOs halt funding completely when it comes to diversity in marketing campaigns, especially LGBTQ+ content. I won’t call out these individual destinations (or the state DMO) because it’s not the right thing to do. Rather, I am a bigger fan of celebrating those who show up to the table instead. It says a lot when destinations commit to taking time out of their busy schedules to learn, network and strategize to welcome ALL travelers, including LGBTQ+ travelers, to their destinations. It also says a lot when destinations make an effort to learn, even when they aren’t quite ready to engage. And it says a TON when destinations sponsor this work. So, I want to recognize those showing up: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (presenting sponsor) Visit Tampa Bay (platinum sponsor) Visit Lauderdale (silver sponsor) Visit St. Pete Clearwater (bronze sponsor) The Florida Keys & Key West (bronze sponsor) The Palm Beaches (ally sponsor) Discover Crystal River West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority Martin County Destinations International If I missed you, please tag yourself. To the destinations not yet attending, consider joining the FLOCC next month. Learn more here: https://www.FLOCC.lgbt

As #Thessaloniki, #Greece, is welcoming the global LGBTQ+ community for the Europride 2024 (June 21-29), ForwardKeys and Queer Destinations have zoomed in on travel trends to the #destination to assess the impact of such an event on #travel flows. The data shows a notable rise in demand, particularly from Sweden, with a 29% increase in arrivals the week before #EuroPride and a staggering 89% increase during the event itself. The UK also demonstrates strong performance, with continued interest even after the event concludes, suggesting EuroPride's potential to extend the tourism season beyond the main event dates. "While popular with the LGBTQ+ community across generations, we can see that younger audiences, such as Generation Z, are increasingly interested in these types of international events. Europride is just one of the many success stories internationally, along with Pride events in Mexico, Barcelona, Madrid, New York, and São Paulo," said Edgar Weggelaar, CEO at Queer Destinations. “Benchmarking Thessaloniki against past editions of EuroPride provides a broader perspective on the event's impact. EuroPride 2023 in #Valletta saw a +13% increase in arrivals during the event week, while #Vienna, the 2019 host, experienced a +10% increase compared to the previous year. The consistent increase in international arrivals to host cities suggests that EuroPride reliably attracts international visitors," commented Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence & Marketing at ForwardKeys. Read the full story here: https://hubs.la/Q02D8xl80 #traveltrends #destinationmarketing #destinationmanagement #LGBT+ #pride #queer #data Queer Destinations Edgar W. Olivier Ponti