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Arizona.

I was forced there because of work obligations.

And… guess what? I’m already planning my next trip (well, in theory)!

New York City can be a cold and frigid place. I was only happy to go to Arizona because, in comparison to NYC, it was warm and I was getting away. (And here is a tip for the frugal 20 something year old traveler: Find a job that pays for you to travel, because I only spent $20 out-of-pocket. Thanks Job!)

Holding onto the arm rest of my violent chair (I hate planes!) I fantasized about what Arizona would be like.  I envisioned this warm vacation spa where I could sit under the sun and relax.

And I was right! I arrived at the Tucson International Airport, waited for my coworker to use the gender neutral bathroom (the family bathroom) and rushed my way passed the moving doors and into the warm crisp air.

A huge cactus welcomed me and I greeted it back, hopping around like a 5-year-old just discovering he was gay. I was so happy to have Vitamin D lend me some endorphins and plant a smile on my face.

Tucson was quiet.

I had just finished doing research on the Mexican/United States border prior to arriving in Tucson so I was expecting to see a huge Mexican cultural influence; mariachis greeting me and maybe a taco stand. But, it was not Queens, NY and so I got none of that. Oh well. I did eat Mexican food that night though it was like a really exaggerated taco bell. It was good, but it wasn’t the “authentic” Mexican food that my Mexican friends had told me about… Pozole, Tamales and Cemitas. Yum.

That being said, Tucsonans do pride themselves on their Mexican culture, which they call Sonoran. It’s a lot different then the Mexican cultures that have migrated to New York City.

Gay Travel in Tucson.

And being gay in Tucson is apparently a lot more acceptable than in Phoenix (which shocked me, but that’s for another article). I went to Colors, which is a gay owned and themed restaurant. It truly seemed like a welcoming place for LGBTQ people and not just a flaming stereotype. However, it certainly was not intergenerational. At 23, the waiter and I were the youngest ones there, and at least by 10 years.

One cannot go to a gay restaurant and leave without an interesting story:

As soon as I felt my age, I immediately had to lock myself in the bathroom and send texts complaining to my New York City constituents that there was no one my age and I would not be able to partake in the hotel rendezvous I envisioned.

The door wasn’t locked.

An older gay man, about 55, comes in and spots me huddled up in the corner by the sink, texting away. “What a pleasant surprise, a cute young twink.” He startles me, but I like a good flirt. I stand up and apologize, and tell him he can use the bathroom. He, jokingly (I think), invites me to stay and watch. I decline but do accept his offer for a hug.

Hugging a random stranger in a public bathroom. Only in Tucson, Arizona?

Two Vodka Cranberries later, I’m buzzed and it’s time to leave. The older man stops me, and introduces me to his older friend. I feel so beautiful. My competition, the other 23-year-old (the waiter) comes by, and referring to me, says “Are you messing with my customer?”  Ah, I love him now.  We all share a good laugh, my self esteem is high, but my coworker gives me the look and I must leave.

I should have gotten the waiter’s number. Oh well.

But yes, Colors was fun. I did do some touristy things while in Tucson, like visit the Saguaro National Park. That was… cute. After seeing Cacti for over an hour, I had my fix. I would go again, but it’s best used for a jog or walk with a love one. I was in a car with my co worker and a very quiet older, and awkward, lady.

All in all, Tucson… 2 thumbs up!

Next stop: Phoenix!

Bryan Pacheco, Contributing Writer

“Who am I?” and “What do I want?” are the questions that invade the minds of all the twenty-something’s I know.

After four years of college, we leave with more questions about who we are then when we started. All that defined us slowly shifts and the people we love transform.

Many of us travel around the world in search of the answers only to find them in the most unusual and unexpected places.  Yet we need the chance to step away from our homes in order to pay attention to the solution.

For me, that took flying out to visit a close friend in Cambodia where I realized that I had lost her and gained a better understand of myself in return. What started out as a casual escape, ended in a world of self-discovery.

Letting her go was difficult, but I gained something more. I gained an appreciation of myself and the decisions that I have made.

And so, I boarded the plane for Thailand alone, with butterflies in my stomach, but proud of the decisions we had both made. And let me tell you… Thailand as a twenty-something woman flying solo was breathtaking… but I’ll divulge later (the pictures is a “sneak-peek”).

Oh, and who am I?…

I am a compassionate womyns rights advocate and a queer woman of color who finds pain in staying still and believes in a womyns right to choose (everything).

After a few hours of doing what our generation knows how to do best, Surfing the Web via Google, I stumbled upon this fabulous queer social group in NYC for the 20-something community, called 20SOMETHING.

These social group joins to have drinks, talk about relationships in the queer community, plan events in the city and relax with dinner and a movie. Meetings are held at The Center located at 208 West 13th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

The website needs a little working (to their credit, they are asking someone to revamp it) but this might be a fun way to meet new people in the community outside of bar hopping. Plus, the entrance is a mere $5.

Sorry, they only accept those between the ages of 18 to 33. Yes, a little agism that might need to be dealt with in the future.

Visit, 20Something for more information.

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Come join us tonight at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn to celebrate Gumbo, Dumbo’s first gay party!

GUMBO
TONIGHT – Thursday November 5
16 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
8PM – 1AM

Located at the first stop in Brooklyn, GUMBO is DUMBO’s first gay party! The offbeat Galapagos Art Space welcomes all guys and girls for this fun, anti-scene, night out. “Manhattanites” welcome.

Hosted by Ben Harvey, Matthew Kelleher & Andrew Urankar
Music by: DJ Josh Sparber (Good Times @ Eastern Bloc)

*2-4-1 drinks from 8pm-9pm.
*Free haircuts by the Galapagos resident stylist

If you can’t make it, be sure to check back to see photos and read about our review.

Morgane Veronique Richardson, Writer/Editor

Lambda Rising at 1724 20th St NW in 1977

Though tiny, Washington D.C. has a lot to offer the lesbian and gay community for a short stay.

Start the day by grabbing a coffee and taking a stroll around Dupont Circle, Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20036. Dupont Circle has played a long role in the LGBTQ community in the nation. In fact, the first Pride celebration occurred at the community building near Dupont Circle in 1975.

If you are visiting during the weekend, you are bound to stumble upon a handful of photo opportunities and even couples to admire in this area.

Spend a few hours in Lambda Rising, the first queer bookstore in D.C. There you will find anything from sociological books on gender transformation to lesbian sex 101.

Then move on to Thaiphoon for a cheap dinner and then Bistrot Du Coin for cheap drinks during happy hour. Please, don’t attempt to eat the food here. It is way overpriced and the food lacks flavor.

End the night at The FAB Lounge. Remember to bring some cash unless you plan on getting wasted as the minimum charge is $40 and the drinks are fairly inexpensive.

Morgane Veronique Richardson, Writer/Editor

It’s the second week of October and the fall colors are just about to reach their peak in Vermont. If you’ve never gone leaf peeping in New England before, it’s a must- and if you have, well then, I don’t have to tell you how beautiful it is.

With flights on Delta and Jet Blue starting at $200.00 roundtrip from NYC, it might be worth driving up from the city.  Gas prices now range from $2.26-$2.59 in NH to $2.38-$2.79 VT and $2.21-$3.09 in MA- so plan accordingly.

Once in VT, there are plenty of activities to complement the time spent admiring the landscape.  If you want to cover the whole state, there’s the VT brewery tour. VT has a number of great microbreweries that are definitely worth exploring.  For outdoor activities, there’s too much to cover in this article, but I’ll list a few.

There’s the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail off of Rt 125 that has bits of the poet’s work that encourage contemplation on New England’s beauty.  Snake Mountain is 3.6 mi roundtrip hike that gives you a view of the Adirondack Mountains and the Champlain Valley.  If you had come a little earlier in the season, you could do a cliff jumping tour- Bristol falls off route 17/116; Red Rocks on Lake Champlain; and Lone Rock Point.

But if you’re not one for rural beauty, check out Burlington, voted by National Geographic as one of the top adventure towns.  There’s a nice little music scene going on, plenty of opportunities to taste the state’s brews, and views off Lake Champlain of the fall colors.  For lodging, there are a handful of identity checked and vouched for hosts that have room for 2 people on couch surfers if you can plan ahead a little.

Conversely, for super-rural, try the Northeast Kingdom.  You can pick up your Halloween pumpkin here for about 50c, stock up on maple products, and try to work your way through the Corn Maze in Irasburg.

It goes without saying that queer women are largely misrepresented in today’s society. Despite being run by two queer women, So Elsewhere travel blog has failed tremendously at promoting queer travel tips for women.

After a recent trip to Washington D.C. to spend time with my lesbian cohorts, and, more specifically, Lambda Rising Bookstore I realized that there was a whole world of lesbian and queer travel blogs, tips and guides that I had previously overlooked.

Now back at home, I am vowing to actively write about and promote “Queer Travel.”

Today, I would like to share with you a list of phenomenal must have lesbian/bisexual music for your next road trip across the country.

Ladies, here they are in no particular order:

Stay With Me – Sandra Grace

Talkin’ Bout A Revolution – Tracy Chapman

Crossroad – Tracy Chapman

Your little Secret - Melissa Etheridge

Nothing Compares To You – Sinead O’Conner

Perfect - Doria Roberts

I Know I Know I Know - Tegan and Sara

Walking With A Ghost – Tegan and Sara

Not A Love Song – Uh Huh Her

Shy – Ani DiFranco

Two Little Girls – Ani DiFranco

Seconds Like These – Melissa Ferrick

Secret – Missy Higgins

Going North – Missy Higgins

Radical - Catie Curtis

Sweet Sexy Woman – Sophie B. Hawkins

Summertime – Janis Joplin

Did we miss some? Let us know!

Morgane Veronique Richardson, Writer/Editor

Cubby Hole: NYmagazine

New York City’s “The Village” is not the hot spot it used to be. Now run by NYU/Parson students and their parents (i.e. the people who pay for it all), the raunchiness that made it so endearing has been tainted. Nonetheless, if you don’t have time to search for the best gay clubs or you and your friends can’t agree on a place to go, this makes for a good alternative to arguing.

Here are a few places where you can continue to experience the “good ole’ days”:

The Cock
29 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10009

On the weekend, The Cock is packed with sizzling and spirited Abercrombie men in their 40’s. Forget about NYC decency laws in the dark corners of this joint and enjoy the “crowds, action and anonymous lovin’” before you head back to your dwellings.

Urge
33 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003

The owners of Urge present the Gay/Lesbian crowd with the ideal spot for the 20+ who are looking for a good time but would greatly appreciate less crudeness. Expect to engage in a sufficient amount of people watching in this trendy and elegantly decorated space but be careful how much you indulge, they are a little pricey. Don’t forget to make it to a go-go show.

Stonewall
53 Christopher St
New York, NY 10014

Known for the historic Stonewall riots, here is a most-see for the gender studies major. Though the space has been completely remodeled (purchased by the owners of Duplex on the corner), it is easy to see why this “basement” bar was a popular hangout spot that started the gay rights movement. Unfortunately, there is nothing other than its historical footing that makes it stand out so go with a group of friends.

Henrietta Hudson
438 Hudson St
New York, NY 10014

Henrietta’s is the most popular lesbian bar in Manhattan. That being said, if you feel more comfortable enjoying the scene from a distance, this is not the place for you. Come here if you don’t mind being pulled away from your circle of friends by a multitude of lesbians looking for a good time (on the dance floor, of course!).

The Cubbyhole
281 W 12th St
New York, NY 10014

Everyone needs the casual neighborhood bar for the Ladies and Cubbyhole does it to a T.
Gather over a reasonably priced drink in this friendly and relaxed atmosphere. There is music every night, thanks to the infamous jukebox and always someone interesting to meet.

…I guess the Village hasn’t been completely diluted.

A bright sunny day and all the queers were out to play at New York City’s Pride!.

The extravagant costumes, robust flamboyance, and often perfectly choreographed dances were not the most striking sight at Pride!. No, I was most startled by the multitude of local churches and political representatives that participated in the march. They danced as much as a drag queen in a peacock outfit, showing how deep community support has reached New York City.

Whether you are Black, White, Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, a bear, hairless, young or old, you won’t be be able to stop dancing in the sun. If you didn’t look happy, a large man in a tiny dress came by to spank you with a paddle (one of the thousands being handed out).

At the end of the parade, a street carnival was set up in Greenwich Village, but it was nothing like the carnival being celebrated on the pier on the West side. As many lesbians as gays (a rare thing for LGBT events) and, probably the most diverse crowd you will ever see, were dancing at sunset to DJs the city had provided. Police ignored the beers and joints floating in people’s hands, allowing for full celebration. What were they going to say? People need to put more clothes on?

And for all those trying to go clubbing, Pride weekend is the place to be… but only if you have money. There were Drag and Vogueing balls, famous guests, and huge DJs playing all night till the next afternoon. Fun, but the events ran between $25 and $150 dollars, keeping Pride clubbing to an older and whiter crowd.

For the young diverse debauchery: stick to the streets and you will not be disappointed.

Louis Lee Lobel, Contributor

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Saturday: Dupont Circle transformed into a sea of pure gay excitement as Washington D.C.’s  Capital Pride parade commenced.  The energy and camaraderie were palpable, and while it could be partly attributed to the fact that I was overly excited to be surrounded by so many gay people, the next two hours thoroughly exceeded my expectations.

From the DC Bears and Rainbow Families to the National Organization for Women, the parade was noticeably inclusive. The floats were impressive, the performances were entertaining, and nothing can beat girls on motorcycles.

Sunday:  I was more entertained by the parade but, for a $2 suggested donation, Sunday’s festival was worth attending.  Whether you’re new to D.C. or have been here for years, the hundreds of D.C. organization stands lining Pennsylvania Ave. have something for everyone and will undoubtedly introduce you to a new D.C. activity.

Though the food options at D.C. Pride were poor (whatever you do, do NOT get the lemonade), and the crowd was much more conservative than I had expected, any negatives were automatically forgotten as soon as I reached the main stage.  From the D.C. Cowboys to Martha Wash, performances were scheduled continuously from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and provided nonstop entertainment.  The unparalleled highlight of the day was an appearance by the fabulous RuPaul.

Overall D.C. truly raised the bar on this one.  Whether you’re a local or just stopping by, Capital Pride is a “free” event that is not to be missed!

K. Franklin, Contributor