This post was submitted by Zack Rosen

This weekend, wherever you live (provided its not a beach) is going to be more pleasant than you can imagine. It’s Memorial Day, when half the city flees for a greener grass. Those of us who stay behind (in what my boyfriend calls a “staycation”) find that they can get parking spots and window tables at brunch. I can’t imagine spending the weekend any other way. But those who go might well be tempted to get up to some mischief, or at least seek out community in a strange city. With that in mind, today’s Friday Staff Survey question is as follows:

Have you ever gone on vacation to a destination that is specifically gay? If not, do you seek out gay life in the cities you visit?

Answers below. Feel free to leave your own answers in the comment box.

1. Zack, Co-founder and primary contributor:

All the gay fun I’ve had on vaction, be that sexual or otherwise, I have stumbled across by accident. Whenever I’ve gone out looking for a gay experience I’ve ended up bored and disapointed. I spent a whole night in Austin once going from gay bar to gay bar, trying to find one interesting person to talk to, and ended up swearing off the whole scene. However, I once ducked into a hole in the wall leather bar in vegas to grab a beer and ended up having one of the most memorable nights of my life.

2. Michael, Co-founder and primary contributor:

I’ve been to P-town, Rehomo, San Francisco, never specifically for gay reasons. My conclusion from this small sample is that mainstream gay culture is pretty much the same wherever you look.

3. Matt, Staff Contributor:

I suppose the closest I came was when I made my “pilgrimage” to San Francisco. In reality, I was visiting graduate schools on the West Coast, and one happened to be Berkeley. But, since I was recently out of the closet, I decided to spend extra time in the City by the Bay and explore gay culture. The Castro is certainly amazing. And I do typically visit the gay district in the major cities I visit. Most recently visited new (to me) gay district: Berlin’s Nollendorfplatz.

4. Rocky, Music Editor:

I was in Rehoboth for Memorial Day a few years ago, but apparently I didn’t get the memo that it’s super gay now, so that was a nice little surprise. But, no, I’ve never been to a specifically gay destination spot on purpose, though I’ve always wanted to. In college, I’d hear people saying things like “We’re going to Fire Island for the Fourth” and I thought how nice that must be. To have a wealthy boyfriend that is… ;) When I was in Argentina last fall, I was kind of determined to hookup, so I forced the two straight folks I was with to do gay things, so I guess that counts as seeking out gay life. But I suppose since my last nine years have been spent mostly here in DC and Manhattan, I prefer to actually live in the gay places.

5. Corey, Managing Editor and Staff Contributor:

Being anywhere gay specific tends to freak me out. I am on vacation now in South Carolina. The gay community has a population of one – yours truly – and my scene has been the beach and Waffle House.

6. Chris, Theatre Editor:

If it says anything, I still have a dogtag from the Boat Slip’s military tea dance. While I’m not as intense about it as that would suggest, I’ve had a blast at Gay Disney (CA), Puerto Vallarta, Rehomoboth and Provincetown multiple times. I wouldn’t ever limit my vacations to uber-gay destinations, but they are a great time. Also, I typically vacation with a group of male friends and there is something about visiting places where that sort of group is welcome. And before anyone thinks I’m some huge circuit boi, I’ll tell you that these spots can all be relaxing and low-key. And wild and fun.

7. Jeff, Denver Editor:

I went to Puerto Vallarta, but it was with three “mostly” straight girls and I could only get one night out of them at the gay bars. However, whenver I go on a conference for work or even just visit family/friends in other places, I often seek out the gay places. I’ll leave that vague and say “places” as I’m not sure how open i should be. :) I’d say 1/3 of me likes to check out gay life because I’m always wondering where my next move will be. Another 1/3 does so because when I’m in a new place I like to feel comfortable and be around people I know won’t harrass or kill me. The final 1/3 goes b/c I like men and would like to sample the local fare (as in men, not food). It’s thrilling to recreate yourself for a weekend or a night with people that don’t know you from Adam.

8. Adam, Chicago Editor:

I’ve never been to a specifically gay place for vacation and yet while I never make it a goal to visit gay areas in different cities, it happens more times than not. If I’m traveling within the US, I feel safer going to a gay area. I did not and would not go to the gay area in any of the 4 caribbean islands I’ve been to for fear of death and prosecution. I stumbled upon a gay area in Brighton, London and met a nice, hot Irish boy in Edinburgh, Scotland, so sometimes the gays find me.

Editorial Staff:

9. Jolly, Events Editor:

Never been to an explicitly gay tourist destination before, but a couple of friends and I are planning a trip to Dollywood at some point in the summer, so stay tuned for that…

10. Hans B., Editorial Assistant:

Not really. I wound up going to a couple of gay bars last time I was in Key West, but that was more by accident than intention. I do plan on wandering around Christopher Street next time I’m in NYC to get a few photos of the Stonewall Inn and whatnot.TNG

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