Earth Hour 2007 was a Sydney event. Earth Hour 2008 is a global movement.

On the 3rd of March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour. If the greenhouse reduction achieved in the Sydney CBD during Earth Hour was sustained for a year, it would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year.

On 29th of March 2008,  MILLIONS are expected to part this around the world! Many cities will be going dark for one hour. 

Aalborg »   Aarhus »  Adelaide »   Atlanta »   Bangkok »  Brisbane »

Canberra »  Chicago »  Christchurch »  Copenhagen »  Dublin »  Manila »

Melbourne »  Montreal »  Odense »  Ottawa »  Perth »  Phoenix »  San Francisco »

Suva and Lautoka »  Sydney »  Tel Aviv »  Toronto »  Vancouver »

 GET INVOLVED!

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CYNDI LAUPER,THE B-52s, ROSIE O’DONNELL AND SPECIAL GUESTS CELEBRATE THE SECOND ANNUAL TRUE COLORS TOUR PRESENTED BY LOGO AS THEY TAKE THE STAGE TO “GET OUT THE VOTE”
WITH HOST CARSON KRESSLEY!

The True Colors Tour will hit the road again this summer with an exciting new line-up of legendary and up and coming artists. After receiving rave reviews and a successful debut in 2007, the True Colors Tour is expanding to meet demand in many more cities. The tour will kick off Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month on May 31 at Boston’s Bank of America Pavilion.

Produced by True Colors Concerts in partnership once again with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the 24 city North American tour is presented by Logo in support of the newly created True Colors Fund of Stonewall Community Foundation. The concerts feature nearly five hours of nonstop music with exciting special guests appearing on select dates throughout the tour including Wanda Sykes, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Joan Armatrading, Indigo Girls, Nona Hendryx, Deborah Cox and The Cliks.< ?xml:namespace prefix = o />

 

The True Colors Tour was conceived by Cyndi Lauper stemming from her desire to give back to the community for the love and support they have given her throughout her career.  The True Colors Tour is a celebration of the basic values and freedoms that should be shared by all Americans. Fans will experience these values through the music of both legendary icons and the newest and coolest acts this generation has to offer.

 

“I’m so excited and honored that we’re taking True Colors out on the road again this year,” said tour producer and creator Cyndi Lauper.  “We had a blast last year and we are proud that the tour also brought about visibility and discussions of issues that LGBT citizens face in our country today. This year I am once again joined on the tour by an array of incredibly talented artists. The tour is a non stop 5 hour music party with a message. This year the party only gets bigger and our message to the fans is to get out and vote in November. The True Colors Tour asks for equality for all, not just for some, that is the principal upon which this country was founded. So let’s celebrate and have fun this summer while we spread the word to get out the vote and all become a part of the changes in this country.”

  

 

“Thanks to the overwhelming success of the first True Colors tour last year, we were able to send a loud and unmistakable message to all Americans that it is past time our federal hate crimes laws be updated to  include sexual orientation and gender identity. This year, we are going to build on the grassroots power of the tour by launching a massive, nonpartisan voter outreach campaign that will educate, engage and organize equality voters in this year’s election,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “This year’s True Colors Tour will provide us with an historic opportunity to organize our community to achieve a powerful voice in the 2008 elections.”

  

 

The True Colors Tour is presented by Logo and produced by True Colors Concerts, LLC in partnership with the Human Rights Campaign. For the second year, SIRIUS Satellite Radio is the exclusive national radio partner of The True Colors Tour.  Various SIRIUS talk and music channels will promote True Colors, with flagship station SIRIUS OutQ – < ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />America’s LGBT Radio Station – creating a tour-long campaign spotlighting the True Colors mission.  SIRIUS OutQ will also exclusively air a True Colors concert performance. 

Concert Dates…Tickets for select cities are on sale NOW and  available at TicketMaster.

May 31   Boston, MA                       Bank of America Pavillion       

June 1     Wantagh, NY                        Nikon at Jones Beach Theater            

June 3     New York, NY                       Radio City Music Hall                    

June 4     Toronto, ON                         Molson Amphitheatre 

June 6     Mashantucket, CT               MGM Grand Arena at Foxwoods

June 7     Washington, DC                  DAR Constitution Hall 

June 9     Minneapolis, MN                 US Bank Theatre at Target Center

June 10   Chicago, IL                            Chicago Theatre

June 11   Clarkston, MI                        DTE Energy Music Theatre

June 13   Atlantic City, NJ                   Borgata Resort Spa & Casino                 

June 14   Bethel, NY                             Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

June 16   Atlanta, GA                           Chastain Park Amphitheatre

June 17   Atlanta, GA                           Chastain Park Amphitheatre

June 18   Clearwater, FL                       Ruth Eckerd Hall

June 19   Fort Lauderdale, FL             Frank Sinatra Theatre at Bank Atlantic Center

June 21   Houston, TX                         Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion

June 22   Dallas, TX                             The Superpages.com Center

June 25   Phoenix, AZ                          Dodge Theatre

June 27   Alpine, CA                            Viejas Casino – Concerts in the Park

June 28   Los Angeles, CA                 Greek Theatre

June 29   Berkeley, CA                         Greek Theatre

July 1      Seattle, WA                          WaMu Theatre

July 2      Vancouver, BC                     Deer Lake Park

July 4      Salt Lake City, UT                USANA Amphitheatre

July 5      Morrison, CO                        Red Rocks Amphitheatre

 

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WANT TO HANG WITH PARIS HILTON???

With Nicole Richie busy being a mom and Kim Kardashian heading her own show, it’s time for Paris Hilton to find a new wing person.- Of course, she will do so through a reality show competition.

“Paris Hilton’s My New BFF” is a new show announced for the fall on MTV in which 20 hopeful new friends all live in a house and compete for her affections as if she were Flavor Flav or Bret Michaels.

“The winner,” says a press release, “gets the greatest prize of all in today’s America, an all-access pass to the VIP section of the VIP section, and life lessons from the master of contemporary Hollywood celebrity.”

Voting for potential candidates is already under way online where people can click on the pictures of potential friends for paris that appeal to them.- Production starts in late May; ten episodes have been ordered.

VH1 is gearing up more celebrity-driven shows, featuring comedienne Margaret Cho. While Margaret is on tour this summer all across the country, the show will be airing. What timing!

“The Cho Show” follows the former “All American Girl” star and her eccentric entourage and family. VH1 has ordered seven half-hour episodes from Crossroads Television.

The network’s “celeb-reality” programming strategy has pushed the network into the top ranks among cable networks during the first quarter, and VH1 is counting in the new shows to continue its momentum.

VH1 is also putting the former “Flavor of Love” contestant known as New York in a new series called “New York Goes to Hollywood.” The network has ordered 10  30-minute episodes. GUHRRRRRRRLLLLLLL! Those boobs keep getting bigger and bigger! STOP already!

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I found this interesting article online about prostitution in Prague. – In the quiet and luxurious Vinohrady district, just outside the center of Prague, anyone can walk into certain  gay clubs and have their pick of male escorts. Prostitution is not illegal in the Czech Republic as long as the prostitute is at least 18.
 

(Actually I am told, “There are two bars in Prague where escorts are openly available and these are Escape and Temple.  Temple is on the fringes of the gay quarter but is actually in Zizkov, the district that neighbours Vinohrady.  Escape is down town. 
 
However these same escorts often go out to the other gay bars, particularly Valentino and Termix, sometimes with the clients that have picked them up in Escape or Temple or sometimes with their mates.  But I have heard stories of them then attempting to charge anyone who tries to pick them up in Valentino for example.” – So if you are NOT looking to pay, keep that in mind.)

In March of 2007, local authorities were constitutionally given the right to regulate this profession– consign it to specific areas.

In Prague, male prostitution has been on the rise in recent years, according to Laszlo Sumegh, founder of Project Stace, an organization dedicated to helping male prostitutes lead healthier lifestyles through free monthly testing for sexually transmitted diseases.

Two different categories have arisen — there is the circle of elite escorts like Rocky who only serve a wealthy clientele. And then there are the others at the Main Train Station, a major hub of the Prague male sex tourism industry.

According to a  report by Radio Prague, most of the boys at this train station are under 17. They often start at the age of 11, according to the report. Eighty percent are orphans; seven percent are runaways.

Rocky was interviewed by writer Soma Ghoshal and said, “I met the head prostitute a couple of years back at a club. He told me I had great potential, and I had no problem with it, so I started to make contacts and network with the wealthy throughout Europe. CEO’s, politicians, doctors — they’re husbands, have families, but just want to have some fun on the side,” he explained.

I couldn’t believe it. Rocky had started this as a business venture. After seeing his apartment, I realized that he was better off than most residents of Prague, but I wasn’t prepared for what I learned next.
The average monthly salary in Prague is 25,282 Kc ($1,383.87), according to a 2007 report from the Czech Statistical Office.

Rocky, and the boys that are enlisted on the top two websites for male escorts, make around 50,000 Kc a week ($120,000 annually). Statistically, this puts them at the wealthiest five percent of society. Some of the escorts do 3-5 tricks per day – and after a few years retire or are just plain worn out!

Although their careers typically last four or five years, they make enough to last a long time. After their actual sex careers, they may become so-called head prostitutes and network other, younger men with elite clients.

Matthew, a Czech head prostitute, is in charge of 20 or so male escorts. He hangs out in Club Valentino on Vinohradska most nights looking for anyone who may be interested in becoming a prostitute.

At first, Matthew made no mention of his profession. He seemed very reserved, very shy, but after awhile, he started talking about how he’s guided more than 100 young men get jobs. I asked him what he liked about his job.

“I’m helping so many people,” he said.

  

Porn, as we know, also thrives in Prague. We did an article here last year about that. Thanks to mastermind George Duroy of Bel Ami,  and the countries low wages and willing young men, an empire was launched. William Higgins, who was  known for the 1980’s California boys set up shop in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

 There are thousands of sex clubs, bordellos, strip bars, prives, erotic night clubs, sex apartments, erotic centers, escort services, red light districts, callgirls and individual sex operators throughout the Czech Republic. From sexy clubs to legalized brothels to single sex flats the Czech Republic has it all.

Not only has Prague become a favorite casting zone for porn film producers worldwide but the whole aspect of ‘Czech Sex’ in the Czech Republic is leberalised and generally viewed as it should be – a fact of life and nothing to be ashamed of. – Why can’t America have a similar view?

If you are thinking of visiting the Czech Republic, please see our friends at PRAGUE SAINTS. They are the leading  gay-run travel company providing accommodations and tour services for gay visitors to the Czech Republic.  They offer great rates on Prague hotels, beautiful apartments, private tours of Prague and the Czech Republic !

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Remember Ben Stiller in “Something About Mary“? Got that sticky stuff in his hair?
Well, fasten your seat belts, this is a wet, bumpy ride! 

A 21 year old Texas woman has filed a $200,000 lawsuit against American Airlines alleging the flight crew failed to protect her from a passenger who moved into the seat next to hers while she was sleeping, then “masturbated to her.”

The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports,”The woman slept most of the flight, but awoke about 20 minutes before landing when the pilot announced the plane was on descent into Los Angeles. When the woman opened her eyes, she saw that an unknown man had moved into the seat next to her and was staring at her as he masturbated, the suit states.

The woman turned toward the window in embarrassment and in an act of nervousness began to run her fingers through her hair where she noticed “a substantial amount of an extremely sticky substance in her hair,” the suit states.

The woman began to cry and tried to get the attention of a flight attendant, but was unsuccessful, the suit states. Finally a passenger in the row in front of the woman comforted her and verified the semen in her hair, the suit states.

When the plane landed, employee called airport police and the man was arrested.”

The suit claims that during the police investigation, the flight crew acknowledged they saw the man move from his assigned seat to the seat next to the woman while she slept.  The woman alleges employees knew of the risks associated with failing to “police the passengers to ensure that passengers do not hurt one another,” the suit states.

Thank God it wasn’t the gays involved!

 

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This has nothing to do with travel but  from time to time we cover news that we think is of interest to the gay community.

Angela Bofill, who was an amazing talented signer in the 80’s and 90’s, had the voice of an angel and had fans around the world. Somehow I missed the news, but in 2006  AND  2007, she suffered 2 massive strokes. And with no health insurance was left with a stack of bills for medical expenses, physical and speech therapies, and necessary daily living expenses, that she can not pay.

In the mid 80’s, I had the opportunity to meet her in person. And saw her perform live several times. She was a wonderfully kind and gentle person. And my heart goes out to her during this time. If anyone else feels like making a contribution to her needs, you can do so online or mail a check.

Stopped short of her fourteenth release by a stroke, “Angel of the Night” Angela Bofill, has released her FIRST EVER, LIVE ALBUM on her own Black Angel Label. The album, recorded in the Philippines September 2004, wowed a packed house at Merk’s Bistro in Manila, with her signature Angela Bofil performace, of Pop, Jazz, and R&B. Without medical insurance, Angela struggles each day, unable to afford much needed medical care and Stroke rehabilitation. All proceeds of this sale to benefit Angela Bofill. You can buy the CD or download it.

Angela Bofill, who suffered 2 massive strokes, has a message she wants to get out to everyone: “Watch your stress level.”

The 53-year-old singer says she believes stress contributed to her massive strokes. “Don’t stress out. That’s what got me,” she says. “It’s not worth it, whatever the problem is, it’s not worth losing your health.”

Diabetes and high blood pressure increase your risk for stroke. She had no idea she had both until after she had the stroke. Bofill advises people to get checked for both illnesses.

You will be in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers, Angela!

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GayFriendlyBiz  was founded in 2005 as a resource to connect the GLBT community with businesses, organizations and professionals that are either gay and lesbian owned or supportive of GLBT issues and causes. It’s a great resource/online directory to turn to when looking for businesses to support!

“We believe in supporting those that are supportive of our issues such as equality of opportunity in marriage, employment, benefits, housing and all other aspects of life.

We believe in supporting non-profits that are focused on achieving these goals as well.  We donate a portion of all listing fees to non-profits that are working on gaining equality for our community and are working to help those in the GLBT community that are disadvantaged or in need of help in coming to terms with their sexual identity.  If you are able we encourage you to donate to any of the organizations that we support.”

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I AM NOT ONE TO GOSSIP, BUT…..it’s  Friday and 

Justin Timberlake embraces his inner 70’s porn star for the upcoming Mike Meyers movie The Love Guru, slated for release this summer.- The storyline revolves around an American (Myers) raised by gurus on an Ashram in India. Returning to the U.S. to make a fortune in the self-help biz, his unorthodox methods are put to the test when he provides marriage counseling to a hockey star. The wife of the hockey star retaliates by starting to date a rival player (Timberlake).

OPRAH – THE STORE. A lot of retail brick and mortar shops these days have closed and switched to online marketing. Oprah is doing it backwards.  Her online store has been so successful she is now opening a retail store in Chicago, near her studio, where fans can purchase many things like baby products, home accessories, workout gear and South African crafts.

TORI SPELLING’s  tell-all book comes out in a few days! The former star of Beverly Hills: 90210 dishes on her very public life. – “I spent so many years in the media having people tell stories about my life, so I figured I might as well tell the true stories about my life this time. Nobody’s read it! Not even Dean!”

 

The Britney Law?  The L.A. City Council is considering an ordinance that would impose a 20-yard “personal safety bubble” around those public figures in the city who are construed by the law to be “paparazzi targets.” 

Many celebrities are fed up with aggressive photographers, whose hyper-zealous conduct has escalated due to the huge amounts of cash at stake for select snapshots and video clips.  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief William Bratton, who insists the troubled star should just “stay home!”

Several weeks ago, VOTE FOR THE WORST exposed American Idol hottie David Hernandez as a stripper and bartender at a gay bar called  BURN  in  Arizona. Idol does not seem concerned however. – “We’ve had strippers on the show before,” Idol executive producer Ken Warwick told TV Guide’s website. “We’re never judgmental about people who do things like that. If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we’d have to take action.  But certainly not on this.”

In other Idol scandals rocker nurse Amanda Overmyer had spent time in the slammer for a DUI and it is rumoured that Robbie Carrico wears a weave!  What next? Don’t tell me cuties David Archuleta  and Danny Noriega are  gay lovers!

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If you make it to the top 20 on American Idol, and are good enough, there’s a very good chance you will get work! Cutie Danny Noriega may have been voted off last week, but within days, had an offer from Rosie O’Donnell!

Rosie O’Donnell was filming a video blog while appearing on Kathy Griffin’s “Life on the D-List” - In one on the posts she  presented Danny with an offer to come cruise with her and Cyndi Lauper on an R Family Cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

    “I don’t know if you have to sit around the American Idol studio and look sad for the next few weeks — because I think that’s part of the contract,” joked O’Donnell. “[But] you got a free cruise. You and a friend.”

But O’Donnell expects the young singer to work for his vacation. “Come on there, and I want you to sing ‘Tainted Love,’” she says. “I think you’re fantastic. And I think you’re a bold and brave and beautiful young man. And I admire you, Danny Noriega. You have an amazing voice. And your hair looks good straight.”

Also on the cruise: O’Donnell’s pal and True Colors Tour partner Cyndi Lauper. The combination, O’Donnell says, would make a perfect duet — or trio! Says the comedienne: “You can sing with her — and me — onstage.”

You go girl(s)!

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Does your hotel have attitude? An international gay hotel brand has recently launched worldwide.

Attitude Hotels launched with the goal of providing travelers with a way a telling if a hotel is up to snuff. 

Founder Pedro Castro, a Portuguese-born lawyer and travel marketer based in Zurich says the company would not own the hotels but license its name if the facility met its requirements. Attitude would inspect the hotels and do annual follow-ups to assure the standards are being met. And all the hotels can be booked through the  main site Attitude Hotels.

So far, only two US hotels have been listed with the company; The Royal Palms and the Flamingo Inn, both in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Other hotels have been listed in Prague, London, Nice, Stockholm, Berlin, Budapest, Amsterdam and Barcelona. – “In the short term, Attitude Hotels hopes to increase its selection of hotels, first in France, Italy, Greece and Spain,” said Castro. “Thereafter, we will concentrate on providing a wider variety of travel possibilities in North America.”
 
    Attitude Hotels properties range from small independent properties, including B&Bs and guesthouses, to 5-star quality leisure and corporate hotels. All hotels operating under the Attitude Hotels brand guarantee a warm welcome and high level of service which has been tailored to the needs of gays and lesbians. Their site allows travelers to book and choose their hotel stays out of 3 categories: Attitude Premium, Attitude Comfort and Attitude Value.

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