You can cast your vote for Saugatuck at Budgettravel.com or you can just keep the town as your personal favorite.

Saugatuck is described by BudgetTravel.com as a “sophisticated beach village on the shores of Lake Michigan” with a “downtown full of independent retailers and not a single chain restaurant.”

Commonly known as the “The Provincetown of the Midwest” or “The Fire Island of the Midwest,” Saugatuck hosts many GLBT events through the year.

Here is just a sampling of the events to take place this summer in Saugatuck:

• Waterfront Film Festival
• Family Week

A terrific online resource for the Saugatuck area is gaysaugatuckdouglas.com.

Don’t forget to check out our vacation rental in Saugatuck.

Orlando, May 10, 2009 – In line with the 2009 theme for Come Out With Pride, organizers are pleased to announce Stuart Milk, nephew of legendary Harvey Milk, will be leading the annual parade as Grand Marshall. “The theme for this year’s event is Heroes. The event will honor the LGBT community’s unflinching, steadfast determination to achieve full equality for all citizens through celebration of our heroes, our victories, and ourselves,” MBA president Dr. David Baker-Hargrove said in a statement. Strong in its commitment to diversity and unity, the Metropolitan Business Association of Orlando (the area’s LGBT chamber of commerce) also announced its entertainment line-up will feature national recording artist and out musician Ari Gold, whose songs, “Where the Music Takes You” and “Human” have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Dance Charts.

“Since its inception in 2005, Come Out With Pride, Central Florida’s signature Pride event, gets bigger and better with each passing year, continually shattering attendance records and offering exceptional entertainment, food, music, and fun!” added Dr. Dave. With a record attendance of 45,000+ in 2008, for the third year in a row, Come Out With Pride festivities will be held at Lake Eola, in the heart of the city beautiful, on October 11, 2009.

In spite of a difficult recession, the organizers have promised to maintain its core celebrations to include a kick-off party on October 8 (with details to be announced in the coming weeks) and an attendance to beat all records, showing the LGBT community’s determination to convey a positive outlook on the future.

In addition to serving as Central Florida’s largest LGBT Pride parade and festival, Come Out With Pride also celebrates National Coming Out Day (October 11) and the month of October as Gay & Lesbian History Month. One of the unique features of the event is a month-long history exhibit tracing the beginnings and milestones of the Central Florida LGBT community. A smaller version of the exhibit will also be shown at the main event on Sunday, October 11, 2009.

Entry forms, information, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship packages and passes for all premium functions are available on the website now and in the coming weeks at www.comeoutwithpride.com. Come Out With Pride is one of the many benefits to Central Florida provided by the Metropolitan Business Association in cooperation with
the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Student Union of the University of Central Florida.

Annual Event to Attract Nearly 4,000 January 11-18

ASPEN, CO (January 3, 2009)—Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, will celebrate its 32nd anniversary January 11-18, 2009.

“We have pulled out all the stops for this year’s gay ski week, themed ‘Fire & Ice,’ featuring après ski events, comedy night, and the popular downhill costume competition,” remarked Bryan Gonzales, co-producer of Aspen Gay Ski Week and Executive Director of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund.

The week’s events also include a Prince cover band, “Purple Reign,” a SnowBall, and the infamous pool party on Saturday night. Comedy Night at the Wheeler Opera House showcases top comics Mark Alan Smith, Erin Foley, Scott Kennedy, and Paul Williams—the producer of the show and hilarious emcee of the downhill costume contest.

“Opening in November 2008, the new Limelight Lodge will be the host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week,” said Gonzales. “The 20 person hot tubs at the Limelight will be the perfect spot for après ski sightings.”

Event passes and lodging are still available. For the entire schedule and to purchase event passes, lodging, and ski lift tickets, visit www.gayskiweek.com.

Aspen Gay Ski Week is a fundraiser for Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund. This year, a portion of the proceeds from Gay Ski Week activities, pass sales, and lift ticket purchases will directly benefit the Western Colorado AIDS Project, as well as local schools.

Founded over a decade ago to provide services for the Roaring Fork Valley community, the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF) hosts parties, educational forums, and special events, such as Aspen Gay Ski Week. The efforts of this volunteer group of men and women have allowed RFGLCF to become a philanthropic gay and lesbian community. The organization has provided tens of thousands of dollars to schools and various charities of gay and lesbian interest and elevates Aspen’s reputation as a prominent gay and lesbian travel destination. For more information, visit www.gayskiweek.com.

Some photos of Aspen Gay Ski Week 2009 (Photo credit to Dick Mitchell):

You have seen the historic photos of President-Elect Barack Obama delivering his victory speech on Election Night from Grant Park. Now, you want to visit Obama’s hometown.

Well, we have discovered a terrific guidebook that will help you get around Chicago easily. A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago highlights the places to see and be seen as a gay man or lesbian visiting this wonderful city.

The authors, Kathie Bergquist and Robert McDonald, have done a splendid job detailing every possible fun thing to do and see. No time is wasted on the mundane tourist info you can find in an ordinary guidebook. Rather, their focus is on all things GLBT-related, from sports and shopping, to gay-friendly accommodations, dining, nightlife and everything in between.

We think you’ll find this guidebook an informative, funny, essential gay read.

Diane Roberts wrote a terrific article for the Washington Post that appeared in yesterday’s (10/21/2007) paper. The article is entitled “In the off-season, it’s even more laid back”. Roberts explains that without the tourist crowds you can really see much more of the island, enjoy a relaxing meal, and get acquainted with what really makes Key West unique including the Hemingway six-toed cats.

Read more about the lure of Key West and plan your next vacation to Key West. PinkPavilions.com has listings in the Florida Keys that will enable you to enjoy your Key West visit.

• Key West vacation rentals
• Marathon vacation rentals

View all of PinkPavilions.com Florida vacation rentals