Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Gay and lesbian culture is as much a part of New York’s basic identity as yellow cabs, high-rises, and Broadway theater. Indeed, in a city with one of the world’s largest, loudest, and most powerful GLBT populations, homosexuality is squarely in the mainstream. So city hotels tend to be neutral on the issue, and gay couples shouldn’t have a problem.

All over Manhattan, but especially in such neighborhoods as the West Village (particularly Christopher St., famous the world over as the main drag of New York gay-male life) and Chelsea (especially Eighth Ave., from 16th to 23rd sts., and W. 17th to 19th sts., from Fifth to Eighth aves.), shops, services, and restaurants have a lesbian and gay flavor. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, familiarly known as “the Center,” is at 208 W. 13th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues (tel. 212/620-7310; www.gaycenter.org). The center is the meeting place for more than 300 lesbian, gay, and bisexual organizations. You can check the online events calendar, which lists hundreds of happenings—lectures, dances, concerts, readings, films—or call for the latest. The staff is also helpful in lending advice on gay friendly businesses in the area including hotels and guesthouses.

Other good sources for lesbian and gay events are the free bi-weekly newspaper Gay City News (www.gaycitynews.com) and the free magazines Next (www.nextmagazine.com) and GONYC (www.gomag.com), which is lesbian-oriented. You’ll also find lots of information on their websites. The weekly Time Out New York (www.timeoutny.com) boasts a terrific gay and lesbian section. The Center (see above) publishes a monthly guide listing many events (also listed on its website).