Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

Center City is welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender residents and visitors, and even has a marketing campaign called "Get your History Straight and your Nightlife Gay" at www.gophila.com. The neighborhood known best for its LGBT residents is Washington West, also affectionately known as the "Gayborhood." Its borders are 9th and Juniper streets and Chestnut and South streets, and boasts some of the city's most popular restaurants, bookstores, clubs, and shops.

You can also check the weekly Philadelphia Gay News (www.epgn.com), which is widely available. The lesbian-oriented Labyrinth is available free at Giovanni's Room, a popular gay bookstore at 345 S. 12th St. (tel. 215/923-2960; www.giovannisroom.com), that also serves as a national resource for publications produced by and for gays and lesbians, as well as for feminist and progressive literature. The neighborhood's two great workout facilities are the no-nonsense Twelfth Street Gym at 204 S. 12th St. (tel. 215/985-4092; www.12streetgym.com) and popular boutique cross-training class center Fusion at the corner of 12th and Sansom streets, mezzanine level (tel. 215/733-0633; www.fusioncrosstraining.com).

Outside the city, the village of New Hope is a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers.

For meetings, gallery exhibitions, and social events, consult the William Way Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. (tel. 215/735-2220; www.waygay.org).

To report antigay violence or discrimination, call the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force Hot Line (tel. 215/772-2000; www.plgtf.org).