Despite the sometimes conservative local politics, San Diego is one of America's gay-friendliest destinations, boasting several openly gay officials, including State Sen. Christine Kehoe, City Councilwoman Toni Atkins, and the country's first openly gay District Attorney, Bonnie Dumanis. San Diego also has one of the oldest gay and lesbian theater companies, Diversionary Theatre. Gay and lesbian visitors might already know about Hillcrest, near Balboa Park, the city's most prominent "out" community. Many gay-owned restaurants, boutiques, and nightspots cater to both a gay and straight clientele, and the scene is lively most nights of the week. In the 1990s, the community's residential embrace spread west to Mission Hills, and east along Adams Avenue to Kensington.
The Annual San Diego Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade, Rally, and Festival are held on the third or fourth weekend in July. The parade begins at 11am on Saturday at University Avenue and Normal Street, and proceeds west on University to Sixth Avenue, ending in Balboa Park. It's the biggest single-day event in the city, attracting 150,000 spectators; but it doesn't end there. A 2-day festival follows featuring concerts, food, and gala parties. For more information, call tel. 619/297-7683 or check www.sdpride.org. The San Diego Gay Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos on the IGRA circuit, drawing cowboys and cowgirls from across the country for bronco riding and two-stepping. It's held in early summer at the rodeo grounds in the East County city of Lakeside; see www.sandiegorodeo.com for more info.
The free San Diego Gay and Lesbian Times, published every Thursday, is the most information-packed of several local out publications, and available at the gay and lesbian Obelisk bookstore, 1029 University Ave., Hillcrest (tel. 619/297-4171), along with other businesses in Hillcrest and neighboring communities. And check out the San Diego Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce online at www.gsdba.org, where you can search the 800-plus member business directory and find a variety of restaurants, cafes, hotels, and other establishments that welcome gay and lesbian clients. The San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau publishes a pamphlet, San Diego from Gay to Z, with information on gay accommodations and events. For more information or to order the free pamphlet, go to www.sandiego.org. The CVB also has touring suggestions for gay and lesbian visitors on its cultural website: www.sandiegoartandsol.com.
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA; tel. 800/448-8550 or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.org) is the trade association for the gay and lesbian travel industry, and offers an online directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel businesses and tour operators.
Gay.com Travel (tel. 800/929-2268 or 415/644-8044; www.gay.com/travel or www.outandabout.com) is an excellent online successor to the popular Out & About print magazine. It provides regularly updated information about gay-owned, gay-oriented, and gay-friendly lodging, dining, sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping establishments in every important destination worldwide. British travelers should click on the "Travel" link at www.uk.gay.com for advice and gay-friendly trip ideas.
The Canadian website GayTraveler (http://gaytraveler.ca) offers ideas and advice for gay travel all over the world.
