Although none of the area theme parks and attractions officially sponsors the series of parties and concerts, Gay Days is supported by the majority, who recognize the potency of the LGBT tourist dollar that is concentrated in that geographic area for a full week. Organizers anticipate over 150,000 people to attend the theme park events and collateral gatherings. The event takes place May 29 through June 4, 2012.

From the FFA site:

“Florida Family Association wants to warn these families about this offensive event before they arrive at the Magic Kingdom on Saturday. This airplane banner is our best effort to accomplish that goal … Florida Family Association has asked Disney officials to require Gay Day to be held after hours, like Grad Night or Night of Joy, to avoid offending unsuspecting families who traveled thousands of miles expecting a normal day.”

Photo: Ken, Dave, Kenney & Jim at this year’s Gay Days at the Magic Kingdom.

In response to the Editorial by Alex Vaughn, “Let Them Entertain Us”, Florida Agenda, June 2nd.

DEAR EDITOR,

We just finished reading and enjoying your recent article, “Let Them Entertain Us”. Your words were illuminating and your analysis was perfect.

Thank you!

TONY AND GLORIA

In response to the Gay Days Special Feature “Beginners Guide to Gay Days” in the Florida Agenda, June 2nd.

DEAR EDITOR,

Thank you so much for publishing the guide to Gay Days at Disney. I went with my partner, as it was our six month anniversary and we wanted to do something different. We knew about Gay Days obviously but the guide that you put in the Agenda really helped us in finding out in advance what we could expect. We had a blast at the Parliament House for the Salt N’ Pepa concert. It was a thrill to see a group we had grown up with. The weekend was incredible. The host hotel and the expo were great and it was nice to see local friends Terry DeCarlo and Bill Huelsman and the gang from the Pride Factory in attendance showing their pride. Thank you for helping us celebrate.

KEN AND DAVID

In response to the “Scarlett Men” in the Florida Agenda, June 2nd.

DEAR EDITOR,

I have come to really enjoy your fashion features so you can imagine my disappointment this week when I read your Style page all about being “Red” and your pics were not. Though I understand publishing, it would have been nice to actually appreciate the “Red” products you were recommending. Thank you.

TOM PAYNE

Please send all your comments and letters to editor@floridaagenda.com

BEYOND THE L-WORD

Fascinating performance workshop/ lecture on lesbian culture. This workshop/ lecture invites participants to enact a colorful range of scenarios taken from lesbian history, lesbian theatre, and lesbian pulp fiction. Discover what has been missing in popular culture-the fierce and fascinating archetypes of women who choose women! This workshop explores the historical enclaves where lesbians have attempted to live out our dreams and escape from our nightmares. This is a performance workshop for all abilities, all genders, and all orientations. Audience welcome. Friday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N. Dixie Highway in Wilton Manors.

WIN EPICUREAN DINNER CLUB

Women in Network’s Epicurean Dinner Club and The Pride Center Present: Brunch and T-Dance on Sunday, June 12th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm for brunch and 3 pm for the Patio T-Dance at The Manor Entertainment Complex, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Prix Fixe menu includes two drinks. For further information please contact Joyce Schweitzer at 954- 558-3657 or Toni Hadi at 954-565-0094.

”KEYS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS”

Monday, June 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Pride Center, 2040 N. Dixie Highway. The market is changing: Are you? Join Yvonne Rohrbacher for a free preview of “Keys to Small Business Success: Workshop Series. This short presentation will include a free opportunity to self-assess your own business skills and needs and hear an explanation of what business experts consider the main skills crucial for success, including strategic planning, prioritizing and time use, communication and negotiations, sales and customer services and employee selection, training and managing.

FORT LAUDERDALE BEAR PRIDE POOL PARTY

Saturday, June 18, from 1 to 7 p.m. at The Depot, 2935 N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. This is a special no cover event on Saturday afternoon during pride weekend. So, if you have not checked out this new very cool space yet, this will be the time to do it. This party will be sponsored by Gold’s Gym, Pride Factory and Swiss Navy Lube. Gold’s will give out a free week’s pass and a personal training session to everyone who attends. Pride Factory will be giving away gift bags to the first 100 people who show up and Swiss Navy will sponsor a hospitality suite at the hotel. There will also be a $12 beer bust with other drink specials. D.J. Daddy O will be on hand to make sure the groove is just right.

Miami

TASTE FOR CHANGE WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER

Abzyme Research Foundation and Joel Santos invite you to this very special wine tasting. The vaccine for Polio was developed with grassroots fundraising through the March of Dimes. ARF is funding a promising new therapeutic HIV vaccine through a series of charity wine tastings. Join them and support hope for a future without HIV/AIDS. All proceeds will go toward the continued development and advancement of HIV-EVAC, a revolutionary therapeutic HIV vaccine candidate. To learn more about ARF and HIVEVAC, visit www.endhiv. com. Friday June 17, from 7 to 9 pm at Bar 721, 721 Lincoln Lane on Miami Beach. RSVP by Friday June 3 via Host Joel Santos: joel@sobeteethwhitening. com, (786) 267-0404. Suggested donation of $40, 21+ to attend this event.

“LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS”

The Miami Gay Men’s Choir presents “Let’s Hear it for the Boys” on June 17 & 18 at 8 p.m. at the Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Road, on Miami Beach. Boys and boy bands have kept us singing and dancing since the 1050’s – Paul Simon, The Beatles, Elton John, Ricky Martin, The Village People, Elvis Presley and more. Premium seats $35, regular $30, balcony $25. For more information, visit www.miamigaychorus.org.

BRITNEY SPEARS AT AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA

See Britney Spears live on the Femme Fatale Tour with special guest Nicki Minaj and opening performances by Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo. Tickets are available for sale at Ticketmaster.com. The concert will be held on Friday July 22, 2011 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami.

“CIRQUE ELOIZE”

Following sold-out engagements in Montreal and Toronto, world-renowned Cirque Éloize presents the criticallyacclaimed new production. Cirque Eloize, in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil are offering a spectacular, mindblowing fusion of new theatrical circus and urban dance . There is a very special pre-sale and discount opportunity to see Cirque Éloize ID at the Adrienne Arsht Center this summer.. Tickets start at $25 – Go to www.arshtcenter.org and enter code: PREMIUMCIRQUE to receive a 15% ticket discount exclusively for MDGLCC members. Opening July 26.

Bay Area

FIRE AND ICE WEEKEND AT ST. PETE PRIDE

Florida’s only Gay beach party of the summer with world renowned deejay, Luis Perez spinning Saturday. Fire & Ice Weekend represents what is so hot about a party on the beach and what is so cool about supporting St. Pete Pride. The very retro Postcard Inn (6300 Gulf Blvd.) on St Pete Beach will play host to the private gay party for the largest pride celebration in Florida on Friday, June 24 from 1 to 7 p.m. Highlights of the weekend include Friday’s Fire Party that includes the hottest pool and beach event of the summer. Friday also includes St. Pete Pride’s Kick-Off Party at Georgie’s Alibi. Saturday will bring the parade and promenade at St Pete Pride. The highlight of the weekend will be the Saturday Ice Party with D.J. Luis Perez. Sunday will focus on a festival Beach Party including our pool party and beach pavillion, dancing on the beach, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico open for business all day. Later attend the St. Pete Pride Closing Party at Flamingo Resort. Visit www.alandchuck. travel.com to book a room.

TROPICAL T-DANCE

Official St. Pete Pride Closing Party on Sunday, June 26, from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. Come party around the pool for the hottest T-Dance in town. Drink specials, drag queens, hot male strippers and the Florida sun ensure that the party never ends. Come dance the afternoon away at St. Pete Pride’s Official Closing Party. For more information visit their website at www.FlamingoFla.com. The Flamingo Resort is located at 4601 34th St. S. in St. Petersburg.

STRIKE OUT FOR AIDS FUN BOWL

Saturday, Aug. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., a fundraiser for Francis House. Francis House has been providing supportive services to Tampa’s HIV/AIDS community for over 20 years. Money raised from the Strike Out for AIDS fundraiser helps Francis House keep long-standing programs running. These programs include support groups, mental health and substance abuse counseling, medical and housing case management and the daily feeding program. Once you register, you will be taken to your very own fundraising center where you can customize your page to raise money for your entry fee or simply pay your entry fee! You can create a team and recruit your team members. Prizes awarded for the individual and team that raises the most money. This event has sold out two years in a row and only has 128 spots available. All registrations must be done online at www.strikoutforaids. org. To be held at Pinchasers, 4847 N. Armenia Avenue in Tampa.

Central Florida

GAY DAYS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

June 2 through 5, 2011 in Orlando, FL. The long standing Gay Day at Disney has morphed into a week-long celebration at the theme parks of Orlando. The days are focused on the parks and pool parties, the nights are packed with dance parties at various venues. Gay Days – the original group is still quite popular, especially among folks more interested in the park-focused events and connecting with others.

ORLANDO BLACK PRIDE

May 31 to June 5, 2011; Orlando Black Pride brings thousands of LGBTers together for a long weekend of events and entertainment. There are parties for the fellas, the ladies and everything in between and you can find all the great events on the official website. So head out to Orlando and get ready to party… www.orlandoblackpride. com.

HEDONISM PARTY

Saturday, June 4, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. OrlandoBlackPride.com presents Hedonism Party featuring 4 exclusive parties in 1 club for 1 price: “The All Boyz XXX Party” with D.J. Angel X from Atlanta.

For more information, visit their website at www.orlandoblackpride.com. The party will be held at the LAX Nightclub (formally Club Destiny) located at 7430 Universal Boulevard in Orlando.

A NIGHT OF PERPETUAL COMEDY

The Orlando Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present a night of perpetual comedy on Thursday June 2. featuring the talents of improv comedians formerly of the Comedy Warehouse at Disney’s Pleasure Island and benefitting The Sister Claire Annette Blowood Memorial Granting Fund. Show times are 8 and 10 p.m. Cover: $7 suggested donation. To be held at the Parliament House, 410 N Orange Blossom Trail (W Livingston Street) in downtown Orlando.

EVOLVE @ MR. SISTER’S

Experience Orlando’s only lakeside club at Mr. Sisters, during the first weekend in June. Friday, June 3 – D.J. Eddie Baez and singing sensation Kelly Rowland. Saturday, June 4 – D.J. Escape and international recording artist Deborah Cox. $4 of every ticket that is purchased through www.eventbrite.com/event/14392277 69/SASCHAVOSS/9705616043 will be donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. General admission: $29, per night, per person. VIP $50-55 per night, per person. Mr. Sister’s is at 5310 E Colonial Dr. in Orlando.

Some people come to Orlando during Gay Days just to enjoy the company of 150,000+ other gays and lesbians, but most are looking to fill their itineraries with fun, fun, fun!

Be sure to check a complete Calendar of Events on www.gaydays.com  since only the highlights are represented here.

This guide describes the major categories of events, tell you how to get tickets, and give you some ideas about transportation.

Theme Park Visits

The Gay Days festival started with a theme park visit, and theme park visits remain one of the most popular Gay Days activities. Always the first Saturday in June, Gay Day in the Magic Kingdom (at Walt Disney World) is still the signature event of the week.

An estimated 50,000 red-shirted Gay Days attendees pack Walt Disney World’s original park on that 1st Saturday in June.

The 3 o’clock parade down Main Street always draws an unforgettable “sea of red” that can be seen from one end of the park to the other.
Many Gay Days vacationers also like to plan some time to visit Disney’s other parks (Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios).

•   Theme park tickets will be available on www.gaydays.com
•   Multi-day tickets are often a great idea if you plan on visiting more than one park, or visiting all the Disney parks during your stay.
•   None of the “gay days” are official park events and no special tickets are required.

Disney Theme Parks

• For theme park transportation, www.gaydays.com is again offering a Host Hotel (an all-gay resort experience!) at the Gay Days Host Hotel with free transportation to Disney and other attractions.
•  If you are staying in another area of town, check with your hotel about scheduled transportation to theme parks.
•  Catch a cab, during Gay Days; they are plentiful, and there are plenty of people to share with if you stay at one of the host or co-host hotels.
• Downtown Orlando and area night clubs – These are located about 10 miles from the tourist area. Shuttle or taxi transportation can be arranged from any attraction-area hotel. Check with the guest services desk.

Big, Big Events

Although it all began with a daytime trip to Disney World, Gay Days has inspired and nurtured some of the largest and most incredible events & parties in the world. With some of the most imaginative and innovative venues found anywhere, Orlando’s Gay Days has an unbeatable combination of attractions, events, and parties to help create a magical dream of a vacation week. From the tropical wonderland of the Gay Days Host Hotel, to the thrill rides of The Magic Kingdom, you’re sure to find an event that will amaze and delight you.
•   Tickets to attractions, plays, pool parties, and dance parties are available in advance online from www.gaydays.com Ticket Booth. Many of these are available exclusively at www.gaydays.com and sales are already brisk.
•  During the event, www.gaydays.com will operate a Ticket and Merchandise Center at the Gay Days Host Hotel. Be forewarned however, events may sell out in advance!
•  Cash and credit cards are accepted at the Gay Days Ticket and Merchandise Center during the week at the Gay Days Host Hotel.
•  Designated days at attractions held at WDW venues: Disney’s parks are easily accessed by cab or hotel shuttle. Be sure to check shuttle times as the park hours might be outside regular shuttle hours.
•  Also consider renting a car, but be sure to have a designated driver if you plan on drinking. We want everyone to have a safe Gay Days.

Hotel Events

Pool Parties – Orlando is the perfect place to spend your days soaking up the hot sun and hot scenery around a sparkling hotel swimming pool. This low-stress treat gets even better when you’re surrounded by hundreds of GUYS and GALS in Speedos and bikinis, sipping umbrella drinks and grooving to the sounds of some of the world’s best known DJs! Pool parties will be held Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Gay Days Host Hotel. Tickets are required for these pool events if you aren’t registered through www.gaydays.com as a hotel guest.

The Gay Days Expo ­­– growing since it was first held in 1999 – will be bigger and better again this year at the Gay Days Host Hotel. This event is free and open to the public with a wide variety of vendors, food, fun, and the Gay Days Ticket and Merchandise Center. Details are available at www.gaydaysexpo.com. The Expo will be open from Thursday through Sunday. Everybody loves this one!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Call toll free 1-888-942-9329 or go online to order tickets at www.gaydays.com.

Gay Days Events at the Parliament House

In celebration of Orlando Gay Days 2011, The Parliament House Resort, 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, kicks into action on the Tuesday before the big weekend.

Tuesday, May 31 2011
Indoor/Outdoor Party & Khia Concert

Tonight, from 9pm to 3am, the PH will feature a Vendor Fair in the Courtyard, DJ?Saxwell will spin in the Disco, Darcel’s Hip Hop Show will be at the Pool Stage at Midnight and at 1am, a very special Gay Days kick-off with KHIA?in Concert.
Tickets are only *$8. Party till 3am.

*Includes access to all clubs including Disco, Bear Den, Video Bar, Footlight Lounge, Courtyard, Hip Hop Show, Vendor Fair, and

Khia in concert.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Pleasure Island at the Parliament House

Past Pleasure Island friends & bartenders join PH party hosts, bartenders and DJ’s for a mind blowing Kick Off Event complete with décor and intermittent hot spot performances reminiscent of Disney’s MANNEQUINS DANCE PALACE created by D Squared Productions. Guests will be blown away at midnight by the PH Explosion Dancers and the debut of the Biggest Laser Light Show in the history of Gay Days! Entrance is FREE before 11pm and only $6 after 11pm. Party till 3am.
Everyone in attendance receives a coupon for $5 off “at the door” ticket purchase on Gay Days Friday night.

Special Thursday Night Attraction in The Footlight Theatre:

Orlando’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Present

A NIGHT OF PERPETUAL COMEDY

Showtimes: 8pm & 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. Suggested minimum donation: *$7. All proceeds benefit the Sister Clair Annette Memorial Granting Fund
* Ticket price includes complimentary club/party admission for remainder of the evening.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Jessica Sutta &?Blake Lewis Concert &?Party

Beginning at 6am, Morning Radio Talk Show Hosts JOHNNY & JAYDE: XL 106.7 FM will broadcast from the Disco. This is a FREE EVENT – The PH is even opening the bar as early as the law allows. They will feature a “Build Your Own Bloody Mary” Station from 7am until 10am.

From 8pm, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard with JM Best Laser Show and VJ Direct spins in the Disco. Adult Video Stars will be appearing lakeside. Footlight Players Show will begin at 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. At 11pm, Blake Lewis will rock the pool stage in concert and at midnight there will be another Footlight Players Show preceding the 1am concert with Jessica Sutta from the Pussycat Dolls. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Special Friday Night Attraction in The Footlight Theatre:

The Oops Guys Present… BITCHES OF THE KINGDOM at 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and are available at www.wanzie.com/boxoffice or at the PH Booth at the Gay Days Expo. Tickets will be $18 at the door if available.
* Ticket price does not include party admission.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Salt N’ Pepa Concert &?Party

Tonight the PH adds the first of two lakeside FOAM PARTIES to the mix. They hit it big with “Push It”, “Let’s Talk About Sex, and “Whatta Man”. From 8pm, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard with JM Best Laser Show and VJ Direct spins in the Disco. Adult Video Stars will be appearing lakeside. Footlight Players Show will begin at 10pm in the Footlight Theatre. The Foam Party begins by the Lake at 11pm and runs til 3am. Salt N’ Pepa will be in concert on the Pool Stage at 1am. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Starting at 1pm, The Parliament House Pool Party is always FREE! Hosted by Gidget Galore & Addison Taylor, DJ Brianna spins in the Courtyard and the Food Court will be open. Then, Sunday Gay Days T-Dance begins at 5pm in the Disco.
The Twink Model Search, hosted by FabScout, Badpuppy.com, and WET?Lube will begin at 6pm on the Pool Stage. At midnight, the Footlight Players Gay Days Finale Show will be on the pool stage leading up to the 1am concert with Kat Deluna. $10 cover begins at 6pm.