That’s when we heard the first news alert about a decapitation in the neighborhood. And then a second decapitation. We don’t know about you, but to us such turn of events tends to cast a pall over after-dinner-drink-small-talk.

On closer examination, it seems these were two of 1,029 murders that took place last year in the Paradise of the Americas. Apparently, a lot has changed since Elizabeth Taylor had her third of eight marriages there, and Edgar Valdez became known as the drug lord La Barbie. Acapulco has become the fourth most dangerous city in the world to visit, with 127.92 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants. On February 8, the State Department placed Mexico on its list of countries too dangerous or unstable to encourage Americans to visit.

That places Mexico in the same category as Afghanistan, Iran, and Syria.

We have a few more warnings of our own to add to the list, while the State Department plays catch-up. We can’t really recommend going to Belem, Brazil, once on our “favorites list,” since it sits at the entrance to the Amazon River and is home to the architecturally-significant Belem Cathedral. Last year, there were 1,639 murders in Belem, mainly over the rights to log in the Amazon, where mostly illegal deforestation is occurring at a rate of 10,000 square miles a year.

There are also no warning flags cautioning travel to Caracas, Venezuela. While we can’t recommend it right now—there were 3,164 murders there—at one time, Caracas’ Paseo de los Proceres was one of our favorite gardens to stroll (and cruise!). Although its lovely lawns, flowers and sculpture are still in place and as magnificent as ever, armed robbery is rampant, as are attacks on gays and lesbians, who in Venezuela are still subject to extreme discrimination. Oh well.

Nice house; no furniture.

Should you be thinking about taking a trip to Honduras, think again. Though it is home to the Bay Islands (with the second largest coral reef in the world), as well as the Mayan ruins at Copán and the sprawling Lancetilla Botanical Gardens in Tela, Honduras also is extremely anti-gay, with homosexual and transgender murders a frequent occurrence. In 2009, Honduras’ best-known LGBT leader, 27-year-old Walter Trochez, was assassinated by state security forces after he launched a protest against the murders of gays. In 2011, there were 1,123 murders in Hondoras’ central district. Most of these were never solved, and the killers remain free.

While we’re talking Honduras, try to imagine life in San Pedro Sula. The second largest city in the country, home to thriving coffee, banana, tobacco, beet and sugar cane plantations, it also holds the title of Murder Capital of the World. Lovely but deadly, like so much of the world seems to be these days.

Robert Elias Deaton is a world-traveling epicure who enjoys the finer things in life.

David Paisley, Senior Research Director for Community Marketing says that “after two years of decreased travel spending within the LGBT community because of the recession, it was encouraging to see an increase in the October 2011 survey.”

“Nearly all destinations in our report saw an increase in LGBT visitors over the previous year, which may indicate pent-up demand for the coming year,” he added.

The report shows that New York is the Number One gay travel destination, topping the survey’s three main categories: actual visits to the destination in the past 12 months; most gay-friendly destination in the world; and personal favorite destination. Las Vegas, San Francisco and London also scored well in all three categories.

Also scoring well were gay vacation resort towns Provincetown, and Palm Springs. In an analysis of data utilizing number of hotel rooms in a destination, these destinations rank at the top. Although Greater Fort Lauderdale did not specifically earn top rankings, nearby Key West joins Provincetown and Palm Springs rounding out the summit.

The survey also reports that the “LGBT economy/budget market is larger than many people assume.

Far more LGBT travelers consider themselves to be ‘economy/budget travelers’ than ‘luxury travelers’ indicating an opportunity for every tier of travel marketers. ‘Budget traveling’ is not about income; it is about consumers spreading their travel funds across as many vacations as possible. Among economy/budget LGBT travelers, only about a third indicated they stay at economy hotels because they are low income. Most indicate they would rather spend their money on more frequent vacations, local attractions or restaurants.”

Right now, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGTLA) is holding their annual convention in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area including Wilton Manors. Fort Lauderdale beat out Philadelphia, Chicago and New York for the right to hold the convention in this area this year.

“I want to welcome all the IGLTA delegates to South Florida and Wilton Manors and we’re thrilled to have them here,” said Gary Resnick, Mayor of Wilton Manors. “It’s a very important convention for our community and it should do wonders for our local economy. We’re thrilled our area was chosen and it’s a wonderful opportunity for us.”

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler added by saying, “I feel that everyone should feel welcome to Fort Lauderdale and that’s the message I’ve been spreading since I became mayor — that all segments of tourism should feel welcome. I think we’ve come a long way and I think we’ve shown that gay and lesbian tourism is a very healthy segment of our market and I hope they have a great stay while they’re here and I hope they continue to come back.”

The same sentiments were expressed by Oakland Park Mayor Suzanne Boisvenue, whose city will be the home of the new G-Resort, just one of a national chain of gay hotel resorts. “I think it’s great that they’re coming and Oakland Park will do everything they can to make them feel happy and welcome.”

Richard Gray, of the Royal Palms Resort, approached Nicki Grossman, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, in 2009. (Gray also sits on the CVB.) The convention was previously held in Fort Lauderdale in 2001 and Gray felt that much has changed since then. Grossman and then Broward County Commissioner Ken Keechl went to the IGTLA board meeting in Dallas to make their presentation. Fort Lauderdale won the bid.

“I think it’s extremely important to have the convention here,” said Gray.

“It showcases the destination internationally. This year, IGTLA has representation from about 35 countries and I think that international representation is very important. It’s also important that you are getting the ‘Who’s-Who’ of gay and lesbian travel to attend the IGTLA convention.”

The business owners are also thrilled to have the convention in Fort Lauderdale this year.

“I think it’s a positive for Fort Lauderdale, as well as Wilton Manors,” said Roger Handevidt, owner of Orton Terrace guest house on Fort Lauderdale beach. “The travel agents and tour operators that are coming are going to see the number one gay and lesbian vacation destination in all of North America. When you talk to travel agents and you talk to travel writers, they will tell you they believe this is the number one destination in all of North America. It’s a
positive thing for all of us.”

“I think that it is paramount that Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale be recognized around the world as one of the leading cities when it comes to a united gay and lesbian community that shows compassion and welcomes every international body to enjoy that special gift that we here enjoy on a day-to-day basis,” said Jackson Padgett, who, along with his partner, Mark Negrette, own Georgie’s Alibi and Bill’s on Wilton Drive. “We have wonderful community, restaurants and bars; we have wonderful beaches and culture and everything they can get in any larger metropolitan city and I think it’s wonderful that we have now been recognized on an international level by bringing the convention to this town.”

Padgett and Negrette sponsored the Kristine W. concert. She will be performing for the delegates and area residents this Friday evening, May 13th, at Hagen Park in Wilton Manors. Earlier in the day, Hagen Park will host a trade show for the delegates and locals featuring tour operators, airlines, hotels and other facets of the travel and tourism industry. Much of the other events are being sponsored by the CVB.

The Rainbow Business Coalition (RBC), a group of local gay-owned businesses, has volunteered their time, businesses and staff to work alongside the IGLTA with tasks such as registration, organizing and hosting parties for the delegates.

Tour operators and travel agents have been shown around the city and they also have time on their own so they can do their own exploring of the area.

“I believe they are really working toward making things proper. These people come because they want to learn, not that they want to party. They are more interested in business itself,” said Handevidt.

Of course, each mayor is particularly proud of their own city.

“Everybody should feel welcome to the City of Fort Lauderdale,” said Seiler. “Every group is appreciated in the City of Fort Lauderdale. We are a tourist-based town, we have a very successful tourist-based system and I, for one, am very grateful that an organization such as this desired to come to Fort Lauderdale.”

“Wilton Manors offers everything for the LGBT community: Shops and restaurants, recreational amenities, nightlife, close proximity to the beaches and a lot of cultural events,” said Resnick. “It’s really the perfect spot for any LGBT person looking for a vacation destination. In Wilton Manors, we are a very open and accepting society where no one thinks twice about two men or two women walking hand-in-hand down the street. Wilton Manors is a place where LGBT people can be themselves, enjoy themselves and feel comfortable doing so.”

All three mayors thanked the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau for assisting in luring the IGLTA convention to the area.

But have the delegates been impressed with the Greater Fort Lauderdale area thus far?

“From what I’ve seen so far, people are impressed,” said Gray. “I think people are always surprised at Fort Lauderdale and that it’s not [as] crazy as Miami. They are surprised that the ocean and beach are so close to the road. Everyone I’ve been showing around has just loved it and is so surprised on how gay Fort Lauderdale really is. I think that’s always one of the biggest surprises.”

By PAUL RUBIO

Since the 1920s, the L.A. enigma of wealth, fame, and pretention has lured celebrity hopefuls and aspiring anybodies to enter a vortex of the fake and fabulous, in a desperate attempt to become “somebody.” Likewise, this conundrum has placed L.A. at the top of the global “must see” bucket list, especially for the GLBT traveler.

Neighboring Beverly Hills, West Hollywood is arguably the epicenter of America’s gay universe.

On a day-to-day basis, the streets of WEHO teem with America’s most stunning gay men, making the true attraction of visiting this gayborhood recreation time on an eye-candy playground. In fact, tourists simply looking for the “gay L.A.” experience need go no further than the main drags of Melrose, Sunset, and Santa Monica.

After battling some annoying traffic coming from LAX and catching a glimpse of the Hollywood sign, it’s time to put on your sunglasses and look the part, exiting the cab in front of either the flawless London West Hollywood (thelondonwesthollywood.com) or the awesome Andaz West Hollywood (westhollywood. andaz.hyatt.com). The Andaz West Hollywood is Hyatt’s much awaited youthful re-invention of the former Sunset Strip “Riot Hyatt,” a hotbed of 70s and 80s rock n roll angst and the long-haired rocker appetite for hotel destruction. The new Andaz is fresh, funky, fun, and full of freebees, offering a better-planned and more strategically conceptualized product than its most analogous competitor, the “W.” The contemporary design of common spaces is highly detailed while rooms are simple and understated. Guest rooms boast spacious sunrooms with floor to ceiling windows, peering over the Sunset Strip and vaster Hollywood panoramas (from floors 6 and up). Free Illy espresso, wine, and rotating snacks lure guests at all hours to the lobby, while the complimentary (nonalcoholic) mini bar gives new meaning to raiding the fridge. Sunning in your Speedo at the rooftop pool is arguably one of the best uses of LA daylight, while healthy French cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, the Riot House, offers an authentic gastronomic link to the French countryside.

The rooftop pool at WEHO’s other most stylish crash pad, the London West Hollywood, also merits major bragging rights. The London’s signature bathrooms are larger than most NYC studio apartments, and likely the subject of countless Facebook photos and ridiculously long baths (with multiple guests). Like the Andaz, the London offers a sizeable gym, but a more inspirational physical experience beckons at the nearby Crunch (crunch.com) on Sunset Blvd or the Sports Club LA (thesportsclubla.com) on Sepulveda – both wet dreams of muscle boys pumping iron with frequent sightings of the legend Carol Channing in a leotard at the latter.

By early evening, WEHO transforms into a concentrated commune of fabulous eats, celebrity sightings, and unadulterated fun. The sexy Cecconi’s (www.cecconiswesthollywood.com) serves Italian fusion to a svelte, calorie conscious clientele, more concerned with being seen than inhaling their tuna tartare. The irresistible diet anti-Christ, BLT Steak (www.bltsteak.com), caters to the foodie crowd, content scraping their plates for that one final bite of the decadent Lobster Cobb Salad, the over-stuffed Mushrooms, or the signature buttery Sole. Come 11pm, the world famous Abbey (www.abbeyfoodandbar.com) shows no signs of ending its long standing reign as America’s best gay bar. The oversized homo sanctuary has hosted LA’s who’s-who for nearly a decade, still championing the scene on Fridays and Sunday afternoons. Next door, Here Lounge (www.herelounge.com) is also mega popular these two evenings.

Naturally, an L.A. experience is never complete without a few notable celebrity sightings. Within West Hollywood, it’s likely you will see both the fabulous A-list and the ghetto- fabulous D-list at a Santa Monica Blvd.

Starbucks or the 2:15am sloppy pizza stop after all clubs have closed, for that Us Weekly “they’re just like us” moment. My last trip to L.A., I perhaps took the “greatest piss of all,” smack-dab next to Orlando Bloom, sharing a bit of urinal rhapsody for a good 60 seconds (plenty of time to sneak a peek or two!). I downed a tequila shot at the Abbey with “New York” from the VH1 reality show “Flava of Love” (after I realized she was more than just another drag queen). Paris Hilton brushed by me at Millions of Milkshakes (millionsofmilkshakes.com), blowing drunk “air kisses” to her waning fan base.