Posted on 12/12/2006 5:43:34 AM PST by Mr. Brightside
Top gay-friendly city: San Francisco
Mon Dec 11, 1:50 PM ET
WASHINGTON - San Francisco was named the top "gay-friendly" destination in a new survey of gay travelers conducted by the Travel Industry Association.
Following San Francisco on the list's top 10 were Key West, Fla.; New York City; Fire Island, which is part of Long Island in New York; Provincetown, Mass.; Los Angeles; Miami-South Beach, Fla.; Las Vegas; New Orleans, and Palm Springs-Palm Desert, Calif.
The national survey was conducted by the Travel Industry Association in partnership with Harris Interactive and Witeck-Combs Communications.
Nearly half of gay and lesbian travelers said that whether a destination has a "gay-friendly" reputation matters when they are making leisure travel choices.
A place where "they can hold their partner's hand in public" without fear of harassment was cited as an example of something that more than half of gay men and more than two-thirds of gay women look for when they are choosing a destination, according to the survey.
Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications said the survey showed that gay and lesbian travelers are not looking for special treatment, but are simply "expecting consideration and equal respect given all customers."
Four out of 10 gay and lesbian travelers also said they consider a destination gay-friendly if it "is known to be culturally welcoming and to support diversity" and gay rights.
Only a third of gay men and 18 percent of lesbians cited "gay nightlife, gay clubs and bars" among their top considerations for gay friendliness.
The national online survey was conducted among 2,020 self-identified gay travelers 21 and older who have taken at least one leisure trip within the past 12 months.
The survey also polled 1,010 adults who self-identified as heterosexual and who also have taken at least one leisure trip in the past year. The heterosexual travelers were included as a way to compare the two groups. The survey found, for example, that gay men tend to spend more on trips than lesbians and heterosexuals.
I can't believe Philadelphia isn't in the top 10. I thought I was in another world when I was there last year.
Shooping for designer shoes tends to be expensive.
The remainder were more concerned about bus station and public playground restroom facilities, for some reason.
It now matters to me too. Now I know where not to go. BTW 'Frisco was already on my list of places to avoid.
Lesbian women don't buy makeup, handbags, expensive clothes etc.
They are content wearing blue jeans, work boots, flannel shirts and carrying their valuables in a large leather wallet chained to their belt loop.
I havent been to Fire Island since I went to the wrong beach one summer. Use to be a beautiful place but I wouldnt take my children there these days. Oh go ahead and call me homophobic, but I dont want my children seeing that sort of stuff. I would rather my children be kids first and then get a glimpse of adult life.
Fatalism and few responsibilites. Why save money when you are the last in your gene pool branch. Unless you need money to retire in Thailand....
They are content wearing blue jeans, work boots, flannel shirts and carrying their valuables in a large leather wallet chained to their belt loop.
I'm shocked to not see Seattle on the list; I saw more male-on-male open-mouth kissing there than in San Francisco!
I don't know if "shocker" is an appropriate addition to the title considering the subject matter involved...
Where's Austin,Tx. on that list?
San Francisco on the list's top 10 were Key West, Fla.; New York City; Fire Island, which is part of Long Island in New York; Provincetown, Mass.; Los Angeles; Miami-South Beach, Fla.; Las Vegas; New Orleans, and Palm Springs-Palm Desert, Calif.
Most of these could be considered 'destination' locales; i.e. places people tend to gravitate to for fun & vacations. To me, at least (this is my own humble opinion, folks), Seattle doesn't fit that definition. It's like Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, whatever. A big city with it's own style; a place to go to for business or other purpose, but not a 'destination' place. What gets me about the list is Provincetown, Mass. What's with that?
If you had ever been there, you'd know. Every homosexual in Boston has a place there, or a friend with a place there. Practically all the businesses are owned by gays or lesbians.
-ccm
They are content wearing blue jeans, work boots, flannel shirts and carrying their valuables in a large leather wallet chained to their belt loop.
LOL! As alway, GMTA. That's just the way they are around here, right down to the leather wallet chained to their belt loop.
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