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Chicago attractions named to U.S. summer travel list
Four Chicago area attractions have been named among the 150 best things to do in the United States this summer by Travel Lemming. The online travel guide's list highlights the publication's favorite summer events, experiences and ...
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COVID Latest travel update: 9.7% of country at 'Medium' or 'High' level
In the CDC's weekly update of COVID-19 Community Levels released April 29, 9.7 percent—or 314—of the 3,220 counties in the United States and Puerto Rico are now designated at a "Medium" or "High" COVID-19 level. That ...
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Travel confusion reigns as judge overturns mask mandate
On April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle—a Donald Trump appointee—struck down the Biden Administration's COVID mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods. A Biden Administration official ...
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CPDH's travel advisory shows almost 9% of U.S. at COVID's medium to high level
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is advising unvaccinated travelers to take special precautions if they plan to travel in the coming week to areas of the United Statessuch as parts of the upper Plains, ...
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COVID Chicago removes seven more states from travel advisory, makes adjustments
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed seven states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel AdvisoryAlabama, California, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina and Oregonand announced that it is ...
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Pride Journey: Iceland
The only way to describe Iceland is ... magical. It truly is. Iceland is like no other place I've visited in the world. It's topography, climate, people, culture, history, and nightlife blended together make Iceland a ...
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Sixteen more states off Chicago's COVID travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed 16 states from its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on March 15. Those states included Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi ...
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Twelve states removed from Chicago's COVID travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed 12 states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory on March 8. Thirty-four states and one territory are still on the advisory. The following states and territories were removed ...
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COVID Five states and territories removed from Chicago travel advisory
The steep decline in COVID-19 cases around the United States is reflected in the Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH) weekly COVID-19 travel advisory, as five states and territories were removed from the advisory on March ...
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COVID One state now off Chicago's travel advisory
For the first time this year, the entire United States is not on the Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH) weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. Forty-eight states and four territories remain on the advisory after Maryland was ...
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Travel & Adventure Show features top destinations, actor Andrew McCarthy
The 17th Annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show took place Feb. 19-20 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont and the event was truly a global affair. (The Chicago RV Show was in ...
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COVID All states still on Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) did not add or remove any states or territories from its COVID-19 travel advisory on Jan. 25. For the fourth consecutive week, every U.S. state and four territories are ...
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Chicago Travel & Adventure Show now Feb. 19-20
The 17th annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will now take place Feb. 19-20 at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Centertwo weeks after the original dates. The date change is due to the ongoing rise in ...
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COVID Chicago travel advisory remains unchanged
Chicago's COVID travel advisory remains the same. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) did not add or remove any states or territories from its COVID-19 Travel Advisory on Jan. 11. For the second consecutive week, ...
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COVID Every state, four territories now on Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added the only state and only territory that were not on its COVID-19 travel advisory last weekMontana and Guamto the weekly list on Jan. 5. Every U.S. state is ...
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TRAVEL Phoenix: The warmth of sun and smiles
It's 75 degrees in December. Obviously, I wasn't in Chicago, although there's something to be said for the charm of the season's first snowfall. I was actually in Phoenix and, although it's only a four-hour plane ride ...
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COVID Chicago travel advisory only excludes one state and one territory
On Dec. 28, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added two statesLouisiana and South Carolinaas well as the Virgin Islands to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now includes 48 states and three territories. ...
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COVID Five states and Puerto Rico added to Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added five states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and Texas as well as Puerto Rico to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on Dec. 21. The advisory is now at 47 states and ...
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Chicago Travel & Adventure Show taking place Feb. 5-6
The 17th annual Chicago Travel & Adventure Show will take place Feb. 5-6 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, in Rosemont. Travel enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with travel experts to help ...
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COVID Two states and territory come off Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed two states and Guam from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory on Nov. 30. No new states were added to the advisory, which now stands at 38 states. California, ...
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COVID Chicago's travel advisory back up to 40 states and one territory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added two states to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on Nov. 23. The advisory stands at 40 states and one territory. Connecticut, whose daily COVID Case rate per 100,000 ...
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COVID Chicago's travel advisory down to 38 states, one territory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed three states and returned one to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on Nov. 16. The advisory stands at 38 states and one territory. Alabama, Mississippi and Tennesseeall of ...
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COVID Arkansas comes off Chicago's latest travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed one stateArkansasfrom its most recent weekly COVID-19 travel advisory, issued Nov. 9. The advisory stands at 40 states and one territory. Alabama ...
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STAYCATION REVIEW The Gwen
Since opening in 2015, The Gwen, A Luxury Collection Hotel (521 N. Rush St.; https://www.thegwenchicago.com/) has earned plaudits from all over the globe. Some of the most recent honors came courtesy of the readers of Conde ...
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COVID Four more states removed from Chicago's travel advisory
On Oct. 26, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed four states from its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory. The advisory now includes 41 states and two territories following the removal of Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland and ...
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COVID Two more states and D.C. removed from Chicago's travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed two states and the District of Columbia from its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory on Oct. 19. The advisory now includes 45 states and two territories following the removal ...
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TRAVEL Conde Nast readers select The Gwen as Chicago's best hotel
Conde Nast Traveler's readers have spokenand their views of Chicago's hotels are distinctly different from those of another top travel publication. While Viceroy Chicago topped Travel + Leisure's readers' list of local spots to stay, ...
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COVID Connecticut removed from Chicago travel advisory
On Oct. 5, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) removed one stateConnecticutfrom its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now stands at 47 states and three territories. Although the ...
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TRAVEL Conde Nast again recognizes Chicago as top big city
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Choose Chicago and World Business Chicago announced Conde Nast Traveler recognized Chicago as the #1 Best Big City in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year in a row in the results ...
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COVID California, Puerto Rico off Chicago's travel advisory list; others return
On Sept. 22, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) took one state and one territoryCalifornia and Puerto Ricooff its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory, while Connecticut and the District of Columbia returned to the advisory. The ...
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TRAVEL Local hotels make Travel + Leisure's 'Best' lists
Hotels in Chicago were among those honored in Travel + Leisure's annual best-of lists, with readers serving as voters. ...
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Get Out! LGBTQ travelers show how to travel safely this fall
By Ed Salvato, courtesy of the National LGBT Media Association
Just when we thought it was safe to hit the road, we were walloped by the Delta variant, the latest plot twist in the 18-month-and-counting pandemic story. The surprising data that fully vaccinated people could transmit ...
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Pride Journey: Colorado Springs
Did you know that Colorado Springs is also known as Olympic City U.S.A.? Neither did I. Not only is the city home to the U.S. Olympic Training Center, but Colorado Springs recently celebrated the grand opening ...
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The U.S. of Gay
Must sees and dos for out-and-proud wanderlusters
51 ab-fab road-trip destinations and pit stops one in each state and the District of Columbia that are must sees and dos for out-and-proud wanderlusters There are a million things to love about traveling the United States from our ...
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COVID Chicago adds four states to travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) most recently added four statesColorado, Maryland, Nebraska and South Dakotato its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory. There are now 43 states and two territories ...
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COVID Chicago adds 12 states to travel advisory
Chicago added 12 states to its travel advisory on Aug. 10, recommending that unvaccinated people entering the city from those areas test negative for COVID-19 or quarantine upon arrival, according to NBC Chicago. The 12 new ...
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ATTRACTIONS Chicago's First Lady offers a premium architectural tour
Recently, USA Today selected the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Chicago's First Lady cruise as the best boat tour in the countryand it's easy to see why. (By the way, it also was voted the top boat tour ...
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Chicago adds five states, Puerto Rico to COVID travel advisory
On Aug. 3, Chicago added five states and Puerto Rico to its travel advisory, recommending that unvaccinated people entering the city from those areas test negative for COVID-19 or quarantine upon arrival, according to NBC Chicago. ...
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Passenger claims rainbow mask was banned; airline responds
On his flight out of Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month for a 46th birthday vacation in Greece, gay West Hollywood resident Scott Schmidt donned a rainbow-colored surgical mask in order to adhere to the ...
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STAYCATION 21c Museum Hotel's 'Love Is Love' package
The 21c Museum Hotel a chain of mid-size hotels known for being in medium-sized cities such as Cincinnati, Ohio; and Louisville, Kentucky took a leap in early 2020, opening its largest hotel here in Chicago (at 55 E. Ontario ...
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Ten incredible places to visit in Armenia
Armenia is one of the most fascinating places in the world, with rich millennia-old history, ancient monuments, majestic countryside, lush highlands and much more. I just came back from this country. It was my third time ...
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STAYCATION
Rating The Godfrey Hotel Chicago's Pride Month package
The Godfrey Hotel Chicago (127 W. Huron St.; https://www.godfreyhotelchicago.com/) is currently offering a Pride Month hotel package for June that includes overnight accommodations, a table for two at the I/O Godfrey rooftop, a massage at the ...
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Pride Journey: Palm Springs
Palm Springs is my happy place. The city and the surrounding area provide me with the perfect mix of relaxation and entertainment. Having been to Palm Springs numerous times prior to this visit, I wanted to ...
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Essential tips for your COVID-free travel
COVID-19 will make travel a bit more complicated this summer. Going to Europe? Taking a cruise? Visiting Hawaii, San Juan or St. Lucia? Or maybe you are planning a road trip? The rules for traveling responsibly ...
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Pritzker announces 'Time for Me to Drive' campaign
to jump-start Illinois tourism
Gov. JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Office of Tourism and industry leaders to kick off "Time for Me to Drive"a new campaign to promote the return of travel across the state. In its first new campaign ...
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Essential tips for your COVID-free travel
COVID-19 will make travel a bit more complicated this summer. Going to Europe? Taking a cruise? Visiting Hawaii, San Juan or St. Lucia? Or maybe you are planning a road trip? The rules for traveling responsibly ...
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COVID: CDC updates domestic travel guidelines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update regarding domestic traveland eased restrictions for travelers who are fully vaccinated. The CDC website stated, as of April 3: People who are fully vaccinated with ...
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CDC issues mask mandate for travelers
Starting in February, travelers and commuters will be required to wear face masks on nearly all forms of public transportation as part of a sweeping new order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ...
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ACTIVITIES Rollin' on the river, courtesy of the Chicago Electric Boat Company
Running out of ideas regarding what to do this summer? Well, it turns out there's nothing like going down the river in a boat built for two (with social distancing). I recently cruised down the Chicago ...
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TRAVEL San Antonio, a spot that defies and embraces Texas
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
San Antonio is one city that encompasses what one may think of Texasbut also extends beyond one's perceptions of the state. Yes, there are the seemingly requisite cowboy hats and (emblematic of the notion that "everything ...
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WORLD Travel meeting postponed, Hong Kong ruling, African refugees, Grindr sold
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Associationscheduled to take place in Milan, Italyhas been postponed to September/October because of coronavirus concerns, an organizational press release announced. The release stated, "The outbreak of ...
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Make a pit stop in Indy for a gay ol' time
Approximately three hours outside of Chicago, Indianapolis, Indiana has a lot to offer travelers in terms of cuisine, history and nightlife. Start off by staying at the Conrad Hotel in Downtown Indianapolis to be centrally located ...
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theWit celebrating Warhol with package
theWit Hotel, 201 N. State St., is celebrating the arrival of "Andy WarholFrom A to B and Back Again," the acclaimed traveling Andy Warhol exhibit that has just made its debut in Chicagowith a hotel package ...
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TRAVEL Ireland, Northern Ireland: A land of rainbows
Possibly the friendliest country anywhere, Ireland is a lush, green island in the North Atlantic. The Republic of Ireland is divided in two, with Northern Ireland being a part of the United Kingdom. This splits the ...
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TRAVEL Louisville: Putting a twist on Southern hospitality
The South is renowned for many thingsincluding food and its vaunted hospitality. However, it also has been maligned for, among other things, what non-Southerners might call "backward thinking." Well, take a look at Louisville, which one ...
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The Camino Project, an experiment in travel
Far removed from the constructs of your typical theater experience, Theatre Y evokes participation, both physical and emotional. The Camino Project is an experimental experience birthed from its writer, Evan Hill's and its director, his wife, ...
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Event promotes LGBTQ tourism in Israel
On Aug. 8 at Goddess and the Baker, 225 N. Lasalle St., the Israel Ministry of Tourism hosted a happy hour. The most eye-catching display, perhaps, was the rainbow cake peppered with mini-Israeli flags. Next to ...
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TRAVEL Driftless and daring: Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Thousands of years ago when the glaciers razed the Midwest and flattened the landscape, they left certain areas untouched, unmarred. These areasknown as the "driftless" areasabound with lush, green, rolling ...
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TRAVEL Arizona: Hot and cool
"Arizonans are like lizards." I heard this sentence while recently visiting the neighboring cities of Phoenix and Tempe and it certainly wasn't meant to slam residents. Rather, it was a comment on the habits of people who ...
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Gay tourism group cancels Ethopian trip after death threats
Dan Ware, the owner of Chicago-based Toto Tourswhich has a mostly gay clientelehas cancelled an October trip to Ethiopia after receiving death threats from people in the African country, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The "Treasures of ...
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TRAVEL Portland: Something for everyone
First things first: Portland isn't nearly as granola as I thought it might be. Before visiting the Western city for the first time, I was told/warned (by various individuals) that Portland is, among other things, a ...
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STAYCATION REVIEW The Langham Chicago
The Langham Chicago (330 N. Wabash St.; http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/chicago/) has earned plaudits from various publications, including five stars from Forbes. However, I checked out this place to see if it's really ...
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NYC Pride announces World Pride opening ceremony June 26, Whoopi Goldberg to host
NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 05, 2019 — NYC Pride, the host of WorldPride 2019. Stonewall 50,formally unveiled today the location and initial talent line-up of the official Opening Ceremony of WorldPride. The Wednesday, June 26, 2019, ...
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Illinois Office of Tourism Wins Spartacus Traveler Award for #AmazingForAll
CHICAGO— The Illinois Office of Tourism's #AmazingForAll campaign received the Spartacus Traveler Award for best LGBTQ tourism campaign during ITB Berlin, the world's leading travel trade show. Spartacus, a leading ...
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STAYCATION REVIEW Swissotel
The European-themed Swissotel Chicago (323 E. Wacker Dr.; http://www.swissotel.com/) brands itself as a luxury hotelone of a part of a global chain, and is the only Swissotel in the United States. But is the local hotel ...
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STAYCATION REVIEW Fieldhouse Jones
River North spot Fieldhouse Jones (312 W. Chestnut St.; https://fieldhousejones.com/) is certainly unique, thanks to its loft-style rooms, pervasive sports theme and laid-back style. But is it worth your time ...
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TRAVEL Philadelphia, a lot more than the Liberty Bell
Mention Philadelphia, and most people seem to think of two things: Philly steaks and history. Regarding the latter, there are so many well-known places and items, including the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and many more. However, ...
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WORLD Marriage news, HIV prosecution, Cuba travel
The president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, on Dec. 5, reiterated her support of marriage rights for same-sex couples, The Washington Blade noted. "There's only one race in the world and that's the human ...
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A visit to the gay capital of South Florida
Witon Manors, Florida, is perfect for a car free, carefree holidayand it has arguably the best walkable LGBTQ village in the country. The small city is just north of Fort Lauderdale, in the southern part of ...
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TRAVEL Hello, Columbus, Much more than a college town
I've had the good fortune to travel to Columbus, Ohio, a few timesand I've convinced more and more people that it's a great place to visit. Why is that? Because, despite some individuals' perceptions that The ...
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VALUE TRAVEL Downtown LA, The city's walkable gayborhood
Have you been to downtown LA (DTLA) lately? If not, plan on a visit soon. I hadn't and was stunned to see that the downtown core has been totally repurposed as a cool hipster hangout complete ...
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HRC Promotes Workplace Inclusion in Argentina at LGBT Business, Tourism Summit
BUENOS AIRES Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the educational arm of America's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, participated in GNETWORK 360 ...
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Illinois tourism office unveils sculpture at Market Days
The Illinois Office of Tourism's art installation celebrating its "Amazing for All" LGBTQ and diversity initiative was unveiled on the first day of Northalsted Market Days on Aug. 11, just south of the Addison gate in ...
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Local women arrange Italy LGBTQ adventures
Chicago's Lesley Pritkin and Rosanne Cofoid are offering LGBTQ-specific adventures in Italy with unique venues for same-sex wedding celebrations and honeymoons that cater to all tastes and budgets. Said venues include tiny ...
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VALUE TRAVEL Fabulous Philadelphia, Perfect for a long weekend
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times by Bill Malcolm
Philadelphia makes for a perfect long weekend. Steeped in American history, the city is very walkable and has a great "Gayborhood" filled with lots of bars and restaurants including a great LBGTQ bookstore, Giovanni's Room. Getting ...
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