Las Vegas, Nevada—an epicenter of lavish entertainment—is featuring a plethora of LGBTQ+ PRIDE entertainment, dining, nightlife and events this year. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, and all year Las Vegas is seeking not only to entertain, but to empower the community. Here is what LGBTQ+ travelers should look out for when booking a trip to Sin City.
Jim McMichael, specialty markets manager for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, says more and more people from different backgrounds are traveling to Vegas.
"The biggest trend we’ve seen in LGBTQ+ offerings in Las Vegas is simply that they are becoming more diverse. Where years ago you may have seen more focus on just one segment of the LGBTQ+ community, we’re now seeing more events and activations that reach broader segments of the community," McMichael said in a written statement.
Ernie Yuen, executive director of Las Vegas Pride magazine, says the 13 day Downtown Las Vegas PRIDE Festival differentiates itself.
"Our pride is a unique pride. Because of the type of city that we are, we are not a Monday through Friday, eight to five city. We have three shifts that everyone works, and there is no such thing as the weekend," Yuen says.
Empower
Las Vegas PRIDE is returning with events and entertainment designed to celebrate the diversity and pride within the Las Vegas LGBT community from October 11-12. Events include the annual night PRIDE Parade, October 11, in Downtown Las Vegas along with the PRIDE Festival, October 12. Bravo celebrity Lisa Vanderpump has agreed to be a parade grand marshal.
Golden Rainbow will collaborate with local eateries across the valley for the fourth annual “Dining Out For Life” event on July 23. The national yearly campaign raises funds for local HIV/AIDS service organizations.
In Southern Nevada, Golden Rainbow is the only beneficiary of these funds with proceeds going to those in critical need of services. For those affected by HIV/Aids, MGM Resorts International launched Universal Love, a compilation of reimagined wedding songs for the LGBTQ+ community that celebrate the power of love and music to unite humanity. Featuring songs by Bob Dylan and St. Vincent among other artists, Universal Love is available on all streaming platforms.
Embrace
The 13th Annual Sin City Soirée will return to Las Vegas May 13 – 19 at Bally’s Las Vegas. Each year WildSide accommodates over 300 transgender women and men from around the world to Las Vegas for a week of pool parties, shopping, sightseeing, dinners and evenings out on the town. Travelers from six continents were welcomed last year.
Golden Rainbow’s 33rd Annual Ribbon of Life is back to Tropicana Las Vegas June 23. This year’s production will recognize the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with music based on the famed festival.
Bigger Vegas, an event celebrating gay men of size, is taking place at Tuscany Suites and Casino July 2-8. The week of activities, excursions, informative seminars and parties is expecting more than 1,500 guests this year.
The Nevada Gay Rodeo Association is putting on its Big Horn Rodeo event from September 20-22. Spectators will witness events ranging from bull riding and roping to barrel racing during the annual three-day event held at Horseman’s Park.
Community Marketing & Insights will host their 20th LGBTQ Tourism Summit at Vdara Las Vegas November 3-5. This annual conference is a discussion on the LGBTQ+ market via a variety of feature presentations, panels and workshops from leading industry professionals.
Entertain
Luxor Hotel and Casino’s Temptation Sundays, starting on May 12, is the longest-running gay pool party in Las Vegas. It returns for its tenth season with weekly parties through September 29. This poolside party features DJ’s spinning the summer’s hottest soundtracks and specialty drinks.
At Señor Frog’s Drag Brunch, drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Shangela, Coco Montrese and Yara Sofia take to the stage, as onlookers can dine on a buffet and drink at an open bar.
Hamburger Mary’s has returned to Las Vegas with pub food. The restaurant also features a bar, dining area and an outside patio. The LGBT-friendly burger morphs into a nightclub, including drag shows, charity bingo, cabaret theater events, trivia and more.
The Garage, located a few miles off the Strip, is a bar featuring pool tables, shuffleboard and darts, in addition to their drink specials and menu.
FreeZone Nightclub and Bar—minutes away from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino—fuses a casual atmosphere with upbeat music and nightly karaoke. It features food, pool tables and occasional drag shows.
Piranha Nightclub is a late-night location with international DJs and world famous drag queens. Guests can have a cocktail at one of the many bars or dance on Piranha’s state-of-the-art dance floors among go-go dancers.
For more information, visit https://www.lvcva.com/
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