GLBT Travel (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgendered Travel Resources)

A special welcome to the Sunshine Coast

Click here for a list of businesses catering to GLBT travelers
Sunshine Coast Gay & Lesbian Association - Yahoo Group

Shanti Gifts Wilson Creek / Honeysuckle Rose Cottage

2012 PRIDE EVENT: STONEWALL PRIDE JUNE 29 2012

The Sunshine Coast's Gay Pride event for 2012 is our evening of entertainment marked on the calendar for June 29th at the Roberts Creek Hall. This event is packed with performances, speaker, and DJ dance, presented by the Sunshine Coast Pride Committee and Sappho's Circle, and emceed by none other than our own Queenie Winehouse.

The event is headlined by well-known North American performer Yvette Narlock, who has played festivals with over 10,000 concert goers right down to intimate performances. Yvette has played on many stages, for intimate crowds to festival crowds of 10,000 people. On stage, she is a storyteller, a seductress, a siren with a big lush voice, and a guitar style that's accomplished, ranging from intricate finger picking to ripping rhythms. Her songs are diverse and emotionally evocative, dealing with social and political commentary, sexuality, introspection, healing and, of course, love. Yvette was signed for 6 years on a major record deal with Atlantic Records 143. This enabled her to write and produce a couple of big scale albums with her previous band Mollies Revenge and then Yve Adam. She also had the wonderful opportunity to
tour with k.d.lang and play at Lilith Fair. Now, Yvette focuses her passions towards scoring film soundtracks in her studio and working to empower women of all ages as a facilitator and counselor in training. Yvette’s current goal is to complete her masters in Counseling Psychology and combine it with the healing elements of music.

Also performing will be spoken word artist Adelene Da Soul Poet, and MLA (Member of the Legislation of the Province of British Columbia, Powell River/Sunshine Coast) Nicholas Simons will speak on the historical significance of Stonewall and its relation to GLBTQ rights of today.

DJ She takes over at 10 pm to rock out the rest of the evening with a mix of sounds encompassing a wide range of musical genres, ensuring there is something everyone can dance to.

The event is limited to 200 attendees, so get your tickets now. Pre-ticket outlet sales are available online at the Stonewall Pride Eventbrite site ($2 processing fee additional) for sliding scale tickets of 15/20/25. We encourage you to pay as much as you can - those who can afford the extra $5-10$ will be helping to ensure those on fixed incomes and with disabilities can attend.

All proceeds go to the Pride Committee towards funding a larger celebration for 2013.

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to volunteer for the committee, or would be willing to put in an hour or so at the event for one the following tasks we would LOVE to have you... and it is a great way to meet new people too. Note: volunteers still must purchase tickets if attending the event outside of your assigned hour.

• Bar - bar duties and cleanup in bar area
• Front door - entrance podium, first face so be a people person
• Security - ensuring alcohol does not go out the building, no minors attend, managing doors etc.
• Bussing - cleaning tables of bottles and glasses, keeping tables clean & dry
• Drink ticket sales - fun way to meet people, right in the thick of things
• Setup team
• Tear down team - we pay for a hall cleaning so not as onerous as it sounds, if you like to dance to the very end of the evening an hour spent helping here is a HUGE help

Everyone works in pairs, so if you want to take on an hour with a partner or pal, let us know, otherwise you get to spend an hour with a randomly assigned partner - always fun!

To volunteer, write info@sunshinecoastpride.com and let us know which hour you prefer (out of a selection of 3 you provide) between 8pm and 1am and the tasks you enjoy and the team leader will contact you via email or phone if you provide it.

 

Sunshine Coast GLBTQ Travel

GAY FRIENDLY SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESSES
Sunshine Coast Gay & Lesbian Association

Featured Wedding Accommodations
Painted Boat Resort	Moon Dance Cabins	Sakinaw Lake Lodge
Sunshine Coast Resort

The Sunshine Coast is a wonderful getaway destination for everyone. Offering a distinctive location, which though close to Vancouver is a world away. A peaceful haven of rural coastal charm, yet full of a wide range of activities including a host of recreation and arts and culture opportunities. An ideal blend of old and new, innovative and yet still with that small town vibe.

What makes the Sunshine Coast particularly inviting for GLBT travelers is its delightful social fabric, created with a tradition of embracing a very eclectic mix of people. Everyone can feel welcome and relaxed here. Watch out or you might want to move - many have!

There are a wide range of tourist accommodation options available, many of which particularly welcome lesbians and gays. Same goes for restaurants and recreation venues. And, while you're here, make sure you visit Roberts Creek which is truly the heart and soul of what makes the Sunshine Coast a magical inclusive retreat.

Planning a wedding, elopement or anniversary or simply a romantic getaway or group trip? There are a number of accommodations that are very gay-friendly:

GAY FRIENDLY SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESSES

FEATURE ARTICLE: The Queer Community on the Coast
RESOURCES: Sunshine Coast Gay & Lesbian Association (Yahoo Group)

LIVING OUT ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Laurie McConnell and partner Diane Mueller after a great fishing trip with Shay Moudahi of A Place By The Sea Bed & Breakfast and Spa.

My story, by Editor/Publisher Laurie McConnell.

I have lived on the Sunshine Coast for approximately 25 years, and have run Bigpacific.com for 13 years. The site and magazine has always had a section of information for GLBT travelers, and the business directory could be searched for GLBT friendly places of business and accommodations.

Actually, I can't think of any businesses not gay-friendly that I've discovered in my long experience of living and working on the Coast. There may be a few, but I haven't heard of them (tell me if you find any!).

I came out as a gay woman 4 years ago, and as I am well-known in the community through this site and my volunteer work on various boards and organizations, my coming-out was quite public. To an individual, people in my broad personal and business/community networks were supportive.

I have been with my partner, Diane Mueller, for over two years and we participate in many community events, whether they are GLBT focused or not. We have attended elementary and high school functions for my two daughters, business award functions, community development meetings, and just plain social gatherings. We are also connected to the local women's community on the Coast, and I am a member of the Sunshine Coast Gay & Lesbian Association.

While there isn't a 'gay area' on the Sunshine Coast (here on the Lower Coast or in Powell River), all of our collected communities offer GLBT folks the opportunity to enjoy a Sunshine Coast getaway with a small-town flavor, where you can simply be yourselves.

I won't say there are never any negative remarks or discrimination, but they happen so rarely and are so overwhelmed by the kindness, inclusiveness and welcome by the community that they have not been a factor in the years I have been running this site.

If you would like more information about visiting our region or moving here as a gay, lesbian, transgendered or queer person or couple, please write me at webmaster@bigpacific.com.

Other Online Resources for GLBT Travelers:

• Purple Roofs Directory: GLBT Key to World Travel
• GayellowPages.com
  We are an annual print directory of resources (business and organizational)
  for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender USA sold in gay-friendly bookstores
  since 1973.
  

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