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THE TRAVEL ISSUE With Articles Covering Road Trips, Travel Etiquette, Las Vegas, The Party Destinations, PNW Favorite Cities, and much more. RICK STEVES More Than Travel An Ally & Activist Rick Steves shares his life, advice and viewspoints in his first-ever interview with an LGBTQ+ magazine.2 COME FOR PHILADELPHIA. STAY FOR Philly. VISITPHILLY.COM LOUD AND PROUD 365 DAYS A YEAR. 4 EDITOR’S LETTER Dear Readers, As the publisher and co-editor of Out NW, I’m passionate about sharing the transformative power of travel. I grew up traveling with my grandparents every summer, driving all over the country. These memories will be with me forever and have helped mold me into the person I am. For our community, travel can be more than a chance to see new places – it’s an opportunity for deeper self-discovery, creating memories, building community, and forming a world where we feel safe, celebrated, and free to love. Traveling as a queer individual can hold unique challenges. In many parts of the world, discrimination and safety concerns are real. Yet, there’s also profound beauty in choosing destinations that embrace diversity and discovering pockets of queer acceptance and joy across the globe. The act of LGBTQ+ travel itself is a statement of resilience. It’s saying, “My identity and my love deserve to experience the world.” It creates space for encountering different perspectives, breaking down stereotypes, and forging unexpected connections. Traveling within our community lets us tap into a shared history and create a living archive of queer resilience. It can be as powerful as visiting a historic landmark dedicated to the Stonewall uprising as it is simply sharing a meal with fellow LGBTQ+ travelers at a welcoming cafe. Beyond discovering the wider world, travel pushes us to discover more of ourselves. Removed from our usual routines and surroundings, we can examine our identities with fresh perspective. We might test our boundaries, surprise ourselves, and gain a confidence that transcends borders. In this magazine, we’re committed to showcasing LGBTQ+-friendly destinations, helpful travel tips, and inspiring stories from our community’s globetrotters. We’ll highlight safe havens and uncover hidden gems. More than just logistics, we’ll delve into those intangible benefits travel brings: a wider sense of belonging, renewed hope, and a reaffirmation that we deserve love and adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to dream, I invite you to join us on this journey. Let’s explore the world, celebrate our vibrant community, and build a future where every LGBTQ+ person feels empowered to travel the globe with pride. Sincerely, Anthony Polimeni Publisher/Co-Editor of Out NW Anthony Polimeni | Publisher & Co-EditorMichael Montgomery | Editor-In-Chief5 Table of Contents Edie’s Las Vegas Why Do We Travel? Out on the Road Rick Steves Exclusive First LGBTQ+ Magazine Interview International Dos & Don’ts LGBTQ+ Destination Events LGBTQ+ Travel Etiquette Out NW | Alaska Call to Action & Masthead Out NW | Oregon Out NW | Washington Lives of Gay Travel Influencers Out NW | Montana Out NW | Northern California Out NW | Idaho Quickies 2024 Calendar Page 6 9 12 15 18 28 32 43 46 49 52 55 58 61 65 68 70Photo by William Beem Photo of Edie Courtesy of Edie7 Welcome to Edie’s Fabulous LAS VEGAS By Edie aka Christopher Kenney Hi, I’m Edie and best known to Las Vegas audiences as the Mistress of Sensuality in the long-running Cirque du Soleil show “Zumanity” at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino, where I performed over 5,600 shows for over 6 million people from 2008 to 2020. I am also the creator and host of “Faaabulous! The Show,” which ran for over two years in Vegas and was named “Best Drag Production” twice by Vegas411. Las Vegas changes so quickly that it’s even harder for the locals to keep up! I’ve been here 16 years and find Vegas to be just as exciting as when I moved here in 2008. When I first moved from NYC, my friends would ask what the gay scene was like in Vegas. I would jokingly say, “It’s great. Just hop on the 15 and go west about 200 miles ‘til you get to L.A.” In reality, our LQBTQIA+ scene in Sin City is fabulous, and it’s getting better all the time! Just know before you visit that Vegas is a very safe place for our community. You will be comfortable with anything you want to do within the walls of the amazing gay- owned and operated businesses I’d like to share with you. One of the newest is a motel complex called Bent Inn and Pub. It’s a motel, bar, and restaurant. This is the first exclusive LGBTQIA+ property since Blue Moon closed its doors in 2014. (Keep in mind that most - if not all - of the Casinos are gay-friendly and have their own outreach to make us feel welcome.) Bent is located on Fremont Street, just blocks away from the Fremont Experience in Old Town. It’s also next to the fantastic Container Park, the historic Atomic Liquors, and tons of sublime eateries. Vegas is definitely a town for “foodies.” Some of the best restaurants are off the beaten path, away from those exorbitant Strip prices. One of my favorites is Esther’s Kitchen in the thriving Arts District. Authentic Italian fare featuring homemade in-house pasta and bread baked fresh and served piping hot are just two of the reasons to visit. Craft cocktails are the other! Owned and operated by James Beard, finalist Chef James Trees, Esthers is the real deal, and it won’t drain your wallet. It’s so popular that Trees just opened a second location. So hop on Open Table and make a rez! You won’t regret it. 8 As far as nightlight, there are so many great options. One of the newest - actually, what’s old is new again places - is Gipsy, which has been newly remodeled and re-opened after over a decade of being closed. Located next to the ever-popular Piranha, Gipsy is grander than ever. It’s beautifully decorated and features top-notch entertainment and… a sushi bar! Other great bars scattered around Vegas are The Phoenix, Fun Hog Ranch, Flex, Queen Bar and Nightclub, and a Vegas staple, Garage Bar, which just celebrated 13 years on East Flamingo Rd! Vegas has always been a city of residences. From Elvis to Celine, from Lady Gaga to Adele, Vegas is a destination for some of the top musical talents on Earth. And yes, we even have our own planet. Well, sort of. It’s only been open for seven months, and The Sphere is already a dazzling part of our iconic skyline. And it isn’t just cool on the outside. And let’s face it, it’s pretty darn cool! Inside, you can take in a concert or go on your own jaw- dropping tour. With over a million LED lights, The Sphere is nothing short of spectacular. Las Vegas isn’t exactly known for world-renowned museums like New York or Paris, but we have some of the most unique and fun exhibitions. The Erotic Heritage Museum features over 17,000 square feet dedicated to the history of erotica and houses the hilarious comedy show “Puppetry of the Penis,” now in its 10th year in Vegas. It’s one of the only shows that feature full-frontal nudity! You can learn about Las Vegas’ scrappy history at the Mob Museum and re-live what it was like to witness actual nuclear tests right here in the desert. The Neon Museum preserves Vegas’ rich history with actual signs from old casinos and businesses from yesteryear. Take a trip to the neon “Boneyard,” a great place for selfies! Zach Baggins (Ghost Hunters) Haunted Museum houses some of the most possessed items in the world. It’s truly spine-chilling and not in the traditional jump-out-and-scare-you way that traditional haunted houses offer. There are no cheap thrills here. This is the real deal. As exciting as the Las Vegas Strip can be, I find what’s off-strip to be even more exciting. Nevada offers some of the best hiking trails, with incredible trails in all of our state and national parks. My new favorite is actually quite easy, but you must do it. It’s the Historic Railroad Hiking Trail within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This saved my sanity during lockdown. Walk, stroll, jog, or bike along this historic railroad bed used to haul materials for the construction of the Hoover Dam. The 3.7-mile (one-way) trail - complete with five tunnels - will take you back to 1931 with stunning views of the lake and its mountain setting. Other must-dos are The Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and, of course, the Hoover Dam. If you are able to venture further out, then I highly recommend Bryce Canyon and Mt. Zion in Utah, which are just a couple of hours away. If you are feeling really adventurous, there’s always the Grand Canyon. Several helicopter companies offer exquisite tours of this Natural Wonder of the World. Desert beauty is so unique and awesome, especially for a person like me, who was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I simply love it and wouldn’t trade my new- found desert life. I am currently wrapping up the last leg of my “Dance, Edie, Dance” tour and putting the finishing touches on my new show, “Queen of the Desert,” which will play at the Red Room in Provincetown all summer long. Edie Entertainer on all social medias or at EdieEntertainer.comOregon The LGBT Community in Oregon Photo via EnvatoNext >