Happy Sunday—we’re celebrating the launch of our new website! Curious to hear what y’all think. Here's what's on tap this week:
🏳️🌈 Where to celebrate Pride this July and August
👣 New TSA rule change puts gnarly feet back where they belong
🗞️ Travel Briefs: News & vibes for gays on the go
🔥 GoQueer’s Hot 10 Deals: Our favorite escapes this week
July and August Pride: Where to Celebrate Now That June is Over 🏳️🌈
Barcelona’s legendary Pride celebration at Montjuïc
Feeling sad that the "official" Pride month is over? Don't be! Pride is year-round, and there are tons of places—both nationally and internationally—who choose to celebrate their Pride outside of the official LGBTQ+ History Month of June for various reasons.
Here are our favorite Pride events still to come in July and August:
San Diego Pride is July 19—20. One of the largest Prides in the US, attracting over 250,000 people to Hillcrest and Balboa Park. The parade runs from the iconic Hillcrest Pride Flag through downtown, while the festival features multiple stages and the city's perfect summer weather.
Barcelona Pride: The entire celebration spans three weeks (June 28—July 19), but the main parade on July 19 through the city center, featuring free concerts and Rosa López performing at the Pride Village.
Vancouver Pride runs July 25—August 3, with the parade on August 3. One of Canada's largest Pride parades draws hundreds of thousands to downtown Vancouver, ending at Sunset Beach for the post-parade festival.
Stockholm Pride: Scandinavia's largest Pride, running July 28—August 3, draws 500,000 spectators for a huge parade on August 2. Stockholm's scene centers around Södermalm with iconic venues like MS Patricia (a former yacht turned gay club) and Backdoor, plus special Bear Pride events.
Montreal Pride (or Fierté Montréal) is July 31—August 10. Montreal's 10-day Pride celebration centers around the Village, one of the world's largest gay districts, with famous rainbow balls suspended over Sainte-Catherine Street. The extended festival includes multiple parades, outdoor concerts, and drag shows with distinctly Quebecois flair.
Charlotte Pride is August 16—17. North Carolina's largest LGBTQ+ event features a massive parade down Tryon Street with 40+ floats and a festival at First Ward Park. The celebration centers around the NoDa (North Davidson) arts district with venues like RSVP and Chasers for drag shows and dancing.
Manchester Pride Festival is August 22—25. Manchester Pride transforms Canal Street gay village into a massive celebration with the famous Pride Parade and ticketed festival at Mayfield Park. Canal Street, one of the UK's most vibrant gay districts, comes alive with street parties and performances throughout the long weekend.
Austin Pride is Saturday, August 23 at Fiesta Gardens. Austin's "Keep Austin Weird" Pride celebration takes place at scenic Fiesta Gardens along Lady Bird Lake, featuring multiple stages and the city's famous food truck scene.
Although not technically a Pride, Southern Decadence takes over New Orleans every Labor Day Weekend (August 31—September 1). The NSFW event included massive street parties and draws over 200,000 visitors annually for the Grand Marshal Parade on Sunday.
👣👀 New TSA rule change puts gnarly feet back where they belong
After nearly 20 years of subjecting travelers to a parade of gnarly toes, crusty heels, and questionable fungal situations, the TSA has finally ended the shoes-off rule at security checkpoints, effective immediately.
As of this week, you can keep your footwear on while going through standard screening lanes, which means we're all spared the horror show of airport feet.
Interestingly, some critics have argued that this and other security protocols may have taken more lives than they saved by pushing travelers toward driving, a much more dangerous option than flying.
If you have TSA pre-check, you’ve mostly been spared—and who knows if this is reflective of actual safety realities, or just related to larger Trump cuts in aviation safety, but here we are.
Travel News for Gays on the Go
What’s worth knowing in queer travel this week — from major headlines to the best finds worth your clicks.
🏳️🌈 Travel Inspiration
These are America’s best Gay beaches
The top 10 LGBTQ+ beach towns perfect for summer fun
The 15 best LGBTQ-friendly all-inclusive resorts for honeymoons
What happens when a Gay traveler stops performing for the feed
What LGBTQIA+ travelers should know before setting sail on Virgin Voyages
📈 Culture & Visibility Wins
Air Canada launched its first flight staffed by an-all LGBTQ+ crew
The 50th anniversary of this iconic gay ‘Invasion’ was pulled off in high style
It’s Disability Pride Month & these social media gays are leading the way
Pedro Pascal comes out swinging for the trans community yet again
Does this Egyptian tomb contain the first gay love story recorded in history?
🔥 Trending & Viral
In a hilarious clip, a woman drowns out anti-LGBTQ+ preacher with her own megaphone (Pink News)
The world’s first animated drag superhero film is landing at a film festival near you
‘Hetero Awesome Fest’ in Boise reportedly flopped with a very low attendance number
⚖️ Queer Politics & Rights
After trans people, Trump erased bisexual people from Stonewall National Monument (but now they’re back, at least partially)
LGBTQ+ partners in polyamorous relationships are slowly winning legal recognition and rights
Bombshell records expose political plot to oust rural Georgia librarian over this LGBTQ+ book
🧳 Tips, Hacks & Warnings
Your suitcase is 58 times dirtier than a public toilet seat—here's the dirtiest spot
💋 Sexy Stuff
These poolside hotties stole the show at Fire Island’s iconic Invasion Afterparty
Popular adult stars Ace Banner & Tyler Saint dish on their spicy relationship
And: 13 things I learned at my first gay orgy
⚖️ Q&A Time:
Last Week’s Results:
Last week, we asked: When you're planning a beach day, where do you usually end up?
47% said Gay beaches all the way
14% said Regular beaches mostly
31% said Mix of both
8% said I avoid beaches entirely
Verdict: Y'all Love Your Gay Beaches
Nearly half of you are heading straight to the gay section of sand, and honestly, we get it. Add in the 31% who mix it up between gay and regular beaches, and we're looking at nearly 80% of readers who actively seek out queer-friendly shores when they hit the water.
“Last century gay beaches were absolutely the destination - now happily married we mix”
“I just feel more comfortable at a gay beach (shout out to Riis Beach)”
“It depends on the other plans for the day.”
Category is: Hot Travel Deals — 10s across the board.
Get 15% off the only 4-star hotel for gay men in Gran Canaria when you sign up for their online loyalty program (free!) from your mobile device.
Out Adventures is having a sale on all cruises — get $300 off any gay cruise with promo code ‘CRUISE300’ — must book by July 25! Greece, Croatia, the Galápagos - they have a ton of options.
Axel Hotels has extended their opening promo (again) for their new location in Mykonos — as if this promo video wasn’t enough — use promo code ‘OPEN20’ for 20% off.
That’s a wrap for this week. ✈️ Safe travels — and we’ll see you next time.
— The GoQueer Team
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