Greater Fort Lauderdale, known as one of the country’s top GLBT travel destinations, recently earned two honors from Logo’s first ever Trip Out Gay Travel Awards. Richard Gray, gay liaison to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau and owner of Richard Gray Consulting, received “The Gay Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer.” Gray is the first ever to receive this award, which is given to a professional who has increased awareness of the GLBT consumer in the world of travel, tourism and hospitality. As the founder of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s first five star gay guesthouse, The Royal Palms Resort, he is a pioneer and leader in the field of GLBT travel. He was instrumental in bringing the gay market to Greater Fort Lauderdale and his efforts to create The Rainbow Alliance, a marketing coalition to support the GLBT community in Broward, have been recognized by the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
“No man needs a vacation so much as a man who has just had one.” – Hubbard
Commentary
Greater Fort Lauderdale, known as one of the country’s top GLBT travel destinations, recently earned two honors from Logo’s first ever Trip Out Gay Travel Awards. Richard Gray, gay liaison to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau and owner of Richard Gray Consulting, received “The Gay Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer.” Gray is the first ever to receive this award, which is given to a professional who has increased awareness of the GLBT consumer in the world of travel, tourism and hospitality. As the founder of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s first five star gay guesthouse, The Royal Palms Resort, he is a pioneer and leader in the field of GLBT travel. He was instrumental in bringing the gay market to Greater Fort Lauderdale and his efforts to create The Rainbow Alliance, a marketing coalition to support the GLBT community in Broward, have been recognized by the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.
“Richard’s forward thinking has been instrumental in making our destination one of the top GLBT vacation destinations, with more than 1 million gay travelers visiting our beautiful beaches and the ‘gayborhood’ of Wilton Manors each year,” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“Richard is credited with being fundamental in inventing the GLBT travel market and his model of marketing has become a standard in other destinations around the world, which is why we are proud to recognize him as our first ever gay winner,” said John Polly, senior editor at Logo.
Congratulations, Richard, and also happy birthday (Richard’s birthday is on Sunday, September 20th). I am very proud to be your friend and confidante for the past 16 years!
Birthday – September 3rd- 23rd
Our Handsome Publisher, Peter Clark, Richard Gray on the 20th, Tony Fortino of Mount Dora, Fabulous Electra on the 22nd, Scottie Ann on the 22nd, Woody, Luis Ortiz, Bill Bastiansen, Dottie Larkin, Javier Soto, Tom K., Joe K., Brad, Danny, Kris C., Wayne Gibson, Tom McGuire, Simplicity Heart, Don King, Lannie, Mark Johnson, Clubhouse II’s John Larence, Michael Patrick Newman, Arthur, Lee B., Christina, Grywolf, Don Clark of Bill’s, Ray, Bill, Mark, Thom, Mike S., Si Si Love, Steve, Wayne L., Doug, Phillip, John M., Chester, Matt Auslander owner of Matty’s On The Drive, Phillip Parks of Matty’s, Steven Gomez, Lee, Karl Grace, Willie Boy of Beefcake’s, Manoli, Jim, Patrick Costello, Randy T., Barry, Bill A., Terry K., Jeffrey H., Sir David Bolton, Nancy, Chuck W., John N., Dan Lamm, Richard Moore, Jonathan D., Jack Smith, Liz C., William Taylor, Sammy M., Rene, Scott, Daddy Kane, Rich C., Yo Yo, Ryan, Jeff, Luke Wilson, Jeff C., Rand, Ellen Friedman, Bearman, Stevie Moon, Brian M., Bobby B., Larry B., Steve Turner, Gabriel Alonso, Lennie, Mark Tison on the 23rd, Jimmy Sessom, Alex Garcia, Patrick E. Garry, Alibi’s Eric on the 23rd, Ace Buting, Alibi’s Cole Morris, Keith, Shannon, Edward Freeman, B. J. Hernandez, Vegas Dion and Willie “Green Hopper” Perez.
Happy Anniversary
… to Mike “Daddy” Dugan and Willie “Green Hopper” on their 23rd!
Thank You
…to my colleague and longtime friend Scott Holland, Senior Editor of Hotspots, for doing such a magnificent article for me in the Sept 3rd issue.
We Hear
That a well known M/F duo who owned a business on The Drive some time back have been sentenced to 18 months and $243,000 plus in fines.
That a big thank you goes out to the handsome Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors, Justin Flippen, for attending the August 24th party at the fabulous Penthouse. I was honored by your presence and hope to see you again soon! If you would like to see 146 photos of the party please go to HotspotsMagazine.com, click on Photo Albums and scroll down to the 70th birthday party and view all 4 pages photographed by our beloved Pompano Bill, who did such an amazing and fabulous job! Love you, Bill!
That Beefcake’s is booming and the new menu is awesome, plus you get free admission to The Boardwalk if you dine there. A true daily double!
That Matt (see photo) formerly of Cathode is holding court behind the bar at Club 11 at “ Sinful Sundays” starting at 2 pm. We hear many are still raving about Michael Murphy’s birthday bash Matt gave him there recently! Go to Matt’s website for the pics! Hunk Matt is now known by all as “The King Of Sin.” Hmmmm!
That our long time friend and icon of the community, Jerry Miles, will open his new store, J Miles Off Las Olas, in the fall on Federal Highway! This is Jerry’s 30th year in the business and we send congratulations and best wishes for success in the future.
That since I have been here in NY for so many weeks I have discovered the place to be on Sundays is Club 20 at 20 West 20th St. You will see the hottest guys from around the world (next only to our own Ft Lauderdale, of course)! So if you visit NY, put this on top of your list. AMAZING!
That Sea Monster on Saturday nights is packed with gorgeous gals for the Ladies Night. No cover and the parking is once again free all the time! Plus the place is hopping all the time, so hit it now, guys and gals!
That the beauty in the red sports car who likes to drive naked is drawing huge fans when he parks and tries to slip on his shorts. Look for him cruising on The Drive Friday and Saturday nights. He is hot, hung and handsome in every way.
That a huge crowd gathered at a Rio Vista waterfront pad Labor Day for a cookout that left everyone as sizzling hot as the hot dogs! The entertainment was attired in birthday suits and some of the hottest to be found in our town. The photos are circulating now! There was also a raffle for a good cause…the prizes were all breathing! Well, you’ll see the photos! No names on this one… sorry, I was not in town to attend!
That a hunk was dallying with the boys on the beach while his worst half worked.
That a primo bartender and a long, long equipped barback are carrying on a torrid affair right under the noses and eyes of their lovers! Many would pay big bucks to see these two in action!
That’s all for this one my friends and readers, but please play safe, drink responsibly and drive carefully – and double bag the bone always!
