Tuesday, April 6. 2010
One thing's for sure, thse men and women of the Gay Polo League (GPL) can certainly ride. Although differing in age, sex, and athletic prowess, GPL's members are all brought together by the beautiful sport of Polo. Last Saturday they had the chance to show off their skill.
We're happy to announce that the 1st Annual International Gay Polo Tournament, which PASSPORT proudly sponsored, was a great success. On April 3, close to 1,500 spectators gathered at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Four teams—Buchanan, Step by Step, Equestrian Life, and Bluhorse—competed, each captained by a professional player. In the end, Equestrian life, led by Juan Bollini, took home the championship.
Besides those on the field, other polo pros such as Nacho Figueras and Adolfo Cambiaso came to support. Joining them were also Senator Ted Deutch, former US Congressman Mark Foley, and socialite Gale Brophy.
The event was such a success both on and off the field, that GPL Founder and Presidient Chip McKenney assured that it would not be their last. Commenting on the tournament, he said, "I think we're all leaving as better players [...] We want to return next year and make this a tradition."
Keep track of the Gay Polo League online on their official website.
Wednesday, March 24. 2010
This Monday, the seventh annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares was held at The Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. The unique space was a smart choice for this year’s venue as over 1,200 guests made their way out for a night of fashion, music, and, above all, AIDS awareness.
Over half a million dollars was raised for numerous LGBT charities: Hetrick-Martic Institute, Lamda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, and the Lawrence King Memorial Scholarship at the Point Foundation.
Event goers had their pick of high-end auction items ranging from the new iPad to luxury travel packages. Spotted among the crowd were a few industry movers and shakers such as Andy Cohen, Jenny Shimizu, Lorenzo Martone, Michael Musto, Jaslene Gonzalez, along with many others.
The night ended with a fashion show. A large curtain behind the helicopter was pealed back and unveiled the runway. Models stomped their way down to a mash-up of Lady Gaga hits. Designers featured in the show included Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Dior Homme, Dries Van Noten, Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, Gucci, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Marni, Prada, Trussardi and Yves Saint Laurent.
Congratulations to our friends at Jeffrey Fashion Cares for raising funds and awareness for a great cause and once again proving that caring can be found in fashion.
- Paul West
Monday, March 15. 2010
This Friday and Saturday, help the LGBT community with your binge drinking. At participating gay bars across Manhattan, you'll be given the opportunity to donate an extra dollar with each drink you purchase. This fantastic charity event is called Drinking for a Change. So far nine bars have signed on and more are expected to join by the end of the week.
Various other communities have developed easy fundraising structures for like-minded individuals to donate small amounts of money: Churches pass a collection basket, political candidates have gala dinners, and Girl Scouts have cookies.
Most of us aren’t eating carbs this week, so the cookie thing is out. And while we may not have gay church, or $500 to attend a gala, we do have some spare cash to spend at gay bars – and many of us visit them on occasion. (ok, a lot).
So our idea is this: once a month, bars across New York, and eventually maybe even the country, will be “Drinking for a Change,” and a dollar a drink will be donated to LGBT-focused not-for-profits. By focusing on smaller contributions on a mass scale, it’s an easy way for a greater portion of the LGBT community to consistently support organizations that are working around the issues that matter most to us.
Giving back doesn’t need to be difficult and strengthening our community shouldn’t be a chore. We’re gay – we love theme parties and all things grandiose; when we’re going to be charitable we’re going to have a blast doing it.
Monday, March 8. 2010
Thousands took to the streets this weekend as Cape Town, South Africa celebrated Pride. People marched through the city center with the message of peace, tolerance, and love for the people of their city, country, and continent. Over 8,000 people came and participated. "It was the biggest yet," said Cape Town Pride Chairperson Glenn De Swardt. This year's Pride was much more political than usual. With deteriorating human rights of LGBT people in Africa, the community wanted to come together and show a unified front against homophobia. "We're very cognizant that while we are partying we are also marching for people's rights," said De Swardt.
If you're interested in planning a trip to South Africa, check out our wonderful feature.
[Photos from CapeTownPride.com]
The New York City Gay Men's Chorus returns with their outrageously camp sing-a-long, The Big Gay Sing 2 on March 25 and 26. Join special guest Petula Clark and host Scott Nevins, for this always-sold-out evening. The men of NYCGMC encourage the audience to get into the performance, so it is best to come with a working knowledge of GaGa, Glee, Beyonce, Cher, and Broadway hits. Have you always wanted to join the NYCGMC on stage? Well now is your chance. Submit a song into the Big Gay Idol competition for your chance to sing a solo on stage.
Thursday, March 4. 2010
 Every year, San Francisco based organization Academy of Friends, throws one of the largest fundraisers in the US. This year's event, Behind the Seams - A Salute to Fashion in Films is one of the world’s premier Academy Awards Night Charity Gala and it's the centerpiece of the Academy of Friends efforts to raise funds and encourage volunteerism that benefit a diverse set of HIV/AIDS direct care and prevention education agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. This year's theme is fashion, and guests are encouraged to dress in their most fabulous, red-carpet outfits. While the Academy Awards play in the background, guests will sample fine wine and cuisine from many of San Francisco’s top restaurants and wineries and bid on luxury items in the silent auction. The evening will culminate with a live drawing for a 2010 Audi A4. The event takes place this Sunday, so hurry and purchase tickets.
Monday, February 22. 2010
Stop by iHop tomorrow morning (7-10 A.M.) for a free short stack in celebration of National Pancake Day. When receiving those golden discs of goodness, please make a small (or large) donation. The money from National Pancake Day will go to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network, or other local charities. Last year, iHop raised over $1.3 million.
Friday, February 19. 2010
Foodies unite! On March 8, food-loving philanthropists will gather at Gotham Hall for Savor, Gay Men's Health Crisis' (GMHC) annual gastronomic fundraiser to help fight AIDS. Ted Allen, former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and current host of Food Networks Chopped, will serve as emcee, with culinary stars like Scott Conant of Scarpetta, Amanda Freitag of The Harrison, Alex Guarnaschelli of Butter, Marc Murphy of Landmarc, Stanton Social, and Geoffrey Zakarian of Town, also in attendance. The more than 400 expected guests will whet their appetites with a glittering cocktail reception and silent auction, before indulging in an exquisite four-course meal prepared by these world renowned chefs. Adding some spice to the night is Passing the Whisk, a fast-paced culinary spectacle in which the guest chefs will race to create delicious dishes from a mystery basket of ingredients. The evening will honor Senior Global Business Development Executive for IMB, Dr. Yvette Burton, and theatrical producer, Ted Snowdon, for their support of GMHC and their commitment to the effort against HIV/AIDS. Join the fight and raise a fork for this great cause. For tickets, call 212-367-1389 or visit GMHC's website. All proceeds from the evening will benefit GMHC's prevention, support services, food programs, and national advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Friday, February 5. 2010
 West Hollywood is home to the famed Sunset Strip, the notorious Santa Monica Boulevard, and the artsy design district, The Avenues. It seems hardly surprising that this eclectic area, located in the heart of greater Los Angeles, offers something to satisfy any romantic this Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re looking to be sweet or downright seductive, here are four different ways to say, “I love you,” the West Hollywood Way.
Romantic French Retreat for Two at RH- Let Executive Chef Sebastien Archambault take you on a culinary tour of Southwester France without ever leaving the Andaz West Hollywood hotel. This special sharing menu, prepared with only the finest artisanal ingredients, is available February 12-14 and costs $120 per couple excluding tax and gratuity. Call 323-785-6090 for reservations.
“Perfect Pair” Spa Treatments at Agua Spa-Treat your sweetie to a 60 minute Agua Massage followed by a 60 minute Agua Facial. The package may cost $275 per person, but why not splurge to pamper that special someone?
L' Amoureux (The Lover) – Seduce your lover in the privacy of Petit Ermitage’s Lovely Suite. Who could say no to hand-dipped white chocolate bananas and champagne presented in-suite upon arrival, one complimentary erotic film, an intimacy kit, one complimentary "Happy Ending" (calm down, it’s a signature dessert) to be shared in the private rooftop club, breakfast for two in bed or from the lavish buffet in the English Garden?
Saint Motel’s Second Annual Zombie Prom –Those with a fetish for darker rendezvous can celebrate Valentine’s Day at Saint Motel’s Zombie Prom. On Saturday, February 13 at The Roxy Theatre on the world-famous Sunset Strip, sip bloody drink specials and watch the crowning of the zombie prom king and queen. Think of it as a unique way to express undying love. Tickets are $10 in advance.
Building on its successful, 2009 Sweet Caribbean Cruise, lesbian travel company Sweet puts its mission in motion with its Live Sweet Voluntour. The message is simple, volunteering can happen in communities all over the country.
“Have fun, do good,” Shannon Wentworth, Sweet founding partner and CEO, said. “The volunteers on our cruise had such an amazing time doing our community service projects, we thought, why not do that in our own backyards?”
Sweet kicks off its tour in Orlando, Florida, on April 18, with a community run to support Haiti relief efforts and clean water projects all over the world. The 6-kilometer distance represents the average distance women and children all over the world walk each day to secure water.
“The Live Sweet Voluntour 2010 aims to start as many ripples in as many cities in the United States as we can reach this year,” Wentworth said. “We’re traveling to different cities to lead community service projects, gather Sweeties for fun and fundraising fitness events and host parties to celebrate our lives. We’re also spreading lesbian visibility in the United States, where it seems like every day people are voting on whether we deserve equal rights. The more we connect with people in our own backyard, the less likely they will be to vote against us.”
Sweet launched Live-Sweet.com to support the Live Sweet Voluntour and connect Sweeties who want to participate in their areas. The tour hits Orlando, April 16-18; New York City and Newark, April 23-25; and Denver, April 30-May 2, 2010. The Live Sweet site also features a form for Sweeties to suggest projects or events for Live Sweet tour, which is expected to run from mid-April to mid-October.
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