The island’s capital, Willemstad, joins dozens of other major cities around the world supporting the LGBT community with seminars, ceremonies and parties September 25-29th
A masked street dance in downtown Willemstad, a White Party Curaçao Style, a movie marathon, an awards ceremony and the first Caribbean Conference on Women and Sexual Diversity are just a few of the big and small ways the island of Curaçao will honor LGBT icons and allies in the its first ever Gay Pride Week celebration. Gay Pride Week is a natural evolution of the former, and very popular, Get Wet Festival. But this celebration aims to be bigger and better with a full agenda of diverse
events over five days. Curaçao Pride 2013 takes place from September 25-29th.
"Curaçao has always been welcoming to the LGBT community with appropriately
oriented accommodations, events and attitude," says André Rojer, Curaçao
Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America. "But Gay Pride Week is a whole
other dimension. We’re right up there now celebrating our diversity and pride
along with cities like San Francisco, New York, Miami and others who annually
host Gay Pride Weeks. We’re looking forward to the power and potential of this
celebration."
Gay Pride Week is being organized by Curaçao Gay Pro, an association comprised
of professional organizations and individuals working with, or for, Curaçao’s
LGBT communities. Curaçao Gay Pro (CGPro) is a collaborative effort between the
Floris Suite Hotel, The Curaçao Pink House/Pride Foundation (FOKO), The Gallery
Lounge Gay Club, Pepper Katana and Williwood Country Pub and Terrace.
Curaçao Gay Pro says the launch of Curaçao Pride 2013 is beginning of a new
era, one that comes after years of outreach and education within the Curacaoan
community. The island hopes that this event, combined with its "live and let
live" attitude will position Curaçao as the most welcoming island in the
Caribbean.
Pride Week’s host hotel, the Floris
Suite Hotel, is offering rates starting at $99/night plus tax and service
charge. Rates are based on single or double occupancy. Travelers who book
before September 15th can take advantage the island’s 4th
Night Free promotion, good for travel to the island through December 15th,
2013. So, if a reservation is for four days, guests only pay for three; if it
is for eight days, guests only pay for six.
The Curaçao Tourist Board and several island hotels are proud members of the
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and the Miami-Dade
Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC). For more information and
a complete list of events click taking place during Curaçao’s inaugural Pride
Week please visit http://www.GayCuracao.com.
About Curaçao
Selected as ‘Favorite
Caribbean Destination' for 2012 and 2013 in About.com
Reader’s Choice Awards and a ‘2012
Honeymoon Hot Spot’ by Condé
Nast Traveler, Curaçao is a unique Caribbean island paradise, boasting 35
uncrowded beaches, and an eclectic mix of history and culture. Explore the
vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad – a UNESCO World
Heritage site – with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and
world-class shopping. Indulge in Curaçao’s vast selection of flavorful restaurants,
with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines. Discover
Curaçao’s abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular
snorkeling at secluded beaches. Curaçao offers idyllic weather, situated on the
outer fringes of the Hurricane Belt.