June 30, 2017 – While June marks the official LGBTQ Pride Month, celebrations continue throughout the year in cities across the U.S., Latin America and Canada. Marriott International recently sponsored the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, DC through its #LoveTravels initiatives; hotels in Mexico City, Guadalajara and São Paulo had rainbow illuminations to celebrate Pride; and hotels in Toronto, Canada celebrated during Pride Toronto. Hotels will continue to celebrate the LGBTQ community through participation in some of this year’s upcoming Pride activations.
“Marriott is proud to send a clear message that our company, including more than 6,100 properties in 124 countries and territories have a long-standing commitment to welcoming everyone,” said Apoorva Gandhi, Vice President of Multicultural Affairs, Marriott International.
These 10 vibrant destinations have night parades and street festivals to celebratory hotel packages:
- San Diego, CA
- Vancouver, Canada
- Montréal, Canada
- Chicago, IL
- Austin, TX
- Charlotte, NC
- Dallas, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Orlando, FL
- Las Vegas, NV
Head to sunny San Diego for Pride July 14-16 which draws visitors for events including a music festival, block party, parade and for fitness lovers, a Pride 5K. Located near Gaslamp Quarter, The Westin San Diego with its rooftop pool and panoramic views, will be the place relax after the party.
Celebrate in Canada at Vancouver Pride with over 20 events throughout the city and the summer. The main events, the parade and festival, take place on August 6. The Pride Parade is now in its 38th year and visitors to Canada will want to explore the newly-renovated Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites.
From August 10-20, Montréal will be home of the first-ever Canada Pride (Fierte Montréal), a national celebration of the country’s LGBTQ community. The newly-renovated SpringHill Suites Old Montréal is an official partner of Pride, inviting guests into a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The hotel offers exclusive perks like complimentary buffet breakfast and access to the gym and swimming pool. With the signature parade and LGBTQ Community Day inclusive of celebrity performances, there will be no shortage of colorful fun.
Hosted by LGBTQ-friendly Northalsted Business Alliance, the annual Northalsted Market Days® returns to Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood on August 12 and 13. Known as the largest outdoor street festival in the Midwest, the two-day celebration gathers more than 180,000 people and includes arts and crafts, food and drink, celebrity performances and more. Several hotels in Chicago are participating including The Westin Chicago River North. and The Renaissance Chicago.
The Pride Festival in Austin is the largest annual LGBTQ advocacy and fundraising event in Central Texas. Spanning from August 18-26, events include the 5th Annual WERK Fashion Show, the Pride Festival with entertainment followed by the annual parade with over 120 floats and two stages. The Element Austin Downtown opens this summer and attendees can book special grand opening rates.
The Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade will showcase two days of entertainment on August 26-27 in Uptown Charlotte. Sneak in a workout with more than 600 on-demand fitness classes at the Charlotte Marriott City Center which is a Charlotte Pride host hotel.
Enjoy Pride celebrations and warm weather with a visit to Dallas for Pride Weekend starting on September 16. Join the Freedom Parade and the Festival in the Park, these events help inspire and celebrate the local LGBTQ community. While in town, travelers are also encouraged to explore the vibrant Arts District and stay at Dallas Marriott City Center for easy access to local attractions and sights.
It’s never too late to start planning, so make sure that the Atlanta Pride Festival happening October 13-15 is on your radar. Travelers can stay at the W Atlanta – Midtown, which is a Pride partner and the perfect locale for this year’s festivities.
Pack your most colorful outfit for Orlando Pride, the city’s largest single-day event on October 14. Organized by non-profit organization Come Out with Pride, this year’s celebration will include the Pride Marketplace festival and “The Most Colorful Parade.” Attendees can take advantage of the Pride & Joy packages exclusively offered at Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, an Autograph Collection Hotel with chic amenities, like a one-of-a-kind art gallery. The Pride package features luxurious accommodations, two signature cocktails, a delectable breakfast for two, credit to the Grand Bohemian Gallery and a welcome gift of assorted snacks.
Conclude your 2017 Pride celebrations with a trip to Las Vegas during the weekend of October 20. The notable Pride Night Parade is a glamorous event that spectators will not want to miss. SLS Las Vegas, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, is one of the city’s newest resort casinos –with playful aesthetics and chic, vivid décor. Beyond the gaming, the resort has four award-winning restaurants, world-class performances and the high-energy Foxtail Pool.
Launched in 2014, #LoveTravels brings to life Marriott’s longstanding commitment to ensuring every person is valued and welcomed whenever they enter the doors of its hotels. It serves as a platform for sharing diverse perspectives on the importance of travel, including those of Jason Collins, Geena Rocero, Tim Howard Angela Simmons, Diane Guerrero and Diego Boneta. The cornerstone of Marriott’s culture is its ‘put people first’ philosophy coupled with its belief that everyone deserves a welcome. Just weeks before marriage equality became the law of the land nationwide, #LoveTravels hosted the wedding of George Carrancho and Sean Franklin in Washington, DC’s Capital Pride Parade, with TV personality Ross Mathews as officiant. The campaign has also raised donations for recent immigrants at the Open Arms Community Center in South Florida.
About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,100 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 124 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
