O&AN | October 2019

D’Andrews Serves Up Sweet Treats AN INTERVIEW WITH BAKER DAVID ANDREWS + DRAG QUEENS DESCEND ON LOCAL RESTAURANT OCTOBER 2019 / VOLUME 19 / ISSUE 10 FIRST ISSUE FREE - ADD’L COPIES 50¢ EACH

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CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS Writers: Craig Ammon, James Grady, Bennett Jason,

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Jerry Jones, Jason Shawhan

Photographers: Myl Pac, Mayter Scott, Cody Stallings

CRUISING

Cover: David Andrews, photo by Mayter Scott,

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courtesy of D’Andrews Bakery

National Advertising Representative:

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OPPORTUNITIES

OZ ARTS HOSTS TASTE 2019

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D’ANDREWS SERVES UP SWEET TREATS

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LEGAL

Out & About Nashville strives to be a credible community news organization by engaging and educating our readers. All

THE QUEENS’ TABLE: CAFE ROZE

content of Out & About Nashville is copyrighted 2017 by Out & About Nashville, Inc. and is protected by federal copyright law and shall not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. All photography is licensed stock imagery or has been supplied unless otherwise credited to a photographer and may not be reproduced without permission. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied.

The appearance of names or pictorial representations does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of the person or

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persons. Out & About Nashville accepts unsolicited material but cannot take responsibility for its return. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit submissions. All rights revert to authors upon publication. The editorial positions of Out & About Nashville are expressed in editorials and in the editor’s notes as determined by the editor. Other opinions are those of writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Out & About Nashville or its staff. Letters to the editor are encouraged

EQUALITY TRAVEL

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SHELF SPECIAL THE ● SHELF SPECIAL

Cruising

THE

SPECIAL

SHELF

●

THE

JASON SHAWHAN

As I write this, I can feel the spirit of Saint Vito Russo hovering over the computer, radiating concerned disappointment.

Cruising is one of those legendary films maudits in the history of gay cinema: it is a lightning rod for the community, and a rallying point for folks tired of having their collective reputations used as narrative spice for another movie about a cop who gets in over his head and discovers social inequality among a minority group.

But, like its chrome bisexual sister, Basic Instinct, Cruising has found its reputation bolstered over the years and its critical rehabilitation fully underway. Now, Cruising is a snapshot of pre-AIDS New York City, valuable as a document of the leather and BDSM scenes, as well as illustrative of how the queer community is viewed by institutions of patriarchal power.

Steve Burns (Al Pacino) is an up-andcoming police officer who just happens to fit a type. This type of man (“party-size”) has been turning up dead because of a killer operating on the periphery of the un-

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derground sex clubs in the meat-packing district. The police decide to recruit Burns for a deep cover operation to infiltrate the leather community and stop the murderer. So the wide-eyed ‘young’ cop gets introduced to a whole new world, one with a (doomed) kindly playwright but also stuffed to the gills with fisting, poppers, roleplay, hanky codes, and so many daddy issues of all sorts.

The film is still a tonal mess. It can’t decide if it’s a travelogue into decadence, a down and dirty mystery, or a social issues movie, and it vacillates back and forth. It’s not an antigay film, but it’s surprisingly gay-ignorant for a film so deeply devoted to leather daddy verisimilitude.

It’s got these weird experimental touches around the edges that have aged the best, as well as several surprisingly great performances, but this crashes into some surprisingly tone-deaf choices (inserting subliminal frames from actual porn into a violent stabbing scene has never been a woke option). But, in a way, this tension in its very structure helps keep it relevant in a

OCTOBER 2019

way that more ideologically-focused films simply aren’t. Toxic emotional legacies are never a thing of the past, sadly.

The new blu-ray release of Cruising from Arrow Video is somewhat controversial, mainly because any time one of his films gets an HD release, director William Friedkin (The Exorcist, The French Connection) tends to mess around with the color timing, edits, and textures of the image. Having never seen an original 35mm print, I can’t compare the new transfer on that level. But the disc looks good, with strong colors and accurate-looking grain structure (and no color-strobing during the poppers sequence). There’s a couple of audio commentaries, and some featurettes that provide some interesting contexts.

Cruising, for all its many issues, deserves a spot in gay cinema history. After almost four decades, any film that retains that kind of controversial power deserves some kind of respect, even if grudging.

And Karen Allen in a leather daddy outfit is a timeless lewk.

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Offers Picturesque Weddings Marriott and Westin Hotels Welcome LGBTQ Couples

JERRY JONES

For many LGBTQ couples, a wedding in an exotic location or even one on the beach, was something they could dream about but never really afford. The staff at two sister hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, want you to know that your wedding dreams can come true, and they are looking to work with you and your budget.

The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa and The Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta, sit about a mile apart from each other, and both have received LGBT certification by the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat and Talento Consultores; The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is also TAG Approved, and TMR Out Now certified.

With the hotels operating under the Marriott International umbrella, they sit on beachfront property overlooking Banderas Bay and the Pacific, and each have ample space for just about any size wedding.

Marriott International, has long been recognized as a leader in the hotel industry on topics of diversity and inclusion, regularly scoring a 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. The company also offers education and sales training to its associates to give them greater insight into what their guests might expect.

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However, be warned that most of the American weddings performed at the hotels are symbolic in nature – the couples have gotten married before they left the USA. If you want a legal Mexican ceremony, the law requires that you be in the country at least four days prior to your wedding, and there are several other steps that you must take.

“Love is love has become our inspiration to coordinate wedding experience.

We remember that this is not only the wedding day for the couple, it’s also the arrival of friends and family, setting up the right moments for networking and details that will long last memories of your special day” said Areli Vega, wedding and special events manager, The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa. “Our recently renovated resort offers amazing beachfront locations, it has become a preferred resort for Americans and Canadians. Some couples have marked their first walk together on white horses, others prefer the butterfly release, and of course we can always make the vow pronunciation a special surprise for your love one.”

Most of the weddings held at the hotels are done on the beach, and at sunset.

Each hotel will only allow two weddings on the same day.

OCTOBER 2019

With wedding packages starting as low as $75 USD per person (no including food), each hotel has specialists who will work with LGBTQ couples to help make them feel comfortable and make lifetime memories.

“We have a lot option to offer with our packages, or we can personalize their wedding to meet their own needs,” said Denisse Montes De Oca, wedding and special events manager, The Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta. “We love to work with couples.

And their location in the USA is not a problem. We work through email, telephone and FaceTime right up until the wedding.”

Planning for a wedding – especially one that is in a foreign country – can be a daunting experience. But, rest assured Montes De Oca said, the thousands of details will be expertly handled.

“Our certified wedding planners are trained to help,” she explained. “After completing demanding coursework, each Marriott Certified Wedding Planner is qualified to coordinate weddings of all types, including ethnic and military weddings. Relying on experience, training, tradition and old-fashioned intuition, Marriott Certified Wedding Planners can help you determine an overall vision for your wedding and help you execute each detail. That includes setting an event budget; deciding on a menu; arranging table settings; and finding florists, photographers, a band and other entertainment for the big day.”

Montes De Oca said she is often asked “when is the best time of year to have my wedding” and she said that the hotels can make any time of the year work.

“We have a huge annual pride celebration in Puerto Vallarta around Memorial Day,” She said. “That’s always a high interest time. But there are pros and cons to our different seasons. The summer months can be hotter and the later in the summer rain showers are typical. But both hotels are experienced and can make anything work to please the happy brides or grooms.”

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OZ Arts Hosts TASTE 2019 8th Annual Event Returns to Its Roots The eighth annual TASTE event takes place on Sunday, November 24, at OZ Arts Nashville which also hosted the very first TASTE event. OZ is where TASTE first started, and The Nashville LGBT Chamber is excited to bring the event back to this unique Nashville art venue.

The annual event benefits The Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation and features 40 of Nashville’s most creative tastemakers: talented chefs, fine restaurants, and the best bartenders. Guests can bid

PHOTOS: MYL PAC, COURTESY OF THE NASHVILLE LGBT CHAMBER

on over 100 diverse items in the silent auction and can dance with our local DJ while being surrounded by incredible art.

Joe Woolley, CEO of The Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce, said, “TASTE is unique because of the diverse array of food and beverage vendors we have, the amazing silent auction, and fun and laid-back networking vibe the night has. People really get something special and feel like they spent the evening talking with friends and making professional connections.

“Taste continues to grow and evolve. Each year more and more people hear about it and the incredible event it is. How many connections come from it is inspiring to hear about through the year with the work we do. People are amazed at the value of the event, what it costs for what you get. We used to have to search far and wise for vendors to participate, now we have people lined up waiting to be involved.”

For more information as it becomes available, visit tastenashville.com

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David Andrews, owner of one of Nashville’s newest high-end bakeries, is a Nashville boy, I found out when we chatted this fall. His love of cooking inspired him to seek his passion in one of the world’s culinary capitals, New York City. There he studied Pastry Arts at ICE. “The good one,” he was quick to point out— The Institute of Culinary Education. There he learned the skills that would take him to some of New York’s best kitchens, where he honed the craft that he has brought home to Nashville.

If you haven’t had a chance to eat at D’Andrews, his bakery, or to at least grab a pastry to go, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. With fall upon us, and in the month of the “trick or treat,” D’Andrews is truly an invitation to treat yourself.

An Interview with Baker-In-Chief David Andrews

So you are a local. What took you out of Nashville?

My family owned a clothing store in Belle Meade, and that closed. I needed something to do, and I always loved cooking and desserts, so I took that as an opportunity to go to New York and go to culinary school!

While you were in New York, did you work in any well-known bakeries?

The dirty little secret is I’ve never worked in a bakery before! This is my first bakery!

So, out of culinary school, I worked at Gotham Bar & Grill Martin, which is a really prestigious restaurant in Greenwich Village.

And then, after that, I did a couple of forgettable things, as we all do. Then I became the pastry chef at the Kimberly Hotel, which is on 50th between Third and Madison. Within six months, I was elevated, and I was named the executive chef of the hotel, which was an amazing, cool, fantastic job. It’s really a fun environment to work in, but you definitely have to look the other way a lot, just let it go over your head, which I’m good at. You had to put your ego aside.

PHOTOS: MAYTER SCOTT

So what point did you meet your husband, Matt?

Matt and I met New Year’s Day 2006...

Within three years of moving to New York, I found Matt and it’s pretty amazing. We met at Hero, which was a nightclub in the Meatpacking District. We just ... on the dance floor, we just kind of saw each other. He said, “Hi.” I said, “Hi.” Then he bought me a drink.

And here we are, 12 years later!

At what point did the idea that you would start your own business come into play?

Before I left for New York, that was the end goal, to open my own place. So I was

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D’Andrews Serves

working on it, and it took me 12 years to get to the point where I gathered all my thoughts, and I knew what I wanted to do and I knew that I was gonna be successful. I just wanted to put myself in a position to succeed. And I think my education in New York did that, and I didn’t want to pull the trigger too fast. It just had to feel right. And it took that long.

How did you guys decide on Nashville?

Well, we’d been coming back here, and we actually, in 2015, got married in Nashville.

So he was very familiar with the city. And just went to him one day and said, “Sweetie...”

13 years in New York is a long time.

New York definitely has an expiration, usually around 10 years for people. I stuck it out those extra three years, and started to get the shakes... It was just time to come home.

And I think, ultimately, Matt saw that and felt

OCTOBER 2019

that way and he was very grateful that we came home. I always say the best decision I ever made was to move to New York. And the second best decision I’ve made was to move home.

How did you find your niche here in the Nashville market?

Looking back at Nashville from New York, I just saw a lot of cupcakes, a lot of donuts, a lot of cookies. And, in New York, right now, there’s a renaissance of bakeries by people who are educated in the restaurant world. So they’re more patisseries with an eye toward three- and four-start restaurant quality. And that’s what I envisioned for my bakery in Nashville.

It was something that I think is unique, and I think appreciated. Everything is fresh here. We do everything here. And I think that

Yes. We strategically looked for downtown, because I knew that, especially the first year when getting established, that I needed the catering to keep the lights on. And it has!

We love our catering.

I’m very grateful for the people who support us. They seem to have taken a vested interest in us. They love to tell their friends, “I got this at D’Andrews.” So that elevates them because their friends are like, “Well, why aren’t we getting it from D’Andrews?

Why are we stuck with day-old croissants?”

We literally bake this stuff each morning, Every catering order is baked the morning it goes out. People appreciate that. And they thank me just as much as I thank them.

Up Sweet Treats

You also have a pretty robust breakfast and lunch menu and breakfast menu.

How does that fit into the model of a bakery?

Well, it comes from wanting to make money! Other bakeries that are like this tell me that you have to have a strong savory program to support the bakery. You can open from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and sell cookies and donuts, you’ll be okay. But if you want to pay the rent, and you want to be successful, you have to be open all day long. And you’re not going to be selling croissants at two o’clock in the afternoon.

So you’ve gotta have a strong savory ... sandwich, salads, we even do pizza now. We take the same foccacia dough, which is our house bread dough, and we can make it in loaves, we can make it a bun for a breakfast sandwich, or we can put in a pan for pizza.

Whatever we feel like. Today, we felt like bacon and chicken, and so we made a bacon and chicken pizza, and it’s al-

shows in what we do every day. It was an opportunity: I told my friends that if I don’t do this, somebody else is going to come around and do it. So I know I’m the best, I wanted to be first.

Have you found a receptive market here for your concept?

Certainly, in the beginning, there was the customer who would come in here and know what this is. Then there were customers who came in just looking for cupcakes, or donuts.

So customers got used to us and saw what we were doing, and they were like, “Wow, that’s an amazing donut you have” or “Wow, that’s an amazing croissant you have...” People saw the quality, people saw the value.

Has your as your catering or your event baking business taken off?

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ery time I’ve been here. And then there are some things that change, and the pizza is an example of that. How did you settle on your staple menu?

It’s basically what I knew. And I think that’s the biggest advice I would give anybody opening a restaurant or bakery: first year, cook what you know... Don’t go looking at these fancy cookbooks and trying to emulate them because it’s not gonna work! You got to be true to yourself. Once you have these basics, you can expand and try something. These were the staples that I’ve grown and done over the last 13 years and tested them very and am comfortable presenting. So that’s why went there first.

most sold out. So that’s pretty cool that you can have all these different applications for the same dough.

I’ve noticed that there are some staples on the menu that have been here ev-

If somebody wants to have a cake made, what’s that process like if someone wants a custom cake?

Just call me, and give me 48 hours. We’ll go over what you want. People ask me, “What cakes do you make?” And I say it’s up to your imagination! Obviously, most popular are like a vanilla cake with chocolate mousse B:7.75” or a chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream.

We do red velvet, T:7.5” and carrot cake. This weekend, I made a cake with passion fruit

curd and raspberry jam, and it was amazing!

I love to experiment and then design.

We’re pretty open, though we don’t do fondant. You’re not going to be seeing cakes looking like realistic Titans football helmets.

That’s not who we are. I can tell you we’re gonna make the best tasting cake in Nashville. That I 100% know. And we’re just gonna make it beautiful. We’ll have elements of whimsy in it. You can tell us, and we can try to figure out something to make together.

What has your interaction with the LGBT community in Nashville been like as a business owner?

We’re part of the LGBT Chamber, and they have been fantastic. That was sort of my entree into a lot of the law firms and a lot of the businesses. Everybody from Ron to Joe at the Chamber has been amazing. And I’m very grateful for the support.

We participated in Dining Out for LIfe, and we did TASTE last year. Of course, we are doing TASTE again this year. Maybe I’ll even go into dessert and savory, depending... Ask me in November. That was it was a fun event, but I’m peeved that I lost, so we’re going for gold this year!

For more information, or to check out the menu, visit dandrewsbakery.com!

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The Queens’ Table Cafe Roze

PHOTO CREDIT: CODY STALLINGS

BENNETT JASON

Welcome to The Queens’ Table, a new monthly dish celebrating Nashville’s most coveted destinations for food, cocktails and atmosphere, as experienced by Nashville’s most decadent drag performers.

This month’s gathering place is tucked away in the Porter Crossing neighborhood of East Nashville. I remember the first time we went to Cafe Roze, the first impression was inviting and authentic in its cafe style ambience.

We ordered up some Roze Latte’s and sat outside to take in the mellow, charming neighborhood. This cardamom and rose infused bit of morning happiness has truly become a daily ritual.

Morning bites to swerve one’s nerves include a frozen berry bowl with coconut and chia seeds. This with a drizzle of honey? ... OH HONEYYY! Come back after dark, and the space, once bright and fresh, transforms into an intimate and warm gathering space to enjoy clean and healthy dishes with creative and sumptuous craft cocktails.

Cafe creator Julia Jaksic began at famed NYC hotspots like Employees

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Only and Jack’s Wife Freda, before bringing her passion for detail to Nashville, debuting Cafe Roze 2 years ago.

“Roze is so chic and effortless. I’m such a pushover for a marble bartop,” Casanova mentions as we settle in with our first drinks, a round of the Botanica.

This silver tequila cocktail is paired with cucumber, lavender and garnished with an edible orchid. Vidalia Anne Gentry felt “fresh, floral, and fancy” after living that summertime fantasy.

Next, the small plates! Grilled Halloumi with spiced peaches, pecan dukkah and crispy fried shallots. Chili Eggplant over quinoa, salsa negra, green herbs and a charred orange vinaigrette.

“The flavor of this dish is beyond words,” Perplexity gasps. It did get super quiet as the girls took this dish in. And for a hush to fall over this table, that’s no small feat.

We finished the pre-entree extravaganza with the Shaved Celery and Fennel Salad with fresh ricotta, hazelnuts and lemon vinaigrette.

Killer bartender Martin surprised the ladies with an exclusive shot fit for

OCTOBER 2019

Presiding Queens: The Countess Casanova @casanova_loves_you, Vidalia Ann Gentry @ vag4short, Perplexity @queenperplexity

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queens! The Queen’s Snaquiri, a shot comprised of 2 kinds of rum, a pineapple shrub, sugar and fresh lime. Some kind of fabulous!

The entrees built enough suspense for the ladies’ lashes to curl all by themselves. We had the Trout a la Talla, with tomato pepper marinade, topped with fresh basil, mint and vinaigrette. A pescatarian’s delight! Next came the Harissa Spiced Chicken on a bed of croutons and fresh herbs, cooked to absolute perfection.

All the fare at Cafe Roze is light, fresh, balanced and unforgettably fla-

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vorful. A huge thank you to manager Paige for her impeccable service and warmth. This experience was genuinely above and beyond all expectations. Our compliments to the chefs!

These palate masters live up to Julia’s vision for sensual ambiance, healthy and decadent food, and innovative cocktails.

Cafe Roze is a Nashville destination for anyone looking to enjoy the best this city has to offer. Until next time, fierce foodies! Much love and good taste from The Queens’ Table.

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Equality Travel CRAIG AMMON

Each year, after the summer heat subsides, the air turns cool, and the Halloween decorations come out, it seems that life moves in ‘fast forward’ all the way through the New Year. Many of us love to get away over the holidays, whether it’s to spend time with family, just unwind in a peaceful location, or set out on an adventure in an unfamiliar part of the world. But putting together a wonderful vacation requires time and resources many of us lack. The good news is that, no matter what your idea of the perfect vacation involves, the folks at Equality Travel are ready to help. Owner Nick Gold says they are already busy planning holiday vacations for their regular clients, but there is still time to book a winter getaway that’s perfectly suited to you.

Equality Travel is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), an organization of LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations, destinations, service providers, travel agents, and tour operators in over 80 countries. They are also a member of the Luxury Gay Travel Network, and the LGBT Business Council – Greater Lehigh Valley. And, of course, Equality Travel is a proud member of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

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Many Chamber member companies are owned and operated by individuals who identify as LGBT, but not Equality Travel.

Gold is an ally that saw an excellent business opportunity to serve the LGBT community, because he knows we travel more frequently, plan longer stays and spend more money per day than the general population. In fact, estimates from Community Marketing, Inc. Annual LGBTQ Tourism and Hospitality Survey indicate that LGBT travelers out-spend the general population by a margin of 2-to1. So doing business with the LGBT community is just good business.

Gold started working at his father’s travel agency in London as a child, so he’s been in the travel industry all his life. His first venture focusing on a specific demographic was with Entertainment Travel, which he started 34 years ago. Entertainment Travel handles all the bookings for bands and other entertainment groups on their tours. Gold says that over the years they have served over 700 different bands and entertainment acts!

Gold first thought to expand his niche travel offerings to focus on the LGBT community years ago. He’d been talking to LGBT friends who expressed frustrations planning their travel. They said it was dif-

OCTOBER 2019

ficult to determine which destination cities and resorts were truly welcoming, versus those that merely tolerated LGBT guests to earn their travel dollars. Of course, those resort and travel websites wouldn’t differentiate between the two, and travel agents that weren’t focused on the LGBT community couldn’t say either.

“You can’t just slap a rainbow on your logo and claim to be LGBT-friendly,” Gold says. So, Gold started Equality Travel in 2013 to apply the same care and expert guidance that he’s provided travelers in the entertainment industry to the LGBT community.

At first, Gold wasn’t sure LGBT travelers would put their trust in travel agents from outside the LGBT community to find the perfect travel experience that carefully addressed their needs. But he quickly learned that his clients would return to Equality Travel if he did the research and gained the expertise necessary to provide them great service.

Gold sympathizes with the caution that many LGBT travelers have when considering their next destinations. He says anti-Semitism was all too common in London when he was growing up, so he understands the need to be aware of one’s surroundings. But Equality Travel goes beyond securing safe and com-

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REAL ESTATE Sheila Barnard, Realtor, The Realty Association 1305 Murfressboro Road Nashville, TN 37217 615-385-9010 cell 615-424-6924 Sheilabarnard.realtyassociation.com Emily Benedict, Realtor, Village Real Estate 2206 21st Ave South, Ste. 200 Nashville, TN 37212 615-585-1258 BSLNashville.com Kate Nelson, Realtor, Village Real Estate 2206 21st Ave South, Ste. 200 Nashville, TN 37212 615-383-6964 Realestatewithkate.com LEGAL SERVICES Lawyer Bart Durham Injury Law Office 404 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37219 615-338-6177 Bartdurham.com ORGANIZATIONS Nashville Humane Association 213 Oceola Avenue Nashville, TN 37209 615-352-1010 Nashvillehumane.org Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 330971 Nashville, TN 37203 615-507-5185 Nashvillelgbtchamber.org

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF EQUALITY TRAVEL / NASHVILLE LGBT CHAMBER

fortable travel plans for their clients, tailoring their travel plans to their interests. After all, the LGBT community is as diverse as the general population when it comes to their budgets, their desires, and their travel companions.

Some travelers are looking for downtime, others are looking for a party scene, and a substantial number of Gen X and Baby Boomer LGBT travelers are bringing adult children and even grandchildren along with them. So, Equality Travel gets to know their clients and matches them up with just the right travel plans in just the right locations.

Gold says he does see generational differences among his clients that reflect their experiences living as LGBT people in a ‘straight world.’ He says older gay couples usually want to go to traditionally LGBT-friendly destinations such as Key West, Provincetown, and San Francisco, so destinations like these still comprise a hefty share of his business.

In contrast, younger generations grew up feeling safe and comfortable most places they go, so they are more eager to travel to a wider variety of locations in the US and around the world. And while the world is changing and becoming more inclusive, informed agents like Equality Travel provide LGBT travelers with important details of resorts or destination cities, so that they can make informed decisions among options. And of course, they’ll know what to expect from their chosen destination when they arrive.

For example, Jamaica is a wonderful place to visit if LGBT couples refrain from public displays of affection. And if that type of openness is an important part of your vacation, Equality Travel would be sure to steer you somewhere else. Plenty of international destinations would provide the perfect surroundings for your next adventure. Gold says they’ve booked clients in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Caribbean, and even on South African safaris. Gold says, “Our clients trust us, as we understand all of their travel needs.”

Equality Travel agent Stephanie Saal says that she and Gold expect that most people are doing their own research, consulting

travel websites and talking to friends before getting in touch with Equality Travel. So, most clients have a general idea of what type of vacation they want and what part of the world they’d like to see.

From there, Equality Travel can help clients set a budget – which is crucial for narrowing down choices in accommodations and activities – as well as the best time of year to travel to those locations.

More importantly, the folks at Equality Travel spend time in these locations to get to know the critical details that property websites and travel sites may not have. Gold says that when scouting potential locations to send his clients, he always aligns himself with the tourist board and meets with them to get to know his surroundings better. He always asked if there is a part of town where LGBT people live and gather, so he can go and explore whether those localities are merely tolerant or truly LGBT-welcoming.

Gold says, “We can help you select your best cruise, land tour or resort options through popular LGBT tour operators or we can create inspired, exclusive itineraries just for you. We take very seriously our role in helping our LGBT clients select destinations and properties where they are welcomed and will feel comfortable.”

So, what are you waiting for? To book your next amazing vacation, email Stephanie Saal at stephanie@equalitytravel.net or (615) 256-8900 or visit equalitytravel.net.

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O U T A N D A B O U T N A S H V I L L E .CO M

OCTOBER 2019

Your Nashville Symphony

Live at the Schermerhorn

AHMAD JAMAL october 10 & 11

october 18 HALLOWEEN MOVIE NIGHT

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VIOLIN CONCERTO

SILENT FILM WITH ORGAN

performed by Peter Krasinski

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october 30

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november 16

MUS I C & ME M O RI ES of the Gentle Giant

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Ahmad Jamal and Metropolis presented without orchestra.

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