The results of last November’s US presidential election was met with unrestrained joy around the world. How quickly the time passes as we now observe the one-year anniversary of Mr. Obama’s victory as the first man of minority voted into office.
The hysteria of the past administration may have receded somewhat, but Washington is a city where emotions always run high. It is one of the most interesting cities in the United States and one of the gayest. Don’t think for a minute that conservative government employees put a lid on rousing gaiety; if anything, they add to it. There is a splendid sordidness to gay sex in the land of pinstripe suits; with people from all over the US and the world living in Washington, there is a hugely diverse gay and lesbian population residing here. A lot of very handsome men and women from less-open parts of the United States come to Washington to work and play. The result is a menu for all tastes, from the farm-raised, blue-eyed All-American to the suave, urban African-American. The city is far more open-minded and multicultural than headlines lead us to believe. Indeed, there is very little written about the city of Washington NOT related to government, which makes it all the more of a pleasant surprise for the visitors who go there.
And with so many expense accounts, Washington is also a very social city, with lots of special events adding to the already-numerous possibilities offered in the many bars and clubs downtown, in Georgetown, and in Dupont Circle, which is Washington’s Gay Central. Between Dupont Circle and cheery 17th Street, where the Friday night buzz sets the tone for the rest of the weekend, are focal points of gay culture in the city; Lambda Rising Bookshop on Connecticut Ave has been in existence for decades and the busyness of the shop attests to its popularity. Why did Dupont Circle come to be the gay centre of Washington? Something to do with the Circle’s impressive statue of Rear Admiral Dupont.
Stay near the admiral to save the walk home. Hotel Palomar loves its gay guests and offers stylish accommodation in the middle of the Dupont Circle area’s attractions. For party boys and hearty girls, Washington’s most popular clubs are within a couple of blocks, making late-night stumblings home very easy. Hotel Palomar itself gets the evenings started with complimentary wine receptions for its guests every day 5pm-6pm. Dupont Circle is a great base for daytime touring, too. The Washington Metro system is one of the best in the US; it’s extensive, clean, and civilised, and offers very reasonably priced off-peak fares for midday and night travel. The ride from the domestic airport to the city is only $1.35.
Guests at Hotel Palomar need not go far to enjoy the highbrow and gaybrow culture of the city. Just two blocks away, The Phillips Collection houses an assembly of masterpieces of the world’s most famous painters; like the other major art museums in the city, the value of the inventory easily surpasses a billion dollars. One of the world’s most famous paintings, Renoir’s Luncheon Of the Boating Party, is found here in this impressive but unintimidating venue.
Washington rivals New York as the richest repository of art and culture in the United States thanks to the various collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the largest museum on the world. Its priceless works are exhibited in several buildings, all of which, rare in the United States, are open free to the public (after all, it is the public who own them). Check the Washington DC tourism office website for more information. The Washington Metro system is a gay man’s dream—cheap and easy to use for your own needs.
In addition to indoor entertainment, there are many beautiful parks around town where outdoor activities may be pursued, whatever his name may be. With the Potomac River a defining feature of the city, it is possible to go kayaking and canoeing just minutes from downtown.
Anyone interested in architecture will enjoy Washington’s Dulles International Airport, whose stylish and elegant terminal, designed by Eero Saarinen, is considered one of the most graceful airline terminals in the world. With good travel deals to the US on a variety of airlines, as well as a strong Australian dollar, now is a great time to visit the United States. Some options are not obvious but offer great value. Scandinavian Airlines offers a de facto ’round the world fare for Australians who would like to travel to Europe via Asia in one direction and the US in the other. The fact that SAS has a dedicated gay page on its website is alone reason enough to support the airline and its policy of inclusion for all passengers, but its excellent service in Business Class is another good one, so sit back, relax, and let the cabin crew give you as much pleasure as legally allowed in an airplane.
MORE INFORMATION
www.washington.org
www.hotelpalomar-dc.com
www.lambdarising.com
www.phillipscollection.org
www.smithsonian.org
www.flysas.com/gay
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