First-ever PRIDE House Celebrates Diversity in Whistler throughout Winter Games
Whistler, B.C. – For the first time in the history of Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a ‘house’ has been established for gay and lesbian athletes, coaches, family, friends and allies to celebrate and relax.
Whistler PRIDE House, in addition to Vancouver PRIDE House, is the first of its kind. Designed with the core values of celebrating authenticity, diversity and inclusiveness, this hip cocktail lounge is located at the Pac Pacific Whistler Village Centre Hotel and features TV monitors to watch the events, plush leather couches for relaxing and socializing, art installations, a bar and a piece of the iconic rainbow flag, symbolizing diversity in the gay community.
“We wanted to create a safe and welcoming place where locals and visitors can feel the energy of the rainbow,” says Dean Nelson, community and media relations director for Gay Whistler. “Over one-third of the world is still hostile to gays and lesbians. ”
Whistler has an international reputation for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, and as an accepting community that welcomes all guests. It’s often cited as the premier year-round vacation destination for outdoor adventure-seeking gays and lesbians. “The welcoming and accepting attitude of Whistler residents is what makes the destination so popular with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers,” says Nelson.
Whistler’s history as a gay-friendly destination has been established largely through Whistler’s annual Gay Ski Week event which has been celebrated for 18 years. The 2010 Whistler Gay Ski Week will be held March 1 to 8, just after the closing of the Olympic Winter Games and just before the Paralympic Winter Games open.
Also available at Whistler PRIDE House is Speakers’ Chalet, where guests can record their own video messages for a possible future documentary about their experience in Whistler and being out at the Games.
Whistler PRIDE House will be hosting events throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will be open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm until March 21. Vancouver PRIDE House will be hosting events throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will be open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm until March 21.
For more information: www.pridehouse.ca
February 16, 2010
Posted in: Canada