True fact: This year, thanks its world-famous Carnival, Rio de Janeiro saw its population jump by a million souls as 24-hour party-people descended from all over to take part in one of the most colorful events on Earth. It’s time to check out the boys from Ipanema!
So imagine what the party will be like with two million, because that’s what Rio, Brazil’s Cidade Maravilhosa (“Marvelous City”) and one of the continent’s most gay-friendly, is revving up for when the city’s Pride Week kicks into full, body-glittered gear. Taking place October 9 – 14, and all but commandeering the world famous Copacabana Beach, this year’s Pride theme, Somos Todos Iguais Perante a Paz -Toda Violencia Deve Ser Crimea (“We’re All the Same Before the Peace – All Violence Should be a Crime”) is not only a demand for equality, but is a sly play on words to the nation’s constitution, wherein is the line “We’re the same before the Law.”
As North America enters autumn, South America enters spring, and travelers can expect beach-conducive weather hovering steadily in the 80ºs. Gay-centric events are on deck for the entire week, but far and away the biggest of them all is the 17th Rio de Janeiro Gay Pride Parade on October 14th. What it may lack in the extravagant floats seen at Carnival, it more than makes up for in being a seething cauldron of pure sex-flesh. With a few rainbow banners sprinkled in for modesty color.
Keep in mind that for all the partying going on in town, Rio’s beaches are world class, and several are gaygaygaygaygay. The most famous gay beach spot in Rio is a bit to the east of the cross-street Farme de Amoedo and easy to spot; just look for the rainbow flags (that are up year-round) on all the beach vendors—they know their clientele. Here you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, have a soothing massage, sip a fresh coconut water or a caipirinha (the national cocktail, and yes, it’s even codified), and make friends with locals. A little Steele advice: In the summer this area can be extremely crowded, on Sundays so much so it’s hard to get to the water. The second-place gay-friendly stretch of sand is Coqueirão, easy to spot because of the particularly tall coconut tree near lifeguard station Posto 9.
And then there is Copacabana. Here is an area known as Bolsa, popular not only with gay men, but also the transgendered community. It is located right across from Hotel Copacabana Palace, the landmark structure building that dates back to the 20’s. Transgurls in Rio have an uncanny knack for attracting very hot men, and if you are a visitor you are welcome to enjoy the sight.
For more information, go to: www.gaypridebrazil.org/rio-de-janeiro/. Steele Luxury Travel has fantastic discount Business Class flights available to Brazil starting at just $2,700 roundtrip! Contact them for more details at [email protected]