The International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) will be holding its 2019 Annual Global Convention in New York City, the No. 1 U.S. travel destination among LGBT travelers, according to Community Marketing, Inc.
IGLTA's Global Convention is the premier educational and networking event for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender tourism industry.
IGLTA's annual convention in New York City in 2019 will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of spontaneous and violent demonstrations by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in protest of a police raid on the Stonewall Inn. This uprising marks a pivotal moment in the city's history and is considered by many to be the catalyst for the modern LGBT rights movement. Earlier in July, President Barack Obama designated 7.7 acres of Manhattan's Greenwich Village, including the Stonewall Inn, as the Stonewall National Monument, the newest addition to the National Park System. In doing so, he created the first national monument to gay rights.
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"In 2019, New York City will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and IGLTA has chosen to share this celebration with the global LGBT travel industry," said IGLTA Board Chair Juan Julia. "Our members will be able to attend a great conference and also experience New York City's incredibly vibrant LGBT community. Rich with history and the cachet of being the city that never sleeps, there's never a shortage of things to do in New York City, whether you're looking for theater, film screenings, museums, restaurants or world-class gay bars and clubs."
"We are thrilled that in 2019, just months before the 50th anniversary of the historic events at Stonewall, New York City will be home to IGLTA's Annual Global Convention," said Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company. "We look forward to showing IGLTA's membership exactly what makes New York City the most vibrant and welcoming LGBT destination in the world."
It's expected that more than 600 participants will attend the three-day event. The announcement follows New York City's annual Pride celebration, which took place June 19-26 and is among the most popular in the world, with millions of people turning out to attend. Among the highlights were
- The March. What started as a civil rights demonstration in 1970 is today a march celebrating all things LGBT and recognizing those whose lives have been impacted and lost to AIDS, violence and neglect.
- PrideFest. Now in its 23rd year, this street festival features a host of vendors, entertainers and activities coming together for a day of fun and festivities.
- Dance on the Pier. NYC Pride's largest fundraiser that closes with the world's longest-running LGBT fireworks display.
- The Rally. Kick off NYC Pride by continuing the tradition started in June 1969, when 500 people gathered in Washington Square Park in support of "Gay Power."
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