Great Britain wants you to know it’s a welcoming country for everyone.
Your next big bucket list trip might just be Great Britain. VisitBritain recently launched the Love is GREAT campaign, to get the message out there that it's backing same-sex equality to the hilt. To that extent, the UK government will participate in local Pride events in 10 cities across the US, making clear its status as a champion of LGBT equality and a global leader in human rights, especially in tourism.
Between June and October 2016, the British Embassy Washington, the UK Mission to the UN, and each of the eight British Consulates will participate in marches and events in their consular regions – Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. The UK is the first foreign government to participate in Pride on such a significant scale.
Did you know that Britain has had civil partnerships for over a decade, and equal marriage passed in 2014, under the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013? And that in 2002, same-sex couples were granted equal rights to adopt? And that since 2005, transgender people can change their legal gender in the UK, granting them a new birth certificate and affording them full legal recognition of their acquired sex? Plus, today, there are 35 out lesbian, gay, and bisexual Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom–the most in any parliament around the world! No wonder Britain is Great!
If you're traveling to the UK, VisitBritain has got your back, listing some of the many choices for the LGBT traveler, including Pride parades, LGBT arts and cultural festivals, LGBT sports and activities clubs, Britain’s best gay and lesbian nightlife, plus gay-owned and gay-welcoming accommodation throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also contains mini gay guides to cities including London, Brighton, Birmingham, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester.
And if you'd love to visit but don't have the budget, we have an opportunity for you!
Love is GREAT Giveaway!
To coincide with US Pride events, VisitBritain has launched a nationwide competition for a chance to win a trip to Britain to experience the array of choices the destination provides for LGBT travellers. Contestants can enter on the Love is GREAT page for a chance to win a trip for two to London and Dorset.
The prize includes round-trip economy (coach) flights to London; two nights’ accommodation in The Montague on the Gardens, London and two nights’ accommodation at the Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in beautiful Dorset, courtesy of Red Carnation Hotels; Plus, round-trip train tickets to Dorset and London Travel Cards for four days.
The competition closes October 16, 2016, with the trip to be taken between November 2016 and March 2017. Blackout dates apply. Full terms and conditions are available here. Open to US residents only. All may enter regardless of sexual orientation.