Gay Copenhagen

The National Association for Gays and Lesbians (LGBT) was founded in 1948 as the first of its kind and in 1989. Denmark was the first country in the world to recognise marriage between two persons of the same sex. In 1999, it became possible for married gays to adopt the children of their partners - a major step towards the recognition of a broader definition of family. In 2009 it became possible for gay couples in registered partnerships to adopt.

Copenhagen has long been a tolerant and relaxed capital for both gay Danes and tourists, that is one of the reasons why it hosted the second World Outgames, a sports, human rights, art and LGBT event in 2009, which was a great success for all involved and the city at large.

 The first gay bar, Centralhjørnet, opened over 80 years ago, and is still going strong - along with a wealth of other newer cafés & bars. It even boasts its own gay radio station, Radio Rosa.

On the last Sunday in May, the annual torch-light procession in memory of those who have died from AIDS makes its way through the city; June see's the St. Hans Midsummer Bonfire and beach party on the island of Amager organized by LBL, the National Gay and Lesbian Organisation.

The Queer Festival was introduced for the first time in 2006. Internationally known performers, musicians, DJs, activists, drag kings - queens and in betweens challenge the traditional lines between sexes. The festival will mainly take place around the City Hall Square and Halmtorvet

The Queer Tango Festival offers you the possibility to play with the tango and dance any role you might prefer. It is open for everybody from beginners to advanced tango dancers.

Then there's the Annual Gay Pride Parade - known in Copenhagen as "Copenhagen Pride", where thousands of spectators line the parade route, as about a thousand gays and lesbians strut their stuff through the capital, jamming the traffic with floats, rainbow flags "dykes on bikes, screaming queens and leather guys". Copenhagen Pride will take place at City Hall square in August 2010.

Across the Øresund bridge in Malmö, Sweden is the Rainbow Festival, which takes place every year the on last week of September.

October brings on the Copenhagen Gay and Lesbian film festival - nine days of contemporary gay and lesbian films from all over the world. One of the oldest gay film festivals in the world.

On December 1^st - International AIDS day, various events take place throughout the city.

Throughout the year, it's also worth keeping an eye out for performances by Copenhagen's gay choirs... "Carmen Curlers", "Schwanzen Sänger Knaben", "The Boy's Choir", "The Homophones" and "The women's Choir". With their characteristically unpredictable repertoires, you never know what you might hear - anything from medieval drinking songs to Eurovision standards!

In 2007 Celebrity Cruises sent off the first gay cruise ship on a cruise of Scandinavia and the Baltic and it has now become an annual event.

For a visitor to Copenhagen, each year offers a varied selection of gay events:
Check out www.visitcopenhagen.com/gayevents

A scan through the international gay guide, Spartacus and a copy of Copenhagen Gay Map or "Out & About" magazine in your back pocket and Copenhagen is ready to be adored and explored.

Fortunately, Copenhagen is not a huge sprawling metropolis, this makes finding your way round simple and convenient. Everything is pretty much within walking distance. This is particularly true for Copenhagen's gay life. Centred in the "Soho" like area of the old town, the city's gay scene seems almost geographically designed to provide virtually the entire evening's spectrum of entertainment and fun within a square kilometre.

Star12 opened down town on the eve of 2010 in what was once a disco, and is the newest gay and lesbian venue in Copenhagen. They offer drag shows, clubs on Thursdays, DJs on Friday and Saturday, theme parties and entertainment.

Be Proud is the most main stream of the new clubs. Club Christopher opened October 2009 and is situated on the first floor of the former legendary PAN Gay Club. It is named after Christopher Street in New York. Then there is also the monthly club by the name of Camera Club that opened in October 2009, with a happy house style à la Ibeza and Uprise is held in The White Room, in the Meat Packing District.

An excellent place to plan your evening's fun is Jailhouse CPH, a concept bar and restaurant in a cosy atmosphere and Oscar Bar & Café is situated by the Town Hall and is a good mix of café, bar & Lounge. Friday evenings you get DJs and the town's best atmosphere.

A brief trip to out to Frederiksberg to Café Intime's piano bar is well worth the effort. A mixed crowd of older theatre types and bright young things make this a particularly relaxed place to enjoy a cocktail to a typical evening's repertoire of Shirley Bassey and show tunes...

Copenhagen has always been a late starter when it comes to clubbing and bars, and it's only really worth starting the evening's tour after 11 o'clock. Back in town, CentralHjørnet's and Can Can's juke boxes are warming up to the sounds of Eurovision and Kylie - attracting an older set of drag queens, while at SLM they really get going after midnight! SLM Copenhagen's new premises cover 450 sq. meters, making it twice the size of the old location. That means that the club is Scandinavia's and probably northern Europe's biggest gay leather club. If you're looking for another "mens only" bar and not a club, then MEN's BAR is the place for you! It's almost an institution!

On Vester Voldgade off the City Hall Square you'll find Dunkel Bar (mixed) with toned down twilight lighting, black painted walls and stuffed owls looking down upon the guests. The list of beers is among the longest and best, especially regarding organic beers from micro breweries.

For a final drink as dawn breaks, the perfectly named Never Mind opens its late-night doors for the dance weary crowd to chill-out. Cosy Bar is another late night option for a night well spent. Both bars are situated close to the H.C. Ørsteds Park where the presence of condom and lube packed "bird-boxes" give a clue to the parks after dark activities.

When you are tired there is no shortage of top quality luxury hotels in Copenhagen. But if you're tired of four-star service, there is also the option of a lower-key stay at one of Copenhagen's gay-only bed and breakfast places, such as the Windsor, Copenhagen Rainbow, Carsten's Guest House and Amagerhus B&B.

Watch the film Gay Copenhagen and Oresund

For the latest updates, photos and film please visit
www.visitcopenhagen.com/press
www.visitcopenhagen.com/photos
www.visitcopenhagen.com/filmgay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZHnITKU4Pk (World Outgames 2009)