San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and has a colorful history with the gay and lesbian community. Bump! kicks off this episode at the epicenter of this amazing city, the Castro, where we take a walking tour of this historic gay neighbourhood and witness the changes it has experienced over the last 30 years. Take a seat, front row center at Theater Rhinoceros, the oldest gay and lesbian theatre company in North America. San Francisco is also home to the #1 monthly lesbian publication, Curve Magazine; we stop by their offices to meet the woman behind the words. Next, we make an emotional visit to a poignant monument - the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park. To wind up our tour of this gay capital, we drop by several popular local hangouts and toss back a couple of cool ones along the way.
The southernmost point in the continental United States, Key West has been attracting gay and lesbian travelers for decades. Our adventure begins when we hit the open seas with Captain Karen as she takes us on her all-women Venus Cruise. Back on shore, we wander the beaches of Key West to find out where the queer locals soak up the sun. Hit new heights as we parasail over the Gulf of Mexico and revel in the zaniness of Fantasy Fest, the 10-day festival that has been going strong for 24 years. Every February, thousands of women from all over the world head to Key West to participate in the Kelly McGillis Flag Football Tournament. Need a place to stay? Key West is famous for its beautiful and hospitable guesthouses, catering to all tastes and desires. Intriguing local characters, funky watering holes and the laid back lifestyle make Key West a must for any queer traveler.
Savannah, Georgia has always shown its guests a "good ole southern" time. During the Civil War, General Sherman spared the city because the locals treated him so well. This charming city is rich in history and character. Join us on our foray into the low country as we uncover a few secrets of our own. In a Bump! exclusive, The Lady Chablis talks about her life in Savannah, before and after "Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil". Hit the high seas as we take you deep sea fishing with Miss Judy Charters. Discover untold beauty behind the stone walls of Savannah's hidden gardens. See how gays and lesbians are helping restore Savannah's neighborhoods to their former splendor. If you're looking for a place to lay your head while visiting Savannah, there are friendly and welcoming gay-owned guesthouses we can recommend. As the sun sets and the cocktails flow, it's what happens at night that will have the locals whispering in the morning!
Los Angeles, a.k.a. The City of Angels is unlike any other city in the world. Multi-million dollar deals are done over bagels at breakfast, during power lunches or over cell phones on treadmills. Everything boils down to whom you know. Bump! goes behind the scenes in Hollywood with openly gay director Todd Holland who won an Emmy Award for his hit comedy series "Malcolm in The Middle". We'll share a few laughs with gay comedian and author Bob Smith and then "Go West" to the gay city and playground called West Hollywood. Bump! drops in for a visit with lyricist Allan Rich who has penned songs for some of the biggest divas of all time… Whitney, Tina and Barbra, to name a few. Learn how porn star Ken Ryker has parlayed his legendary dick into business success. Check out the latest fashions for lesbians and then step out into L.A. nightlife and find out where all the beautiful people go!
Houston is America's fourth largest city with a population of 4.3 million, including the entire metro area. In this edition of Bump! we meet some amazing locals who have helped shape Houston's gay and lesbian community. We chat with Arden Eversmeyer - a lesbian activist and historian. In a role reversal, we interview Ernie Manouse, an openly gay Emmy award-winning TV host & personality on the set of his show. Love dude ranches? Saddle up with World Rodeo Champ - Gene Mikulenka and hear his experiences coming out on the "straight" rodeo circuit. Laura Villagran, founder of the Gay Yellow Pages, talks about her vision and the success and of the popular guide. Buff up your chaps and check out Houston's sexually charged L.U.E.Y. Weekend leather and levi event, as well as exploring the hottest clubs and restaurants in the Montrose area.
Atlanta is known as the Gay Mecca of the South. Thousands of gays and lesbians have taken flight from hometowns all over the southern United States and made the pilgrimage to Atlanta. With a population of just over 4 million, this capital city is home to a vibrant gay community brimming with Southern hospitality. Get out your lifejackets as we go river rafting at Hotlanta - one of the wettest (and steamiest) party weekends in the south. Explore the new headquarters of the Names Project Foundation, custodians of the Nobel award nominated AIDS Memorial Quilt. Bump! surveys Georgia's political landscape with Karla Drenner - the first out lesbian elected to the state's House of Representatives. Throw in some queer Southern Belles and Bump! shows you how Atlanta's wily charms keeps 'em coming back again and again….
Thriving desert and growing city, this metropolitan city has not forgotten its past, evidenced by its Southwestern architecture and Native American Cultural influences. Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the US with 2.8 million living in the metro area. Join us as we explore this extremely gay friendly destination. Meet Steve May who was dishonorably discharged from the US Military and fought his case all the way to the Supreme Court and won. Follow Bump! as we show why Phoenix is known for it's unique style of architecture and design. Rev up your Harley and head down the highway with "Raw Thunder" the Phoenix Women's Motorcycle Association. Take a tour of the charming Casa De Mis Padres - an exclusive private resort in the Arizona Desert. Discover the works of local gay artists during Phoenix's weekly "Artwalk" and checkout the eclectic nightlife of this elegant and sophisticated desert city.
This island city of nearly 60,000 has it all - sun, sea and beaches galore with 32 miles of soft, silky sand and warm ocean currents. Fast becoming a favourite on the gay tourism map, Galveston is eager to welcome gay and lesbian travelers to this laid-back seaside destination. Join Bump! on this festive trip as we climb aboard a colourful, sparkling float and revel in Galveston's Mardi Gras celebrations, the biggest event of the year! Take a walk back in time as we tour historic real estate that dates back to the early 1800's as well as some gay-owned properties to see how people live luxuriously in the southernmost tip of Texas. Gay chef Chuck Terry of the historic Tremont House Hotel whips up a mouth-watering seafood feast. Experience hospitality Texas-style at a couple of gay owned hotels and guesthouses and stroll down the beach to Galveston's annual Sand Castle competition that happens every June. If you still have energy left when the sun goes down come along with Bump! as we down a few "bevvys" at the watering holes and hotspots the locals favour.
Surrounded by rarefied scenic beauty and imbued with 400 years of history and culture, Santa Fe is simply unique. Its serene and nurturing character is an authentic product of preserved architecture, art, cuisine and tradition. Santa Fe is all about the well-being of mind, body and soul and is renowned for it arts and culture. Cleanse yourself inside and out as we pamper you at the sybaritic Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Health Spa. Experience a native healing ritual with Earth Walks for Life, and re-energize yourself. Bump! visits with Hilda Rush - a 90 year-old lesbian who has seen Santa Fe's gay and lesbian community quietly flourish over the years. Check out the local arts scene with some gay artists and discover what it's like for a gay couple raising kids in Santa Fe. We also tour some amazing historical B&B's as we wrap up our visit to this holistic dessert city.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, home to over 4.5 million people. We start off this edition of Bump! on Church Street, the heart of the gay community. Here, we tour the neighborhood with gay city councilor Kyle Rae, and learn how this part of town became the "gay village." Often described as "Hollywood North," Toronto has stood in for US cities in numerous film and television productions. Bump! visits with Sharon Gless and Jack Weatherall, stars of the acclaimed North American version of "Queer As Folk", set in Pittsburgh and filmed in Toronto. For art collectors, ...
Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection welcomes Shannon and the Bump! crew with open arms. We see history in motion as we set out on a whirlwind tour of Philadelphia's historical sites. When hunger pangs hit, hundreds of locals & tourists head to Pat's - King of Steaks each day to order the famed Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Shannon goes behind the counter to serve up this Philadelphia tradition. Each year, Philadelphia plays host to PrideFest America as well as the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. Both events attract thousands of queer travelers from around the globe. View the work of queer artists in the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. And see why The Reading Terminal Market is a great cruising spot for gay men as well as the second most popular tourist attraction in the city. Pump iron at Philadelphia's largest & gayest fitness complex, The 12th Street Gym before taking in the sights & sounds of The Blue Ball. All this, before we call it a day and check out a couple of Philadelphia's gay-owned and gay-friendly hotels.
Bump! jumps across the big puddle to explore Cool Britannia! In our first U.K. stop we visit the cheerful seaside resort Brighton. This saucy town has a reputation as the place where horny Londoners would bring along their "bit on the side" and hideaway for a naughty weekend. We start our tour on the boardwalk at the colourful Brighton Pier, where Shannon takes a spin on the carnival rides and nearly tosses her cookies! Next, we head over to the local gay café, to get our bearings and also pick up some "toys" to play with. Carrying on in shopping mode, we stop by a couple of stores that might strike the fancy of our more immodest viewers. The Brighton Museum also beckons, where we take in an exhibit on gay and lesbian history and culture. And we get to traipse through a "real Queen's" opulent summer palace. From there, it's onto some of Brighton's trendy eateries and as dusk turns to dark, we end off our tour carousing at several gay hotspots.