Launched as Fabulis.com seven months ago, the renamed and newly expanded Fab.com:

• Now has more than 110,000 members with 40% logging in at least 10 times per month, 25% visiting more than 50 times per month, and upwards of 5,000 new users joining on a weekly basis.
• Just introduced the largest worldwide directory of gay-friendly places with accompanying rankings, reviews, tips and photo uploads, complementing the site’s interactive profiles and extensive database of gay-relevant events.
• Offers a full-featured iPhone app including the ability to check in, identify your current location, name the people you’re with, upload images, rate places, provide tips, and perform all other functions available from the Web.
• Just closed the first $1.75 million Series A financing with investors including First Round Capital, The Washington Post Company, Baroda Ventures, and Zelkova Ventures, adding to an earlier $1.25 million in angel financing.

“Before Fab.com, people thought of gay social networks as dating sites. Fab has a completely different mission,” said founder and CEO Jason Goldberg. “We help gay men meet new friends anywhere in the world, find places to go and things to do that suit gay tastes, share their experiences through reviews and rankings, and in general expand their social circle in a way that fits the gay social graph.”

Passport to the Gay World

Goldberg, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded the social news site Socialmedian that was sold to XING AG in 2009 as well as the employment website Jobster, was inspired to create Fab after encountering difficulty in finding gay-centric online recommendations while working in Europe.

He set out to fill the void with a new platform that would serve as a central clearinghouse of gay-oriented activities and destinations as well as providing a safe forum for gay conversation removed from Facebook communications with family and co-workers.

In a unique approach to promoting member interaction, Fab builds user profiles by adding content based on the member’s check-ins and answers to questions posed by other users – whether they know each other or not. The site currently handles more than 15,000 user-answers to questions every day, essentially hosting dozens of freeform conversations that help “Fabbits” get to know each other as well as exchange advice on navigating the gay environment.

Users can check in directly on Fab or import their Facebook check-ins, search for gay-oriented events by city and date, filter those searches by Fab followers if desired, and view lists of top-ranked Fab people, cities and tags (e.g. writer, activist, gamer, foodie, musician, blogger, etc.) to quickly zero in on people with common interests.

With the new Fab Places feature, members can also browse a database of more than 50,000 gay-rated locations in categories ranging from travel, food, nightlife and bed and breakfasts to arts, shopping, buildings and outdoors – complete with comments that meet gay needs in a way that reviews like those on TripAdvisor and Yelp cannot.

“If you’re going to Boston next week and you post that on your Facebook wall, it’s not going to help you when you get there. With Fab, you can find out what events are going on in Boston, who’s going to be there, arrange to meet, and research gay-friendly hotels and restaurants – all in one place,” said Bradford Shellhammer, co-founder and chief creative officer. “Facebook still helps you communicate with your current friends, but Fab gives you a whole new channel for expanding your horizons and connecting with the gay community wherever you go.”

What could be more fab than that?

About Fab.com

Fab.com – the fun way to discover the gay world – is the definitive resource for gay men, helping them find “fab” places to go, things to do and people to meet. Fab’s website and mobile applications provide instant access to the largest global index to gay-centric places and events, unique interactive profiles that assist in making new friends, and other features that quickly connect members to the best of gay life. The company is headquartered in New York and has development operations in Pune, India and Deinze, Belgium.

The “TripOut Gay Travel Awards” returns this year honoring new nominees, returning favorites and former winners – all vying to earn the reputation as “gay approved.” Additionally, voters this year will now have the option to share their picks via social networking. Voters can log-in through their Facebook or Twitter accounts to choose their favorites, which will then alert and encourage a voter’s friends or followers to sound-off on which nominees deserve such intriguing titles as “Sexiest Place on Earth,” “Best Breakout Destination,” “Ultimate Luxury Hotel” and “Best Gay Bar in the World”.

“LGBT consumers, their families and friends are aficionados when it comes to using social media and traveling the globe,” said John Polly, Editor-in-Chief of TripOutGayTravel.com, “It will be exciting to see how the results may change now that voter’s can share their choices through social media with family and friends.”

This year’s nominees will generate buzz in the travel industry with the following trends found:

–  Chicago and London each received two nominations, gaining momentum as premier LGBT travel destinations. Both received a nomination for “Best Gay Bar” while Chicago received “Best U.S. Destination” and London received “Best Global Destination.”

–  Tel Aviv continues to become one of the top global travel destinations for gays and lesbians with its nominations (“Sexiest Place on Earth”
and “Best Breakout Destination”).

–  Las Vegas continues to be a popular destination for the gay and lesbian community with its two nominations (“Best U.S. Destination” and “Sexiest Place on Earth”). In addition, a Las Vegas resort (SkyLofts at MGM Grand) is nominated for “Best Luxury Hotel/Resort.”

–  Dallas is also another burgeoning destination with its nominations for “Best Breakout Destination” and “Best Gay Bar” (The Round-Up Saloon).

In addition to honoring this year’s best in LGBT travel and tourism, TripOutGayTravel.com will honor Charles Lapointe of Tourisme Montreal with the “The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making Our World Gayer.” The award goes to an organization or travel professional who has increased awareness of the LGBT consumer in the world of travel, tourism and hospitality. Charles Lapointe is a former delegate to the United Nations, a former Canadian Cabinet Minister and since 1989 he has been President and CEO of the Greater Montreal Convention and Tourism Bureau (Tourisme Montreal). In 2002, he also became Chairman of the Canadian Tourism Commission. Charles can aptly be described as a forefather and architect of Canadian and Montreal LGBT travel.

“I have always believed in the importance of gay travel around the world, and have made it a point to continuously highlight the tremendous impact it could have on our city’s tourism industry,” said the Honorable Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montreal. “After many years of promoting Montreal as a top gay-friendly destination, and having seen such positive results, I am extremely honored and thrilled to receive this award.”

TripOutGayTravel.com recruited an academy of seasoned writers, editors and travel experts covering the LGBT travel market to comprise this year’s list of nominations. However, it is up to the site’s readers and fans to determine who deserves the title for the best gay destination, tour operator or hospitality service. Travel enthusiasts can vote for their favorites beginning today on TripOutGayTravel.com and the results will be announced in early November.

As a proud partner of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), TripOutGayTravel.com showcases only the most trusted sources for gay travel planning. The site delivers a new style that creates a best-in-breed gay travel planning experience.

For more information about the nominees listed below, please go to TripOutGayTravel.com. A full list of nominees and winners for each category is listed below.

Nominees for the Second Annual “TripOut Gay Travel Awards”:
———————————————————–

Best Global Destination (City or Country)
—————————————–
Berlin, Germany
Buenos Aires, Argentina
London, United Kingdom
Madrid, Spain
Montreal, Canada
New York City, United States

Best U.S. Destination
———————
Chicago, IL
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Las Vegas, NV
Philadelphia, PA
Provincetown, MA
San Francisco, CA

Best Airline
————
American
Delta
JetBlue
LAN
Southwest
Virgin America

Best Hotel Chain (Collection)
—————————–
Ace Hotels (Palm Springs)
Andaz Hotels
Axel Hotels
Four Seasons
Hyatt
Kimpton

Best LGBT Tour Operator
———————–
Alyson Adventures
Atlantis
Olivia
Out Adventures
Sweet
Zoom Vacations

Best Annual Gay Destination (Party or Event)
——————————————–
Amsterdam Gay Pride
The Dinah & Dinah Shore Weekend, Palm Springs
Madrid Gay Pride
Manchester Pride
Provincetown Bear Week
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Best Ultimate Luxury Hotel/Resort (Global)
——————————————
SkyLofts at MGM Grand – Las Vegas, NV
The Raleigh – South Beach, Miami, FL
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome – Paris, France
The London, West Hollywood – West Hollywood, CA
Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino – Curacao, Dutch West Indies
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand

Best Breakout Destination
————————-
Dallas, TX
Mexico City, Mexico
Reykjavik, Iceland
Tel Aviv, Israel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sexiest Place on Earth
———————-
Barcelona, Spain
Key West. FL
Las Vegas, NV
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel Aviv, Israel
Palm Springs, CA

Best Gay Bar in the World
————————-
The Abbey, Los Angeles, CA
Club Manana, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Roscoe’s, Chicago, IL
The Round-Up Saloon, Dallas, TX
Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London, UK
The Week, Rio/Sao Paulo/Florianopolis, Brazil

The Gay+ Award for Achievement in Making our World Gayer
——————————————————–
Charles Lapointe, Tourisme Montreal

Fabulous’ guests can now visit www.MyFabulousVegas.com to select from their choice of MGM Resorts hotels listed above, then choose from four Fabulous packages offering varying levels of VIP access to private parties, preferred entry to the hottest LGBT events and exclusive opportunities with some of Las Vegas’ top shows. The four packages, ranging from $50 to $575 plus hotel, will provide a flexible approach for guests to be as Fabulous as they want to be.

The Fabulous weekend will serve up drink specials at participating pool bars from noon to 7 p.m. each day. Every day also will feature the LOGO Lounge at eyecandy sound lounge & bar at Mandalay Bay from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and a Fabulous Happy Hour across all host properties from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. LOGO Lounge will be the center of activities offering guests meet-and-greets with LOGO TV personalities, sponsors and other Fabulous guests. For guests who have not purchased their package online, LOGO Lounge also will serve as a purchasing location.

Evenings will heat up with concerts, shows and exclusive parties. Select Fabulous packages include tickets to the sold-out Monster Ball starring Lady Gaga, tickets to Zumanity, the sensual side of Cirque du Soleil, and private parties at ROK Vegas and Studio 54.

Further celebrity mingling is an option as guests will have a chance to meet and socialize with proud out Chef Susan Feniger at her restaurant Border Grill and get up close and personal with the artistic and talented casts from seven Cirque du Soleil shows at the Cast After-Party at ROK Vegas. Fabulous guests also will receive preferential treatment at Las Vegas’ most popular LGBT events – Heaven at Bare Pool Lounge, Closet Sundays at The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge and Temptation Sundays at Luxor’s South Pool. Other Fabulous events include blackjack and slot tournaments with the casts of Thunder from Down Under and FANTASY, docents tours of the Fine Art Collection at CityCenter and fashion events at Crystals, Las Vegas’ newest and most extravagant shopping district.

For one weekend, this town is Fabulous, and the LGBT community owns it. Start following @MyFabulousVegas on Twitter and Facebook or visit MyFabulousVegas.com for more information, updates and to book your Fabulous package.

JetBlue is proud to be the official airline of Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc., one of America’s largest pride celebrations, for the fourth straight year.

JetPride flight #1969 will depart from San Francisco International Airport on May 14, 2010, at 12:30 p.m. and touch down at Long Beach Airport at 2 p.m. after a festive in-flight experience featuring pink cocktails, gift bags and other goodies, plus Australian entertainer Pam Ann, the world’s most glamorous “air hostess.” The special flight number commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Riots and the birth of the pride movement.

JetBlue’s JetPride flight is priced at just $79(a) per one-way ticket plus taxes and fees. Customers have a wide variety of return flight options, including five daily flights from Long Beach to SFO and four daily flights to Oakland, priced at JetBlue’s everyday low fares. To purchase flights, customers must contact JetBlue’s JetPride desk at 888-538-2583 option 4.

Travelers can bundle their JetPride flight with a stay at the chic Hotel Maya, a Joie de Vivre Hotel and the first distinctive full-service luxury boutique resort in Long Beach. A fusion of Latin American beachside resort and modern Southern California style, Hotel Maya embodies the romantic, eclectic, and vibrant lifestyle of Long Beach. Hotel reservations can be made by visiting www.jdvhotels.com/jetblue.

This year’s lineup of events at Long Beach Pride includes the Finale Tea Dance Party of America’s Gay Bachelor, an annual nationwide contest hosted by myPartner.com to find the most eligible gay bachelors in America, on May 15 at Hotel Maya. JetPride customers can receive a free ticket to the event with the purchase of a regularly priced ticket at myPartner.com/Pride using promo code JETPRIDE.

A portion of the proceeds from JetPride will be donated to The Gay and Lesbian Center of Long Beach.

Gay Cities IPhone Ap

GayCities (www.gaycities.com), the most comprehensive city guide and travel review community, today announced the first iPhone app with “check in” functionality developed specifically for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, letting people instantly share where they are going and what the crowd is like with friends and fellow members. By adding check ins, GayCities users now have the ability to establish immediate connections with hundreds of thousands of users in more than 150 cities worldwide, bringing the gay community together in an unprecedented way.

GayCities also announced that the user who becomes Overall Top Fan with the most check in points throughout the month of March will win a four day, three night trip for two to West Hollywood, CA. Users earn check in points by simply using the GayCities iPhone app to check in from wherever they are, by becoming a “Regular” or becoming “Top Fan” of a venue (the person who has checked in the most). Additionally, users who recommend the app get their friends’ point totals added to their own. The contest winner will receive two free airline tickets, a free hotel stay, dinner for two at O-Bar and other great perks, courtesy of a partnership with the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau. The winner will be notified in early April.

“The increasingly mobile and tech-savvy LGBT community has been seeking better ways to uncover the best places to go, find out where their friends are, and which locations are hot at that particular moment. We’re incredibly excited to be the first to bring check-ins to this community,” said GayCities founder and chief executive Scott Gatz. “The amazing thing about GayCities’ iPhone app is that it really lets people express themselves, showing where they are and where they plan to go in an extraordinarily open manner. While this is tremendously significant from a social, political and historical standpoint, it’s also a fun and simple way for people to find each other and share great (and not so great) places in cities around the world.”

GayCities iPhone app has long been one of the iPhone App Store’s most downloaded travel applications, typically ranking in the top 30 of all free travel applications. Reaching 150,000 downloads in its first year, the GayCities iPhone app demonstrates the value of a targeted application that maps nearby gay-friendly restaurants, clubs, hotels, shops, gyms, beaches, and more. GayCities users identify nearby locations and similar people on-the-fly that match their interests. With the addition of check-in functionality, the app’s popularity is expected to spike as it streamlines the way gays and lesbians connect and discover the most vibrant parts of the cities where they live and travel.
.
In addition to check-ins, the latest version of the free GayCities iPhone application includes:

• More social interaction: People have become the central feature of the app, as users can immediately connect and share with their friends and others.  
• More cities: The new version includes the most requested locations from big cities to small towns, domestic and international. 
• Redesigned interface: The app is now easier to navigate so that users can quickly find people and places, browse destination pictures, or filter listings on the map.  
• More user-contributed content: Users can add new places, upload photos, write reviews and say what events they are attending, all within the app.

GayCities has also seen its overall user base increase by more than 200 percent in the past year, highlighting the growing demand for a broad-reaching community-driven resource. According to Quantcast and Compete.com, GayCities.com is now the most trafficked LGBT travel or city guide website. With more than 150 city guides, GayCities not only gives users access to the most detailed information available on gay-friendly destinations, it also provides them a vibrant space to share their thoughts and experiences with others in a safe, fun online environment.
To download the latest version of GayCities for the iPhone or connect with users through the GayCities website, please visit www.gaycities.com.

The following rates are one-way from Long Beach Airport:

Austin, Texas: $99

Boston: $139

Chicago: $109

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: $119

Las Vegas: $44

New York (JFK): $134

Oakland: $39

Portland, Ore.: $84

Sacramento: $45

Salt Lake City: $55

San Francisco: $39

San Jose: $29

Seattle: $79

Washington, D.C. (Dulles): $129

To book your flight visit JetBlue.com.

Joie de vivre Hotels will be debuting their newest hotel, Hotel Maya, in Long Beach on July 1st.    With a multi-million dollar renovation (of the old Coast Long Beach hotel) to be completed in 2009, Hotel Maya offers four-star hotel service and amenities, with striking ocean and skyline views of downtown Long Beach and the Historic Queen Mary.  This LGBT and Pet Friendly luxury boutique hotel in Long Beach is the newest addition to the Joie de vivre Hotel family, famous for boutique resorts in San Francisco, Napa, Big Sur, Los Angeles and Venice Beach.  

The Hotel Maya’s website states, “Hotel Maya’s lush, tropical grounds and luxurious Latin American influenced amenities enhance Long Beach’s spectacular waterfront with additional meeting spaces, refurnished guestrooms, and an authentic Latin restaurant and lounge. The hotel boasts an exotic resort atmosphere, adding to the diverse and outstanding spirit of Joie de Vivre’s uniquely California travel experience.”

Aside from the standard boutique hotel promise of impressive rooms and luxury amenities for you or your out of town guests, what we are impressed by is that Hotel Maya and (Joie de Vivre) offer such public support of the LGBT community throughout California.   On all of their websites they have a page dedicated to expressing their support of the LGBT community.  This page includes details about their commitment to “acceptance, equality and mimosas before noon” as well as links to local LGBT websites and event listings.  Joie de Vivre proves this commitment by donating money to local LGBT organizations including AIDS Lifecycle, SF Pride, Film Festivals and more.   To read more make sure to visit their LBGT page.

So if you’re looking for a local “stay-cation” or have friends or family coming to town that need a place to stay, the new Hotel Maya may be worth a look.  The renovation will be complete on July 1st just in time for the 4th of July celebration at the Queen Mary and the busy summer season.  Rooms start at $159 and reservations are available now!  To make your reservation or learn more about Hotel Maya click here.