For years now, the boys and girls have been slipping away to Puerto Rico for a little of what Marvin Gaye calls “healing.” An array of beautiful beaches, bi-lingual locals and parties till the break of dawn makes this passport free U.S territory sizzle with arousal!

The Takeaway

• Homosexuality: Legal
• Gay marriage: Illegal
• Gay Bashing: There have been reports of isolated incidents of attacks against gays. Celia La Paz, host of the island’s Spanish speaking radio show “Saliendo del Closet,” (translation: Coming Out of the Closet), and executive director of the island’s first and only LGBT Community Center, is a great resource to further address concern. Fluent in English, contact her at CentroLGBTTPR@gmail.com or through www.saliendodelcloset.org.To the TRUTH reader, use you street savvy. People know just who to do what to, if and when you let them!

Hot Spots

“I was so pleasantly surprised by the number of same sex couples holding hands in the Red Coral Lounge,” is what Robin Canfield of Miami, recalls of her experience at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. www.marriott.com

The Scene

The heart of Puerto Rico’s LGBT community breathes life into San Juan’s Condado area and the Boquerón area of Cabo Rojo. Between Ocean Park–San Juan’s upscale beach community, and the nightlife driven atmosphere in Condado, to Old San Juan, where the ancient forts and cobblestone streets reflect the island’s rich history–gay culture thrives!

The rhythm of salsa, techno or jazz is contagious at Circo Bar on Condado, Heaven & Hell at 365 de Diego Ave, and Krash on Ponce de Leon Ave.

Pride

The island’s two major LGBT events are the annual Pride Parades, held in San Juan during the first weekend of June, and the town of Boquerón in Cabo Rojo, during the 2nd weekend of June.

• 2012 Pride of the World: Trinidad
• 2012 Pride of the World: The Dominican Republic
• 2012 Pride of the World: Martinique
• 2012 Pride of the World: Curacao
• 2012 Pride of the World: Aruba

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