Denmark’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is getting set for an influx of visitors from all around the world, including Australia,  for a mid-year feast of LGBT sporting, cultural and political events in Copenhagen.

A number of tourists and athletes will soon be heading to Copenhagen to represent Australia at the 2009 World Outgames from 25 July – 2 August. The World Outgames will feature tournaments in 38 different sports disciplines, from aerobics to wrestling, for competitors at all skills levels.

Outgames, the world’s largest LGBT multisport and cultural event, coincides with the international conference on LGBT Human Rights, Copenhagen Pride and the Out Cities project, making it the perfect time to visit Copenhagen on the LGBT calendar.

Australia will also have a voice when a group of Melbournians represent the Australian LGBT community at Copenhagen’s Out Cities Project. Melbourne and five other major cities will take over the streets and squares of Copenhagen with international music, exhibitions, installations and street parties to celebrate the international LGBT identity.

For visitors to these events, Copenhagen offers a vibrant scene all year round, with LGBT friendly restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs located in or near the city centre.

Code is one of the newest gay lounge bars, which offers glittering drag shows several nights a week. Another notorious venue is Jailhouse, a favourite for the leather, bear and S&M communities. Like the name suggests, the decor is jailhouse inspired, with prison bars and all! Enjoy a drink downstairs or savour some Danish comfort food upstairs.

During the day, get snap-happy at the most popular tourist attraction in Denmark – The Little Mermaid - then head to Kongens Have (The King’s Garden) and visit Rosenborg Castle, one of the country's oldest Renaissance castles.
While the sun is out, visit some of Copenhagen’s beaches and watering holes. Try the Bellevue Strand, a popular beach for gay men, and to really let your hair down, head to the nudist section of the beach at the northern end.

For a different type of culture a stone’s throw away, visit Malmö, “the city of parks” in Sweden. Take a scenic train ride across the Øresund Bridge and be in another country in only 35 minutes. Malmö boasts Sweden’s highest concentration of restaurants per capita and is famous for its gastronomic delights. Plan to visit during August and take advantage of one of the largest free outdoor parties in Sweden, The Malmö Festival.

In between partying and sightseeing, recharge at one of Copenhagen’s LGBT friendly accommodation options. Copenhagen Rainbow is a gay only guest house, perfectly

situated five minutes walking distance from all major gay bars and clubs and smack bang on the world’s longest pedestrian street, Strøget.

Strøget’s is a sight to see in itself, pulsing with lively buskers and an abundance of shopping from high-end designers to more “recessionista” friendly outlets. While here, be sure to make a beeline for the Church of Our Lady (Vor Frue Kirke), where Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary were married.

For more on Copenhagen, its LGBT scene or to book flights, go to the Scandinavian Airlines website www.flysas.com/gay.

Scandinavian Airlines is the first in Europe to offer a dedicated website to the LGBT community. Visit www.flysas.com/gay  for more on Copenhagen’s LGBT scene. Browse insider tips from their own crew or just chat to them on board on your way to Copenhagen!

So book now for your ticket to Copenhagen – a cultural melting pot of LGBT experiences under the one roof, and all at the same time!

The two other Scandinavian countries - Norway and Sweden also celebrates LGBT Human Rights and between July 27 to August 2, Stockholm hosts Stockholm Pride, where Oslo will commence the festivities already in June and will host the festivities between 19 - 28 Jun 2009.

Every year, thousands of people visit Stockholm Pride. Read more about how you can experience Stockholm Pride.

For more information on Scandinavia visit www.visitscandinavia.com.au  and to book your flight visit www.flysas.com.au

For more information on Scandinavia. Visit www.visitscandinavia.com.au  

More about the World Outgames, visit www.copenhagen2009.org

Tags: outgames