Border Crossing: 3 Far-Flung International Prides

Whether you're returning to a beloved destination or ready for a new fave, Pride festivals are an inspiring way to have fun while supporting local LGBTQ communities.

Many of them take place in spring and early summer - but several fetes wave their rainbows right through the fall. Among them are famously fabulous celebrations in cities like and London; and fledgling Pride events in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and even the hamlet of Moscow, Idaho. So for your late-2018 travels, consider these jubilant, off-the-radar Pride events.

Prague

Prague Pride
The wonder of Prague is how it manages to be traditional and progressive at the same time. It's one of Europe's great ancient cities and home to marvelous architecture and heritage. Yet its LGBTQ community gains strength every year, thanks in part to vibrant Prague Pride, first held in 2011. This year, the festival takes place August 6-12, drawing upwards of 40,000 attendees and participants.

A bevy of events is planned, starting with the opening days at Pride Village, taking over a small Vltava River island near the National Theatres and historical Caf� Slavia. Because the Czech Republic only legally allows same-sex registered partnerships, there will be a whole day devoted to the Coalition for Equal Marriage. Pride Village also will host the Pride Voices talk show with regional LGBTQ activists, as well as a "vogue dance battle" and drag performance by London queen Kara Van Park.

Weekend revelry launches on Friday, August 10, with the daylong Pride Ball in the Village followed by the Dance Divas concert. Saturday brings the big Gay Parade, marching from the city center to Letna Park. The celebration continues there with live music, DJ shows, capped off by the official, outdoor Pride Afterparty.

Visitors can break from the Pride revelry at Prague's flirty coffee shop-cum-nightclub Q Caf�. In Prague's cute, queer-leaning district No. 2, aka Vinohrady, grab a bite at La Boheme Caf�, and a show at the vintage Le Royal theater/cinema/caf�.

Accommodations are abundant in tourist-friendly Prague, but for a budget-friendly central spot try the EA Hotel Jasmin, or indulge by checking into the Grand Mark Prague, a converted former palace.

Curacao

Curacao Pride
Early fall is a prime chance to sneak in one more LGBTQ-festival jaunt before the cool weather kicks in - and to support a still-young Pride celebration in Curacao. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, Curacao's Pride is only a few years old, but the event has helped make it one of the region's prime queer tropical destinations.

This year, the compact Dutch-Caribbean island welcomes visitors to join colorful Curacao Pride September 26-30, rocking the 2018 slogan "United we are one!" Organizers plan to underscore their push for equal rights and harmonious living, in part by hosting two hetero allies as ambassadors: local radio DJ Maarten Schakel and musician Juni Juliet.

Even though the festival is still months away, Curacao Pride already is promoting a stellar lineup of events, including a pre-Pride party at Chin Chin Lounge Bar; a Blue Curacao distillery tour, tasting, and mixer; a Jeep Safari organized by Pink Curacao; the annual Pride Walk across Emma Bridge; and beachside soirees all weekend long. It culminates in the Navigaytion Sea Parade, traveling from downtown Willemstad down the island's coast.

Curacao Pride is presented in large part by LGBTQ-friendly Floris Suite Hotel & Spa, a magical adults-only with private beach access.

"Curacao is without no doubt the leader of the most LGBTQ-welcoming destination in the Caribbean," says Jurandy Regina, sales and marketing manager for Floris Suite Hotel. "So Curacao Pride is very important to let the world know why it's worth visiting and enjoying our live-and-let-live mentality."

Cork, Ireland

Cork Pride
Ireland is famously friendly, and it earned elite LGBTQ fame when in 2015 it became the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote.

On the southern coast, Cork stands as Ireland's second-largest city, and home to rousing Cork Pride. This year from July 29 through August 5, the city celebrates its queer community with a wide range of weeklong events.

There's the annual family-fun day kicking things off, plus arts and cinema evenings, a cabaret, women's party, and Saturday's Pride Village. For the grand finale, the 13th annual Cork Pride Parade sends floats, buses, bands, DJs, and countless rainbows through town on Sunday, August 5 - capped off by an unforgettable After Party.

Some folks consider Cork to be Ireland's "real capital," as it's less touristy and high on Irish spirit. To mingle among the ever-affable Irish lads and lasses, head to gay bar Chambers or neighborhood pub the Roundy. With much of Cork's cultural and nightlife on Lapp's Island and across the River Lee, check into LGBTQ-friendly Clayton Hotel, or the grand Metropole Hotel near Patricks Street shopping district.

It's worth noting that while Cork Pride takes place in midsummer, the city's strong lesbian community hosts a terrific lineup of events in early June for Women's Fun Weekend. The "Lesbians in Cork" group, better known as LINC, organizes three full days of burlesque, live bands, drag-king performances, health and yoga events, and more. Add it to your future LGBTQ trip calendar!