Cleveland, Ohio’s tourism officials are working feverishly to bring gay visitors to the city. Working in conjunction with the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is designing a travel guide that spotlights gay-owned or gay-friendly nightclubs, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. The guide should be finished this year. In reality, Cleveland has a sizable, active gay community, so finding businesses to participate should be no problem.
Visitors bureau spokeswoman Samantha Fryberger said the guide might create controversy, especially since the state bans gay marriage. However, Fryberger counters that some people took offense last year when the traditionally Democratic city actively pursued the Republican National Convention. In other words, the city seems to be adopting a “live and let live” approach.