Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
New York Blade
(www.nyblade.com), and the free magazines
HX
(www.hx.com),
Next
(www.nextmagazine.com), and
GONYC
(www.gomag.com), which is lesbian-oriented. You'll also find lots of
information on their websites.
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
(
IGLTA;
&
800/448-8550
or 954/776-2626; www.iglta.org) is the
trade association for the GLBT travel industry, and offers an online
directory of gay- and lesbian-friendly businesses and tour operators.
Gay.com Travel
(www.gay.com/travel) provides current informa-
tion about gay-owned, -oriented, and -friendly lodging, dining,
sightseeing, nightlife, and shopping in every important destination
worldwide. British travelers should click on the “Travel” link at
www.uk.gay.com
for advice and gay-friendly trip ideas.
4 Playing It Safe
Sure, there's crime in New York City, but millions of people spend
their lives here without being robbed or assaulted. In fact, New York
is safer than any other big American city and is listed by the FBI as
somewhere around 150th in the nation for total crimes. While that's
encouraging for all of us, it's still important to take precautions.
Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets and women
should keep hold of their purse straps. Cross camera and purse straps
over one shoulder, across your front, and under the other arm. Never
hang a purse on the back of a chair or on a hook in a bathroom stall;
keep it in your lap or between your feet, with one foot through a
strap and up against the purse itself. Avoid carrying large amounts of
cash. You might carry your money in several pockets so that if one is
picked, you won't be without cash. Skip the flashy jewelry and keep
valuables out of sight when you're on the street.
Panhandlers are seldom dangerous and can be ignored. If a
stranger walks up to you on the street with a sob story (“I live in the
suburbs and was just attacked and don't have the money to get
home” or whatever), it's likely a scam. Be wary of an individual who
“accidentally” falls in front of you or causes some other commotion,
because he or she may be working with someone else who will take
your wallet when you try to help. And remember: You
will
lose if you
place a bet on a sidewalk game of chance.
SUBWAY SAFETY TIPS
In general, the subways are safe, espe-
cially in Manhattan. There are panhandlers and questionable char-
acters like anywhere else in the city, but subway crime has gone down
