How do you win? Just visit the CVB's excellent website on GLBT travel and register by filling out an entry by July 31, 2009 (which is when the sweepstakes ends). While you're visiting this excellent site, check out all the fun things there are to see and do in gay Dallas.

Essence For Ladies is using the elegant and centrally located Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel as its host hotels. Check the Essence For Ladies website for details on the three main event, which take place at Rubyfruit Jungle on Friday night, Club Le Roux on Saturday night, and OHM Lounge on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Traxx male component is producing a gay guys' event in New Orleans at the very same time (and also based at the Renaissance Pere Marquette), called Brotherz in the Bayou.

Traxx also produces the Sizzle and Sizzle Her in Miami over Memorial Day Weekend, and the guy-oriented 1776 in Atlanta on July 4, and men's and women's Pure Heat in Atlanta over Labor Day Weekend.

Check out these additional articles on gay travel in New Orleans, gay travel in Atlanta, and gay travel in Miami.

Additionally, check out these detailed previews of Gay Pride celebrations in Berlin, Paris, San Francisco, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, and New York City.

I first visited Santa Fe in spring 1994 and knew instantly I'd want to live there someday. Six years later, I moved to town, and I enjoyed several very happy years of living in the foothills on the East Side, becoming enamoured of the city's rich cultural scene, amazing hiking and skiing, and green-chile-inflected cuisine. I still try to get back as often as I can, and summer is an especially appealing time to check out this high-desert metropolis, with its cool, dry weather (interrupted only by occasional summer thunderstorms, that cool the air and make for incredible photo ops). In late June, this GLBT-popular destination hosts its annual Gay Pride celebration on the historic downtown Plaza - here's a preview of this year's event.

July and August bring numerous performing and fine arts events to town, from the famed Spanish and Indian markets to impressive showings at the famed Santa Fe Opera - check out my article on the 2009 opera season, and how to obtain tickets. I've also just begun creating a gallery and gay guide to Santa Fe, which I'll be expanding over the next few weeks. For now, it contains a good mix of recommendations for gay-friendly dining, lodging, and nightlife, plus fun things to see and do, both in Santa Fe and nearby.

Also be sure to peruse some of the many stories I've written about northern New Mexico's other terrific destinations, Albuquerque and Taos.

At the Lower Manhattan's tip, the posh Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park has a pair of special Gay Pride deals, one in conjunuction with the Gay Pride Dance on the Pier (good June 27 or June 28, starting at $545 per night), and the other for Gay Pride Splash, which includes admission to the Pride party at Chelsea's famed Splash bar (it's good for June 26 or June 27, and starts at $295 per night). Check this link for details, and to make reservations.

In Times Square, the Westin New York has a Gay Pride deal that's good June 19 through 22, and again from June 26 through 29. The offer includes a fantastic starting rate of $289/night, and that comes with one free cocktail per person at the hotel's Bar 10. Here's the link for booking this one.

Just north of Union Square and an easy walk or short cab ride from Chelsea and the East Village, the stunningly restored Carlton on Madison Avenue a Get Hot for Pride Week package that costs $406.90 and includes a deluxe room, signature facial or Swedish massage in the spa, a "special kit" from the Pleasure Chest, and special deals on "bloat-free" items in the hotel's much-celebrated restaurant, Country.

Check out my preview of Seattle Gay Pride, and also my gay photo gallery and guide to this charming city.

Compare rates and shop for hotel deals during Gay Pride celebrations around the world.

Here's a look at a few hotels out there that have announced special packages or rates related to Gay Pride events:

In Zurich, the recently re-opened and completely refurbished (to a tune of $400 million) Dolder Grand is offering a special EuroPride Package (representing a 28% savings) during EuroPride 2009 (valid June 5th through June 8th) - it includes a number of amenities and extras, including free Internet access, Swiss chocolates, late checkout, and shuttle-bus transport to downtown, where the EuroPride festivities are taking place.

In West Hollywood, a couple of different hotels have unveiled great deals during Los Angeles Gay Pride - Christopher Street West. The swanky new Andaz West Hollywood (which opened in January 2009) has partnered with Christopher Street West to offer VIP "Be Proud" package that includes three nights accommodation (June 12th to June 15th), a wine-cheese-hors d'oeuvres reception featuring the creations of Michelin Star chef Sebastien Archambault, valet parking, breakfast each morning, and a variety of in-room amenities. Single rates start at $692.

Another stellar hotel along West Hollywood's Sunset Strip, the Mondrian Los Angeles, is offering its own L.A. Pride Package. With rates starting at $295 per night, the deal includes two welcome cocktails, a daily spa credit of up to $100, preferred reservations at the Mondrian's uber-hip Asia de Cuba restaurant, and free parking. This deal is good throughout the entire month of June (cite the booking code PKSTIM when making your reservation).

Seattle is one of several major cities that hold Gay Pride celebrations, complete with a parade and festival, at the end of June - a date that commemorates the riots that took place at New York City's Stonewall Inn in 1969, an event that's often considered to be the beginning of the modern Gay and Lesbian Rights movement. Seattle's Pride festivities take place the weekend of June 27 and 28, and consist of several key events, including a Pride Cruise in Puget Sound, a Seattle Dyke March, the official Seattle Pride Parade, and PrideFest at the Seattle Center.

In recognition of the big weekend, the gay-friendly Hotel 1000 is currently running a nifty Seattle Pride Pacakge. Starting at $389/night (depending on the room), the deal includes overnight accommodation, overnight valet parking, 15% off treatments at the hotel's Spaahh, two "hangover signature cocktails" in the hotel's fab restaurant Boka Kitchen + Bar, a reusable Hotel 1000 tote bag, Decleor eye creams to rejuvenate after all your partying, and two admission bracelets that get you into the fabulous Pride party held on Sunday afternoon at The Cuff gay bar. Lots of fun stuff comes with this package. Although my favorite thing about it is the title: "Glitter and Be Gay in 1000 Ways."