September 3, 2014
The Dominican Republic is New Labor Day LGBT Hotspot
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Homosexuality is not considered legal in the Dominican Republic. It is a very religious country, where Catholic and evangelical leaders openly express their disdain for LGBT people. So it's an unusual destination for an LGBT destination vacation for Labor Day.
But that's exactly what D.R. Takeover is planning. For four days, from August 28 through September 1, the group plans to descend on the tropical island and stay at an all-inclusive resort, Punta Cana's Melia Caribe Tropical.
There's still time to sign up, if you don't have holiday plans. The event pass is $250 and depending on room amenities you can stay four days at the all-inclusive Melia Caribe Tropical for about $1,000.
"It will be very feasible knowing you can lay by the beach with unlimited food and drinks from 13 restaurants and 14 bars included in your room rate. Plus the best parties on the planet? D.R. Takeover is hands down the best place to be for Labor Day weekend," said D.R. Takeover Brand Ambassador Martell Todd.
The folks at D.R. Takeover don't expect any bad vibes from the locals. "Honestly, people of the Dominican have always been friendly to us. We are glad to be able to support the country's economy and help the under-served children of B�varo. We show lots of love and they give us love back," Todd tells SFGN.
According to the D.R. Takeover website, it's going to be a relaxing weekend and all are welcome. "D.R. Takeover is for both men and women, and we've been very aggressive to be all-inclusive. We do hope more couples show up to take advantage of the Romance by Melia options because the hotel does amazing weddings. But, our core is mainly single men and women of the LGBT community who are looking to party with a purpose," said Todd.
During the weekend, the group will take a break from partying to launch its sustainable impact initiative within the local Dominican community. It has adopted a local school and will bring supplies and in-kind donations to make like better for students at that school.
"About 250 students between the ages 3-16 years old attend Centro Educativo Shalom. After visiting the school last year and seeing how kind and well-mannered the children were, the D.R. Takeover team vowed that this year we would come back and shower them with love. Seeing their faces when we arrive with the things they need will be the best memory of this trip," said Todd.
Organizers are asking participants to do one of three things:
Recommended school supplies include:
One-hundred percent of all cash and non-cash donations will go directly to the selected school on Friday, August 29, 2014.
Special guests for 2014 include actor Jensen Atwood (as seen in LOGO's 'Noah's Arc' and Here! Network's 'Dante's Cove'), YouTube sensation Julian Serrano, BET "Music Matters" artist Kimberly Nichole and Damien Crawford.
Visit www.DRtakeover14.com
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
