by Angela Bratrud
Color can bring happiness to an otherwise ordinary world. And get ready because this weekend San Diego will see myriads of prisms in every shape and form. It’s a time when streets close down and crowds of supporters dedicate one weekend a year to a celebration of vibrant colors, wild and freaky costumes and high energy dance parties that parade the streets and local establishments in full force.
A traditional symbol of gay and lesbian identity and solidarity all over the world, the rainbow flag, also known as the Gay Pride flag, unites a cultural tradition and represents a sign of hope and yearning, diversity and openmindedness. Still a long way to go, acceptance is gaining momentum. 
Its’ symbol represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities (LGBT) and has been used to unite the revolutionary and highly controversial movement since the Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco in 1978.
Artist Gilbert Baker designed and flew the first pride flag, which had eight stripes and was hand stitched and dyed. It has since come a long way through its variation of color. Now with six vertical stripes – in red, orange, yellow, green blue and violet, each color is represented by its’ own meaning.
Theories suggest the idea for the rainbow flag was influenced by the Flag of the Races, which consisted of five horizontal stripes matching the skins of the human race and used to demonstrate World Peace in the 1960’s.
The Rainbow Pride flag is now the most widely used symbol for the LGBT community worldwide. Flags of the same variety can include a black stripe on the bottom to represent “Victory Over AIDS” to all those lost to the virus. There are others that include a black or pink triangle and those to represent bisexual people as well. In a mission to create the world’s largest flag, some have been spread across cities with a width of thirty feet and up to a mile long.
A once controversial symbol of a highly underrepresented minority, the Rainbow Pride Flag is now recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers and lives in the public domain.
There are some ways not to be confused by a rainbow flag, as they are used in unrelated ways across the world. For instance, the rainbow like Peace Flag, popular in Italy. Or the colorful cooperative flag which is used as a symbol of International cooperation.
Anyway you look at it, the rainbow flag symbolizes a decree of hope for an entire culture of people, united by their identity. It is quite possibly the only flag in the world that unites and accepts diverse lifestyles regardless of race, gender or religion.
In support of San Diego Pride, the Porto Vista Hotel is a proud hotel sponsor of the 2010 event. Head on over for the festivities and rooftop dance party, Sunday, July 18, 2010, from 12-7, with DJ ReFresh spinning the hottest beats and food and drink specials all day.
San Diego is indeed a place where life is lived year round in the sun, the sand, and the ocean. In addition to the natural landscape and amazing beaches, America’s finest city doesn’t stop short of variety. Home to famous tourist attractions such as Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Lego Land, Balboa Park, and our own Chargers and Padres home teams, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy. But it doesn’t stop there.
Every visit to San Diego is a new experience waiting to happen. One way to enjoy it even more is to extend your stay by a day or two and explore even more than you would otherwise. Take a Roman Holiday at the 
So I set sail on the Internet to check my options. I found a list of cruise lines that accommodate singles and solo travelers. The difference between the two is that solo refers to the traveler who really wants the peace of being alone, amid others. Single cruisers look for a way to meet others aboard, through a host of social functions designed for that very purpose. The cruise lines understand this difference, and they offer packages that cater to singles who come aboard with the intention of meeting other travelers in a uniquely authentic, yet laid back setting.
