News :: Local
Philly Greets R Family Grandly by John Secor
Philadelphia Editor-in-ChiefSaturday Mar 10, 2007 PHILADELPHIA - With a podium surrounded by dignitaries and celebs, Philadelphia gay tourism ushered in another first this weekend at the Park Hyatt on Penn’s Landing.
R Family Vacations representatives received a royal welcome for its first land-based tour through the City of Brotherly Love.
Gov. Ed Rendell, Mayor John Street, U.S. Rep. Robert Brady and a host of Greater Philadlephia Tourism and Marketing Corp. representatives welcomed the estimated 200 gay and lesbian families for a weekend of fun.
It’s a considerable boost for Philly, known for its trailblazing efforts to promote the city to the LGBT tourism market.
Street said emphasized the efforts of GPTMC’s Meryl Levitz and Jeff Guaracino that marketed the city as one of the most gay-friendly destinations.
R Family Vacations, the group operated by Rosie O’Donnell and her partner Kelli Carpenter, said they chose Philadelphia specifically for that reason.
Carpenter and business partner Gregg Kaminsky were all smiles as Street proclaimed the weekend for their company and guests.
Carpenter stayed after the presentation and endured endless "Where’s Rosie?" questions from the vacationers and the press.
"She’s in Atlantic City tonight," Carpenter said. "It’s her brother’s birthday."
Carpenter and Kaminsky both said they were very impressed with the grand Philadelphia welcome. Carpenter reported her children were in the city and she intimated Rosie would cross the Delaware River when time permitted.
Street engaged the crowd with several asides and commented that the proclamation poster cost the city $67.
Leaving the podium, he attempted to play off the often-discussed O’Donnell-Donald Trump war of words.
"One more thing," the mayor quipped as he left the podium, "Rosie trumped Donald."
R Family has been organizing cruise ship vacations for gay and lesbian families for a few years. Kaminsky began discussing a trip to Philadelphia with Guaracino for many months.
This weekend, the families will be touring the city and visiting the historical sites. They also have separate events set up.
John Secor has worked with mainstream press for nearly 20 years. He is a proud resident of Philadelphia.
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