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From the land of french fries to the shores of Bjork's homeland to upstate New York, here's the best places to avoid the ignorant masses for the week of August 6-12th.

1—Antwerp Pride, Belgium

August 10-12

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Since 1979 Antwerp's been rockin' a cool gay pride event. There's a hetro-friendly city tour on Friday the 10th and an World Out Games meet and greet on Sunday (getting ready for 2013 already!) but the main event is on Saturday the 11th. A parade that finishes off with the open air street party called the Wave Festival.

2—Reykajavik Pride, Iceland

August 8-12

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Take a queer cruise off the coast on Friday, hit the parade on Saturday and then finish things off at Club Broadway for a pride dance worth of Bjork.

3—Mr. Gay Europe, Rome, Italy

August 7-12

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A competition more fierce than the Olympics. Guys and gals from any country can cast their vote till the 11th here.

4—Circuit International and Circuit International Lesbian Event, Barcelona, Ibiza, Spain

August 7-12

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Its like a party dipped in chocolate, wrapped in a pizza, smothered in ice cream and then deep fried in yesterday's pig fat. Just don't die if you go, ok?

5—Out in the Woods Queer Music Festival, Greenwich, New York

August 11

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Your host, the inimitable Justin Vivian Bond, serves up some of the best in Gay rock, folk, soul, classical and Broadway.

Matt Bell is a New York based travel and style writer who contributes regularly to Esquire.com and Essential Homme Magazine. He has also written for Out.com, Next Magazine, American Spa Magazine and was the Senior Editor for Genre Magazine.