This weekend Brussels will show the final films of its 10-day Gay and Lesbian Film Festival that takes place every January. It’s the first major gay event of 2009, a big year for gay travel.

If there is one travel market that doesn’t seem to ever be affected by global economic crisis is the gay market, as gay and lesbian travelers tend to always have more disposable income.

The two major international gay events this year will be the EuroPride taking place in Zurich in May, and the World Outgames in July in Copenhagen. This year is also the 60th anniversary of Stonewall, so expect special celebrations in every gay pride march around the world this summer. One to see to be believed is São Paulo’s, with an estimated 3.5 million participants making it the city with the biggest gay pride celebrations in the world.

Other cities not exactly known for a happening gay scene are slowly opening their closet doors and becoming major gay hotspots to be discovered this year. If you go to São Paulo’s gay pride, be sure to take the opportunity to also visit Buenos Aires which is only a short flight away. Its Axel Gay Hotel is one of the best (and most stylish) gay hotels in the world, and the city’s reasonable prices are just as attractive as its people.
In Europe, choose one of its sunniest destinations, the very pink Lisbon with its beaches and lively street life.

If you prefer to stick with the always-popular Mykonos, be sure to also spend some time in the Greek capital — Athens has much more to explore than just the Acropolis and ancient ruins.

UCityGuides offers you a list of the 9 gay destinations you should experience in 2009, and you can find what they are in the travel gaydar page.