As the calendar flips into another summer season, millions of travelers around the world are packing their bags and double-checking their passports as they get ready to embark upon their summer adventures. During June or Gay Pride Month, a large and growing number of those travelers will be heading to destinations near and far to celebrate-and advocate for-acceptance and tolerance.
Travel is not always without its peril for the gay traveler, especially those visiting a new location who may not know where the landmines are. Still, the consensus is that things are generally changing for the better.
In either case, plenty of tools exist that can help travelers determine if the location is right for them. DestinationPride.org, for example, has released an innovative slider using the rainbow flag to measure six metrics on the gay-friendliness of every destination in the world.
The Spartacus Gay Travel Index, on the other hand, annually ranks the friendliest destinations in the world for gay travel. For 2018, Canada and Sweden share the top slot, followed by a rapidly climbing Germany.
Traveling during Gay Pride month helps simplify matters, as LGBTQ travelers can easily step out of their comfort zone in an international or unknown location, but still know they have the support of a like-minded community nearby.
The Gay Pride movement and Gay Pride Month trace their roots back to June 1969, when riots broke out after the police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. The year following, demonstrations took place in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
Since Gay Pride events were, once upon a time, limited to the world's major urban centers, mega celebrations can be found in cities such as San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. But smaller communities around the world are also adopting their own events and activities. While major festivals can be fun, why not head to Yonkers, New York; Columbus, Indiana; or Provincetown, Massachusetts, all of which are "officially" celebrating Pride for the first time ever.
For travelers feeling anxious about the political climate in their proposed destination-or for anyone traveling to parts unknown-the American Society of Travel Agents recommends working with an LGBT-experienced travel professional to help you plan your trip.
"When booking pride events with a travel agent who is a member of ASTA and IGLTA, travelers can be assured their travel agent [is booking] the best accommodations for their group and they can also arrange for VIP access to events," said Vicky Garcia, an ASTA member and COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners. "IGLTA travel agents are knowledgeable about LGBTQ-friendly destinations and can also provide a list of activities and must-see hot spots and bars and restaurants or arrange for private tours to give the travelers a total immersion in the destination in addition to the Pride events."
Don't worry if your schedule doesn't permit June travel. There are plenty of international Pride events taking place throughout the year. No matter when you choose to travel, notes the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, gay pride parades and events often take place during a destination's peak travel season.
To find an LGBTQ travel professional, check out ASTA's www.TravelSense.org. Or for more inspiration, visit the IGLTA's 2018 International Gay Pride Calendar, which details more than 150 global events.
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