Traveling While LGBTQ+: A Modern Guide to Safe, Joyful Journeys
“For some of us, travel is more than escape — it is survival, expression, and freedom.”
Travel can be one of life’s richest experiences, but for LGBTQ+ travelers, it often comes with an extra layer of calculation: Will I be safe? Will I be welcome? Will I be free to be myself here?
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
While progress has been made in many parts of the world, the reality is that discrimination and violence remain present. According to the World Economic Forum, over 70 countries still criminalize same-sex relationships, and trans and gender nonconforming travelers face particular risks even in destinations marketed as “progressive.” Yet LGBTQ+ travelers continue to move, explore, and thrive — representing an estimated $200+ billion annual travel market.
Just like Victor Hugo Green’s Negro Motorist Green Book once guided Black travelers through hostile terrain, modern LGBTQ+ communities and innovators are building new maps of safety, joy, and connection for us today.
Travel with Community, Even Solo
One of the most powerful resources for LGBTQ+ travelers is community. Shared stories, reviews, and real-world experiences allow us to navigate places with insight that no glossy brochure will tell you.
Out Adventures
https://outadventures.com/
Group tours curated for gay men, lesbians, and LGBTQ+ travelers, blending culture, adventure, and community.GayCities
https://www.gaycities.com/
A city guide created by and for LGBTQ+ travelers — with reviews, nightlife, events, and safe spaces worldwide.Lesbian Travel Club
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lesbiantravelclub/
A Facebook group for women-loving-women travelers to connect, swap advice, and share experiences.Trans Travel Guide
https://transtourism.org/
A growing hub of resources specifically for trans and nonbinary travelers.
Use Tech as Your Travel Ally
Safety apps and LGBTQ+-focused platforms can provide peace of mind and connection wherever your journey takes you.
GeoSure
https://geosureglobal.com/
Provides safety ratings for neighborhoods worldwide, including LGBTQ+ safety metrics.Misterb&b
https://www.misterbandb.com/
Like Airbnb, but LGBTQ+-friendly. Hosts are either LGBTQ+ or affirming allies, ensuring safe stays.HER
https://weareher.com/
A dating and community app for queer women, nonbinary, and trans people that can also connect you with locals while traveling.Equaldex
https://www.equaldex.com/
A collaborative LGBTQ+ rights database that maps laws, protections, and risks by country.
Don’t Let Them Define Your Journey
To be LGBTQ+ and a traveler is to embody resilience. We continue to cross borders, forge connections, and create joy in spaces that were never designed with us in mind. But safety matters. Do not risk your life to “prove a point” — always research laws, community insights, and local protections before you go.
That said: don’t let prejudice shrink your world. Travel is about belonging, expression, and freedom — and you are worthy of all three. Whether it’s dancing openly at Pride abroad, savoring quiet moments in queer-friendly cafés, or building chosen family in unexpected places, your journey is valid, beautiful, and essential.
