As I mentioned in my post about Why Inclusivity in Travel is important, waving a rainbow flag once a year is NOT enough. It’s important to have diversity and inclusion* in travel. Please share that post and this one with anyone who may benefit from this knowledge.
With this importance in mind, let’s get to a few ways you can begin to normalize and include LGBTQIA+ people when you are traveling. This post focuses on what you can do to be more LGBTQIA+ inclusive because that’s my experience. Some suggestions are for individuals and some are mostly focused at businesses, small or large. Note: It’s illegal in many countries to be queer in any form, so make sure you take proper safety precautions before implementing any of these actions. Safety is the priority.
1. Don’t assume there’s no work to be done.
Yes, “gay resorts” or travel agencies have become “acceptable” and popular. These are great safe spaces for some people, but it’s only some. Even if they were safe for all, there would still be work to do outside these spaces. Listen to friends and family in the community, and don’t discount how acknowledgement can be helpful. For example, even in countries that have a surface acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals, it can vary based on appearance and visibility. Representation is still quite limited to white gay men (there’s a reason for that in the travel industry, but that’s a story for another day). Not very diverse or inclusive in my opinion. But that’s where your actions and acceptance that work needs to be done can help.
2. Use gender neutral pronouns unless otherwise indicated.
There is scientific evidence** supporting the positive difference using gender-neutral language has on gender stereotyping and an accepting world. The full study is cited below, or you can review the main on the Guardian‘s website. And if you are one of those people who claim they/them, ze/zir/hir, and another pronouns aren’t grammatically correct or refer to a group of people… the staff (and many others) at Oxford English Dictionary disagree, which you can see from the Guardian as well. There really is no excuse not to use gender neutral pronouns.
3. On that note, always use inclusive language.
I’ll clarify what this statement means: instead of asking about the person’s mom, dad, sister, brother, or whatever, ask about their “family.” Use “parents” and “siblings.” Use “partner” instead of wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend. It has the same effect as using gender neutral pronouns – it shows acceptance, tolerance, and awareness.
4. Don’t assume two people are siblings.
Or dating. Or married, or not. Just don’t assume anything. In the past, I would have said DO assume two people are together, but recently my mom and I were assumed to be together (see #5), and that’s just weird and uncomfortable. And some people find it funny when they and their partner are assumed to be related, but it bothers other people. I’d also say watch for body language, but different actions mean different things to people, so don’t assume anything based on that. For example, I’ve held my mom’s hand before so that isn’t a good indicator. So, don’t assume! And do this with people who appear to be straight too – that’s the key! Treat everyone you interact with as a separate entity until you know otherwise.
Want to visit a progressive place on your travels? How about Southern California! Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park, and Long Beach are great options. The Netherlands are also well-known to be progressive, and the famous Keukenhof Gardens are a popular attraction!
5. Generally, just ask.
Instead of assuming, ask how people are related. Ask how others are feeling about what’s happening or going on in the world. Asking might not apply for everyone, but if you cross a boundary the person will tell you. When my mom and I were in New Orleans, quite a few people assumed we were a couple. Why, I don’t know — but it made me extremely uncomfortable. I corrected that misconception every chance I got. When we took a boat ride, an older Irish man actually asked what our relationship was, and it was a big relief for the both of us. Like I said, sometimes assuming two people are together is great. But sometimes you assume, and it just gets weird.
6. Normalize sharing pronouns!
This action is different than using gender neutral pronouns and inclusive language. By sharing pronouns, you avoid having to ask questions, and it’s a great easy step to establish solidarity and comfort in a conversation or situation. Upon meeting a person, it’s easily incorporated by saying “Hi, my name is ______, and my pronouns are _____.” The addition of a sentence does wonders on inclusivity. In an email, adding your pronouns under your name is another easy way to normalize sharing.
7. Establish a sense of belonging on tours.
Obviously, establishing a sense of belonging (full stop) is important internally for large companies, but here I am thinking of tour companies and individuals on the tour. If you are an individual working for that company, create a sense of belonging within your group. The same goes if you are a tour member! There are a variety of ways you can convey this sense. Something as small as a rainbow pin may make the queer people comfortable. A positive comment about a gay bar/neighborhood or sharing pronouns (here it is again!) are other simple practices to create belonging.
8. Include LGBTQIA+ themed flyers, posters, commercials, etc. year-round.
You’ll gain our year-long interest and support, as well as our trust. We won’t feel like a passing hot topic or commodity, only to be paid attention to in June. Unless you aren’t looking to support the LGBTQIA+ community for more than your personal gain… In that case, don’t use them at all. We aren’t interested. And we can tell – we do the research. This point goes for small and large entities!
9. Include diversity in advertising/media year-round.
This practice helps with inclusion because the people and brands you market to will take note of your values and adapt in order to stay “relevant” and important. They may not do it for the right reasons, but if you do, the community will take note. If you aren’t interested in helping the LGBTQIA+ community, one clear way to show that is by avoiding diversity in advertisements.
10 (ish). Specify the inclusivity of your business by normalizing the sharing of pronouns.
It’s here again, this time directed specifically at businesses. Sharing pronouns in person is one thing. Meet someone, say “Hi, my name is ___. My pronouns are ___.” But publishing those pronouns on your website? Under an email signature (FYI, individuals can do that too!)? Those make a big impact in trust and inclusion with the community. And adding pronouns will take less than five minutes.
Notice how often normalizing pronoun sharing was mentioned? It’s a simple practice that makes a huge difference! I encourage you to keep these in mind as you travel and even implement some at home.
*There IS a difference between diversity and inclusion!
Diversity: the “what.” The demographics, i. e. who is at the party (race, sexuality, gender, social class, abilities, perspectives, etc.).
Inclusion: the “how.” The actions taken by individuals and groups to make sure all the races, classes, genders, etc. are comfortable, heard, and accepted.
**Tavits, Margit, and Efrén O. Pérez. 2019. “Language Influences Mass Opinion Toward Gender and LGBT Equality.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 116(34): 16781-16786.
Find this post helpful?
Pin it!
