Florida beach apartments in front of the ocean

LGBTQ Travel News: CT Town Says No to Pride

Posted inTravel Trends
I keep the pulse on newsy stories that impact LGBTQ lives, with a loose focus on stories that shape our travel experiences. In this month's travel update: queer Brits share their views on travel safety, a Connecticut town bans Pride flag displays, and the no-longer-secret bisexual fantasies of Moms for Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler.
A black woman relaxing in a field of flowers

These Outdoor Groups Build QTBIPOC Community

Posted inAccess & Inclusion
While the wider queer community is important, BIPOC people sometimes need their own spaces within the rainbow community. The 7 outdoor groups profiled in this post - like Queer Crush, Wild Diversity and DiversifyOutdoors - are doing amazing work in connecting queer people of color to one another and to nature. Click through to the full post for three reasons why this work is so valuable and 7 incredible groups to check out.
A city skyline with a rainbow arch

Top Destinations and Trends in 2024 for LGBTQ Travelers

Posted inTravel Trends
An Airbnb survey commissioned by The LGBTQ+ Travel Association, IGLTA takes a look at what LGBTQ travelers want in 2024, including the top destinations on our travel bucket lists and how we balancing exploring the world with staying safe on vacation. I break down the survey trends with my perspective as a queer travel writer.
11 Bespoke Travel Companies That Offer Custom LGBTQ Tours

11 Bespoke Travel Companies That Offer Custom LGBTQ Tours

Posted inTravel Trends
Are you looking for an LGBT travel agency that can plan a custom trip for your rainbow family? Read on to discover 11 amazing travel agencies and private tour operators catering exclusively to queer travelers. There are a ton of gay travel companies serving the group tour market. Queer women have a handful of options for lesbian tours, too. But there are times when you don't want to take a group tourโ€ฆand you also don't want to do all the work of planning a tour on your own. If you just want to relax in LGBT friendly travel destinations with an itinerary designed to your exact preferences, an LGBT travel agency might be the perfect solution.
A group of Black children lean through a window smiling. They're dressed in blue t-shirts except one kid is wearing orange.

LGBTQ Travel News: Uganda Shunned, Idaho Trans Ban Blocked

Posted inTravel Trends
With the rise in extreme anti-trans laws, there is so much news out there impacting LGBTQ folks' freedom of expression and right to be ourselves. Every month, I highlight a few of the stories that most impact queer and trans travelers, with a breakdown of the issues and what you need to know now. So read on to discover the surprising New York towns welcoming trans folks, the economic impact of Uganda's "Kill the Gays" bill (including how it's making other African countries think twice about passing similarly draconian laws) and how one red state's ban on trans-affirming medical care was blocked โ€“ for now.
How to Find Petoskey Stones: Tips + Where to Look

How to Find Petoskey Stones: Tips + Where to Look

Posted inUS
While driving from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula, my wife and I made a rockhounding stop at Petoskey State Park. Since it's widely advertised as the best place to find Petoskey stones, I figured all the good ones would be picked over. But within half an hour of searching the shoreline, we had a couple dozen small, smooth Petoskey stones perfect for turning into jewelry. That day sparked my continuing fascination with these fossilized coral treasures unique to Michigan. In this blog post, I want to share tips from my Michigan road trip for spotting Petoskey stones. I'll cover what exactly Petoskey stones are, what to look for when hunting for them, and where the best place to find Petoskey stones is.
19 Gay Travel Groups to Cruise the World With

19 Gay Travel Groups to Cruise the World With

Posted inLGBTQ Travel
There are so many options for gay group travel that it can be overwhelming trying to pick the right tour company for your next adventure! In this blog post, I'll give you the rundown of the best gay tour operators. No matter what type of vacation you have in mind, you're sure to find a qualified tour operator to help you have an incredible trip, while also learning more about the local gay community!
Pile of rocks by lake shore

Rockhounding Michigan: A Beginners Guide to Great Lakes Rock Hunting

Posted inUS
When I set out on a road trip to Michigan, I really didn't know what I'd find. So it was a total surprise when I learned that Michigan's lake shores had more than pretty views, they had a secret trove of minerals and fossils waiting to be discovered! I've always loved collecting rocks and shells, and it turned out that the unexpected highlight of my trip was rockhounding Michigan. As an avid outdoors enthusiast who stumbled upon rockhounding in Michigan, I'm thrilled to offer a beginner guide you to looking for fossils in Michigan and the Great Lakes. So read on to discover common types of rocks in Michigan, where to find them and recommended tools.
Onteora Lake covered I snow in winter.

A Local’s Guide to Lake Onteora Trails in Kingston NY

Posted inUS
Lake Onteora has some of the easiest and most accessible hikes near Kingston, New York. It's located up Route 28 just three miles west of Kingston, within the Bluestone Wild Forest. As a Kingston local, I've hiked each of Lake Onteora's trails multiple times, from water snowshoe treks to summer blueberry picking hikes. So read on for all the Onteora Lake Trail details and my favorite locals' tips to make the most of these accessible hikes near Kingston, NY!
9 Lesbian Travel Groups to See the World With

9 Lesbian Travel Groups to See the World With

Posted inLGBTQ Travel
Are you looking for lesbian travel groups? Discover 9 amazing LGBTQ+ women owned tour groups catering to lesbians and queer women exclusively. While it's wonderful that allies support queer travelers, sometimes we want to travel in the company of other queer women exclusively to feel safe, supported, and to create connections that come from being in all-queer spaces.