Is New Hampshire an LGBTQ-Friendly Destination? It Depends.
Three news stories out of New Hampshire have us reassessing the state’s reputation for LGBTQ-friendliness ahead of the summer travel season.
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Queer Voices: My First Love Lived in the Country
LGBTQ writer ErinMcCann shares her story of a country road trip with her first love in this moving essay.
“As we rode our bikes down that beautiful country lane, I was so happy to be with you that I reached out my hand to take yours. Our bikes’ wheels whizzed beneath us, but we stayed steady steering with our free hands. The gapping space between us showed the whole road that we were more than just friends.”
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How to Spend a Day at Huntington Gardens in Pasadena
The Huntington Library & Gardens has one of the best gardens in the U.S. While the Huntington Library is a few miles from downtown Los Angeles, many visitors to LA don’t put the Huntington on their to-do list.
In my opinion, a day trip to Huntington Gardens is one of the best ways to spend a day in LA (even though it’s not actually in Los Angeles, but in nearby Pasadena).
I’m sharing some of my favorite garden photos and my recommendations for the best things to see and do at the Huntington – since it’s so large, you can’t see it all, even if you spend the entire day, like I did!
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The Best Las Vegas Day Trips by Car
Las Vegas is best known for its glitz and glamour, from the vibrant neon signs and over-the-top stage shows to the “anything goes” vibe of the Strip. Las Vegas day trips by car deliver a new perspective on a destination known for its party scene.
While many of the best day trips from Las Vegas cross state lines to venture deep into the nearby mountain ranges and desert landscapes, there are worthy adventures to be had without straying too far from the Strip. From short hikes through Red Rock Canyon to kayaking on Lake Mead and touring Hoover Dam, I loved the activities I chose – which is why I’m sharing my favorites with you!
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LGBTQ Travel News: Thailand Marriage Equality Update, Russian anti-LGBTQ Law, NYC
Once a month I share a roundup of newsy stories that impact LGBTQ lives, with a loose connection to travel. In this month’s LGTBQ travel update: Russians charged under anti-LGBTQ+ law, Moms for Liberty vs. NYC, and Thailand same-sex marriage moves forward!
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Queer Voices: A Lifeline
Madeline Ewing’s story of a road trip through Roosevelt National Forest, and finding acceptance in nature, which the longlist in our LGBTQ essay contest: Walking into a clothing store, my body splits in two. Or at least, it would if it were possible. Instead, I take my time wading through the women’s section before making my way to the men’s. Something for “both,” because to exist as myself, society tells me I am two different, contradictory things. And even “both” isn’t complete. But here, in groves upon groves of Douglas firs and Ponderosa pines, I am myself without a need to separate into pieces. My blood runs like the Colorado River, my thoughts whisper like Aspen leaves in the wind. My sense of self evolves and changes, like limestone eroded by the wind and water, taking shape over and over again each millennium. People might chop down my trees or ravage my body with wildfires in the name of industrialization. But I grow back surer and stronger, fuller and more fragrant.
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The Best Single Lesbian Travel Groups
Single? Solo? No worries, these single lesbian travel groups have you covered. All of these travel groups are geared toward solo queer women, and many welcome trans and nonbinary travelers, too.
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How to Plan Your First Solo Trip: What to Expect and Best Places to Go
For years, I traveled with my kids and family vacations were the name of the game. But now that they are pretty much grown, I am once more traveling on my own.
At first, I was a bit nervous. Was it going to be any fun traveling on my own? Would I meet new people? What if anything went wrong? I felt quite anxious by the time I went on my trip.
But I am glad I went ahead as I had an amazing time on my first solo vacation. Yes, there are aspects of solo traveling that are challenging or less fun than going with friends or family. But solo travel also offers many benefits and chances to grow as a person.
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Kayak Lake Mead Emerald Cove: Everything You Need to Know for a Half Day Tour
Kayaking to Emerald Cove was the highlight of my Las Vegas trip, but finding all the logistical information to actually plan my Lake Mead kayak trip was rough.
I know how frustrating it can be to plan trips when you don’t have the answers. Especially when it comes to planning a day trip from Las Vegas by car.
I’ve put together this helpful guide to kayak Lake Mead Emerald Cove so you don’t have to research the way I did. It’s packed with everything I wish I knew ahead of time!
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Queer Voices: My First Swimming Lesson
When my father inquired about my plans for the free time I had gained due to the Nigerian university strike of 2010, I surprised both him and myself. Instead of expressing a desire to enroll in a coding program at one of the city’s computer centers, I found myself uttering the words, “I want to take swimming lessons.”
If you’ve ever seen Baywatch starring David Hasselhoff, you might have a glimpse of why this decision seemed unexpected.
