inclusion | QUEER ADVENTURERS

A smiling woman in a park leaning on a wooden railing, surrounded by lush foliage.

What’s It Like Being Queer in the Country? Awesome, Actually

As someone who moved to the country over 10 years ago, the stereotypes around being queer in the country get under my skin. I’ve had my fair share of fears while driving through rural red places. But today I want to pick at the assumption underlying these jokes and fears that rural places are unsafe and unwelcoming for queer people.

three women walking on brown wooden dock near high rise building during daytime

These Are The Best States for Trans Travel in 2025

By Lindsey US

If you’ve ever typed “Where is it safe for a trans person to live?” into Google and felt unsatisfied with the search results – this is for you. Because places that are marked gay-friendly aren't always trans friendly. And big blue cities in red states still mean passing through red state roads and airports. While no one has all the answers, and nobody can tell you where you'll be safe no matter one (because no one is a mind reader), there are places that are better than others. This post tracks the best states to visit if you're trans.

road, road trip, travel, outdoors, destination, adventure, exploration

Is HRC’s Red State road trip the hope we need in these times, Or a Gimmick?

By Lindsey Travel Trends

Launching now through November, HRC is taking to the road on an "American Dreams" tour. Is their red state road trip a feel-good effort that won’t shift the narrative, or the hope we need in these times?

A group of LGBTQ people around a campfire

7 LGBTQ Outdoor Groups That Lead Queer Outdoor Trips

By Lindsey Travel Planning

These seven LGBTQ outdoor groups run outdoor adventure trips for queer people. Trips range in length from day hikes to multi day backcountry trips.

US Travel Faces Major Slowdown as Tourists Look Elsewhere

By Lindsey Travel Trends

Warnings against US travel have made headline news. How many people are actually staying away? And how much is the travel boycott going to cost the United States?

Two men enjoying a sunny day, embracing joy and vibrant colors.

Gay Travel Guides Are Back – And There’s Never Been a Better Time

By Lindsey Travel Trends

In the old days – post-Stonewall, pre-LGBTQ rights – we had Spartacus and Damron. These gay travel guides were packed with listings for gay bars, clubs, saunas, bookstores, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels. They helped gay travelers find safety, community, and connection in unfamiliar places. As times changed—and as travel info became more accessible and digital—those old-school guides faded out. But the need for thoughtful, identity-aware travel advice never went away. Now, a new wave of LGBTQ travel books is stepping in to fill that gap, with a fresh take and a broader lens.

Lesbian couple and daughter enjoy a sunny day walk on a wooden bridge in a park.

Want to Move to The Safest States for LGBTQ? Here’s How to Plan

By Lindsey US

LGBTQ people deserve freedom, joy, and ease in our lives. We deserve to be ourselves, without minimizing who we are, apologizing for who we are, or pretending to be someone we are not. All of these become much more possible for us when we live somewhere our identities are respected, with laws that affirm our right to express our identities without fear of discrimination or reprisal. I haven't found a ton of resources out there geared toward folks who want to move to the safest states for LGBTQ folks – so I built my own.

A young black man stands beside a rainbow mural.

Out of the Shadows and Into the Sky: A Trans Traveler Story

By Rocky Lane Voices of LGBTQ Travelers

Sarah and I were newly married and trying to fundraise for two HUGE barriers I carried with me daily, and those HUGE barriers would also mean that the new cutting edge FULL BODY SCANNERS that our local Texas TSA operated would be serving full T when I tried to pass through security in my first ever international flight over the pond.

People walking past trees of flowering cherry blossom.

Same-Sex Marriage in Japan is Coming Sooner Than You Think

By Lindsey Travel Trends

For years, Japan has been a curious outlier among global powerhouses, standing as the only G7 nation not to recognize same-sex marriage. But recent court rulings are sending ripples of hope through the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, raising an exciting question: could Japan finally be on the brink of marriage equality?

photo of woman wearing purple lipstick and black crew-neck shirt

The NAACP’s Black Consumer Advisory is the Inclusive Shopping Guide All Travelers Need

By Lindsey Travel Planning

US business leaders have been walking back their commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the wake of Trump's return to the White House. But a few businesses have doubled down on their DEI commitments – and the NAACP's Black Consumer Advisory makes it easy to find them.