TRAVEL
How LGBTQ Travelers Can Travel Safely This Fall
Consider your options as you plan your next vacation
BY ED SALVATO
Just when we thought it
was safe to hit the road, we
were walloped by the Delta
variant, the latest plot
twist in the 18-month-and-counting
pandemic story. The surprising
data that fully vaccinated people
could transmit the virus emerged
in part from the outbreak in Provincetown.
Ptown quickly tightened
restrictions, requiring masking at
all indoor locations and proof of
vaccine at all entertainment venues
— interventions that worked.
As of press time, the positivity rate
there is much lower than much of
the rest of the US and it remains
one of our top recommendations
this fall and beyond. Ptown demonstrated
a successful response —
stressing safety yet continuing to
deliver a deeply satisfying experience.
Read on for our favorite queerfriendly
destinations striving to
create a safe space for you and
strategies for navigating the increasingly
complex world of pandemic
travel. Safe, beautiful, and
fun LGBTQ-friendly destinations,
experiences and accommodations
beckon whether you seek to
recharge your batteries, deplete
them, or a little of both.
Queer and safe destinations
Provincetown, Massachusetts
is our very own home beyond the
rainbow, as suggested by this
year’s Carnival theme. Book far
ahead for popular weeks (July 4,
Bear Week. and Carnival) but we
recommend visiting outside of the
most popular times for a less frantic,
more enjoyable stay. There are
diverse LGBTQ-oriented events almost
every weekend through New
Year’s Eve.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami,
Florida remain the beating heart
of LGBTQ-friendly Florida despite
the barbaric state-level response
that is causing the Sunshine State
to be among the worst-hit in the
US by the pandemic. Fort Lauderdale
has been world-renowned for
its authentic and inclusive vibe for
all visitors since 1996. Over 1,000
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are among the top LGBTQ destinations.
local businesses have taken the
Safe & Clean Pledge. Likewise, Miami
has implemented the Greater
Miami Travel Guidelines and Destination
Pledge, accessible from
the destination’s homepage, outlining
how safety measures are
being implemented throughout the
community.
Puerto Rico is the undisputed
LGBTQ capital of the Caribbean,
enticing visitors with reliably
warm, sunny weather and a sincere
outreach to queer travelers.
Despite unfortunate, highly publicized
attacks on local transgender
people, Puerto Rico boasts a visible
and vibrant trans community and
nightlife options that specifi cally
cater to queer and non-binary
folks. This helps create a safer and
more comfortable environment
than other warm-weather destinations
in the Caribbean or Mexico.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
makes for a fun urban weekend
getaway. Once the kids are back in
school and the lines at the Liberty
Bell disappear, you’ll fi nd a warm,
walkable and LGBTQ-welcoming
city. Find LGBTQ restaurants,
safe nightlife, engaging events,
and recommendations galore at
Visit Philly. Pro tip: Try to schedule
a half day at the Barnes Foundation
art collection.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Wait,
what? Yep, this charming midwestern
town is our top unexpected recommendation.
You’ll fi nd historic
cultural venues, a walkable entertainment
KIRBY LEE-USA TODAY SPORTS
district with plenty of
topnotch live music and theatrical
performances, a delectable culinary
scene, and a truly warm welcome.
Queer cruises and land vacations
Cruises are coming back, and
cruise lines are taking steps to reduce
COVID-19 risks. According to
Randle Roper, CEO at VACAYA, an
LGBTQ vacation company, “with
cruise lines soon to mandate that
all guests and crew members must
be vaccinated, cruise ships will be
among the very safest locations on
the planet — with the entire population
vaccinated.”
Resort vacations can also be
safe, with similar universal vaccinations
and plenty of room for
guests to spread out. Remember,
with no children during LGBTQ
weeks at mainstream resorts,
they offer much more space per
adult guest. VACAYA’s big 2021 fall
events include their all-inclusive
Mexico Resort vacation (October
30-November 6) and their New Orleans
Cruise (November 14-22).
In 2022, there are only two trips
that still have rooms available as of
press time: their Caribbean Cruise
(January 10-17) and their all-inclusive
Costa Rica Resort (June 5-12).
Learn more at MyVACAYA.com. Not
only will queer tour companies get
you there and back safely, but “they
also can ensure your money is being
spent with other welcoming,
progressive, and even queer business
and individuals around the
world,” according to Robert Sharp,
founder of Out Adventures.
“This is even more important
when planning travel to countries
that are known to be less than
queer welcoming,” he says. Visit
their site to read about their New
Year’s Eve trips to Thailand and
Cuba and in 2022, their Iceland
Winter trip, and four back-to-back
Croatia small group cruises, which
are starting to sell out.
R Family Vacations is one of our
top recommendations for planning
an incredibly fun and satisfying
tour or cruise (big ship and river
cruises) in the company of other
queer travelers and allies. You
don’t even have to have children to
join their trips. In 2022, R Family
offers land tours in Thailand and
Ireland; an LGBTQ group on board
a cruise in Alaska; and a magical
all-queer full-ship-charter Uniworld
river cruise in Northern Italy,
among other trips. Learn more
at R Family Vacation.
Choose LGBTQ-welcoming accommodations
We’ve heard far too many stories
of queer guests receiving a frosty
welcome (or worse) when checking
into a hotel or AirBnB. These are
our top choices for LGBTQ-friendly
resources for accommodations
where you can truly relax and be
your authentic selves:
MisterBnBincludes one million
LGBTQ-friendly listings in 200
countries and is primarily geared
towards gay men.
FabStayzproudly offers accommodations
inclusive of all the letters
of our ever-growing acronym.
Orbitz Pride lists LGBTQfriendly
accommodations; and
Booking.com is rolling out an
LGBTQ certifi cation program, including
live training and ancillary
materials, for their hotel partners
over the next year. Look for the
“Proud Hospitality” label on listings.
This story was provided courtesy
of the National LGBT Media Association.
Ed Salvato is an NYC-based
freelance travel writer, instructor at
NYU and the University of Texas at
Austin’s NYC Center, and an LGBTQ
tourism marketing specialist.
September 9 - September 22, 2 16 021 | GayCityNews.com
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