Picture it: I’m jetting off to Sardinia, with hopes of bronzing my thighs on a beach so picturesque it looks AI-generated. Mid-flight, somewhere over the Mediterranean, I lock eyes with a fabulous flight attendant. We exchanged the look—you know, that instant, soul-piercing, glitter-sparkling glance that says, “Oh hello, sister, I see you.” That unspoken moment of rainbow recognition got me thinking about the benefits of gay travel—those unsung perks that make our journeys feel a little more fabulous.
Was I shocked he was gay? No, I wasn’t exactly shooketh. That’s like being surprised the sky is blue or that a brunch place has avocado toast. But that unspoken moment of rainbow recognition got me thinking about the glorious, unsung perks of being queer while traveling.
Case in point: one of my friends on the flight was celebrating his birthday (read: sipping champagne and casually announcing it to anyone who made eye contact), and our fabulous sky-server personally handed him a handwritten note. A handwritten note. It was giving “Dear Diary, today I fell in love with a man who wears epaulets.” Sweet, thoughtful, and so very… us.
And that, my fellow wanderlust warriors, is the kind of secret sauce that defines the benefits of gay travel. Let’s dive into this rhinestone-studded suitcase of privilege, shall we?
That Unspoken Look
1. Instant Gay Telepathy = Built-In Community
One of the most magical parts of running into other LGBTQ+ folks while traveling is that we immediately get each other. It’s like Pokémon Go, but instead of monsters, we’re collecting fabulous allies in caftans.
Whether it’s the gay concierge who gives you the tea on where to get the best espresso and eye candy, or the lesbian tour guide who steers you away from the tourist traps and toward that underground queer art gallery—these are our people. They know what we need: safety, sass, and ideally, a rooftop bar with killer martinis.
And when you’re in a country that gives “questionable” vibes to queerness, these connections aren’t just nice—they’re essential. They whisper the code words. Know where not to hold hands. Recommend the one bar that won’t ask if you and your partner are “just friends.”
2. Service So Good, It’s Practically Flirtation
Let’s be honest—queer people in the hospitality biz? Slay. We are the divas of detail. The duchesses of discretion. The absolute monarchs of making your stay fabulous.
Gay staffers often have an instinctual understanding of what you need before you even say it. Want a hotel room with discretion and dimmable lighting? Booked. Curious about where to brunch with drag queens that pour bottomless mimosas and top-shelf tea? Say no more, darling.
It’s not just service—it’s chosen family in action. And no one picks a better restaurant than a gay man who just got dumped. Trust.
3. Safety, But Make It Fashionable
Safety doesn’t always feel sexy—but honey, it is essential. And it helps to know a local who won’t lead you into a bar where rainbow socks get you side-eyed or worse. Having someone in the know is part of the benefits of gay travel—we don’t just want safety, we want sparkle with it.
Queer tour guides and travel pros often serve as low-key life coaches, gently steering you away from places that scream “trouble” and toward ones that scream “shots and shirtless bartenders.” They know which streets to strut and which alleys to sashay away from. They know which cab drivers are allies and which ones would make you wish you Uber’d.
This is why a lot of the community trusts gay-owned companies like Zoom Vacations to craft itineraries that are equal parts glam and safe. Who wants a boring, beige tour of “some guy’s statue”? No ma’am. We want gay ghost stories. Underground drag brunches. A midnight Pride party in a Venetian warehouse with lasers and possibly an erotic art exhibit.
A New Kind of Travel Agency: Gay and Glam
4. Spending Coins on the Rainbow Economy
Every time you book a queer-owned hotel or dine at that gay-owned café with lavender lattes and disco music in the bathroom, you’re casting a vote with your dollars. You’re supporting the global LGBTQ+ community one caipirinha at a time.
Many LGBTQ+ businesses also serve as safe havens in their communities—part nightlife hub, part activist HQ, part “oh my God, Becky, let’s move here.”
So, yes, sip that overpriced cocktail at the gay beach bar guilt-free—it’s for the cause.
5. Gay Culture: The VIP Backstage Tour
Finally, no one does urban immersion like the gays. Whether it’s finding a secret queer film night in Denver, attending a Pride parade in Chicago, or getting the queer history walking tour of NYC (spoiler: we’ve been fabulous for years), LGBTQ+ locals know how to give you the full experience.
They’ll take you off the beaten path and into the real magic—the kind with heart, glitter, and possibly a backup dancer.
Final Boarding Call: Don’t Just Travel, Slay
Traveling while gay is like having a fabulous little cheat code to the world. Yes, it’s still full of challenges, but it also comes with sparkly little perks that straight people rarely notice. Whether it’s bonding over a glance mid-flight or uncovering queer gems in unexpected places, the benefits of gay travel make every trip feel more connected, more authentic—and yes, more fabulous. So next time you’re planning a trip, don’t just book the flight—book the vibe. Seek out the queer concierge. Wink at the flight attendant. And tip the gay tour guide like you just won the lottery and he’s your ex’s hotter cousin.
And above all, when you meet someone along the journey who you just know is family—say hello. We’re everywhere. And we’re fabulous.
Bon voyage, darling. And don’t forget sunscreen and lip balm.
About The Author
Best known as one of the cofounders of luxury gay vacation company, Zoom Vacations, Bryan has been a high school English teacher, personal trainer, freelance writer, and a hotel marketing and events sales manager. He grew up in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, and his childhood was filled with outdoor adventures. His roots in the outdoors, coupled with his inquisitive teacher’s mind and his appreciation for health and fitness (as well as for fabulous hotels and resorts) have led him to adventures in every continent, including Antarctica. He has toured the ancient catacombs of Rome, swam with horses where Australia’s rainforest meets the reef, haggled with Hong Kong merchants, danced the Samba in Brazil, and has even studied ecology and group dynamics in a Scottish commune.
In addition to his duties at Zoom Vacations®, Bryan also served on the Board of the Directors of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) for four years, and as Board Chair for two. He was one of nine travel experts featured on the Travel Chanel’s hit show, “Vacation Challenge” and was the South America Gay Travel Expert for four episodes on Logo’s Gay Travel show, Bump. In addition, Bryan has hosted gay travel shorts for Comcast, and he is the gay travel expert for several gay online and print publications worldwide.