Gay travel tips
As international borders seem to have finally reopened post-COVID, not to mention a robust rebound for cruise lines and international LGBTQ events, you’ll need to pack more than a suitcase for a secure trip and return.
Although we’ve entered the ever more normalized endemic phase of COVID, with wonderfully operative vaccines and treatments, waves of annoyingly more transmissible variants continue to bring about havoc (Didn’t it originate out as highly contagious to begin with? Where does it end? When we catch it by just looking at someone infected?) with flight crew, hospitality workers, and travelers forced to stop everything and quarantine.
Let’s not neglect the world continues to pack its usual tour hazards, including the occasional bout of food poisoning, accidents requiring medical tend or evacuation, a hot-out-of-the-oven Monkeypox epidemic primarily spreading among gay men (yes, Monkeypox), criminals targeting travelers, and yes, the specter of homophobia and anti-LGBTQ laws.
With Pride Month and the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots upon us, I&rsquo
Our fun guide to some of the top things all gay travelers require to pack before jetting off to the next large gay event!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Sim Local. As always, all opinions are our own.
Ready to sashay away on your next gay adventure?
Whether you’re prancing through Maspalomas Identity festival or twerking at Barcelona Circuit, you need to secure you've packed all the necessary items!
Ditch the boring explore essentials you'll scan about in every other generic TikTok post…'cause this isn't any ordinary explore packing guide. This is the ultimate GAY travel packing guide, one that is as extra as you are!
From staying linked to ensuring you've packed the appropriate attire, and inspired by Stefan's recent Instagram Reel on the subject, here’s your ultimate packing list that guarantees more fun than a surprise upgrade and a minibar that's been fully stocked for your next chillout(!)
Trust me, you won’t crave to miss these must-haves. Let’s dive in and craft your suitcase as fabulous as your Instagram feed!
1. eSIM for Gri
Essentials tools, websites and recommendations to make gay travel easier – the most complete guide of gay travel resources for LGBTQ travelers
At lunch earlier in the day, over a bowl of guacamole, I’d sat with my friends looking through a mimic of Echo Mag—one of Phoenix’s three (three!!!) print LGBTQ magazines. On the second to last page was a map of downtown Phoenix with short descriptions of each of the bars, shops and clubs. There were at least 20 different ones and we weren’t entirely sure which was for what crowds, but I pulled out the page from the magazine and stuffed it in my pocket.
From a boozy lunch of margaritas to a carb-heavy dinner of pasta and glass-after-glass of wine, it was finally Saturday late hours. My friends and I were bar-hopping across Phoenix’s gay bars using the now crumpled-up blueprint as our guide. Some of the places were awful, some were fun, but by about am., drinking cheap PBRs in a lesbian club and dancing to old-school hip hop, it was time to find the next place to go. (Yes, lesbian bars still do exist!)
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International Travel
Travelers can face distinct challenges abroad based on their real or perceived sexual orientation. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel.
More than 60 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime. In some of these countries, people who participate in consensual same-sex relations may face severe punishment. Many countries do not notice same-sex marriage.
Research your destination before you travel
Review the explore advisory and destination facts page of the place you plan to stop by . Check the Local Laws & Customs section. This has information specific to travelers who may be targeted by discrimination or violence on the basis of sexual orientation.
Many countries only recognize male and female sex markers in passports. They undertake not have IT systems at ports of entry that can accept other sex markers, including valid U.S. passports with an X sex marker. If traveling with a valid U.S. passport with an X sex marker, examine the immigration regulations for your destination as acceptance can v
Essentials tools, websites and recommendations to make gay travel easier – the most complete guide of gay travel resources for LGBTQ travelers
At lunch earlier in the day, over a bowl of guacamole, I’d sat with my friends looking through a mimic of Echo Mag—one of Phoenix’s three (three!!!) print LGBTQ magazines. On the second to last page was a map of downtown Phoenix with short descriptions of each of the bars, shops and clubs. There were at least 20 different ones and we weren’t entirely sure which was for what crowds, but I pulled out the page from the magazine and stuffed it in my pocket.
From a boozy lunch of margaritas to a carb-heavy dinner of pasta and glass-after-glass of wine, it was finally Saturday late hours. My friends and I were bar-hopping across Phoenix’s gay bars using the now crumpled-up blueprint as our guide. Some of the places were awful, some were fun, but by about am., drinking cheap PBRs in a lesbian club and dancing to old-school hip hop, it was time to find the next place to go. (Yes, lesbian bars still do exist!)
Lookin
International Travel
Travelers can face distinct challenges abroad based on their real or perceived sexual orientation. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel.
More than 60 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime. In some of these countries, people who participate in consensual same-sex relations may face severe punishment. Many countries do not notice same-sex marriage.
Research your destination before you travel
Review the explore advisory and destination facts page of the place you plan to stop by . Check the Local Laws & Customs section. This has information specific to travelers who may be targeted by discrimination or violence on the basis of sexual orientation.
Many countries only recognize male and female sex markers in passports. They undertake not have IT systems at ports of entry that can accept other sex markers, including valid U.S. passports with an X sex marker. If traveling with a valid U.S. passport with an X sex marker, examine the immigration regulations for your destination as acceptance can v