By Dawn Wolfe
If you want to go on a vacation, partnered or single, and be able to be yourself, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association can help make that possible.
IGLTA is now over twenty years old, and has over nine hundred member companies whose goal is to help LGBT travelers enjoy a vacation that is as affirming as it is relaxing.
Gateway Travel's Joe Gagnon, an IGLTA member, said that it can also be important to make sure that the agent you book through is also gay – and has experience.
"If I'm going to travel, I want to know that the agent I'm dealing with is gay as well," he said. "I want a person who knows the business and has been in it for a long time. This is my job – it's something I truly believe in."
Fortunately, there are several places that lesbian and gay couples can go to have a good time, and where singles can go to find a bit of adventure and potential romance. But LGBT travelers can't yet go everywhere openly, and that's why it's important to book your trip through an IGLTA member, or at least, "Make sure that the people at the agency are gay friendly and will give you the proper advice," according to Terry Rotenberg of Gemini Travel in West Bloomfield, an IGLTA member.
"There are some destinations that are definitely not gay-friendly, and we have to investigate beforehand so we know for sure – so our clients won't have to worry about discrimination," she added.
Another way to make sure your gay vacation stays gay-friendly is to book through the two agencies that specifically cater to gay male or lesbian clients – RSVP Cruises or Olympia Cruises and Resorts.
While RSVP is known as a travel provider for gay males, "RSVP has never had a 'men only' vacation event," according to the agency's web site. Boasting that the women who travel with RSVP "rave about us," the agency makes clear that its trips are open to lesbians and straight female allies alike. In 2005, RSVP is offering trips to the Greek Isles, Ireland, Peru, and French Polynesia along with its other travel offerings.
Olivia Cruises and Resorts, on the other hand, "is dedicated to providing high quality, safe vacations for lesbian travelers." This agency charters an entire boat, or an entire resort, so travelers not only feel safe – they have lots of like-minded company. In addition to resorts and cruises, Olivia offers "active vacations" and Olivia kids and family vacations.
In addition to Olivia and RSVP, Gay Travel News offers links to thirteen gay and lesbian tour and cruise operators.
As for specific destinations, Rotenberg says to avoid making assumptions about the type of destination you may want to visit.
For example, despite the fact that larger cities tend to be more diverse and therefore more welcoming, "Not all big cities are gay-friendly or have enough to do," she said.
Nor should you necessarily feel restricted to traveling within the U.S. According to Rotenberg, "There are vendors who put together trips for small groups of gay people" to foreign countries, including some you may not expect. For example, Out & About, a Planet Out site, offers gay-friendly guidebooks to destinations including South Africa, Costa Rica, and New Zealand. And if you're looking for a more unusual way to feel "at home" during your trip, Purple Roofs offers a link to Mi Casa Su Casa gay & lesbian home trade network on their web site.
INFORMATION BOX
Want to "get out of Dodge" for awhile, but not sure who to call? The following resources will help you plan a gay-friendly vacation for yourself – or for yourself and your partner.
International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association: Call 1-800-448-8550 or visit [email protected]
Olivia Cruises & Resorts: Call 800-631-6277 or visit http://www.olivia.com
RSVP Cruises: Call 800-328-7787 or visit http://www.rsvp.net
Gay Travel News online: http://www.gaytravelnews.com
Out & About: http://www.outandabout.com
Purple Roofs: http://www.purpleroofs.com
Michigan members of the IGLTA:
All-Star Cruises & Travel, Inc., Flint: 810-230-8045
Fantasy Travel, Inc., Wyandotte: 313-299-1665
Gateway Travel, Joe Gagnon, Farmington Hills: 248-432-8600
Lifestyle Traveler, Grand Rapids: 616-949-6000
Gemini Travel, West Bloomfield: 248-855-3600
