{"id":30162,"date":"2018-10-18T01:00:56","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=30162"},"modified":"2025-02-26T03:17:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T16:17:22","slug":"group-tours-gay-travel-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/group-tours-gay-travel-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I can be myself on group tours, according to one gay traveller"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019m gayer than Legally Blonde: The Musical… on ice.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, at least I felt that way rolling up to my hostel in Changgi, Bali<\/a>, a gentrified suburb just north of Seminyak.<\/p>\n

In post-Trudeau Canada, I rarely (nay, never) dampen my homosexuality. I tear up sidewalks a la Naomi Campbell circa Versace \u201897. I speak in a cascade of reads, shade and Drag Race references. I once confused Lebron James for a Randy Blue exclusive.<\/p>\n

\"Melbourne

Melbourne Pride<\/p><\/div>\n

But as I checked in with the Australian expat living each day for \u201cthe wave\u201d who worked part-time at the hostel\u2019s front desk, I was extraordinarily aware of my sexual orientation.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust sign here, Mate.\u201d he cooed. I was barely listening. Was my stance effeminate? My speech lisped?<\/p>\n

I signed. He smiled. \u201cAlright, cool. I\u2019ll show you your dorm and introduce you to some of your flatmates.\u201d He either didn\u2019t notice or didn\u2019t care I was gay.<\/p>\n

\"Uluru

In Uluru, Australia<\/p><\/div>\n

I share this anecdote because it captures what many (not all) gay and lesbian travellers feel on the road. We\u2019re putting ourselves in unfamiliar situations, with unfamiliar people. And we naturally begin gauging how our homosexuality will be received. Will I be judged? Outed? Or worse…<\/p>\n

As a seasoned gay travel expert\u00a0\u2013 I\u2019m the Digital Marketing Specialist at premiere gay tour operator, Out Adventures\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>\u2013 my general stance is to be cautious, but never let your sexual orientation become a roadblock. I strongly believe that there\u2019s nowhere on Earth I shouldn\u2019t visit just because I\u2019ve tasted the rainbow.<\/p>\n

\"Singapore

I’ve also tasted incredible noodles in Singapore<\/p><\/div>\n

Sure, it\u2019s fun to sunbathe in Mykonos. And yes, I am planning a party week in Puerto Vallarta. But it is important to me to lace up my hiking boots and traverse the rest of the world as well. In 31 short years I\u2019ve moved to Australia on a working holiday, spent a year and a half backpacking, touched down in 20+ countries and visited five of the seven continents. I don\u2019t plan on stopping anytime soon.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 5 LGBTQ-FRIENDLY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE CONSIDERED<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Tour operators such as Intrepid Travel are extremely helpful for those of us who want to ensure the \u2018i\u2019s are dotted, the \u2018t\u2019s crossed and the concierge knows Chad is your fiance and the king-sized bed wasn\u2019t a mistake, thank you very much. They also specialize in group tours to incredible destinations where many westerners feel uncomfortable visiting alone. Either cultural differences or socio-political reasons.<\/p>\n

\"Paris

Happy in Paris<\/p><\/div>\n

Pause. Hold up. Before I go on, I want to clarify my opinion on the ongoing debate of whether the LGBT community has an ethical responsibility to avoid countries where homosexuality is a criminal act.<\/p>\n

No. I do not think gays should boycott said countries for three main reasons \u2013\u00a0and a number of smaller reasons too long to argue on here.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. There are gay, bi and trans individuals in every country who could\/do benefit from the Pink Dollar. With a little research, you can ensure your Benjamins land in the hands of these individuals and not an oppressive government.<\/li>\n
  2. The views and tolerance of homosexuality varies person to person\u00a0\u2013 just because a destination\u2019s laws condemn homosexuality, doesn\u2019t mean every local shares that opinion.<\/li>\n
  3. I like to think that by being my authentic, queer self around those who may not have the highest view of gay men, that in a little way I might change their perspective. By meeting a smart, industrious, yet down-to-earth homo (aka: me. *hair toss), they might realize we\u2019re not (at best) clowns and (at worst) sinners and perverts. I believe you being you can affect change in others.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Now where were we? Oh yes, joining a group tour as a gay traveller.<\/p>\n

    \"Kuala

    Exploring Kuala Lumpur<\/p><\/div>\n

    SUBSCRIBE TO INTREPID’S NEWSLETTER FOR TRAVEL TIPS, DISCOUNTS, GIVEAWAYS & MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

    I can\u2019t speak to all queer people as we\u2019re diverse and varied. But, I believe one hesitation many have is fear of being the only gay in the villa\u2026 er\u2026 on the tour.<\/p>\n

    Going back to my original anecdote, it wasn\u2019t a Balinese I was closeting myself from. Rather a 20-something Australian.<\/p>\n

    I\u00a0\u2013 and many other LGBTQ individuals\u00a0\u2013 have a complicated history with heterosexual men. I\u2019ve been taunted, teased and othered by them and consequently I approach introductions with caution.<\/p>\n

    As with the Australian, these situations are largely us creating barriers for ourselves. The type of individual who travels with tour operators or signs up to sleep in a hostel built for 60 must have a level of flexibility. They\u2019re there to meet new people, make new friends and test their own comfort levels. It\u2019s highly <\/em>unlikely they\u2019re approaching travel from the mind-frame of outing or making others feel awkward.<\/p>\n

    \"Bondi

    Loving Bondi Beach, Sydney<\/p><\/div>\n

    Now, I\u2019m not saying they\u2019re accompanying you purse first to a local drag show. But I feel confident saying you can be you, and it likely won\u2019t phase them.<\/p>\n

    Re: having anything in common: you both jetted off to a foreign country. A common interest in travel and culture is a great ice-breaker. Start there.<\/p>\n

    Before my word count triples what my editor requested, I\u2019d like to end on a predictably extra call-to-action…<\/p>\n

    To those with a song in their heart, a limp in their wrist and the voice of Ross Mathews on helium, I say to you: sashay through borders, death drop on barriers and donkey kick the misconception backpacking is exclusively for heterosexuals. The world is your oyster, now shantay your way through it.<\/p>\n

    Intrepid believes that travel is for everyone. If you’re ready to explore our beautiful world for yourself, check out our top destinations and trips<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    —<\/p>\n

    (All images courtesy of Carl Hiehn.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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