‘IT’S JUST DISGUSTING’: Outrage as Florida ‘erases’ LGBTQ travel section from website
- Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and St. Petersburg are among a host of Florida cities that have long championed diversity and been top US destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So, it came as a surprise to many this week when it was discovered that Florida's tourism marketing agency has quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website.
TAKING CONTROL: From planning to personas, LGBTQ+ travellers face increasing challenges
- LGBTQ+ travellers continue to face significant challenges, according to new research from Booking.com. The online retailer reports that more than half (63%) of Canadian LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced discrimination when travelling – a number that has increased by 10 percent since last year’s ‘Travel Proud’ survey.
ORLANDO TAKES PRIDE IN GAY DAYS
- Known for diversity and inclusivity, Orlando has been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ tourism dating back to the original Gay Days in 1991. A winning family travel destination in the 2022 “Gay Travel Awards,” the Florida city promotes inclusivity through events, nightlife, and activities that welcome all and embraces the ethos: “the place where dragons, coasters and Pride flags fly.”
GAY DAYS SENDS MESSAGE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA
- Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people flocked to central Florida on the weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ laws that spurred the most prominent gay rights group in the US to issue a warning that the Sunshine State may no longer be safe.
FEELING THE PRIDE: Orlando kicks off June GayDays
- Orlando kicks off Pride Month June 1 with the entire month devoted to showcasing “a diverse community that warmly embraces cultures from all backgrounds coming together (and) remaining a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ visitors.”
TRAVEL BAN MAY END: California adjusts strategy to support LGBTQ
- When North Carolina in 2016 banned transgender people from using the bathroom of their gender identity in public buildings, California retaliated by banning state-funded travel to that state and any others with similar laws. But seven years later, following a surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation in mostly Republican-led states, California now bans state-funded travel to nearly half of the US.
DEEPLY TROUBLING’: UN rights chief on Uganda anti-gay bill
- The United Nations rights chief on Wednesday urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to block an anti-LGBTQ bill that prescribes harsh penalties for some homosexual offenses, including death and life imprisonment.
GAY TRAVEL ‘OSCARS’ NAMES ANNUAL WINNERS
- GayTravel.com has named the recipients of its annual Gay Travel Awards for the past year, with 39 inclusive LGBTQ+ winners selected from hundreds of finalists, in categories across the industry spectrum, including hotels, destinations and Pride events.
LATE PRIDE PARADE CANCELLATION INVESTIGATED:
- Pride Montreal, the organization that runs the city's annual celebration of LGBTQ communities, is conducting an internal investigation after it abruptly cancelled the official Pride parade on Sunday just hours before it was to take place.
LOUD AND PROUD: Amsterdam event returns after two years
- Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined Amsterdam’s historic canals on the weekend to celebrate Canal Parade, a Pride flotilla of 80 brightly decorated boats packed with people partying, singing, and waving rainbow flags, balloons, and umbrellas.
FCM TO HOST LGBTQ WEBINAR
- FCM will be hosting a live webinar on Wednesday (June 29) to culminate its “FCM Travels with Pride” campaign. Featuring industry experts and LGBTQ+ advocates, the free webinar will include insights about LGBTQ+ corporate traveller needs, resources for building an inclusive and intersectional travel program, as well as the opportunity for attendees to submit questions.
TRAVEL PROUD: The reality of LGBTQ travel today
- As Canadians celebrate Pride Month in June, new research from digital travel platform Booking.com reveals that 83% of Canadian LGBTQ travellers have experienced less than welcoming, or uncomfortable, experiences when travelling. At the same time, there are promising signs of change, with close to 90% also that the majority of their travel experiences are good.
SAN FRANCISCO GOES ALL OUT FOR PRIDE
- While diversity and inclusiveness are celebrated all year in San Francisco, the city goes all out in June for Pride Month with one of the largest Pride parades in North America and festivals, parties, and performances celebrating LGTBQ+ community and culture.
WHERE TO CELEBRATE FLORIDA PRIDE
- Despite some of its politicians, Florida takes pride in its status as a premiere LGBTQ-friendly travel destination, so it’s not surprising that the Sunshine state takes on a rainbow hue in June during Pride Month. As such, there are plenty of events planned across the state, from the Panhandle to the southern tip at Key West; here’s a look at some of them:
STRATEGIES FOR LGBTQ TOURISM: Prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion
- A new report from the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association Foundation (IGLTA) unpacks some of the key approaches to boosting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the tourism industry – and why it matters. And the report, “DEI Strategies for a Stronger Global Tourism Industry” is now available as a free resource for the travel trade.
R FAMILY VACATIONS:Where Everyone Under the Rainbow Is Welcome
- R Family Vacations was founded in 2003 by travel veterans Gregg Kaminsky and Kelli Carpenter as the first company to create vacations specifically for LGBTQ families and friends. The company has since expanded to offer many adult-only trips, including river cruise charters, tours, resort vacations and large group cruises. Demographics tend to be evenly split between genders, and everyone is openly welcomed.
PRIDE IN NEW STATUS: VoX International is now Rainbow Registered
- VoX International has announced its status as an officially Rainbow Registered organization. The destination marketing and PR firm says it is committed to inclusivity in all aspects of the travel industry and pledges to further adopt inclusive business practices moving forward. VoX recognizes the value of the LGBTQ+ traveller and believes there is a strong obligation to promote and encourage inclusivity.
‘IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE PASSED’:Disney says it will help repeal Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill:
- The Walt Disney Company issued a statement this week saying it will help repeal Florida’s controversial legislation, “Don’t Say Gay” bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
MUCH MORE THAN A PALACE AND A PIER: Brighton has lots to offer
- At first glance Brighton may seem like a typical British seaside town - but even in a short visit to this quirky, appealing resort you’ll discover plenty to see and do. Brighton has no shortage of attractions: The iconic Brighton Pier of course, and the opulent, Indian-inspired Brighton Pavilion – a palace built in the 1700s by a young Prince (later King) George as a decadent retreat from his London lifestyle. There are interesting museums and art, a beautiful beach, excellent restaurants, and plenty of pubs to relax and quench your thirst after an afternoon of shopping in the boho boutiques of the Lanes. Brighton Pride is hugely popular and is just one of the attractions for LGBT visitors.
SOUTHEAST SUMMIT SEEKS DIVERSITY, UNITY IN TRAVEL
- Tourism leaders from across the Southeast are gathering in Atlanta this week to explore more ways of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their travel planning. State tourism officials and groups from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia are among those in attendance at the 2022 Travel Unity Summit Southeast Tuesday through Friday in Brookhaven, Georgia.