Earlier this month, we presented Travel With Pride — a webinar that examined the intersection of travel and the LGBTQ+ and ally experience. At Skyscanner, we’ve been on our journey with Pride and LGBTQ+ inclusion for the last four years, and couldn’t have been more excited to bring it to life in this way.
As with everything else this year, Pride has looked really different. This time of change and uncertainty has been a struggle for so many of us. But one positive outcome from it all is that it has forced us to take a step back and remember what’s truly important — things like standing up for equality, supporting the communities that need it most and amplifying voices that need to be heard.
Pride began as a protest against the marginalisation of LGBTQ+ people. Over the past 50 years, we have made incredible progress towards equality — but by no means are we there yet. Being LGBTQ+ is still illegal in 72 countries of 195 across the world, and same-sex marriage has only been introduced in 29. The marginalisation of trans and LGBTQ+ people of colour is still omnipresent, whether regarding healthcare, housing, employment or protections from discrimination. And of course — in the context of this particular event — travel.
The LGBTQ+ community has a greater frequency of travel and higher spending patterns than non-LGBTQ+ people. There is also data to suggest that, post-COVID, the LGBTQ+ community will be some of the first to return to travel. Despite this, there are still unique barriers and obstacles to travel as an LGBTQ+ person. That’s why we created Travel With Pride.
Hosted by Jenna Howieson, founder of Skyscanner’s Pride Network and Head of Inclusion and Diversity, the webinar took place over four hours and dove into a series of panels and conversations with some incredible LGBTQ+ travel influencers and experts. Topics ranged from the nuances and obstacles of lesbian travel to the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the travel industry to the impact of COVID-19 on travel and the LGBTQ+ community.
If you missed the event — or wish to relive it — below are each of our Travel With Pride webinar recordings for your viewing pleasure.
The importance of lesbian travel
We sat down with Roxanne and Maartje (@onceuponajrny), Shanna and Gabi (@27travels) and Aisha and Alexia (@thequeernomads) to discuss the experiences, challenges and importance of lesbian travel. We examined how travel research can vary depending on your identity, what’s important for the travel industry to understand about LGBTQ+ travel and which destinations tend to offer the warmest welcomes.
COVID-19 and the LGBTQ+ community
Meg Ten Eyck (@megteneyck) and Athena Dion (@athenadion) discussed the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ+ businesses, travel and the community at large. Tune in to get their perspectives on the future of LGBTQ+ travel and to learn more about how you can support local LGBTQ+ businesses and the community during this global pandemic.
LGBTQ+ representation in travel
We talked to Sion and Ben (@theglobetrotterguys), Josh Vasquez (@skyscanner) and Aisha Shaibu (@moonlight_experiences) about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the marketing and travel sectors, all year round. Learn more about what we can all do to ensure better LGBTQ+ representation and how to spot a genuine campaign versus pinkwashing.
How to be an LGBTQ+ ally
We sat down with Max (@theyrequeer), Tash and Marthe (@_breakingthedistance), Deborah Smith (@skyscanner) and Maria Angarita (@skyscanner) to talk about allyship and what it means from an LGBTQ+ lens. The panel shared their ideas surrounding what we can all do at work, with friends, as organisations and in public to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalised groups.
Travelling with Pride in 2020 and beyond
Pride looked different this year — there’s no doubt about that — but seeing such an iconic and vibrant celebration move online has been nothing short of inspiring. We hope our Travel With Pride webinar has helped to inspire your Pride celebrations and perspectives, and we hope its success leads to many similar Skyscanner events in the future.
Thanks for tuning in, and of course, have a happy Pride!
Want to read more?
- Pride isn’t cancelled this year: Roxanne and Maartje of Once Upon a Journey explore what this year’s Pride will look like, what Pride means to them, and how we can all celebrate from home together.
- Coronavirus travel advice: our regularly updated post on the coronavirus and its effects on travel.
- Dream destinations: 13 extraordinary places to visit when you can rediscover to the world of travel.
