Innovative Tech Tools and Apps Are Enhancing LGBTQ Travel Experiences

The rich history of the LGBTQ community is deeply intertwined with the quest for safe spaces, places that offer shared experiences and security—locations where queer individuals, like myself, can truly be themselves.

“It’s inherent in us to seek out others who resemble us,” states Ed Salvato, a tourism expert at New York University. “What can often bridge gaps between diverse cultures, languages, or beliefs is our shared queerness,” he explains.

Despite significant progress toward inclusivity in recent years, the demand for dedicated physical spaces for LGBTQ individuals remains essential. A recent survey by Booking.com revealed that 74 percent of trans travelers regard some destinations as unsafe.

“When we travel, it’s crucial to have safe spaces for all marginalized genders within the queer community,” notes Erica Rose, writer/director and co-creator of The Lesbian Bar Project, a Roku documentary series. This show highlights the dwindling number of lesbian bars in the U.S., with only a few dozen left compared to the hundreds from decades past. In fact, LGBTQ bars are facing closures, with listings declining by 41 percent from 2002 to 2019, according to one study.

While physical venues may be diminishing, a vibrant digital landscape of LGBTQ apps is thriving. Grindr is perhaps the most recognized, partly due to its connection with hookup culture. Other identity-focused apps like Her and Lex are essential tools for how LGBTQ individuals connect with and navigate the world.

Numerous Lex users log in to inquire about the latest cultural or LGBTQ+ events in a specific city or to seek out recommendations. Austin Konkle, the app's head of growth marketing, notes, “Users can form online connections prior to meeting face-to-face, even if there are no physical spaces reflecting their identity at their destination.”

Grindr has become my primary travel app, and I receive a flood of welcome messages every time I update my profile to say I’m ‘visiting.’ Over time, I’ve gathered suggestions for accommodations in Baja California, Mexico, and dining spots in Bogotá, Colombia, among other locations.

Recently, Grindr unveiled a new feature called Roam, which allows users to choose a new location for their profile for up to an hour, enabling them to connect and engage with local users prior to their trip, as stated by the company.

Mara Herbkersman and Emily Bielagus, the co-owners of the Ruby Fruit wine bar in Los Angeles catering to lesbians, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and transgender individuals, emphasize the importance of both digital and physical spaces. Herbkersman states, “While online presence is fantastic for accessibility, human interaction is essential. We can’t solely exist online; that’s not feasible.”

A version of this article first appeared in the June 2024 edition of Dinogo under the title "Finding Your People."