For the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of covering LGBTQ and Pride travel for outlets like Travel + Leisure—stories that celebrate joy, community, and the power of queer presence in spaces across the globe. Travel can be a transformative force, and I believe in its ability to broaden minds, build empathy, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves.
But this year feels different.
Over the past few months, I’ve received invitations as a journalist to cover hotel packages and LGBTQ special events from major corporations, businesses, and travel brands. But I haven’t had the heart to accept.
Personally, I’m taking a step back from Pride travel coverage. It’s not because I don’t value the work, or that I think celebrating queer joy isn’t important—far from it. But in this current political climate, when LGBTQ+ rights are under relentless attack across the U.S. and beyond, I find myself needing to engage differently. For me, that means shifting my focus toward activism and advocacy, and away from hotel reviews and destination roundups.
This isn’t a judgment on other writers or publications continuing to spotlight Pride travel—many of them are doing essential work. But when I think about what’s needed right now, I struggle to see how a piece about a once-a-year drag brunch at a gay-friendly hotel meaningfully contributes to the fight we’re in. Visibility is vital, but so is intentionality—and for me, writing feel-good travel stories this season doesn’t feel aligned with the urgency of this moment.
It’s not about abandoning queer joy or the places that foster it. It’s about acknowledging the weight of what’s happening and allowing that to inform where I put my energy. There’s power in celebration, yes—but also in resistance, reflection, and rest.
To those who are writing about Pride travel right now: I respect your work, but it’s not for me. Not now. For those of us feeling pulled in a different direction, that’s okay too. There’s room for both joy and rage, movement and pause, party and protest.
This year, I’m choosing protest.