The LGBTQ Travel Influencers up for a Gay Travel Award
Every year The Gay Travel Awards support and promote LGBT+ travel and tourism by awarding top inclusive and welcoming destinations, properties, and events. In addition to hospitality excellence, the awards honor the top LGBT+ travel influencers. This year's nominees include Out Traveler contributors Barry Hoy (AsianMapleLeaf, left with his boyfriend host of Gay Travel Today, Teraj) and Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode.
Meet (and follow links to vote for) the LGBTQ+ travel influencers below.
Nomadic Boys
Nomadic Boys is the travel blog of Stefan Arestis and Sebastien Chaneac who have been traveling together for over a decade. Stefan is a Greek Cypriot, born in London. Sebastien is from Lyon in France. Vote for Nomadic Boys.
Omar Takes Pix
"My name is Omar, I’m from Manchester in the U.K. and currently living in Toronto with my partner Matt, our pup Yvie and our 60+ houseplants! I identify as nonbinary and use he/ they pronouns. As a South Asian person, growing up gay was super challenging for me. My family are Muslim so I never thought the life I’m living right now would be attainable for me. With my social platforms, I’m aiming to be as visible as possible so that kids from similar backgrounds can see that a successful and happy life, full of love is attainable, something I wish I could have seen when I was young. I also strive to advocate for the most marginalized members of our community, partnering with organizations here in Canada to better the lives of queer folx of colour especially Black and brown trans people." Vote for Omar Takes Pix.
Once Upon a Journey
Roxanne and Maartje are a Dutch lesbian couple behind the LGBT travel blog Once Upon A Journey. For three years, they were fully nomadic, and traveled all around the world, but they are Amsterdam based again as of 2020. With their work they hope to help other LGBT folks travel the world safely. Vote for Once Upon a Journey.
Ravi Round the World
Ravi Roth tells Out Traveler: "I have trekked the globe as a blogger, vlogger, content creator and influencer, exploring the queer culture in over 30 countries with my queer travel brand Ravi Round The World. I fearlessly capture and discover where to stay, play, eat, work out, sites to see, and the queer history from the locals in each destination."
Roth is the host of the new YoutTube series Gaycation Travel Show. Vote for Ravi Round the World.
Timothy Cappelli
Timothy Cappelli is a production manager, living in Pittsburgh, best known to his 150,000 Instagram followers for his shirtless selfies. Vote for Timothy Cappelli.
Asian Maple Leaf
Barry Hoy, also known as Asian Maple Leaf, is a Canadian transplanted in New York City and a travel, food, and lifestyle writer who showcases great destinations, local experiences, and must see (#bucketlist) places around the world. Travel is his passion, so he is always on the road or up in the air. If he’s not travelling, he’s most likely already planning his next trip. Vote for Asian Maple Leaf.
On Airplane Mode
On Airplane Mode is the blog of Kirstie and Christine, a lesbian couple from New York City, who say they are "capturing the world one photo at a time. We hope to inspire and drive awareness for LGBTQ+ communities worldwde to follow their passion all while celebrating who they are and who they love." Vote for On Airplane Mode.
Michael and Matt
Michael and Matt call themselves "Two travel-obsessed husbands" from Portland, Oregon, and say, "We are sharing our stories to bring you the best of the best in LGBTQ+ travel destinations, gay travel tips, hints, and advice from local guides and the experts themselves!" The couple met in 2014 over coming out YouTube videos, and instantly bonded. Michael flew out to visit Matt in Seattle. Then Matt moved to Nebraska for a number of years to be with Michael while he finished dental school. Now married, Michael works full-time as a dentist, and Matt works as a full-time freelance photographer and writer; but they still make time for travel. Vote for Michael & Matt.
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