My LGBTQ+ lived experience is what allows me to advocate authentically and unapologetically for my LGBTQ+ travelers. I don’t check a box because a resort waves a rainbow flag, and I don’t take another professional’s word for it that a hotel, vendor, or service provider is “LGBTQ+ friendly.” I personally vet every partner I recommend.

That means before I ever send a couple to a destination, I’ve confirmed for myself that they will be genuinely welcomed, safe, and free to be their true selves — abroad and at home. This isn’t a marketing angle for me. It’s how I was trained to travel, and it’s the standard I hold every single itinerary to.

Why a Rainbow Flag Isn’t Enough

A flag on a website costs nothing. It takes no investment, no accountability, and no ongoing relationship to display one. Over the years, the travel industry has learned that LGBTQ+ travelers are a valuable market — and marketing has followed the money. But marketing and safety are not the same thing.

I’ve seen “LGBTQ+ friendly” listings that meant nothing once a couple checked in. I’ve heard the stories: the awkward pause at the front desk, the request to move rooms, the vendor who was warm on the phone and cold in person. Those experiences don’t show up in a directory. They show up in real time, for real couples, on what should be one of the best trips of their lives.

That gap between what’s advertised and what’s actually true is exactly why I built my process the way I did.

What Personal Vetting Actually Looks Like

I don’t rely on secondhand assurances. Before a resort, hotel, or vendor makes it onto my recommended list, I look at:

• How staff are trained to interact with LGBTQ+ guests, not just what the brand says publicly
• Whether the destination’s local laws and cultural climate genuinely support safety, not just tourism-board messaging
• Direct feedback from LGBTQ+ travelers and colleagues who have experienced the property firsthand
• How the vendor handles the small details — room configurations, wedding officiant language, photography direction — that either affirm a couple or quietly erase them

This is ongoing work, not a one-time checklist. A property that was welcoming two years ago can change with new ownership or management. I re-verify, not just verify once and move on.

Why This Matters for Destination Weddings Specifically

A wedding is not a trip you can redo. If a couple arrives at a destination expecting to be celebrated and instead finds themselves navigating discomfort or discretion, that’s not a minor inconvenience — it’s the loss of an experience they can never get back.

That’s why my vetting standard exists at every level of the planning process: the resort, the officiant, the photographer, the transportation, even the small local vendors involved in a ceremony. Every one of them has to meet the same bar — genuine welcome, real safety, and space for a couple to be exactly who they are.

The Standard, Not the Slogan

I hold credentials that reflect this commitment — LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist, LGBTQ+ Wedding Certified through the Equality Institute, and membership with both DWHSA and IGLTA. But credentials are the floor, not the ceiling. What actually protects my couples is the work behind the scenes: the calls I make, the questions I ask, the properties I say no to.

My lived experience is what makes this personal. My process is what makes it reliable. Together, that’s what authentic advocacy looks like — not a symbol, but a standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you vet LGBTQ+-friendly resorts and vendors?

I evaluate staff training, local legal and cultural climate, direct traveler feedback, and how vendors handle the specific details that affect LGBTQ+ couples — before any property or vendor is added to my recommended list.

Is a resort with a rainbow flag or LGBTQ+ marketing automatically safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?

Not necessarily. Marketing signals and lived guest experience can differ significantly, which is why personal vetting matters more than branding alone.

Do you re-check vendors after you’ve already approved them?

Yes. Ownership, management, and staff can change, so I re-verify partners rather than treating one approval as permanent.

Does this vetting process apply to domestic destinations too?

Yes. The same standard applies whether a couple is traveling abroad or celebrating within the United States.

What credentials support this LGBTQ+ travel advocacy?

LGBTQ+ Romance Travel Specialist certification, LGBTQ+ Wedding Certified status through the Equality Institute (May 2026), and membership with DWHSA and IGLTA.