Inclusive — not just friendly There’s an expression that has forever haunted me when it comes to traveling: “gay friendly.” I always hated that. “Gay friendly” — what does that even mean? “Friendly” like you’ll say hi to me?
Or “friendly” like you won’t spit at me or worse? Am I welcome, or am I tolerated? Is my being gay even an issue in any sense?
Because, if it is, I’m not sure that’s really “friendly” at all. I began traveling a great deal in 2006 because of my writing.
It was then that I became increasingly conscious of this issue. My girlfriend and I would step up to the front desk of a hotel, and the clerk would say, “Oh, I’m so sorry.