On recent family holiday to Wales, a glamping trip near Cardigan Bay, my six-year-old daughter challenged another parent to ‘guess if she had a daddy’.
The mother looked a little unsure of what to say but handled it well and replied, ‘I guess you don’t have a daddy if these are your two mums?’
‘Correct!’ said my daughter and then tried to get my wife to demonstrate her impression of a Welsh accent for the other parent, which ended up being far more humiliating (and hilarious).
When you travel as an LGTBQ+ family, you always have to be prepared to be ‘outed’ by your children in the most beautiful and innocent ways, which means it’s best to avoid travelling to destinations where you could be at risk of intolerance or even anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. In short, ‘flying under the radar’ doesn’t work – and why should you have to? That definitely isn’t the messaging I would want my daughter to absorb – we all want to travel the world in an open and proud way. There’s no room for shame but this also means choosing your vacation destination wisely, as unfortunately not everywhere is equally progressive.
Stu Oakley, co-author of The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze, says: ‘My husband and I love to travel and having three children hasn’t stopped us. On one of our recent trips to Malta I took a moment to stop and be so proud of our children waiting patiently in line for security as they now know the systems and processes it takes to get from A to B. Choosing where to go as a queer family can at first feel a little overwhelming, though. Where can, or can’t, we go because of laws?’
He also notes that just because a destination is ‘gay friendly’ it doesn’t mean the hotspots are suitable for kids. ‘Many LGBTQ+ “friendly” destinations are geared towards hot young singletons. For example, earlier this year when we ventured to Gran Canaria for a spot of winter sun, we decided to check out the gay beach. “It would be nice to feel super comfortable,” we thought, but when we turned up we realised everyone around us was EXTREMELY comfortable, and we quickly turned around shielding our children’s eyes from the many wangs proudly on display.’
What advice does Stu give when it comes to booking a queer family holiday? He says: ‘Overall it doesn’t feel there are many specific ‘queer family’ friendly destinations so we end up just going places we feel safe and secure and tend to keep ourselves to ourselves by renting private villas. Our best ‘queer’ family holiday experience is making our own LGBTQ+ family paradise wherever we stay. My daughter rocking out poolside to Beyoncé mega mixes, my sons doing backflips whilst the latest Chappell Roan album plays, and my husband and I laying back with Aperols in the hot sun feeling comfortable, relaxed and alone.’
Kellie Birkett, Intrepid’s family product manager, understands that going on holiday as an LGBTQ+ family can ‘present some challenges.’ ‘You have to take into consideration local laws and cultures,’ she says. ‘Make sure you do your research before booking to find out how friendly the destination is to LGBTQ+ families and only travel to places you feel truly comfortable going to. It’s advisable to have all your parental documentation on hand while travelling, such as a birth certificate or adoption papers.’
Iceland is one of the top and safest LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world, ranking number two on the Rainbow Map Index for Europe, which looks at 49 European countries’ legal and policy practices for LGBTQ+ people. Equal adoption and IVF rights were extended to LGBTQ+ couples here in 2006. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2010.
Thailand has recently been in the news for being the newest country, and first in South East Asia, to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption rights. The law was passed in June 2024 and will come into effect from January 2025. Finland is also openly LGBTQ+ friendly – same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption are legal, and the country is ranked number six on the Rainbow Map Index. Helsinki and Rovaniemi also hold annual Pride festivals.
5 LGBTQ-friendly family holidays from Intrepid
Bringing together a mix of adventure and education, highlights of this Iceland trip include exploring the Golden Circle, visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, meeting Icelandic horses and watching real lava flow in Vik. Families will check out iconic landmarks like Strokkur Geyser and Gullfoss Waterfall, and kids will even get to make their own wool monster. With opportunities to enjoy the aurora borealis or midnight sun, this holiday promises memorable experiences for both kids and adults.
This family adventure across Thailand explores the best of the country, from Bangkok’s temples and canals to Kanchanaburi’s historical sites and Erawan Waterfall. Families will visit the Chang Chill elephant sanctuary, spend the night at a homestay in Phrom Lok and cruise the serene Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park. The trip wraps up with free time in Krabi and the beaches of Phuket, offering a mix of cultural immersion, nature and relaxation.
Perfect for the festive season, this winter family holiday at the top of Finland offers magical experiences, such as meeting Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, sledding with huskies, visiting a reindeer farm and tree-hugging in the Halipuu Forest. Families will enjoy the beauty of Lapland’s snow-covered landscapes, with opportunities for Arctic cocooning and possibly witnessing the aurora borealis. The journey begins in Helsinki with a visit to the Heureka science centre, followed by an overnight ride on the Santa Claus Express to the Arctic Circle.
Designed for teenagers, this South African safari promises wildlife encounters, cultural immersion and scenic wonders. Highlights include game drives in Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, kayaking in Kosi Bay and visiting a Zulu village. Families will camp under the stars, explore Blyde River Canyon and venture into Hlane National Park in Eswatini. The trip balances adventure, cultural insights and the chance to spot Africa’s iconic “Big Five” animals in the wild.
This family adventure around Costa Rica offers immersive experiences in nature and culture. Highlights include hiking through Arenal National Park, exploring the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a canopy walk and relaxing in thermal springs. Families stay with a local community to harvest produce and cook traditional meals and finish the trip with a visit to the wildlife-rich Manuel Antonio National Park, where jungle meets pristine beaches.
Browse Intrepid’s collection of 50 family holidays for you and your crew.
