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Traveling for members of the LGBTQ+ community can be an astounding experience. That said, it can also present its fair share of challenges.
True, most cities and nations worldwide are increasingly welcoming and accepting of this community, but finding comfortable and safe places to stay can still be tough.
That’s why all members of the LGBTQ+ community must learn how to find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb. Lucky for you, that’s all we’ll be doing in today’s guide.
Below, you’ll find the steps you can take to find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb accommodations wherever you travel in the world.
But before we delve deeper into the guide, you ought to understand Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy.
What is Airbnb’s Non-Discrimination Policy?
An essential step when it comes to finding LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb is understanding Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy.
The company has strict policies against discrimination.
They’ve also made it clear that they strive to create welcoming, inclusive, and safe environments for all hosts and guests.
Their goal is to ensure no one gets discriminated against because of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics.
Note that this non-discrimination policy applies to every aspect of the Airbnb platform.
This includes the property listing, the booking processes, and even the interactions between hosts and guests.
Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy goes on to state that all hosts and guests must treat one another with dignity and respect.
And that the company will not tolerate any forms of harassment and/or discrimination.
What’s more? Airbnb has taken additional measures to ensure it’s welcoming and inclusive to those wondering how to find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb solutions.
For instance, the firm is partnering with multiple LGBTQ-related organizations and has launched multiple initiatives to support LBTQ travelers.
These initiatives include the “Open Homes” program, which offers subsidized and free housing to LGBTQ+ members during pride events.
5 Ways to Find LGBTQ-Friendly Airbnb
With Airbnb’s non-discrimination policy in mind, let’s skip to the next section and answer your question.
1. Try Finding Keywords in the Airbnb Listing
The first important step to help you find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb is finding specific keywords in the listing’s description.
Most pro-inclusive hosts will usually mention that they welcome LGBTQ guests and their home is friendly to the community.
You should also try finding more general terms. For instance, some obvious keywords to snoop for include open-mindedness, tolerance, inclusiveness, and diversity.
Additional, but less common, terms to look for include “LGBTQ-friendly” and “Gay-friendly.”
The availability of these keywords in listings will give you a sense of whether the host supports the LGBTQ community.
Once you’ve found homes that appear to be a perfect fit, it’s time to read through the whole listing’s description.
Go through the “House Rules” section and make sure that the host’s expectations align with your lifestyle.
This brings us to the step when trying to find LGBT-friendly Airbnb.
2. Read What Previous Guests Have to Say in the Reviews
Reading the reviews left by previous guests is another essential step that’ll help you find an LGBTQ-friendly home.
They’re easily the best way to get valuable insights into the host’s views on inclusiveness and diversity.
While reading these reviews, ensure you pay more attention to comments left behind by fellow LGBTQ travelers.
These comments and reviews will usually have more nuanced perspectives on the home’s suitability for members of the LGBTQ community.
Also, check whether these fellow travelers can tell you anything regarding the host’s perception.
If the home has positive reviews from fellow travelers, it’s the perfect indication you’ll also love it.
However, if the home boasts an uncomfortable number of negative inclusivity-related reviews, move on and find a different property.
Going on with such a property could end up proving an unwelcoming and hostile experience.
Also worth noting; while reading reviews, watch out for language barriers and cultural differences. The true meaning behind the comments might be hidden behind these two factors.
For instance, some homes’ hosts might use phrases or words that aren’t familiar to you.
In these cases, do your research and understand what every non-sensical word in the listings or reviews is saying.
3. Contact the Host Prior to Booking
Thirdly, contacting the home’s host before committing to the booking is always a great idea.
Use this opportunity to ask any questions you might have and get a better comprehension of the host’s views.
This will also be the perfect opportunity to discuss all specific concerns or needs you might have as an LGBTQ traveler.
To contact the host, head to the listing’s page on Airbnb and find the link labeled “Contact Host.” Next, send a message to the host detailing every question you might have.
It’s also a great idea to be straightforward and ask the home’s host regarding their views on inclusion and diversity.
Do you get a hint that the host isn’t forthcoming in any sense of the word? It’s best to look for a different property that best aligns with your personal preferences and values.
4. Does the Home Have Any Inclusive Amenities?
Another go-to trick when wondering how to find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb is to find homes with inclusive amenities.
That includes amenities like access to safe spaces, gender-neutral bathrooms, and more.
Gender-neutral bathrooms, in particular, are becoming quite common and are a perfect indicator of LGBTQ-friendliness.
These ensure that every guest, regardless of gender, will feel respected and comfortable in their space.
A property that has a gender-neutral bathroom is also likelier to have additional inclusive amenities.
What about access to safe spaces? This refers to designated areas within the property where guests feel accepted, secure, and accepted, regardless of identity.
Safe spaces you can look for in such properties include LGBTQ bars and community centers. Inclusive and welcoming common areas are also a great sign.
If you go ahead with your booking and check-in, take note of how the host treats their guests. If you encounter any issues and/or discrimination, report the host to Airbnb right away.
Airbnb will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, including removing the host from their platform permanently.
And also remember that Airbnb prohibits all hosts on their platform from ever denying a guest accommodation.
That’s regardless of the guest’s gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or any other aspect of their identity.
5. Consider Alternative Solutions, Such as Third-Party Platforms
Finally, you can also find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb is to go for 3rd party platforms, like Gay B&B and misterb&b.
The two are specifically designed to serve LGBTQ travelers.
To do that, the platforms will connect LGBTQ guests with hosts who’re supportive and welcoming to all things LGBTQ.
Hosts on these 3rd –party platforms also comprehend the unique concerns and needs of LGBTQ members.
Another advantage of third-party platforms is they usually have their own dedicated ratings and review systems.
Since the sites are dedicated to LGBTQ members, every review in there should be more helpful and informative.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, the answer to “how to find LGBTQ-friendly Airbnb” is a straightforward process.
Provided you know where to look and what to look for, you shouldn’t have any issues. Instead, you should rest assured you’ll have an enjoyable and positive travel experience.
Remember, understanding Airbnb’s policy, looking for specific keywords, reading reviews, and directly contacting the host is all it often takes.
So follow those steps to find properties that are inclusive and welcoming to the rainbow community.
