For the Black Queer Traveler Who Wants to Go Solo... But Not Alone
There’s a fantasy many of us have: the solo trip.
It’s a powerful and growing desire. According to a 2023 report from Solo Traveler World, 70% of solo travelers are women, and they are seeking self-discovery, radical independence, and the freedom to follow their own rhythm without compromise.
But for Black queer women and non-binary people, this fantasy is often accompanied by a very real and exhausting risk assessment. The dream of "solo" can quickly get tangled in the reality of "alone."
This isn't just a feeling; it's a documented reality. The travel industry itself acknowledges the disparity in experience. A 2021 report by the Black Travel Alliance revealed that over 70% of Black travelers have changed their travel plans due to concerns about safety or potential racial discrimination. Add to this the layer of queer identity. According to the 2023 ILGA World database, there are still over 60 countries that criminalize same-sex intimacy.
For us, these are not separate statistics. They are intersecting realities that force us to ask questions our counterparts may never consider. This is the heavy work that happens before we even book a flight, and it often leads to being:
Alone in a country where you don't speak the language.
Alone when facing a microaggression at a hotel check-in desk.
Alone when you just want someone to watch your bag while you use the restroom.
Alone at a dinner table for one, wishing you had someone to laugh with about the day's adventures.
Alone in navigating spaces that may not be safe for your Blackness, your queerness, or your gender identity.
The desire for a transformative travel experience shouldn't require you to sacrifice your sense of safety or your need for connection. You shouldn't have to choose between freedom and security.
We believe you can have both.
Introducing the "Supported Solo" Travel Model
A Lesbifriends trip is designed for the person who craves the spirit of solo travel but thrives in the warmth of community. It’s a unique hybrid that gives you the best of both worlds.
Think of it this way: you book your spot as an individual, embarking on your own personal journey. But from the moment you arrive, you are woven into the fabric of a chosen family.
1. Freedom Within a Framework
You get your own room, your own bed, your own space to decompress. Our itineraries are intentionally balanced with structured group activities and ample free time. Want to spend an afternoon reading by the pool while others go exploring? Perfect. Want to opt out of a morning activity to sleep in? We encourage you to listen to your body. You have the autonomy to curate your own experience, with the comfort of knowing there’s a plan and a community waiting for you when you want it.
2. The Mental Load, Lifted
The most draining part of solo travel happens before you even leave. Psychologists refer to the exhaustion from making too many choices as "decision fatigue." This is the endless research, the booking of every single transfer and tour, and the anxiety of navigating a new place. We take all of that off your plate. Our team handles the logistics, the planning, and the on-the-ground support. Your only job is to show up, be present, and enjoy yourself. This frees up your mental and emotional energy for what really matters: connection and restoration.
3. A Built-In Safety Net of Sisters
The true power of this model is the community—the direct antidote to the risks outlined in those travel reports. Imagine wanting to try a local restaurant but feeling hesitant to go alone. With us, you can post in the trip's group chat, "Anyone up for dinner at 8?" and instantly have a table full of new friends. This isn't just about physical safety; it's about emotional safety. It’s the profound comfort of knowing you are surrounded by people who share your lived experience. You don't have to explain yourself. You don't have to code-switch. You can simply be.
Your Journey, Your Way, With Your People.
You don't have to put your travel dreams on hold waiting for a friend's schedule to align with yours. You don't have to brave the world completely on your own to prove your independence.
You can answer the call to adventure on your own terms, knowing you'll land in a space of immediate belonging and unwavering support. This is the future of travel for our community: solo, but never alone.
