(picture by torbakhopper 2012 http://flic.kr/p/didgDi)

A little over a year ago my partner, Karen, and I resigned from our jobs as educators to follow my dream of starting a travel company bringing travellers to New Zealand, my home county. New Zealand is such a stunning country, magnificent scenery, friendly people, unique wildlife, great food and wine, and I’m completely passionate about it. I’m also an avid traveller. During my 20s, I lived and worked in Japan, England, and Hungary, back-packed through Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel, China, Macau, Hong Kong, and Singapore, cycle-toured through Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, and travelled in numerous more countries for shorter trips. I was bitten hard by the travel bug at a time when most of the world was safe for a woman to put a back pack on her back and head off into the unknown. I loved every minute of it. Now I’m in my 40s, it’s a natural fit that I would want to share my passions of both traveling and New Zealand with others from around the world.

We were pretty sure we wanted to serve the LGBT community in our new venture. We weren’t sure if there was a need for a New Zealand LGBT travel company given New Zealand is pretty gay-friendly, so we asked the following questions.

Why wouldn’t LGBT travellers looking to join a group tour just travel with one of the numerous other NZ travel companies available?

Well… I think many do! However, here’s my take on that question. In 2008 Karen and I went on a cruise of Alaska with my mother – her dream trip. Every night we cringed at the thought of whom we’d end up sharing dinner with (random seating each night) and how they would react to us. The worst night was the homophobic, socially conservative, right-wing Christian who thought he had the right to condemn us. It’s what most of us dread, right? Certainly we didn’t really care what they thought of us, but it was hardly a fun evening! If only we’d been on an Olivia cruise!

How would we differ from established tour operators who are ‘gay-friendly’?

Some companies will show up as ‘gay-friendly’ on a google search, or in the ‘Gay Tours’ category of web listings, but when you visit their website, there is nothing identifying them as being gay-friendly. As a lesbian traveller, that’s a pet peeve of mine! Are they really gay-friendly? Or just after my pink dollars?

By boldly stating that we are an LGBT travel company, everyone travelling with us knows this. There is no risk of being forced into travelling with the likes of, God forbid, a certain Kentucky County Clerk!

Aren’t there already plenty of other LGBT Travel Companies in New Zealand?

Short answer here! I found two. Neither offering all the services we are, especially small group trips for LGBT travellers.

Will gay-friendly straight travellers join us?

Of course! We love hanging out with our straight friends and really enjoy the mix and energy of everyone when we all get together. We know there are plenty of straight allies out there who will enjoy traveling with us.

On a personal level, why is it important to serve the LGBT community?

Throughout the world, the fight for equality is still not over. Just look at Kentucky and the huge numbers of supporters she has (I can’t bear to mention her name on our site). Not to mention the numerous countries that still criminalise homosexuality.

We are so fortunate in New Zealand and Massachusetts (where we spend part of each year), and we don’t take for granted the rights we now enjoy in our lives thanks to countless courageous LGBT folks who have paved the way for generations before us. Not only would it feel right to honour them by taking care of LGBT travellers in New Zealand, we also want to ensure those who are still in the midst of the fight can have a true vacation free from that kind of persecution.

Debbie at Boston Gay Marriage Rally, 2006

So that’s who we are. A travel company committed to ensuring that everyone has an amazing travel experience.

LGBT or straight, what do you think? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this.