We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Rainbow Railroad – a charity helping LGBTQI+ people escape violence and find safety. In this post, we share why this cause means so much to us and how you can help make a life-saving difference.
When Seby and I first started traveling together, one of our biggest worries was whether we’d be safe holding hands in public. In some places, the answer was a resounding yes. In others…let’s just say we became experts at the ‘bro handshake' real quick.
As gay travelers, we’ve always had the privilege of choosing where we go. But for so many LGBTQI+ people around the world, it’s not about where to vacation, it’s about how to survive. That’s why we’re so proud to announce that we’re brand ambassadors for Rainbow Railroad, a life-changing charity that helps LGBTQI+ people escape violence and persecution simply for being who they are.
This isn’t just something we support. It’s something we feel. On our travels, we’ve met queer people forced to live in secrecy, fear, or exile. We’ve also seen what freedom and safety can look like when the world steps up.
So today, we’re using our platform not just to share pretty beaches and romantic sunsets (though we still love a good beach shot), but to shine a light on this incredible organization and to ask you to consider donating to them.
Who is Rainbow Railroad?
Rainbow Railroad is a global nonprofit that helps LGBTQI+ people escape persecution and find safety.
Inspired by the Underground Railroad, they’ve helped thousands of queer folks around the world flee life-threatening situations, whether it’s state-sponsored violence, criminalization, or targeted attacks just for being who they are.
The Rainbow Railroad mission is simple but powerful: no one should have to live in fear because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As gay travelers, we’ve seen first-hand how wildly different the experience of being queer can be depending on where you are in the world. Rainbow Railroad steps in when those differences become a matter of life or death.
How Rainbow Railroad Works
Rainbow Railroad does way more than just book a flight and hope for the best (although wouldn’t it be nice if it were that simple?). The Rainbow Railwork team works behind the scenes to assess each case, provide emergency travel support, connect people with safe housing, legal assistance, and even mental health services.
They collaborate with local partners and activists on the ground, often in places where being LGBTQI+ is criminalized, to find safe pathways out. In 2023 alone, they received over 15,000 requests for help. Let that sink in for a moment.
Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that literally saves lives. It all runs on the power of community: people like us (and you!) stepping up to say: everyone deserves safety!
Rainbow Railroad also attends gay events around the world to highlight the good work they do.
How To Donate To Rainbow Railroad
This is where you come in. Rainbow Railroad’s work is only possible thanks to donations from everyday allies who believe in a safer, more compassionate world. Whether it’s the cost of a visa, a plane ticket, or temporary shelter. Every contribution goes directly toward helping someone escape danger and start a new life.
If you’ve ever traveled and felt the joy of being free to be yourself, imagine giving that same freedom to someone whose life depends on it.
No amount is too small. Seriously, skip one overpriced airport coffee and you’ve already made a difference!
We’ve set up a special donation page where you can learn more and support the life-saving work of Rainbow Railroad:
