If you’re an LGBTQ travel writer, are interested in becoming one or just want to understand more about how media coverage works, you won’t want to miss this video of four seasoned experts talking about the latest trends. The world has changed, and so has LGBTQ travel writing and journalism.
I moderated this panel presentation — “The Evolution of LGBTQ Travel Writing” — at the NLGJA National Convention, which took place at the Drake Hotel in Chicago and attracted hundreds of members of the NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists. I was joined by a panel of experts with years of experience as LGBTQ travel writers: Michael Luongo, an award-winning journalist who has written for The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and The Advocate, among other outlets, and Jerry Nunn, who writes for the Windy City Times and his own site, Nunn On the Run.
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DON’T MISS: 5 Ways to Profit with the LGBTQ+ Travel Segment
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In addition, we were joined by Gustavo Rivas-Solis, a media relations expert with ENroute Communications, who provided perspectives about LGBTQ travel from the point of view of public relations professionals, tourism organizations, hoteliers and other travel industry suppliers.
In this presentation, we discuss the top trends that are affecting how LGBTQ travel writers are doing their job, and what it’s really like to be a gay travel writer today. We addressed an array of topics, including:
• The “mainstreaming” of LGBTQ travel reporting in major media and its affect on LGBTQ-specific media
• The evolution and challenges of hosted press trips
• How to get invited on press trips
• How to create travel story pitches that sell
• How to use social media effectively and whether you need to be a social media influencer to be relevant as a travel writer today.
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VERY COOL: How to Tell Your Life Story by Creating Your Own Personal Route Map
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This was one of the most interesting and informative panels I’ve done in a while, and it was a pleasure to share my own experiences as a gay travel writer while also learning from the expertise of the other panelists and the audience. (I also enjoyed two brief interruptions during the panel: first, when someone’s phone sounded with a loud and wonderfully lewd whistle, which I took as a compliment, and then when somehow someone’s personal phone conversation started airing over our loudspeakers. Gotta love technology!)
Chicago was one of my stops as I make the rounds to promote my new book, Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles. To be honest, I was disappointed that I didn’t get accepted to also speak at the Printer’s Row LitFest. But at least I got to do this very cool panel — and there are more book-specific events coming up in New York City, Albany, Rochester and Louisville. You can stay on top of my upcoming events here — and if you’re in the New York City area, I hope you’ll come to my book launch party in Manhattan on September 21!
I’m a travel writer, travel blogger and Mexico travel specialist, and I love sharing travel tips to make your next vacation or business trip better. My new memoir was just published: Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles. Please click and check it out!
Please feel free to share your comments, experiences and questions about Mexico travel and Latin America travel and vacations!
You can also follow my travels on Instagram and on my YouTube channel, so you won’t miss any of my travel tips or travel videos. ¡Buen viaje!