Jordan went on to explain that, beyond the obvious economic gains for communities celebrating Pride, the significance of these events is important in the advancement of LGBTQ+ culture. This spreads Pride’s economic impact beyond the local businesses where Pride is celebrated, stretching across whole cities and regions.” In my 2018 ETC survey of LGBTQ individuals from the US, China, Brazil and Russia, attending a Pride event was voted the top reason for flying long-haul to Europe. “As people seek to discover how Pride is celebrated in different parts of the world, they use it as a springboard to visit other local destinations, too. “In recent years, Pride has become a major motivator to travel,” Jordan explained. Peter Jordan, a celebrated researcher and the thought leader behind the UNWTO Global Report on LGBTQ Tourism, explains the trends he’s seen unfolding. Those who travel for Pride are able to connect with new communities and support the local economies around the world that host our events. These activities also allow the LGBTQ+ community to advance local queer culture in other ways, such as through cinema, art, music and sports. We are all able to drop our guard and celebrate openly at events created for us, by us. It’s an opportunity for allies to show their support. It is a reunion, a time of remembrance and the best party of the year. Pride has a deep, important history in the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s much more than just an event. She has also been a featured speaker at LGBTQ+ conferences around the world, has visited over 60 countries, and recently published her first book, Slacktivist: Using Digital Media to Create Change.
#INTERNATIONAL GAY PRIDE DAY 2021 PROFESSIONAL#
She is an award-winning LGBTQ travel content creator, CEO of EveryQueer, and has been a professional LGBTQ+ activist and subject matter expert since 2005. Author Meg Ten Eyck is a white, cisgender, queer woman based in the USA.