A Guide to Supporting LGBT+ Student Travelers
With Pride Month underway, we’re thrilled to share that Boston Business Journal has included EdOdyssey on a list of the “Largest LGBT-Owned Businesses in Massachusetts” for the second year running.
We’ve jumped up 26 spots from our 2023 ranking, landing at number 37 this year, and we’re humbled to be among some incredible organizations, leaders and friends across countless fields and industries.
“EdOdyssey’s inclusion on this list, year after year, is something that I am particularly proud of,” said Peter McGovern, our President and Founder. “After coming out in my mid-twenties, my work as an educator took on even further meaning. Through EdOdyssey, I am determined to provide LGBT+ students with safe, inclusive ways to experience the world, understand their identities, and enrich their personal and professional lives.”
Supporting LGBT+ Student Travelers
In 2013, Pew Research shared that the median age a person came out about their sexual identity was 20. In 2022 data published by The Trevor Project, research now shows a trend toward coming out at a much younger age. In their study of 13-17-year-olds (an age that many of our faculty-led groups travel abroad) who identify as LGBT+, the average age a student came out was 13. Alongside this statistic, The Trevor Report also shared data showing that students who identify as LGBT+ are at higher risk of mental health issues.
So how can we support this growing community and ensure that their time abroad is enriching and inspiring?
We believe that the faculty leaders we work with to create custom programs can play an important role in providing students with a supportive, safe, and inclusive environment in which to experience the world as well as to explore their identities within the embrace of freedom that travel can offer us.
We’ll be there with help and guidance along the way, but below are a few suggestions that faculty leaders can take on board during each stage of the journey.
Before the Trip
LANGUAGE. Be sure to use inclusive language in communications and materials related to your trip.
INCLUSION. You may also wish to include items like SafeZone stickers or a rainbow flag on the paperwork related to the trip so students understand that they will be in an inclusive and safe environment.
CULTURAL NORMS. Research local laws, social attitudes, and cultural norms in your destination country in order to identify any potential risks or challenges that LGBT+ students may face. You may also wish to review any recent local news article related to the LGBT+ community.
PRE-DEPARTURE. Include an LGBT+ pre-departure session for all students in which you can share this research, allow students to ask questions, and give them an opportunity to identify any concerns. If possible, this session is best conducted by someone who shares a queer identity (and ideally by someone who has also traveled to the destination, or at least has traveled beyond the US borders).
ALUMNI. If possible, you might invite LGBT+ alumni (or other relevant guests) to speak with the group about their personal travel experiences.
MENTAL HEALTH. Speak to students about mental health and the resources available to support them if necessary.
CONTACT. Students should have a contact they feel comfortable reaching out to if they have further questions or concerns that they wish to discuss privately.
SAFE SPACE. Allow students a confidential space to share their gender identity or sexual orientation should they wish to do so before they travel.
CONFIDENTIALITY. Always respect a student’s privacy and keep conversations related to their identity confidential.
RESOURCES. Even if your trip revolves around a full itinerary with little free time, it’s useful to provide students with a list of local LGBT+ organizations, support networks, and safe spaces in the host destination.
EDUCATION. Educate yourself on the basics. For example, Loyola has published an introductory list of LGBT+ terms and definitions which is a useful place to start: https://www.loyola.edu/department/lgbtq-services/resources/lgbtq-terms-definitions.html. Your school may have other useful services, resources, or documents that they recommend.
During the Trip
ATMOSPHERE. Ensure there is an inclusive and respectful atmosphere within the group. Set expectations beforehand, as well as repeating them during orientation.
BEHAVIOR. Quickly and appropriately address any behavior that is not inclusive and respectful.
INCIDENTS. Keep a record of any incidents of discrimination or harassment and report these to your home institution.
CHECK IN. Check in regularly with all students, and create one-to-one opportunities for private conversations. Alongside these, ensure students know you are available and approachable at any time during the trip.
DIVERSITY. Celebrate diversity, and if you’re abroad during Pride Month, acknowledge it, reflect on any local commemorations with the students, and have fun!
After the Trip
DEBRIEF. Debrief with students so they can share their experiences and reflections on returning home.
MENTAL HEALTH. Ensure students know where they can reach out for mental health support if necessary.
FEEDBACK. Ask for feedback on the program, specifically regarding inclusivity and support for LGBT+ students.
ADVOCATES. Encourage students who are open to advocating for LGBT+ issues to share their experiences with future travelers.
STORYTELLING. We’d love to highlight your LGBT+ students who returned from a trip with a positive story to share. Please reach out and connect us if you have a student who would be interested in working with us to create content for Instagram (in exchange for a gift card) that would inspire future LGBT+ students to study abroad with confidence.
Resources
In a previous post, we shared more information that is relevant to LGBT+ students who travel abroad with us, as well as some resources on the topic. You can access these in the link below.
And our team is a resource for you too, on hand before, during and after your trip to answer questions and offer support and guidance to both you and your students.
“As an employer, I am proud to have created a work environment that supports and uplifts people of all identities. I'm really proud of the team at EdOdyssey,” Peter said. “Everyone is so committed and mindful of creating inclusive programs because we want students to authentically discover the world and we all know that happens best when each student is able to show up authentically. I wish I had this team supporting me when I was a student on my study abroad program.”
