As the summer approaches, a team of experts have come up with some top tips for a hassle-free and fun-packed LGBT family holiday. Residence Inn, lesbian mums’ blog Mombian.com and the Family Equality Council organised an hour-long Twitter forum which threw up all manner of great advice. You can see it all for yourself by searching for #RI Family and #TMOM.
The top ten tips that came out of the session are as follows:
- @Mombian advised that, to avoid bureaucracy, parents should make sure they take with them adoption papers that name them as the legal parents or guardians of their children.
- Be prepared for any eventuality, said @TravelingMoms.
- Stay abreast of the news as it relates to your travel destination. The UK Foreign Office and US Department of State websites are especially helpful in this regard.
- Everyone agreed with @lifewithroozle’s statement that parts of the world that permit LGBT marriage are a pleasure to visit. Other tweeters claimed that Quebec was a great example of that. @MeaganShany mentioned that Florida and Portland, Oregon are worth going to, even though neither places yet allow gay marriage.
- Do not keep all your important papers in the same place while on holiday. @SeymaShabbir suggested backing up documents digitally.
- Your holiday is sure to be more enjoyable if you take the time to learn the local customs, said @LavLuz. Also be prepared for your kids’ complaints i.e. ‘Are we there yet?’ ‘I’m bored!’ ‘I’m tired!’
- Making the most of hotels’ creature comforts can make you feel right at home. Residence Inn, for example, offers a complimentary breakfast with every room.
- Sadly, much of the world remains ignorant and intolerant of LGBT families, so don’t be shocked or upset if you encounter prejudice, argued @DesignerDaddy. Try to stay confident and friendly.
- Many LGBT mums and dads travel for the purpose of international adoption. @DebOnTheRocks offers excellent support and guidance to such parents, every step of the process.
- As @KimSimes said, re-train the kids’ sleep patterns before travelling to a new time zone.