Let’s address the rainbow elephant in the room: why do LGBTQ+ people—especially gay men—travel so much? Seriously. Go on Instagram during any holiday, and you’ll see Chad, Vlad, and Brad sipping caipirinhas on a beach in Mykonos, while others are still trying to find parking at their local Target.  Turns out, it’s not just a stereotype—it’s a statistic.

According to a 2023 survey from the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), 83% of LGBTQ+ travelers took at least one major leisure trip in the past year, compared to 49% of the general population. That’s not just wanderlust—that’s a gay-demic. So, why are the gays racking up frequent flyer miles like they’re on a mission from RuPaul herself? Let’s dive in.

1. Escaping the Hetero-normative Suburbs

Sometimes, you just need to get out of a town where the closest thing to a drag show is “Wheel of Fortune” on a Tuesday.Travel offers LGBTQ+ folks a way to escape environments where they might feel isolated. A report from Community Marketing, Inc. shows that 45% of LGBTQ+ travelers say they travel to feel more accepted or to find community. And yes, that “community” sometimes involves shirtless beach parties, poolside DJs, and men named Stefano.

2. Revenge Travel, But Make It Queer

After being told for centuries where they couldn’t go (or who they couldn’t hold hands with when they got there), queer people are now booking flights with the energy of someone reclaiming ancestral land. A 2023 Expedia survey found that LGBTQ+ travelers are 30% more likely to plan “bucket list” trips than their straight counterparts. In other words: Becky is going to Vegas. Javier and Matteo are going to Antarctica. In coordinated parkas.

3. The Global Hunt for a Hot Bartender Named Luca

Let’s be honest. Romance—and, um, activities—can play a big role in travel motivation. Apps like Grindr have geo-location features that make travel extra… interactive. One user called it, “an international scavenger hunt, but with abs.”  Also, queer-friendly destinations have leaned into the fantasy. Madrid, Tel Aviv, Fire Island, and Berlin are practically gay Disneyland—with fewer churros and more techno.

4. Travel Is a Form of Queer Resistance

Historically, LGBTQ+ people have had to build chosen families and find acceptance outside their hometowns. Travel is more than a vacation; it’s a pilgrimage. Whether it’s Sydney Mardi Gras, Amsterdam Pride, or just a trip to Provincetown during Bear Week, these experiences offer validation, community, and an opportunity to wear mesh in public without judgment.

A 2022 booking.com report found 65% of LGBTQ+ travelers say feeling safe and welcome impacts where they choose to travel, but when they do find that place? Honey, they show UP. With style.

5. We’re Just Really Good at It

Let’s not ignore the elephant-sized Louis Vuitton luggage in the room: LGBTQ+ people often have a higher disposable income, especially gay men without children. That same IGLTA survey reported that LGBTQ+ travelers spend 33% more on vacations than the general population. That means room upgrades. That means better Airbnb lighting. That means Turkish hammam with sea salt exfoliation and a complimentary Aperol spritz. Also, gay men basically invented the term “aesthetic.” That rooftop selfie with perfect sunset lighting wasn’t an accident.

Traveling checks so many boxes for gay men, and we do love checking boxes. Gay men intrinsically:

•    Want community.

•    Have taste.

•    Know how to pack.

•    Can flirt in four languages.

•    And refuse to settle for a vacation where “fun” means a Groupon for mini-golf.

So the next time you see a gaggle of gays boarding a flight to Ibiza at 6 AM in coordinated linen—just remember: We’re not running from something. We’re running toward joy–and probably a rooftop pool with a view.