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More African elephants are being killed each year than are being born. An elephant is killed, on average, every 15 minutes. A rhinoceros is killed, on average, every 10 hours. This is done for their tusks (i.e., ivory) and horns, the market for which is huge — especially in some Asian countries. On October 4th there will be a Global March for Elephants and Rhinos. After decades of mass slaughter these beautiful, intelligent animals are on their way to extinction unless the trend is reversed.  Find out if there’s a march happening in a city near you.

 

In the world of international gay travel there can be that gnawing question: “Should I go to XYZ if it’s not a gay-welcoming place?” There are a variety of opinions out there about this.  Basically, Venture Out thinks it comes down to exactly what that place is, what you intend to do there, how you like to travel, etc. We don’t believe in avoiding places that aren’t specifically gay-friendly. Much of the world isn’t specifically gay-friendly — believe it or not. You could forgo trips to places like India and China or not do an amazing wildlife safari in Africa, but these are gray areas where there exist out gay people and where increasing exposure can help break down barriers of ignorance and lead — eventually, slowly — to greater acceptance.

Check out this travel-industry article for more information, opinions, and resources.

From experiential travel to awesome travel apps to insidious fees here’s a line-up of trends that are taking hold in the world of travel.

Another option for gay travel and tours: LGBT “voluntourism” assisting with community development in a variety of countries.

Check out the article in the New York Times.

Gay rights activists in Uganda are cheering the decision by the country’s constitutional court to void a severe anti-gay law that had been passed earlier this year. But we still don’t think the time is right for gay travelers to go there — for example on one of the popular mountain gorilla safaris the country is known for. Anti-gay sentiment is huge there, and the law was only struck down on a technicality (rather than its horrific content) and, coincidentally, just before the Uganda president came to the U.S. for the African summit.

The Commonwealth Games is an Olympics-like sporting event for some four dozen countries that are somehow connected to Great Britain. The Games opened in Scotland recently, and Doctor Who actor John Barrowman kissed a comedian at the opening ceremonies in an apparent statement to many of those countries, which criminalize homosexuality to one degree or another, while millions watched including the Queen.

Speaking of Scotland, check out our newly unveiled Scottish Highlands & Islands tour, which will be running in June 2015.