Part travel guide, part memoir, part pep talk for queer travelers who crave big adventures and want to bring their full selves along for the ride. Get book discussion questions, themes, topics and more.
Journey along with other people like you so you can feel what’s possible for you. Then get the steps to make it happen yourself. (Out) On the Road is packed with advice, strategies, and resources to help you research smarter, confidently plan trips, and reclaim queer joy and freedom.
(Out) On the Road Themes
Themes explored: LGBTQ+ travel, US travel, international travel, budgeting and saving money, gender identity, trans travel, nonbinary travel, LGBTQ+ family travel, coming out, passing privilege, road trips, vanlife, digital nomads, living overseas, romantic travel, honeymoon travel, couple travel, travel anxiety, healing through travel, burnout, rest, queer joy, queer liberation
Topics covered:
– Understanding what you want – and don’t want – on trips
– What to expect if you’re visibly queer, trans or gender nonconforming
– Research and self-advocacy
– Balancing authenticity with self-protection
– Personal growth, healing, and transformation through travel
– Community and connection
– Solo travel, couple travel, family travel, road trips, living abroad and so much more
Book Club Discussion Questions
- When someone tells you “it’s not safe” to go somewhere, how do you respond? What motivation is behind this common warning, in your opinion?
- The book talks about balancing caution with curiosity when making travel decisions. Where do you see tension between caution and curiosity in your life, whether or not travel is involved?
- The author frames research as a form of self-advocacy and empowerment. What does that idea bring up for you, both in travel and in other areas of life?
- Have there been moments your appearance or identity was read differently abroad than it is at home? If so, did you adjust how you presented yourself as a result?
- What identities do you hold that shape how people see you when you move through the world? Are there other identities you hold that influence your experiences that are hidden from observation?
- Women travel more than men and LGBTQ+ people travel more than the general population, yet most travel advice is written for a so-called average traveler, who is a cis white male. What gets left out of the conversation as a result of this mismatch?
- Travel can bring us together but it can also leave us feeling lonely or disconnected. How do you personally experience this tension? Can you recall a time when you were far from home and found your people, or longed to connect but struggled?
- (Out) On the Road is full of stories about queer people getting out of their comfort zone and experiencing personal growth, joy, and healing. Which story stood out to you the most? Share a story of a trip that transformed you.
- Throughout this book, travel is presented not just as movement, but as a catalyst for growth and self-trust. What kinds of “inner borders” did the book prompt you to think about?
- What does queer joy mean to you? Why is queer joy so important at this point in time? Did the book expand or complicate your definition of queer joy – if so, how?
Virtual Author Visits
I would be happy to join your book club disscussion to speak about (Out) On the Road. We can chat about the book or have an AMA-style conversation about traveling as an LGBT
Q+ person. I’m also happy to speak to parents of LGBTQ+ kids, allies, and travel industry professionals.
To learn more about virtual book club appearances or reserve a date, contact me directly.
