GayAmerican.org

Virginia is for lovers (travel advisory)

Due to recent events in the state of Virginia, we are issuing a travel advisory for all members of the GLBT community. However, the Virginia Tourism Council has indicated that there should be no problems with travel, as long as you do not announce yourself as gay [lesbian, bisexual, transgender] upon arrival to the state for lovers:

Subject: Thanks for writing.
From: "Steger, Martha" <MSteger@virginia.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 29, 2004 3:16 pm
To: Keith@dolomen.com
Cc: "Virginia Information" vainfo@helloinc.com>, "Bass, Bobbie" <BBass@virginia.org>

In response to your concern about how you and your partner might be treated upon visiting Virginia, I can only tell you that gay people have been visiting Virginia for many years without announcing themselves as gay; and we've had no complaints of which I'm aware. The VTC is a tourism-promotion agency, not a legislative branch of government so we have no control over the actions of our legislature.

As for medical emergencies, I suggest you consult your attorney. In Virginia many of us with elderly family members have a power-of-attorney for their medical emergencies — but I don't know whether Oregon's power-of-attorney would be accepted in Virginia.

Thanks for writing us about your concerns. Best wishes for your travels in Virginia.

Sincerely,
Martha W. Steger, APR
Director of Public Relations
Virginia Tourism Corporation
901 E. Byrd Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-4048
804-371-8169 - phone (direct)
804-786-1919 - fax
<msteger@virginia.org>
<www.virginia.org> consumer web site
<www.vatc.org> industry/media web site

In addition to not announcing your sexual orientation — unless you are heterosexual, for which no known travel advisories exist — you may want to follow these simple guidelines if you do choose travel to Virginia.

• When traveling to Virgina, one should not announce oneself as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered.
• You should also not announce your travel companions as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered.
• Stay in seperate hotel rooms from your partner, or even better, reserve rooms at seperate hotels.
• Call your partner, spouse, or significant other, your "friend". Practice often prior to entering the state: This is my friend ___________.
• For additional security, consider only meeting your partner after dark, on desolate street corners. Act as if you're waiting for a bus or cab, and quietly share your experiences from your day of exploring the state of lovers seperately.
• For those taking the added risk of traveling around the state together, walk at least an arms length from each other (though do not actually attempt to measure the distance between yourselves by putting your arms out, as you may become announced should your fingers touch. Should you forget this advice, and your fingers do touch, it may be best to start brawling with each other, while you scream, get off me faggot!)
• If you decide to attend one of the many wonderful shows in the state of lovers, remember to purchase three tickets, so that you can keep one seat space between the both of you.
• And finally, after your stay, we recommend that you consider writing to the Virginia Tourism Council, to let them know that you didn't announce yourself as gay, and didn't have any trouble at all — just as they promised!

Always use caution when selecting your outerwear while exploring the state of lovers.

...

Endnote: The email in this post, is the actual email sent to this author by the Virginia Tourism Council after an inquiry to the council on whether or not gay people should have concerns for travel in their state, given the recent actions of the state legislature against GLBTQ civil rights.