Travel in safety and style for your worldwide Pride celebrations

No one needs a reason to travel, but having something special planned at your destination can make the trek more worthwhile. With Pride month upon us, now is a great time to consider a trip that lets you explore the different ways cities across the globe celebrate all identities and orientations.

While Toronto, Canada, has its Pride parade on June 30th and the massive Pride celebrations in Sao Paulo, Brazil, have come and passed, there are still many international parades and events to look forward to all summer and into the fall.

But as with any trip, being present and maintaining your peace of mind is invaluable. That’s why leaving prepared with adequate travel insurance is an important part of your pre-party checklist.

To provide an idea of how little standard travel insurance actually costs, we’ve used the RATESDOTCA travel insurance quoter for five of the most popular Pride destinations below. Each quote represents the amount two 33-year-old female travelers from Toronto can expect to spend on ​​emergency medical travel insurance for a weeklong trip.

Let’s get into some of the exciting celebrations that could await you.

New York City, United States

Lowest travel quote: $50.30

This year, New York City holds its annual Pride parade, The March, on June 30 in the heart of Manhattan. This is the annual civil rights march that first catalyzed after the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969.

The March stands for many things: In addition to celebrating all gender identities and sexual orientations, it also raises awareness of stigmatized health conditions like AIDS and honouring lives lost as a result of violence and improper care of queer and BIPOC folks.

There are many other Pride events held in the city at local venues, too. With such a potent history, New York City is a powerful place to experience Pride month.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Lowest travel quote: $34.08

From July 27 to August 4, Amsterdam has more than 300 events to attend, including a unique Canal Parade taking place on August 3. A total of 80 boats will be sailing the canal, each representing a concept related to inclusivity, including a focus on those who live with a physical or mental disability. Each boat is unique, but all will reflect Amsterdam’s Pride theme of Togetherness this year.

Taipei, Taiwan

Lowest travel quote: $34.08

In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, and the country’s Pride celebration is the place to be this time of year for LGBTQ+ folks and allies from across Asia and beyond.

This year, celebrations take place from October 24th to October 27th. Along with afterparties, a massive Rainbow Market and a three-day music festival, Taipei also hosts the biggest parade in East Asia on the 26th. Travelers flock from around the world for this Prideful celebration – and they’re rewarded with a colourful celebration and delicious night markets.

Madrid, Spain

Lowest travel quote: $37.68

Madrid prides itself on being a safe and diverse city that tourists can feel welcomed into, and their pride celebrations are no exception.  Celebrations start on June 28th and last until July 7th, with the city's main event, the ​​​​annual Pride Parade, taking place July 6, 2024. There are six official events – the highlights include an annual High Heel Race (one of the most competitive in the world) and a human rights conference accompanied by other featured events that focus on the arts, specifically visual art and dance.

Berlin, Germany

Lowest travel quote: $34.08

The first Berlin Pride took place on 1979 to honour the Stonewall Riots in New York City (in fact, the event is formally known as Christopher Street Day, or CSD, after the location of the Stonewall Inn in New York).

The event has steadily grown in attendees and celebrations ever since. This year, the Pride Festival in Berlin starts on June 28th and continues through to July 28, 2024.

With seven main events to keep track of currently, including a Pride march, a Pride boats parade, and Pride truck, more dates will follow as the celebrations get closer. The official main event, the Euphoria Pride Party, takes place on July 27th across three different venues for just one night, but you do need a ticket to attend.

Insurance for 2SLGBTQI+ travellers

International travel can be stressful for anyone, but people who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ (an umbrella term that encompasses Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex and other gender identities) may encounter some unique challenges, even if they are travelling for Pride.

While supplementing your travel insurance can make any trip feel more secure, some insurance options may be of particular interest to this group and may include:

​​​Family add-on coverage: The policyholder may have the option to name a friend or partner as a family member so they can also benefit from their travel coverage while abroad, and not be questioned about their relationship to the policyholder.

Emergency medical coverage: Emergency medical insurance falls under standard travel coverage and may help cover crucial gender-affirming prescriptions that run out while travelling, depending on the policy. If this is a scenario you could find yourself in, it’s worth confirming whether your policy covers prescriptions or if you can add-on that coverage.
Related: Get the right travel insurance even with a pre-existing medical condition

Security coverage: To feel as safe as possible, a security evacuation add-on could be of interest depending on where you’re travelling. This would cover an emergency evacuation if you are found to be in immediate danger.

Note: Adding additional coverage, like trip cancellation insurance will increase your premium and typically must be done within a specified timeframe before you take off.

Read more: What’s the difference between travel insurance and medical insurance? Do I need both?

Safety tips for 2SLGBTQI+ travellers

There are countries that may not have the same cultural customs as Canada when it comes to individual expression. Because of potential differences in mindset around sexual orientation and gender expression, it’s important to be aware of any laws that could pose a risk to your safety before deciding on a destination.

Some tips to keep in mind if you wish to consider them include:

• Read up on the global laws impacting 2SLGBTQI+ folks through resources provided by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.
• Review the Human Rights Watch, which outlines sentences for illegal acts in different countries.
• Some cities may be more conservative than others, so remain mindful of the attitudes and customs around you.
• Consider travelling as a group and check back in with one another routinely (sharing your location with friends goes a long way to keeping everyone safe).
• If you’re planning on drinking alcohol during your trip, know your limit and keep an eye on your drinks at all times. Not only that, if you’re injured while intoxicated, your travel insurance may have an “alcohol exclusion” and you won’t be covered for it.
• Ensure your current legal name is on your passport and matches that of your ID and boarding pass. While Canada recognizes gender “X” identities, other countries may not, which could cause entry restrictions. To check that your destination recognizes your gender, check the Travel Advice and Advisories page.

The Government of Canada also has its own recommendations for travelling safely for members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

If you’re planning on leaving the country for Pride festivities, it’s important to find some time to purchase a travel package if you don’t already have coverage. Once the initial excitement of booking your flight subsides, take a minute to consider your unique coverage needs and compare your options with a quote.

That way, you can go ahead and fully enjoy all that the world has to offer for Pride!