Yes.
It’s a simple word. But it means so much.
Yes means acceptance. And tolerance.
Yes shows openness. And opens up possibilities.
A yes does not exclude, but includes.
At Lufthansa, we say yes.
To all people. Regardless of where you come from. How or who you are.
Yes, stay curious. And active.
Yes, travel relaxed. And safe.
Yes, feel understood. And welcome.
Yes, be proud. And always yourself. Wherever you are right now.
We know that if you’re queer, travel isn’t always easy.
But we also know that all over the world there are people who welcome you with open arms.
And with open hearts. Even in places where you might not expect it.
We support you in discovering these places. One of them is on board with us.
And yes, there are lots more around the globe. Welcome to the world!
The world says yes to you
Discover places for queer people by queer people
International Gay Rodeo Association, Salt Lake City, UT
Brian Helander breaks through queer clichés
„Gay Rodeo is my home.”
Become a cowboy. A dream for many children. But not for young Brian Helander.
Born on a farm in deepest Canada, he would rather set his sights high: become an astronaut. But as a young adult, he wants something else even more: to get away from home. Far away. With his girlfriend, he moves from bitterly cold Winnipeg to blazing hot Phoenix. And here something suddenly flares up that had been burning inside him since he was a little boy, but that he didn't know how to deal with. For the first time in his life, he sees a gay bar. He dares to enter and immediately feels: This is the real me.
He feels so at home in the Southwestern USA that he wants to be a cowboy – like everyone else here. He learns to ride a horse. And when he discovers Gay Rodeo, this is the next revelation. The smell of earth, of animals, the dirt, all of it reminds him of his youth on the farm. And he finds people here who feel the same way, who are just like him. His Gay Rodeo family. The sport and the community define Brian's life.
For him rodeo means freedom. The freedom from clichés. The freedom to be himself. The freedom from being pigeonholed. He's a nurse, he's gay, he wrestles bulls. Does that match up? Not for some people, his fight against prejudice begins. The rodeo world is characterized by toughness and classic masculinity. Gay rodeo is therefore often not labeled as real rodeo. Which, of course, is nonsense. Here you have the same disciplines; the competitions are just as intense and dangerous; they also require a lot of energy and concentration. It's the same tough sport, just performed mainly by queer cowboys and cowgirls. And they are good at it, some even better than their straight counterparts. Brian thinks when people realize that, it changes their mind, their attitude, their thinking. They just have to experience it.
Anyway, when Brian rides rodeo, he is completely himself. Then he is a cowboy. He works hard and always gives his all. He is a traditional cowboy whose masculinity is very modern: strong, friendly, helpful, supportive of others. Values that are taught, learned, and lived at the Gay Rodeo. Yes, the feeling of home, the feeling of family is extremely important for queer cowboys and cowgirls. Because that's what it's all about here. No one is discriminated against, all colors of the rainbow are represented, everyone is welcome, because it's a fun, safe, and welcoming place. A safe place for all.
Travelers are also invited to not only watch, but even participate in the Gay Rodeo – even without experience. In this way, Brian and the others are helping to fulfill a childhood dream for many queer people: To be a cowboy. Or cowgirl.
International Gay Rodeo Association
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Todas Para o Mar, Maracaípe, Brazil
Nuala Costa gives Brazil's queer surf scene a home
"We make progress faster on our own, but together we move forward."
The sea is her salvation. At 16, Nuala Costa overcomes the dark shadows of her past. Thanks to a social project, she learns how to surf. How fortunate she was! As often as she can, she escapes onto the water. Here she can leave everything behind, feels free and strong.
And she's so good, she's becoming a pro. A pioneer on the waves: She becomes the first woman of color in Brazil to participate in professional competitions. She wins many championships, but no recognition, no support, and no sponsors. As a woman of color, she is as invisible to the public. Frustrated, she goes to Europe. After 15 years she returns home and has to recognize: Nothing has changed. So she wants to change something. She wants to make women of color surfers visible.
Nuala founds Todas Para o Mar. Initially, it's a surf festival for women, but it quickly becomes much more. A project for children, young people, and women that gives them new strength through sport. A project that encourages their personal and social development. A project that gives them a sense of community and belonging. A project for equal opportunities, against discrimination and racism. A project that grows organically. And also explicitly includes LGBTQIA+. At the moment when Nuala comes out.
She's always known she's bi, but now she's also finally showing it publicly. With her friend Sandrinha and her son Aron: her family. In Brazil, this is not so easy, because women over here are expected to be heterosexual, especially women of color. But her small family and her big one, the TPM community, give Nuala the necessary strength, security, and love. Yes, that is typical of this special community. TPM is a place of warmth and welcome – for women and children, for locals and tourists. A place where everyone lives together, respects and supports each other. Because everyone knows that they can only achieve something together. Todas Para o Mar is Nuala's safe place. And that of around 200 other people who find escape, comfort, and strength on the sea. And find themselves in the process.
Todas Para o Mar
Maracaípe, Ipojuca, PE, Brasilien
The Queer Archive, Athens, Greece
Konstantinos Menelaou gives queer culture room to grow
“Let’s turn queer life into pride and joy!”
The story of the Queer Archive begins in London. Konstantinos Menelaou has lived here for 15 years now. And he enjoys it. Here he can be whatever he wants to be. He feels more than comfortable: free. Unconstrained. Unrestrained. Unrestricted in his creativity. He founded The Queer Archive. A platform for queer art and culture – in all imaginable forms, colors, and varieties. Yet, a new thought is also growing in Konstantinos. Yes, what he is doing here is important and necessary. But elsewhere, his commitment would be even more important and even more necessary. Queer culture is needed more in his home country: Greece. Indeed, observed from the outside, the country with its LGBTQIA+ hotspots such as Mykonos and Lesbos seems very liberal. But in reality, the islands lie far from normal life. Greece is, in general, dominated by a conservative, patriarchal worldview. Konstantinos now wants to work against this. More than that, he wants to change it. Into joy and pride in one’s own identity. He wants to help Athens become as free and exciting as London.
Six years ago, Konstantinos left his safe bubble in London. His Queer Archive is now at home in the Greek capital. Here he is creating a home, a safe space for the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Previously, this was fragmented into several small groups, but Konstantinos is succeeding in bringing them together them more and more. Bringing them to a place where they celebrate together – themselves and their lives. International exhibitions, performances, workshops, lectures, concerts, and parties – he organizes all possible kinds of art and cultural events. And of course the Queer Archive Festival, known far beyond Athens' borders, that is becoming bigger and more popular with each passing year.
Yes, things are changing. The community is growing, becoming louder, more open, and more accepted. Athens is now a queer destination. Previously, people used to come here and travel directly to the islands. Now they stay for a week. Or longer. And The Queer Archive has certainly played a part in this. Because this project appeals to everyone. And brings everyone together. No matter where you come from and who you are. Here you can feel at home, let go, forget everything around you, and simply just party. Against all opposition. Against the status quo. Against the trauma. For more acceptance. For more joy. For more freedom.
The story of the Queer Archive is nowhere near its end. It is only just really beginning!
The Queer Archive
Athens, Greece
We color the air!
Diversifly is the official LGBTI employee network of the Lufthansa Group—on the ground and in the air. We stand for respect and the recognition of diversity. We promote a working environment in which all employees, regardless of identity, sexual and romantic orientation, can develop their talents without fear of discrimination. We support mutual understanding and break down prejudices. We fly the flag for this. Always and everywhere—and of course during Pride Weeks in Germany and around the world.
Christopher Street Day Frankfurt
From July 14 to 16, the time had come once more: our queer network Diversifly jumped on the Lufthansa Pride Truck to participate in the Christopher Street Day protest in Frankfurt and celebrate the colorful LGBTQIA+ community. As one of the main sponsors of the CSD in Frankfurt, we once again emphasized our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. Here are a few images of the brightly colored parade:
Call of Love
An vielen Orten und in vielen Ländern können queere Menschen nicht frei an Pride-Demos teilnehmen. Deshalb haben wir sie dieses Jahr zur Christopher Street Day Demonstration in Frankfurt mitgenommen. Virtuell, überraschend und in Echtzeit.
So wurden Opera Tang, Nemanja, Idil und Sir Euphoria zu einem Teil der CSD-Demo und konnten live mit unserer queeren Community und allen Teilnehmenden vor Ort interagieren.