In celebration of Pride Month, safari outfitter African Travel, Inc. (ATI) is donating a portion of its June 2024 booking proceeds to Rainbow Railroad, a global nonprofit organization that facilitates safe relocation for at-risk LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex) individuals from countries where they face persecution.
For every client booking made in June, the tour operator will donate $50 to the organization, which provides various forms of assistance including crisis response, cash aid and emergency relocation. Since its founding in 2006, Rainbow Railroad has assisted over 13,000 LGBTQI+ individuals from more than 65 countries find safety, including in South Africa.
“This year’s Pride Month’s theme is ‘reflect, empower and unite’. As a member of the LGBTQ+ African community and a proud South African, I understand the struggles of identity in a continent that must strive to be more inclusive,” said Sherwin Banda, President of African Travel, Inc. “It’s crucial to provide pathways to liberation and hope for a more equitable future for those who feel marginalized.”
It’s crucial to provide pathways to liberation and hope for a more equitable future for those who feel marginalized.
The donation aligns with ATI’s sustainability goals developed in partnership with the TreadRight Foundation (the philanthropy arm of its parent organization, the Travel Corporation) to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 10: ‘Reduce Inequalities within and among countries.’
“Travel can facilitate this by supporting local communities in Africa. We are fully committed to our TreadRight partner, Rainbow Railroad, which provides essential support for LGBTQI+ refugees in South Africa, which is a country willing to grant refugee status based on gender identity and sexual orientation,” Banda added.
In 2021, ATI launched personalized LGBTQ+ safari journeys with a Pride Guide offering travel tips for advisors. Itineraries feature wildlife encounters, cultural experiences, vetted LGBTQ+ inclusive lodges, and “Make Travel Matter” experiences.
“Rainbow Railroad is grateful to be the beneficiary of proceeds from African Travel, Inc. bookings during Pride month,” stated Scott Ferguson, Director of Partnerships at Rainbow Railroad. “In 2022, 42% of all requests for help we received came from LGBTQI+ people living in African countries … Thanks to this support from ATI and our ongoing partnership with the TreadRight Foundation, we will help more at-risk LGBTQI+ in 2024 than ever before in our history.”
Editor’s note: This article was generated by AI, based on a press release from African Travel, Inc. It was reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
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