By Jewel Gomez–
I recently read The New York Times Magazine “Extreme Voyages Issue” (March 16, 2025) and marveled at the adventures that people committed to because of curiosity, fun, or history. While there were a fair number of women writers and photographers among the contributors, there were no actual photographs of women in the issue. There were cartoonish drawings of females with an article on learning survival techniques and a piece on agoraphobia.
I felt the absence of actual images of intrepid women travelers deeply because women have so often been refused the right to adventure—men took to the road; women stayed in the kitchen. We know, of course, that’s not totally true. Women have been forging our way into unknown territory for ages, from Queen Amanirenas who commanded soldiers of Kush (25–21 BCE) to defeat Roman rule; to cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space (1963); to astronaut and physicist Sally Ride (1951–2012). No, we didn’t need a gaggle of media darlings to cruise into space pumping up PR for a man helping dismantle democracy.
Kidnappers, rapists, batterers, and harassers lurk on every dark corner of streets and the internet trying to wield power over women and make us feel unsafe. Despite the dangers, admonitions, and anxiety that patriarchal culture continually throws in our path, we still take to the road.
I made my first big trip to West Africa alone when I was twenty-two. I traveled on a charter flight and got to know folks when we landed but, essentially, I was on my own for the summer. There were a couple of scary moments and I wasn’t out as a lesbian. But I wouldn’t trade the experience of Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria for the safety of home.
Because I’ve been going to film festivals with the documentary about me, I’ve thought more about what it means for a woman of color to travel the world. There are so many possibilities for insults. Being snapped at in a fancy restaurant in London to remove dishes as I walked past a table on the way to the restroom is one of my favorites. However, the ignorance of others can’t keep a good woman down.
There are several online groups encouraging and advising people of color on travel including @BlackWomenOutdoors, @Black.Lesbian.Travels, and
@LatinoTravelFest that post photos and info on the worldwide travels of women of color enjoying nature, festivals, and urban jaunts.
Of course, the premiere lesbian adventure source is Olivia Travel. Although I had my doubts about being on a ship with a thousand people, my trip to Alaska was the greatest adventure since I went to West Africa. And the vibe of that many women on a ship was a spiritual and sensual experience. Two things that every woman I talked with said were how safe they felt and how great it was to have someone else doing things for them for a change.
Great sources of inspiration and information are the Go Girl and Go Girl 2 anthologies edited by Elaine Lee (https://www.ugogurl.com/). The books contain resources and essays about travel to countries around the world by writers like Maya Angelou, Aya de Leon, and Audre Lorde. From Greenland to Japan to South Korea to Jamaica, the idea of female independence radiates like a beacon.
Billboards and internet sites have sprung up posting emergency signals women can use to alert strangers when we need help—from ordering drinks with the word angel in it to the way you fold your hands behind you. I’m glad someone is putting thought into how women can alert others that we’re in danger. That might help some women feel easier about going out into the world. But I’d be happier if more thought went into how men could be retrained not to think women are their prey.
Did I mention that Woni Spotts (1964–, @wonispotts) was the first Black woman to complete travel to every country and continent in the world in 2018?! Let’s go!
Jewelle Gomez is a lesbian/feminist activist, novelist, poet, and playwright. She’s written for “The Advocate,” “Ms. Magazine,” “Black Scholar,” “The San Francisco Chronicle,” “The New York Times,” and “The Village Voice.” Follow her on Instagram and X @VampyreVamp
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Published on May 8, 2025
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