Hello! I’m Courtney (she/they), a full-time lesbian travel blogger and creator based in Chicago. Ten years ago, I took my first solo trip at 22 years old to South America. A three month trip (accidentally) turned into an 8-year anti-sabbatical. I started this blog along the way as an Iowa girl exploring places I never thought I’d see and sharing resources and tips for solo travelers.
In 2020, I came out as gay and started exploring queer spaces and gayborhoods, prioritizing being in cities and countries were I felt safe and celebrated. I was surprised how difficult it was to find lesbian bars… and lesbians in general.
Courtney the Explorer is curated for the LGBTQ+ traveler, specifically lesbian travelers (everyone is welcome). If you love gayborhoods, supporting queer-owned businesses, bucket list adventures, and queer events, you’re in the right place. Today, I live in Chicago’s gayborhood with my fiancé (Liz), 2 cats (Gilbert and Phillip), and dog (Kali). Click here for LGBTQ+ tips, resources, and more.
Thanks for your support + for being here and queer <3
The longer version:
I studied abroad in Florianopolis, Brazil during my senior year of college. Before my flight to Brazil, I had my 5-year plan set, my resume polished, internships competed, etc, etc. In the middle of my study abroad program, we had a week-long vacation to go wherever our young, naive hearts desired. I planned a trip to Rio de Janeiro, the coolest, most dangerous city in Brazil with a friend from my study abroad program. Last-minute, she bailed or maybe I had just decided it’d be cooler to go alone? Not sure. All I know is I was on a plane to Rio by myself to stay in a youth hostel for the first time in my life.
My hostel was in the heart of Rio, right next to the famous Copacabana beach. At my hostel, I met the woman (or possibly a couple of women) that would change the course of my life. This bold, confident middle-aged Israeli woman with a deep, soothing voice told me she was traveling the world for “I don’t know how long.” She paused frequently to take a puff of her cigarette or a sip of her red wine. My favorite part about her was that she didn’t give a flying f*ck what anyone thought about her or what she was doing. I had a “well, shit” moment. Those moments where your life flashes in front of you. She didn’t know at the time, but she gave me the permission and freedom I was desperately searching for.
I came back from Rio a changed person. I was scared, terrified (yet excited) about the realization I had had. My parents responded with confusion. My family responded with disapproval.
Around one year later, I took my first solo backpacking trip to South America. A three month trip turned into an 8-year anti-sabbatical.
Some highlights:
- 3-month solo backpacking trip through South America
- 8-month solo backpacking trip through Guatemala and Mexico
- Started Courtney the Explorer blog in Antigua, Guatemala (2016)
- 8-month backpacking trip back to South and Central America
- 2-week solo drive up highway 1, California, USA
- Moved to Busan, South Korea to teach English
- Solo hiking the Camino de Santiago (HIGHLY recommend!!)
- Getting engaged in Saugatuck, Michigan <3
Say hello!
Where’s your next trip? If you have questions or just would like to say hello and introduce yourself, I’d love that. E-mail me at he***@co*****************.com or a DM @courtneytheeexplorer.
xoxo,
Court
