New LGBTQ+ Home-Swapping Community Helps Travellers Explore the World for Less

A new home-swapping community is offering LGBTQ+ travellers the opportunity to explore destinations around the world while staying in homes shared by other members of the community.

Travel platform Kindred has launched its Queer Travelers Circle, a dedicated network designed to make travel more affordable, welcoming and connected for LGBTQ+ people.

The initiative was developed following requests from existing Kindred members, with LGBTQ+ travellers emerging as the most requested group for a new community. Rather than simply introducing another travel service, the company invited LGBTQ+ members to work directly with its product team to help shape the new offering.

A community created by LGBTQ+ travellers

Kindred’s new Circle allows members to discover homes offered by other LGBTQ+ people, exchange travel recommendations and connect with travellers living in different countries.

Members can also choose to make their properties available exclusively to verified participants within the LGBTQ+ Circle, giving them greater control over who can request to stay in their homes.

The company highlighted the importance of feeling comfortable when travelling, particularly for LGBTQ+ couples who may otherwise find themselves questioning how welcoming their accommodation or destination will be.

One Kindred member welcomed the launch, saying: “I love Kindred and the sense of community it creates.”

They added that the new Circle offered LGBTQ+ travellers an opportunity to feel heard, represented and connected with like-minded people.

How does Kindred home swapping work?

Unlike conventional holiday booking platforms, Kindred operates through a credit-based home exchange system.

Members earn one travel credit for every night they host another member. Each credit can then be used towards a night’s accommodation in another available property, without paying the usual nightly rental charge.

Newly accepted members can also unlock five starting credits after completing identity and home verification and adding their hosting availability.

There is no fee to become a member, although cleaning charges and, depending on membership arrangements, service fees may apply when booking accommodation.

The platform verifies identities and properties, with additional protection arrangements for eligible damage incidents. Members can also communicate with hosts before arranging their stays.

Available to LGBTQ+ travellers in the UK

Kindred operates across supported destinations in Europe and North America, including London, making the new community relevant to British travellers.

Both homeowners and renters can apply, although participants must have the necessary permission to offer their properties for exchanges.

The Queer Travelers Circle is open to members who identify as LGBTQ+, and joining does not restrict travellers to properties within that particular community. Members can continue exploring the wider Kindred network.

Privacy is another feature of the new service. Participants can choose whether their LGBTQ+ Circle membership is visible across the wider platform or only to fellow Circle members.

For LGBTQ+ people looking to travel more frequently, the combination of reduced accommodation costs, local recommendations and connections with other community members offers an appealing alternative to traditional holiday rentals.

Find out more or apply to join the Kindred Queer Travelers Circle.