We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Gomes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Lesbifriends was never supposed to be a business. It started off as an organic get together in the living room of my one bedroom apartment years ago and grew into a community of queer people who wanted to keep that connection going. When I did decide to legitimize my bimonthly events and annual trips by putting them under the umbrella of a business, I wanted to be a trusted resource in the LGBT+ community so I went through the right steps so people could be confident in the events and travel opportunities that Lesbifriends provided.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our mission at Lesbifriends Travel is to curate distinctive and affordable international and domestic travel experiences for queer Black and Brown women in the LGBTQIA+ community. We are dedicated to fostering an environment that nurtures lifelong bonds and friendships among Lesbifriends.

Each trip is meticulously planned and coordinated to ensure a worry-free experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the sights and create enduring memories. We collaborate exclusively with top-tier vendors in every destination city, offering unique accommodations that blend adventure with luxury. For solo travelers, we carefully match roommates based on compatibility, determined through our traveler questionnaire form.

We warmly welcome queer individuals of color (LGBTQIA+), their partners, allies, and supporters to join us in supporting and attending our events. While participation in trips is assessed on a case-by-case basis, we strive to create an inclusive space for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to engage, connect, and celebrate together. Your journey with Lesbifriends Travel is not just about the destination; it’s about the meaningful connections and shared experiences!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in one of the best and most visited cities in the world so you think this would be easy to answer, however, Washington, DC always has so much to do so sometimes it is hard to choose. I actually love hosting friends and family and even strangers (I am also an Airbnb host) and one of the places I always recommend for people to visit is Busboys and Poets. I am partial to the location in Anacostia, as that is my hood, however they are all amazing. It is a great spot to get brunch, grab a cup of coffee, have lunch or dinner, and even pick up a book in their bookstore. Since it is spring and the weather is warming up, I would also take my friend to the Tidal Basin to walk around and take in the beautiful cherry blossoms. We would definitely head to the Wharf to have lunch. Again, there are so many places to choose from, but a new favorite of mine is La Vie because the ambiance is stunning, the food is delicious, and the service is amazing. After swinging on one of their outdoor swings overlooking the water, we would head to the National Museum of African American History and Culture where I am sure we would cry, laugh, and bask in the greatness of our history and culture. We may check out another fun museum like National Air and Space Museum or Renwick Gallery before heading to have dinner at my favorite Mexican spot, Paraiso near Eastern Market (which is another stop I would make on a weekend for their outdoor market). If we were up for it after our long day, we would head to see the monuments at night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people I would want to thank for their support. I will just say a general thank you to all of my friends as well as well as all of the Lesbifriends who continue to support Lesbifriends Travel by attending an event, coming on a trip, or even sharing a post.

Website: www.lesbifriendstravel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesbifriendstravel/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagomes/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lesbifriendstravel

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lesbifriendstravel?_t=8ij3AJH1PsE&_r=1

Image Credits
Jakiera Daniels Pauline Dixon

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