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LGBTQ people of color now have a resource for finding inclusive businesses while traveling

May 24, 2021
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3 min read
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LGBTQ people of color now have a resource for finding inclusive businesses while traveling
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From the 1930s through much of the 1960s, Black American travelers relied on a publication known as the Green Book.

It was a critical resource during the Jim Crow era that advised on which establishments in a given town or city -- from restaurants and retail stores to hotels and even gas stations -- were friendly to Black customers during a time in which it was legal in large swaths of the country to discriminate based on the color of someone's skin.

Now, the premise of the Green Book has been reimagined for today in the form of "the Lavender Book." Created by the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), an advocacy group for the Black LGBTQ community, the Lavender Book is an online, crowd-sourced platform that highlights businesses that are friendly to LGBTQ people of color, according to reporting by Time.

When you arrive at the website, you can search for venues by name, city, type of space as well as filter by certain characteristics such as "Black-owned" or "trans-owned."

While it is crowd-sourced, meaning users can submit entries for places they've visited on their travels, all submissions are reviewed by the NBJC, which moderates the site. The Lavender Book launched just a few days ago, so there isn't a huge amount of listings yet. For example, there are just eight listings in New York City, two each in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta and none yet in several large cities including Chicago, Houston and Dallas.

Still, as word gets out about the Lavender Book, it will likely be a hugely useful resource for LGBTQ people of color as they travel — and it will hopefully lead to more businesses becoming more welcoming to all travelers.

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The platform, which was launched with help from Out In Tech, a group that provides support to LGBTQ people in the tech industry, comes at a precarious time for LGBTQ people -- especially those in the trans community. State legislators across the nation have, according to the Human Rights Campaign in Time, introduced "over 250 anti-LGBTQ bills," at least eight of which have become law. And violence against transgender people -- especially Black trans women -- is at an all-time high.

The Lavender Book hopes to leverage technology and a more connected human network to identify places where marginalized groups feel safe and included, whether they're traveling to a new city or exploring their own home.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.