Matthieu Jost launches services to keep LGBTQ community safe while traveling

Discrimination is a real thing that many face in their everyday lives. It gets exceptionally frustrating when that discrimination follows them while traveling within the United States and around the world. Members of the LGBTQ community face challenges when traveling, leading too many to avoid it altogether. Matthieu Jost is an entrepreneur who looked to combat that issue with the launch of Misterb&b, the world’s largest LGBTQ travel community.

Speaking with Rachel Chang of Travel & Leisure, Jost chronicled his story from a child to a leader in the travel industry, serving people who live in the same spaces as him.

“When I was 18, I founded a company called MyGayTrip,” Jost said in the piece. “The idea was to list all the gay-friendly places across the world.”

That was an interesting step, as more and more places both outside the U.S. and within the country show outright disdain for members of the LGBTQ community. June is recognized as Pride Month to celebrate all the people in this community and the challenges they face. At the start of this month, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for those headed abroad to celebrate. Jost’s work is absolutely necessary.

“Later, I had a bad experience when I was with a former boyfriend. We got to a hotel in western France, and in the lobby, they insisted we have separate beds,” Jost said. “This was the first time in my life I was so uncomfortable, and this encounter told me I had to do something. It led me to start Misterb&b to connect hosts and guests so there are gay-friendly accommodations around the world.”

This is an important time to offer such a service. Multiple states across the U.S. are looking for ways to limit the rights of marginalized groups like the LGBTQ community. Services such as that offered by Misterb&b do a fantastic job of letting travelers know where they can go and not have to worry about being ostracized.

“There are places I wouldn’t go at all, like the countries where the death penalty is applied. It’s too dangerous,” Jost said. “I’m sure they are all beautiful places to visit, but if the country is not welcoming to the LGBTQ population, what’s the point in going there?”

Jost’s entrepreneurial efforts didn’t stop there. He also launched Weere which is another app that gives information on available events and locations within destinations to help travelers plan their visit. You can even use this app to find out what’s going on in your own community.

Discrimination is a real threat that follows people in marginalized groups. Hopefully, that threat doesn’t keep people from seeing more within the U.S. and around the world. Thanks to individuals like Matthieu Jost, there are more resources to help members of the LGBTQ community safely see what’s beyond their local streets.