2022
WorldPride is a global LGBTQ+ festival celebrated in different cities every few years. This year, Sydney will be the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the big event with over 100,000 people expected to attend between February 17 and March 5.
In honor of Sydney WorldPride, we’ve rounded up six ways you can support the LGBTQ+ community through Google Maps. Read on to also learn about some amazing Local Guides that put LGBTQ+ friendly places on the map.
1. Update place features including “LGBTQ+ friendly” and “Transgender safe space”
You can do this in three simple steps:
- Find a Business Profile on Google Maps mobile.
- Select About in the tabs bar, then tap Edit features (for Android) or Update this place (for iOS).
- Scroll to Crowd, tap on the descriptions, and submit.
2. Review LGBTQ+ owned and friendly spaces
“I think it's important [to add contributions about LGBTQ+ spaces] because people visiting Sydney and young people who may be coming out can find LGBTQ+ businesses and safe places to hang out,” says Local Guide @GeoffCutler69 from Sydney. Geoff regularly reviews gay bars, venues, and events. He also notes when other businesses, like this hotel, are inclusive.
3. Create lists of LGBTQ+ friendly places
“I'm a big fan of reviewing LGBTQ+ places in my home town in London and any time I am abroad. I created a list of ten welcoming gay spaces in London. When I meet people on a night out, I often send them my list, and they are really grateful for a local's perspective,” shares @danieldreimer, a 2020 Inclusive Mapper. Daniel has also put together a helpful list of LGBTQ+ charities in London and shared his experience at Pride parades throughout Europe here on Connect.
4. Add places and services related to the LGBTQ+ community
“People around the world can add LGBTQ+ welfare organizations with their contact details on Google Maps, so if anyone is seeking help, they can easily get in touch. [You] can also add shelters for LGBTQ+ community members and offices of lawyers who handle LGBTQ+ cases,” says @Shaheen_Gul from Karachi, a 2022 Helpful Hero. Shaheen is a passionate advocate for transgender rights and has hosted a knowledge sharing session for the transgender community in Pakistan, teaching them how to contribute on Google Maps and navigate to safe spaces.
5. Add photos and videos of places associated with the LGBTQ+ community
“I like adding reviews as it allows me to provide both images and videos of LGBTQ+ safe spaces,” shares @martygm from Santo Domingo. Martiña is a 2021 Inclusive Mapper who loves drag shows and sees mapping LGBTQ+ places as a way to help others find a “‘safe haven’ where they least expect it.”
6. Tell business owners about the “LGBTQ+ friendly” attribute
Verified merchants in most territories can opt-in to show that they are an LGBTQ+ friendly business on their Business Profiles. This attribute will appear on a business’s profile on Google Maps and Search — helping them stand out to customers and providing another way for the LGBTQ+ community to find safe spaces.
If you own an LGBTQ+ friendly business, check out this tutorial video to learn how to add the attribute to your Business Profile.
Happy Sydney WorldPride! Local Guides, what are your favorite LGBTQ+ friendly spaces? How do you support the LGBTQ+ community on Google Maps? Let us know below.
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