Travel with Pride: An Orbitz LGBTQIA Timeline

This article was last updated June 8, 2021.

We’ve been traveling with Pride since the beginning. It’s been our privilege and pleasure to explore this great big world with you these past 20 years (and pick up a few LGBTQIA accolades and awards along the way). Here’s to many more trips, many more milestones and many more great memories. But before we take another step forward, let’s take a moment to look back!

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Orbitz Rainbow Timeline

2001: Orbitz launches its first LGBTQIA-themed print ad featuring the tagline, “See the world on your terms.”
2002: With the launch of gayorbitz.com, Orbitz becomes the first online travel agency to create pages dedicated to LGBTQIA travel and is the only OTA to include the phrase “gay travel” on its home page.
2003: Orbitz is credited with creating the first-ever TV spot to include unambiguously gay representations in a mainstream pitch to LGBTQIA consumers.
2006: Orbitz launches its first TV spot featuring a lesbian couple.
2009: The Orbitz LGBTQIA-themed Golfers ad wins GLADD Media awards; it features a golfer wearing a polo with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) logo.
2010: Orbitz receives its 4^th consecutive perfect score of 100 on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index.
2011: Drag personality Miss Richfield 1981 enters into a fabulous ongoing partnership with Orbitz.
2013: Chicago-based Orbitz sponsors the “March on Springfield,” a push for state legislators to vote yes on marriage equality in Illinois.
2015: In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling allowing marriage equality in all 50 states, Orbitz celebrates with the “SNAP for Equality” photo contest sending lucky winners on a first-class trip to either the U.S. or Europe.
2017: Orbitz debuts its groundbreaking TV ad “A Great Big World” featuring LGBTQIA superstars Randy Rainbow, Bianca Del Rio, Miss Richfield 1981 and Margaret Cho.
2017: Orbitz responds to the 2016 Pulse nightclub shootings in Orlando by spotlighting Orlando Black Pride. Orbitz also profiles the city of Fort Lauderdale for its new marketing campaign aimed at transgendered travelers.
2019: To celebrate Stonewall 50, Orbitz launches an LGBTQIA-themed microsite featuring Pride tips and advice, and queer-welcoming hotels for New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC and San Francisco.
2020: Orbitz reaffirms its commitment to the LGBTQIA community with the launch of its new dedicated microsite featuring LGBTQIA-welcoming hotels, travel advice and inspiration, and points of interest for queer travelers.

Tagged: Infographic, LGBTQIA

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Jason Heidemann

Jason is a Lead Content Specialist for Expedia Group, and manages content initiatives across numerous Expedia-owned brands. His work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Time Out, the Huffington Post, Chicago Magazine, Passport and many others.