Lesbian and Gay Hospitality Exchange International (L/GHEI)

Would you like to make friends from all around the world right in your own home or when you travel?

Would you like to see a place from the locals' perspective when you travel?

Would you like to save money on accommodation during your vacations?

Then you've come to the right place!

LGHEI (pronounced Elle-Gay) is an expanding worldwide network of lesbians and gay men who offer each other the gift of short term hospitality during their travels.

About LGHEI

What is LGHEI?

Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International is a growing network of lesbians and gay men from around the world who offer their hospitality to other members at no charge. These hosts, in turn, are received when they travel. There are currently more than 500 listings in over 30 countries.

It was founded in 1991 as GHEI - Gay Hospitality Exchange International - and registered as a non-profit organization designed to provide a service to our community. The organization changed its name to Lesbian & Gay Hospitality Exchange International in 1993.

Apart from the obvious financial benefit of staying in members' homes when we travel, the network offers the more significant advantage of cultural, intellectual and social exchanges through such personal contact. We are able to see a place from the locals' perspective instead of as tourists. If that were all, you would already have enough reasons to join, but the close friendships that develop are an added bonus that we could never put a price on.

How does LGHEI function?

An annual directory, available only to members, is published in March and a supplementary list of members who joined later in the year is mailed out in September. Members who wish to travel use the directory to contact the members they would like to be received by. Members are expected to give their prospective hosts some advance notice before making their visit. Last minute requests for accommodation are not appreciated and can simply be denied. Members are expected to answer all requests for accommodation, whether in the affirmative or the negative. Members are expected to limit requests for hospitality to two nights. This protects hosts from being stuck with a guest with whom they are incompatible and protects the traveller from outright refusals of hospitality because of the hosts' fear of that possibility. However, hosts are free to offer longer stays at their discretion - and many do after learning how interesting and pleasant their guests are.

What kind of hospitality?

Members offer anything from a guest bedroom to a sofa, to a foam mattress for a sleeping bag. The rest is up to you. At the time of the visit you may choose to offer airport pick-up, breakfast, tours of gay and/or tourist spots or whatever else a good host may think of - depending on your possibilities. Think how you would like to be received. Each member decides how many guests he/she can receive and when. Nevertheless, this is a hospitality exchange and, therefore, not for those who aren't capable of, or interested in, receiving other members. Don't forget that both hosts and guests benefit from each visit! Our hosts have their house rules, as we have ours, and appreciate when they are respected. Because the hospitality is free, a token gift or a dinner invitation for the hosts might be appreciated.

Associate members

People in developing countries who are able to receive guests (or offer other forms of hospitality, such as information about their city, etc.) but who aren't able to travel because of financial or other considerations can be listed as hosts or useful contacts without having to pay the membership fee. However, they do not receive the directory and are not able to use it for their travels.

Home exchange

The primary purpose of LGHEI is to encourage hospitality exchange among members. All members must participate in this aspect of our program. Nonetheless, some members are also interested in exchanging their homes for short periods. We are willing to indicate that interest in our membership directory but all arrangements must be made by the interested members who also bear all responsibility for such arrangements. Home exchange will not be considered a substitute for hospitality exchange.

Penpals

While LGHEI is not meant to be a penpal network because many excellent ones already exist, many members (especially Associate Members) are also interested in developing friendships through correspondence. We are happy to indicate this in their entry in the annual directory.

Miscellaneous

We oppose discrimination on the basis of gender, race or national origin, age, "beauty" or other considerations. We expect all members of LGHEI to be welcome at the homes of all other members. If cultural or other considerations prevent you from abiding by these conditions, please explain this with your membership application. All members are expected to respect the customs and obey the laws of the areas they are visiting, particularly those regarding homosexuality. LGHEI cannot be held responsible for its members' conduct. LGHEI reiterates that it is an organization with the sole purpose of facilitating international and domestic travel. Members are traceable through their directory addresses, and only members receive the directory. This is a built-in security concerning our guests.

How do I join?

Now you can join LGHEI electronically with Paypal. Please note that your membership will need to be approved by an LGHEI representative, and that the directory is not available online - it will be posted to you.

If you prefer you can fill in the online application form and send your payment separately: instructions are provided. You may also print out the form and send it to us by post along with your annual membership fee - $30 USA or €25. Your membership will be processed when your membership fee is received.

When composing your text, don't forget to describe your interests and activities - not just your home and city. There is no need for physical description and requests for photos are out of place, too. Sample texts are included to give you an idea. If you also speak French, Spanish or German, please translate your description into those languages as well as you are able to. Many members speak only one or another of those languages.

The deadline for each year's directory is December 31st of the previous year. The deadline for the supplementary list is June 30th but all memberships must be renewed by December 31st no matter when they joined. The fee is "per household" - singles, roommates or couples - but you aren't obliged to travel together. If you wish to travel with a friend, the friend must also be a member in good standing, willllg and able to receive.

There are different ways to pay:

Credit card or transfer from your bank account via Paypal (this is the fastest and easiest way to pay)
International (bank or postal) money order in Euros payable to LGHEI.
Bank transfer to Acct. #1011806003 Berliner Volksbank (BLZ 100 900 00).
Name on account: Verein f. intern. Gastfreund.
IBAN: DE 5210090000 1011806003
BIC: BE VO DE BB
Traveller's cheque in Euros - payable to LGHEI.
In certain countries (Canada, USA, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Germany, etc.) some local representatives will be happy to receive your fees through cheque by mail or bank transfers in local currencies. Please ask for more details.

The fee is used to cover the costs of operation - publishing the directory, postage and, when possible, publicity to help expand the network. LGHEI is operated totally by volunteers.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP WITH LGHEI