PRESS RELEASE: Girls That Roam Partners with Travel Advisors of Los Gatos

Planning Your Vacation Should Be Fun with a Capital "F"

(Los Gatos, Calif. - Jan. 30, 2014) Searching for vacations online used to be fun. That is until the options became overwhelming, prices changed never to be gotten again with a simple refresh of the page; refunds became a hassle, customer service was chilly and so many other issues that took the fun out of planning your getaway. Girls That Roam prefers the human touch which is why we've partnered with Travel Advisors of Los Gatos. The travel counselors have more than half a century of travel experience planning everything from solo to group vacations to corporate and business travel. Girls That Roam brings expertise in women's travel and additional experience to the agency's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travel division. "I'm pleased to bring the superior travel services of Travel Advisors of Los Gatos' to Girl Roamers," says Heather Cassell, publisher and editor of Girls That Roam, who will be trained as an independent travel counselor at the agency. "I will be able to provide quality vacations at prices not offered anywhere else as well as excellent service with the support of Travel Advisors' agents." Who has time to sort through and wonder which website is legitimate or not? If you are one of the 80 percent of women who make your friends and family's travel plans, you can rest assure that you have someone who wants you to have the best vacation possible. With this partnership, Girls That Roam can make planning your next adventure a breeze with the best trip planning advice and best rates when making your reservations for airlines, hotels and car rentals as well as foreign currency exchange and protecting your vacation with inexpensive travel insurance. "I'm very excited about our new relationship and know it will be positive for everyone," said Marilyn Gum, manager of Travel Advisors of Los Gatos. "Heather and Girls That Roam will bring new energy and more women's travel to our agency." Are you planning a girlfriend getaway, destination bachelorette party or wedding, spring break or summer excursion, or weekend adventures with the girls? We can also customize your trip. Need an idea for your next adventure? Make it a travel party. Host a travel party with your friends and our travel experts. Contact Heather Cassell at 408-354-6531 or 415-517-7239 or email trips@girlsthatroam.comor heatherc@tadvisors.com.

____________________________________________________________________________________  About Girls That Roam: Girls That Roam is an online travel magazine and community for independent globetrotting women who are either swinging it solo, traveling with their gal pals, boyfriends, or girlfriends, trekking it with their tots, or road warriors closing the deal. Girl roamers seek and explore new adventures learning about the world and pushing boundaries, doing good and giving back, supporting women-owned - and the boy's that love us - businesses and organizations. All the while having a great time rocking it through the continents, drinking and eating, sporting it up, sharing stories and tips, meeting new girlfriends - queer, straight, black, brown, white from America to Asia and everywhere in between - and having some fun and giggles along the way.  www.girlsthatroam.com  About Travel Advisors of Los Gatos: Travel Advisors of Los Gatos prides itself as a full-service travel agency. For more than 50 years, our travel counselors have brought five-star service to the adventurers, business and corporate travelers and vacationers. Our 17 travel specialists are experts in vacation packages, corporate to small business travel, group vacations (family reunions, girlfriend getaways, events and festivals, destination bachelorette and weddings and honeymoons), cruises, solo travel, and more for any traveler heading to any destination. We can craft the vacation of your dreams. Travel Advisors prides itself to have a team of travel counselors that specialize in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travel (LGBT) and women's travel ready to help you plan your next adventure.www.traveladvisorsoflosgatos.com

Lesbian Advice #4: Am I Asexual?

Disclaimer: This advice column is completely confidential - all questions are anonymous and the author will never reveal an inquirer's identity. All Things Lesbian and its contributors are not responsible for the personal interpretation of any advice given. Advice written here is the opinion and suggestion of the author, and the decision on whether to take said advice is completely down to the individual reader. We're not professionals - we're simply here trying to make things a little easier for you. Enjoy!

Question 1: Does She Really Like Me?

Q: I met this girl. She already knew me because she recognized me from a Christian gathering. We became friends pretty quickly, like more quickly than with most people I usually meet. We're very comfortable with each other and there is no awkwardness at all, except when we're leaving each other (weird, right?)

I'm not exactly the type of person people can get close to so easily. I never talk about what I feel with other people, but with her I'm easily able to just say it. I find myself reading her texts over and over again sometimes, and hoping that she would text me, even when I ended the conversation.

The thing I'm confused about is that I don't exactly feel the usual "crush" feelings I get when I like someone. Usually when I like somebody, I am quiet and reserved around my friends if they're near, and I'll often look down. I'll also be nervous, and my heart would race faster. With this girl, I am not at all shy, or nervous. I am very open and happy around her. I don't feel like I like her, but there's just something that makes me want to be around her, to hold hands with, or to talk with. Is it normal to not feel nervous, or experience that feeling of adrenaline rush through your body when you like someone?

I'm not sure if she's even gay, because she is a religious Christian (also from Korea, the land where gays do not exist in their eyes). However, she has shown signs that are usually perceived as being interested in someone, or even liking them.

It also makes me wonder why I'm gay. Like, am I gay because I yearn for the care that girls are able to show to you that guys can't? Because I'm not sexually attracted to girls, I'm emotionally attracted to them. With guys, I'm sexually attracted but not emotionally. It's all very confusing to me.

But I’d like your opinion. Does it seem like she's just being super friendly towards me, or is there something beneath what she's doing?*

- F

*This question has been edited due to length and structure.

A - Hmm, where to start?

First of all, the way you describe her actions towards you does make it sound like this girl is into you. However, we all know that when we like someone, we can sometimes amplify or modify the meaning behind these actions. In other words, we often see what we want to see.

The only thing to do is make a move and see how it goes. Maybe you should ask about her feelings towards homosexuality before doing so. Remember: Not all Christians have negative views towards our people! Some, you will find, are very accepting. Figure out her stance first.

As for your 'not being sexually attracted to girls' but being emotionally attached, I think I can shed some light here. I'm no expert in this area, but it sounds to me that you're what some would label a 'romantic asexual' when it comes to girls. What I mean by that is you do not find yourself sexually attractive to women, but rather you want to do smaller things; cuddle, hold hands, form deep bonds and connections.

Again, I'm not an expert in this field, but you can click HERE for some awesome information on asexuality and its twists and turns.

Good luck with the girl and be fearless!

Question 2: Is There Any Point In Trying?

I am a 22 year old femme who decided to try online dating. I was suspicious at first, but then I met this soft butch girl who lived about 40 miles from me and is 20 years old. She said she had just gotten out of a bad relationship.

We instantly made a connection and she seemed too good to be true. After talking online for hours upon end, she asked me out on a date. I was still nervous, so I asked to speak to her on the phone. We talked on the phone for a few days and video chatted and facebooked, and after a week of talking to her every night, I felt comfortable enough to meet her.

She said she really liked me, and I felt the same way. I was having very strong feelings for her, and was excited we shared the same values. After two weeks of talking to her and getting ready to meet her for the first time, she texts me and tells me her ex found about me and is really angry. She said that she came to her house after seeing our posts on facebook and flipped out, begging for her to take her back. This girl had cheated on her with men, and they had a bad relationship for a year and a half. They had agreed to just be friends.

Now the girl I was talking to said that she realized she had unresolved feelings for her ex and that she was sorry but she couldn't meet me. But that she would like to stay friends and thinks I'm an amazing person and she still really likes me.

Personally I think that she had sex with her ex and is confused now...I'm so upset because we really had this connection that I have never experienced before. I still really like her... should I just give up, or do you think possibly she will come to her senses? And if she does, should I try again or is she just an immature bitch?

Thanks,

Confused Femme

A: This situation sounds like it sucks for you, so firstly, I'm sorry to hear that.

It does sound like you really like this girl, but her head (and possibly her heart) are elsewhere. I have been in the same type of situation many a time and unfortunately it'll happen more often than you think.

It looks like you have two choices: keep in contact, hoping that she will soon return to feelings you have for her, or move on. If it were me, I'd opt for moving on. If she really does have unresolved feelings for her ex, there's not much you can do other than let her figure it out. It may not end in your favour, but at least you'll not be stuck with the thought of "when I'm with her is she just thinking about her ex?" And that is something no one wants on their mind.

But who knows? Maybe she'll realize just how much she likes you and give it a shot. Only time will tell in this case, I'm afraid.

***

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I'm disgusted, quite frankly.

Okay, I thought most of this had come to an end, especially in this country, but homophobia in 2008?


Basically, the point of this blog entry is about the punishment of a lesbian couple in the college I go to. I'm not really fond of either of the girls, but this is because of their personality and traits, not their personal lives or sexual orientation.

It came to my attention the other day that the two ladies - let's name them X and Y - were being punished for kissing in school. To put it bluntly, I was f**king outraged. The staff and committee at the college wouldn't even dream of punishing a heterosexual couple for public displays of affection.

Now I'm sure if I asked the teacher responsible for putting the punishment into practice if they were homophobic, they'd say no, but clearly this is homophobia. I'm sure they wouldn't have a problem with an African American couple kissing. If 2 Muslim students were kissing, would they tell them to stop it and punish them? Of course not!

They wouldn't allow racism in the school, so why are they allowing homophobia? Is it just me, or does anybody else think something should be done about this?

Protest much?