Chase Vondran | LGBTQ+ Travel & Chicago 🏳️‍⚧️

After 8 months, 4 IUIs, 1 IVF, 200+ shots, 32 fertility clinic appointments, 1 embryo transfer, and tons and tons of happy tears…. Oliver and I are SO excited to announce there’s a little explorer on the way. 👶🏻❤️ 3ish months ago, I was sitting inside of a clown-themed trans-owned cafe in Upstate New York when I got the call. I ran outside to answer as Oliver smiled and excitedly nodded on FaceTime. The test was positive. It was a moment I will never forget. A moment that I’m sure Baby V will hear about over and over. As trans husbands, it feels both radical and quite ordinary for us to be expecting parents. While thanks will never feel like enough, we want to say thank you. To the seahorse dads, the two mom families, and the queer parents both in our lives and whose stories we’ve seen online and read about in books. Your stories of turkey basters in the 90s, navigating adoption when it wasn’t legal for queer people to adopt, and getting pregnant before most people even knew gender diversity existed, have given us the gift of representation, peace, and hope for the future of our family. To the fertility clinic staff, nurses, and doctors who made us feel seen and supported. To our friends, family and village. To our first-borns, Kali🐕, Phillip🐈‍⬛ and Gilbert🐈. And to Oliver for his strength and bravery throughout this journey. We are SOOOOO freaking excited to meet our little Leo (who is already moving around and dancing) in Oliver’s belly (!!!) and to be parents. Love, Papa Chase + Dad Oliver

[SAVE/SHARE] LGBTQIA+ TRAVEL GUIDE: NEW HOPE, PA 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ #VisitPAPartner Just over an hour from Philly and tucked along the Delaware River, New Hope, PA is easily one of the queerest small towns in the U.S. A longtime haven for LGBTQIA+ travelers, artists, and creatives since the 1940s, it was recently named the #1 small town for arts and culture (and for good reason). Whether you want a laid-back gaycation or a weekend full of exploring, New Hope delivers. Here’s a quick travel guide to one of my new favorite places: STAY Logan Inn @loganinnpa EAT Ferry Market ferrymarketnewhope (indoor food hall) Playhouse Deck @playhousedeck (great patio with riverside views) Karla’s @karlasnewhope (comfort food + martinis) Landmark Tavern @loganinnpa (inside Logan Inn) Main Street Marketplace @marketplacedoylestown (in Doylestown) Genevieves (in Doylestown, BYOB) Moo Hope @moohopeicecream (vegan ice cream options) TO DO Explore New Hope’s main street Go vintage shopping Ride the New Hope train @newhoperailroad Walk the bridge Candle-making workshop at Wax N Scent @waxnscentstudio (Black-owned) See a show at Playhouse Theater @theaterbcp Explore Peddler’s Village @peddlersvillage (10 min) Michener Art Museum @michenerart (Doylestown) Mercer Museum @mercerandfonthill (Doylestown) Vampire Museum @vampamuseum (Doylestown) SHOP Love Saves the Day @lsdnewhope (vintage, collectibles and oddities) Night Bird Vintage @nightbirdvintage The Creeper Gallery @thecreepergallery QUEER BARS The Cub Room @thecubroom__newhope Havanna @havananewhope (queer-friendly) John & Peter’s @johnandpetersnewhope (queer-friendly) For more details and a comprehensive guide, check out my new blog post LGBTQIA+ Travel Guide to New Hope, PA! 🔗 #VisitPA #lgbtqtravelers #lgbtqtravel #newhope #doylestown #pennsylvania #buckscountypa

Welcome to your next Southern Illinois gay getaway 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🐕✨ #airbnbpartner @airbnb This cozy @Airbnb cabin in Makanda sits on a 52-acre farm near Shawnee National Forest, just five hours south of Chicago. Tucked right outside town, Makanda is often called the “hippiest town in Illinois” and is the perfect queer-friendly weekend getaway for hiking, exploring nature, and fully unplugging. The cabin has no WiFi, a full kitchen, and a fire pit for late-night s’mores, plus total seclusion that makes it feel like your own private retreat. A true hidden gem for LGBTQIA+ solo travelers, couples, small families, and adventurous pups. Save this for your next Midwest road trip! More Details: 📍Maple Ridge Cabin at Panther’s Rest Farm 🛌 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 2 beds 🐶 pet-friendly 🧑‍🧑‍🧒 up to 5 guests (recommend 1-3) 🍽️ full kitchen with dishes and silverware 🚘 free parking ✅ easy self check-in 🪵 indoor fireplace + fire pit outside #lgbtqtravel #enjoyillinois #shawneenationalforest

73 days til we meet our adventure buddy 🥹🫃🏻 📍Route 66: Chicago to Springfield, IL #seahorsedad #twodads #enjoyillinois #lgbtqtravel

Info below⤵️ [AD] 🏳️‍🌈LGBTQ+ GUIDE TO SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN🏳️‍⚧️ TO STAY for couples & solo travelers: 📍 @innparkbandb 🛏️ The Hawthorne Suite (featured) *also loved The Magnolia Suite for families with kids & large groups: 📍 @watersviewinn 🛏️ Room 11 (featured, 2bed/2bath suite + kitchenette) TO EAT @julias_soha @tastesouthhaven TO DO @hellobooksmi @eaglestreetmarket @murph_ysantiques shop downtown explore local wineries/breweries Woodman Beach for sunset (near Inn at the Park, less crowds) North Beach (biggest + most popular) South Beach (also popular) #visitsouthhaven #southhavenmichigan #lgbtqtravel #midwesttravel

Doorways Of Chicago Book Launch! Join us for the launch event of my new Doorways Of Chicago Book! I will be in conversation with Chase Vondran @explorewithchase and sharing the story about the DOC project! After the talk there will be a book signing and you will be able to shop my photography prints and greeting cards and say hi! Friday, May 8 @fineartsbuilding 410 S. Michigan Ave Third Floor Studio C (in the annex) 6 pm - 7 pm Hosted by @tropereader and @exileinbookville . Are you coming? See you there! The Doorways Of Chicago Book has been #1 in Hot New Releases for over a week on Amazon in 4 categories! 🌎Travel Photography 🏛️Architectural Photography 🌆City Photography 🇺🇸Midwest US Travel Guides #doorwaysofchicago

Also got a Costco membership this week🙂👍🏻 #gaydads #chicagoparent #seahorsedad

RATING BABY STORES + SECTIONS IN CHICAGO pt1 👶🏻🌈💖#chicagoparent #lgbtqchicago #transdads [AD] 📍@humboldthouse in Humboldt Park, Chicago 🏳️‍🌈 queer woman-owned 💻 in-person + online shop ⭐️ 10/10 for inclusivity, cool parent gear, unique gifts & cute accessories

happy national chaco daaaaaay [unbox + manifest with me📦💫] @chacofootwear #ChacoPartner #lgbtqtravel

Freewill is jumping into your car at 7am and arriving in Kentucky by lunch time. 🚘✨🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ #KYTourismPartner @kytourism Thank you Kentucky for your warm welcome, whimsy and southern hospitality. Here are some highlights from my 4 day solo road trip through the Bluegrass State (full itinerary posted on my feed). Have you been to Kentucky? What are your favorite places? Disclaimer: this content is based on my own experience as a tourist. As always, do your own research and travel with caution. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 #lgbtqtravel #travelky #usatravel

More details 👇🏻 @kytourism #KYTourismPartner DAY 1-2: LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY (~4.5 hrs from Chicago) STAY @myriadhotelky (🏳️‍🌈) EAT @proofonmain (🚻) @lemoolou (🏳️‍🌈🚻) @breakfastaf_germantown (🚻) TO DO shopping in NuLu [featured: @louabull (🏳️‍🌈)], explore the gayborhood (The Highlands), @louisvillehistorictours (🏳️‍🌈), queer history tour @louisvillefoodtours QUEER BARS @bigbar_louisville (🏳️‍🌈🚻) @chillbarlou (🏳️‍🌈🚻) @playlouisville (🏳️‍🌈) ➡️ @gotolouisville DAY 2-3: BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY (45 min from Louisville) STAY @thetrailhotel EAT @lems.cafe (🚻), Hardorn’s Bakery, @bourboncitykitchen , @rickhouserestaurant , @myoldkentuckydinnertrain TO DO Bottled-in-Bond Warehouse Tour and Tasting at @heavenhillbourbonexperience + explore downtown TO DRINK @volstead.lounge @oldtalbotttavern @3rd_street_tap_house @coxs_evergreen_liquors (🚻) ➡️ @visitbardstown DAY 3-4: COVINGTON, KENTUCKY (2 hrs from Bardstown) STAY The Pickle Factory @theneatsuites EAT @roeblingbooks (🚻), @rekas_butcher (🏳️‍🌈), Mama’s On Main @mamas621cov (🚻) TO DO Tasting at @newriff (🚻), check @queerkentucky @midwestern.lesbian for LGBTQIA+ events (🏳️‍🌈), explore MainStrasse Village SHOP @creativehousead (🏳️‍🌈🚻), @revivalvintagespirits (🏳️‍🌈) @roeblingbooks (🚻) QUEER BARS Bar 32 (🏳️‍🌈🚻), @rosies_tavern (🏳️‍🌈🚻), Secret Bar (🏳️‍🌈🚻) ➡️ @meetnky DAY 4: DRIVE BACK TO CHICAGO! (4.5 hrs from Covington) 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA+-owned 🚻 = all-gender restrooms available on site 💡 If you have time, I would add Lexington, KY to the mix as well #lgbtqtravel #TravelKY #usatravel

Once inhabited by infamous Chicago mobster “Little Clown,” this Airbnb in Chicago is truly one-of-a-kind🌹🌼 @airbnb #AirbnbPartner Comment “west town” and I will DM you the 🔗 📍Retro Airbnb in West Town 🛌 two bedroom, one bathroom 🍽️ full kitchen 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 up to 4 guests ✅ easy check-in 🚘 free street parking 💡nearby cool vintage and thrift shops + tons of amazing restaurants; highly recommend for history and vintage lovers or folks looking for a unique Chicago experience #lgbtqtravel #chicagoairbnb #chicagocreator