Vacationers of the Week: Lauren Pratt and Nathalie Calderon
Vacationer had to reach out to Lauren Pratt, 29, and Nathalie Calderon, 30, after we spotted their aspirational Instagram tribute to actress Niecy Nash and her partner Jessica Betts. The celebrity couple was recently featured on the cover of Essence magazine, setting a historic precedence for the Black publication and Black queer women.
Nathalie and Lauren will spill the tea about that later, but we wanted to also catch up with the travel and relationship vloggers about their personal travel style and more. The content-creating duo reveals which country in Asia is responsible for their inevitable connection, what international travel experiences sparked their individual passion to travel more, and they offer recommendations on what LGBTQ+ travelers should do when visiting their hometowns of Orlando and Houston. You don’t want to miss this Q&A with our Vacationers of the Week!
Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?
Nathalie Calderon: I was 7-years-old, and my first international trip was to Jamaica, visiting my maternal family’s place of origin.
Lauren Pratt: I was 21 and my first international trip other than cruises was to Jerusalem, Israel with my church group.
What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel?
Lauren: In 2016, A friend at the time introduced me to the idea of living in Costa Rica. I took a chance and went with her to explore and just live! We lived there for about 3 or 4 months just country-hopping and bumping into more ex-pats. This was my first time living abroad and I loved getting to know myself while exploring the beautiful country. I plan to go back and purchase a vacation home.
Nathalie: Travel has been a part of my life since I was young. My mother ensured that my brother and I had the opportunity to walk the grounds our family emigrated from. Jamaica and England were some of my first travel experiences that truly cultivated my curiosity in life outside of the U.S. Moving to Korea in 2015 really ignited that passion for travel. Over the five years of living in South Korea, I was able to easily hop from country to country every chance I had. I traveled to over ten countries across Asia which opened my eyes to the colorful culture, rich history, and various ways of life that I never saw or experienced in person.
What inspires you to travel?
We feel the freest when we travel. We crave to immerse ourselves in the culture of a country, connect with the people, and eat at local places while expanding our palate. You never know what you’ll discover about the world and more importantly yourself when given the opportunity to see and experience life from a different point of view. The world is full of new adventures and people that will expand your mind.
Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel. If so, how?
Lauren: I identify as queer/gay. I like to describe myself as masculine-presenting with a feminine touch. Traveling while queer is similar to traveling while black. When we travel, we notice the stares and can feel when people are uncomfortable. If I’m being honest it took me a long time to be comfortable in my skin just being a black woman but when you add being a queer black woman – all you want to feel is safe. I’m happy to say that when we travel, I feel safe. I’ve lived in two countries and traveled to over 10 countries. I’ve received the most stares and hate while living in the United States.
Nathalie: I honestly struggle with putting a name to how I identify. I have always considered myself straight until Lauren walked into my life and made me realize that the qualities, I want in a partner, are not exclusive to a man. Now that I am in a wlw (woman-loving-woman) relationship, I would consider myself sexually fluid, but I am not married to any particular label. I am aware that we can’t be our lovey-dovey selves everywhere we travel. For each country we visit, we make sure we understand how each place handles LGBTQ relationships and adjust accordingly.
Some of us may know you both from your emotional Instagram post offering “thanks” to actress Niecy Nash and her partner Jessica Betts for repping the Black queer community. Tell us how that happened as well as your decision to recreate your version of their Essence magazine cover.
Well, we first saw the cover posted on Instagram and we were in awe! Seeing the first black queer couple on the cover of Essence was huge. We saw ourselves in Niecy and Jessica. We felt seen, represented, and inspired. Nathalie first proposed to recreate the cover, but Lauren was a bit hesitant. She was concerned, saying, “Babe they’re naked. I’m not about to be floating around the internet naked.” However, Nathalie convinced her to set up her Panasonic Lumix camera and a couple of ring lights in the living room and got to work. Lauren’s initial hesitancy turned to excitement because We looked good! Side by side, the photo was a near-perfect replica of the Betts cover photo.
Nathalie deserves all the credit for the editing and creative direction for the final image. We posted our recreation to Instagram and tagged Niecy and Jessica with the hopes that they would be able to see how their display of love is impacting queer couples like ourselves. Not only did they see the recreation, but they also shared it with their fans by posting it on their page and stories! Fast forward about 12 hours later, we received an invitation to participate in their Essence Cover celebration brunch – and that’s the video you’ve seen. Within the past week, we’ve received an outpouring of love from all across the globe that we are so honored to receive. We hope to inspire others to live boldly and love freely.
Why was it an important moment to you both?
We had no idea how much our post would move people. We’ve received countless DMs from individuals sharing their personal stories of struggle; not being able to live fully and authentically in their truth and with whom they love. We realized that there needs to be more love shared in this world and our love has the power to inspire, heal, and support others no matter their sexual orientation, background, or skin color. We have found a purpose – continue being our authentic, vulnerable selves with the world. Moving through love, we have the ability to change the world.
How long have you been traveling together? What was your first trip together?
We’ve been traveling together since the very beginning of our relationship! Our first trip was only 3 weeks into knowing each other. We were both living in South Korea at the time and we traveled to the southern city of Busan for a weekend.
Was it naturally easy to start traveling with one another? Why or why not? What are the perks of traveling as a couple?
We were surprised by how well we meshed together while traveling. Lauren always says that if you truly want to know if you’re compatible with someone, go on a trip together. You’ll get a peek into how they are. Traveling tests your patience, it reveals how responsible someone is, how considerate they are, how organized, spontaneous, and adventurous they are. When we travel, we are like yin and yang. We have fun in any situation we’re in and we don’t drain each other’s energy.
Nathalie’s strength is preparing the itinerary and ensuring that we don’t miss any must-dos. Lauren’s strength is spontaneity, pushing us to be adventurous and venture off the beaten path. We are both reliable, able to hold our own in a foreign country while staying safe and aware of our surroundings. Lastly, we like to enjoy indulging in luxury experiences and accommodations when we can – we are not penny pinchers when it comes to traveling.
Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where? What made it a memorable experience?
South Korea is not seen as being unsafe per se, however, it is very conservative when it comes to its views on the LGBTQIA+ community. Despite this, there has been a recent movement among the younger generation to push for acceptance of the LGBTQIA+ community. South Korea is memorable for us because this is where we met and fell in love. We never felt threatened by displaying our love openly. Honestly, the most we would get would be stares, but when it comes to us, there are lots to look at – two beautiful Black queens embracing their individual styles, natural hair, defying Eurocentric beauty standards, and freely expressing their love for each other.
What are three things LGBTQ+ travelers should do when visiting your current hometown or where you currently live?
When in Orlando
- Instead of going to Disney World, go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Especially if you are not traveling with kids, Universal Studios has better rides and shows and is catered to a slightly older crowd.
- For nature lovers, visit a natural spring. One of my favorites is Wekiwa Springs or Kings Landing at Rock Springs.
When in Houston:
- Buffalo Bayou Park – Enjoy the perfect sunsets and great views of the Houston skyline. Take a bike ride or a nice brisk walk.
- Discovery Green is an outdoor park in the heart of Houston. It’s surrounded by food trucks and it also plays host to events such as movies, concerts, and more.
- The Breakfast Klub is a popular restaurant, but don’t let the line out the door intimidate you. The chicken and waffles at this legendary Houston breakfast joint are a must. Thanks in part to a stamp of approval from Beyonce, this Midtown staple is a casual spot for wings and grits, cheesy breakfast sandwiches, and an excellent Eggs Benedict served on a biscuit instead of an English muffin.
What are your top three favorite places to visit? Why?
- South Korea – It’s where we met.
- Tulum, Mexico – This was our first international trip together.
- New York City – The lights, the mix of cultures, the people, and the energy always captivates us.
What three places are still on your bucket list to visit? Why?
Our bucket list is comprised of experiences we want to have, not necessarily a specific place:
- Staying in an overwater villa in the Maldives
- Visiting Phuket, Thailand
- Seeing the Northern Lights
What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?
Whipped Shea Butter and sunscreen
You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?
Beyoncé at Coachella!
Want to know more about Nathalie and Lauren? You can follow how they’re navigating through life and travel on YouTube (HerandHerGirlfriend and TravelingNat) and on Instagram.
