As travelers of color, the Queer Nomads are on a mission to spotlight the resilience of the queer community, ensuring that no one feels invisible.
Words by Niccolo Brandon Serratt
Images courtesy of Lexie and Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir
Lexie and Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, celebrated as the Queer Nomads, are trailblazers in the realm of modern love and activism, guiding queer individuals globally. Their life—a fusion of travel, love, and a deep commitment to societal change—exemplifies authentic, passionate living.
Based in London, they’ve journeyed from Asia to the Americas, not merely as travelers but as advocates for inclusivity. Their relationship sparked at UK Black Pride in 2017, and has grown into a formidable union dedicated to challenging societal norms and fostering spaces of unconditional love and acceptance.
As vocal advocates for the Queer and Black communities, Lexie and Aisha intertwine their activism with entrepreneurship. Lexie has distinguished herself as the United Kingdom’s first—and currently only—queer wedding planner. Meanwhile, Aisha’s venture, Moonlight Experiences, offers tours that reveal the vibrant, often untold queer narratives of London, challenging the conventional travel narrative.
Their mission is to empower the queer community through social media, activism and entrepreneurship and disrupt—in the best way possible—the travel industry.
“Our community is everywhere, and one of the reasons why we started the Queer Nomads was the lack of representation,” says Aisha, reflecting on their journey. “It’s about living our most authentic selves and showcasing the joy that was absent in our own upbringings.”
Our community is everywhere, and one of the reasons why we started the Queer Nomads was the lack of representation.
How did The Queer Nomads start?
Lexie: The Queer Nomads started around pandemic times because we were at home a lot. We had traveled a lot, individually and together, so we thought to change the narrative by making it a bit more diverse. We wanted to diversify the travel industry and explore what is out there.
How do you select destinations to explore, and what factors do you consider to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and safe as a queer couple of color?
Lexie: We choose destinations we haven’t been to and then check the laws, what is allowed and what is not, before making a decision. However, we don’t always choose queer-friendly destinations because it’s important to remember that even in countries where being gay is illegal, there are still LGBTQ+ communities, and they often feel left out. Traveling is an opportunity to connect with them. The laws are not necessarily a defining argument as to whether to go or not.
Aisha: As Lexie said, our community is everywhere, and one of the reasons why we started the account was because there was not enough representation allowing us to live our most authentic selves and show off the joy that neither of us got to see growing up.
What challenges have you faced in this endeavor, and how have you overcome them?
Aisha: In terms of challenges, we have been extremely fortunate not to face too many, but this isn’t to say that we haven’t faced them individually. While traveling, we have encountered a lot of racism in countries, so if it’s not worrying about homophobia, or navigating the world as a woman, there is also the race element to consider. Even in European countries like Italy, we have faced intense racism.
We wanted to diversify the travel industry and explore what is out there.
How did you both meet and what initially drew you to each other?
Aisha: What drew me to Lexie was her aura and energy. We initially met at UK Black Pride and then, a week later, we bumped into each other at Freedom Bar—a place we don’t normally go to. I recall saying “Hi” to Lexie, and then she followed me around all night. We have been together ever since, for almost seven years.
Lexie: I would like to add that I did not follow her as she claims. I was simply enjoying her company and hanging out.
How do you balance your professional passions with nurturing your relationship?
Lexie: We’re both involved in our projects—me with LGBTQ+ wedding planning, and Aisha with her company guiding travelers through London’s queer history. Together, we run Queer Nomad and participate in UK Black Pride, linking all aspects of our work and life. This synergy wasn’t planned, but it strengthened our relationship. Our fortunate position enables us to travel, support our community, and find happiness. Our efforts extend beyond professional realms, as we also focus on nurturing our relationship with the same compassion we hold for our community.
Of all the places you’ve traveled together, is there a particular moment or experience that stands out as the most impactful or meaningful?
Aisha: Just before the pandemic, we went to Vietnam and got engaged, which was great because it allowed us to spend lockdown on cloud nine, all happy and excited. Vietnam will always have a very special place in our hearts. The food, the people, and the landscape are simply amazing. Overall, the country is truly unique and magical. We also really enjoyed convention travels with IGLTA, which recently took us to Puerto Rico, where we organized industry-breaking events like the first black breakfast and queer black travel leaders event. It was great to see more of us come together.
Our fortunate position enables us to travel, support our community, and find happiness.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?
Aisha: This year, we have a few things lined up, but one of the things we will be doing is group travel and continuing to build on the work we have already done over the last few years. We have worked and will continue working with a few brands to create LGBTQ+ maps, making LGBTQ+ and POC travel more accessible and providing a more diverse perspective to travel.
What advice would you give to queer travelers who are exploring new destinations?
Lexie: Initially hesitant about Dubai due to misconceptions and legal concerns, I was persuaded by Aisha to visit. This trip unveiled the local queer community and culture, transforming my views and leading me to appreciate Dubai’s aesthetic. It taught me the value of an open mind and thorough preparation for safe, enriching travel experiences.
What I love to say is that we are living our ancestors’ wildest dreams.
Looking forward, what do you hope your legacy will be as activists, travellers, and trailblazers within the LGBTQ+ and POC communities?
Aisha: I think our legacy is about paving the way for other POC and queer travelers. What I love to say is that we are living our ancestors’ wildest dreams. And because of that, we want to be able to do what we can to pave the way (like our ancestors did for us) for the next generation by being inspirational, providing resources, and working with other people as a community. We want to be part of that change for other people, not just in the U.K. but across the world.
Follow The Queer Nomads on Instagram.