Since its founding in 2007, AirBNB has quickly grown to be a tech giant, allowing hundreds of thousands of people to post rooms and apartments for short-term rental. It currently hosts over 1.5 million listings in 190 countries, and provides a fun way for travelers to find temporary housing ranging from very inexpensive to incredibly high-end.
But did you know AirBNB also provides the perfect opportunity for a traveling activist to open someone’s eyes to the importance of intersectionality? Here are some helpful tips.
Complain About Available Bathrooms
It’s rare that an AirBNB will have gendered bathrooms. Nevertheless, any time you allow waste to leave your body is an opportunity to tell your host that their bathrooms oppress you with their gendered assumptions. Write #AllBodiesMatter on the mirror, in permanent marker, to really let the point land.
Leave Helpful Notes Wherever Possible
Many AirBNB hosts will put aside space in their pantry or fridge for guests to use. This is the perfect space to leave notes about:
- Organic, fair-trade food purchases
- Product lines featuring interracial families
- The ways in which fruit of color often come from societally disadvantaged communities
Likewise, here are some other places to leave helpful anti-oppression notes:
- Your host’s underwear drawer
- Inside any heating vents
- Slipped between notes of a book they’re reading
Share Explicit Details About Your Sex Life
The best way to reduce societal slut-shaming is to normalize human sexuality. Loudly masturbating is a good start, but your AirBNB host definitely wants to know about your hookups, your body, and your kinks. Remember, change starts at home and, when you’re on the road, AirBNB is your home.
