Hy Local Guides, 
Pride with Local Guides is excited to celebrate the incredible contributions of our Local Guides who are passionately working to make Google Maps a more inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. These dedicated Local Guides go above and beyond, providing vital information that helps diverse communities navigate and experience the world around them. From championing accessibility to fostering vibrant local communities through meet-ups and ensuring accurate & inclusive mapping and their efforts are truly making a difference. Join the series as we shine a light on these inspiring Local Guides who embody the spirit of “Pride with Local Guides” and are committed to building #MapsForAll on this Disability Pride Month.
Let’s meet Isha! 
Meet @Globe_trotter_Ish (Isha), a level 
local guide from India who is deeply committed to fostering inclusion, diversity & sustainability through her work & contributions on Google Maps and Connect. Apart from being a Guiding Star 
in Inclusive Mapping category on 2020 & 2022, Isha is an Accessibility Champion 
& Meetup Champion 
in the above respective years. In between the respective years (2021), Isha was chosen as first woman Connect Moderator from India.
Isha is also a core member of the One Accessibility Initiative team which encourages discussions around various forms of accessibility and how we can create an accessible world for all. She believes that technology and community - driven platforms can be powerful tools for social change; helping create a world where every person feels seen, valued and empowered.
Apart from contributing towards local Women Owned pottery shops 
, Eco Friendly 
attractions or hotels 
on Google Maps, Isha also take time to highlight & takes up initiatives and challenges on local women owned businesses, supporting LGBTQAI+ community, advocating for environmentally conscious choices & promoting handmade traditional small local businesses.
From her words - “Every contribution matters & counts - smallest updates & edits help millions of people.”
Let’s hear what Isha has to say about Inclusiveness.
- Tell us your inclusive journey as a local guide and becoming a Connect Moderator?
Answer : Isha’s journey began with the intent to highlight accessible and inclusive locations on Maps, so that no one would be left out while navigating spaces. Over time, it was realized by her how powerful Maps could be - not just to reach destinations, but to amplify kindness and showcase safe spaces for everyone. Her valuable contributions were recognized by the community throughout the years. Eventually, the role of Connect Moderator was assumed to her, through which new contributors were guided, impactful meet-ups were hosted, and leadership was shown with empathy and purpose.
- As a Connect Moderator, what do you think is the primary responsibility to ensure the Connect community remains a safe and inclusive space for all Local Guides?
Answer : It is felt by Isha that the core responsibility of a Connect Moderator - or rather any Local Guide - is to ensure that an environment is fostered where every Local Guide is made to feel safe, heard, and valued. This involves respectful interaction being ensured, new contributors being guided, and a space being maintained where diverse cultures, genders, and identities are uplifted. Along with the global Connect Moderator family, efforts are made by her to help build a respectful community together. Moderation is not seen merely as the enforcement of rules - but rather as the building of bridges between people, cultures, and the noble causes they wish to support.
- How do you verify & identify a local business is LGBTQIA+ friendly & how do you contribute towards it on Google Maps?
Photo taken by Isha during Pride Month in London, UK.
Answer : Inclusivity is verified by Isha through a combination of personal experience, visible markers of inclusivity, and insights gathered from the community. Many LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses are seen to proudly display flags or inclusive messaging, participate in pride events, or express open support through their values. As a Local Guide, such businesses are highlighted by her on Google Maps through reviews, photos, and Map edits. In this way, welcoming places are made easier to find by others in the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Can you share any specific LGBTQIA+ friendly cafe or coffee shop you visit often & tell what made you like it?
Answer : One of the favorite inclusive spots of Isha is the Subko Restaurant 
in Mumbai. It is regarded as a welcoming, gender-neutral space, known for its inclusivity in atmosphere, eco-friendliness and clientele. Regular engagement is carried out by the café with artists and marginalized voices, allowing a safe haven to be created for diverse communities. Here is Isha’s review of the coffee shop & post on Connect. Places like these are loved to be highlighted by her on Maps - not just for the service provided, but for the social consciousness and representation they embody.
- What was the inspiration on conducting & organising a virtual meet-up to support LGBTQIA+ community & friendly businesses on Connect and Google Maps?
Answer : The inspiration was drawn by Isha during the pandemic, a time when digital spaces were made even more essential. The need to educate and empower people to map safe and inclusive spaces was recognized by her. To increase the impact, virtual themed meet-ups were organized by her every month at the start, as part of the #MapsForAll series, which was specifically designed to address how accessible, sustainable, LGBTQIA+ friendly and inclusive businesses could be identified and promoted. These meet-ups were not just seen as educational - they were experienced as spaces of solidarity, awareness and advocacy.
- What does Inclusion mean to you as in Connect & Google Maps?
Answer : Inclusion is seen by Isha as being rooted in visibility, dignity, and access.
On Google Maps, inclusion is defined as the effort to ensure that people from every walk of life - those with special abilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and non-native speakers - are able to find spaces where they belong.
On Connect, inclusion is understood as the building of a global family in which everyone is made to feel safe to speak up, ask, share, and celebrate differences. Every meet-up hosted by Isha - whether focused on accessibility, sustainability or safe spaces - is intentionally built with empathy and equity placed at its core.
I thank Isha for having her time to know about her inclusive approach through her contribution & involvement in our community!
Check out about Local Guides who contributes inclusivity on Google Maps!
Do you contribute inclusivity on Google Maps? Please share in the comments with Isha’s story, so that we can spread inclusivity in our community.
