Hy Local Guides, 
On this Disability Pride Month, I am glad to introduce & feature local guides that have been contributing inclusive information to Google Maps. Disability Pride Month is celebrated to promote awareness & importance of Accessibility & Inclusivity. While the whole month is celebrated, our local guides have been contributing to support Accessible LGBTQ+ friendly businesses on Google Maps which in turn spreads awareness & promotes inclusiveness among the community.
Apart from Supporting Local LGBTQ+ Friendly Businesses on Google Maps, let’s also shine a spotlight on Local Guides who have been contributing to Accessibility & Inclusivity on Google Maps and Connect with Pride with Local Guides.
Let’s meet Santosh Kumar!
Santosh Kumar at birth house of Swami Vivekananda, situated inside Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre.
@Kumaarsantosh, a level 
Local Guide 
from Noida, India contributes & shares Inclusivity, Accessibility and Sustainability on Google Maps & Connect. Apart from being an inspiring Accessibility Champion 
, Santosh Kumar drives his valuable contribution to inclusivity, either by reviewing or adding an inclusive atmospheric photo of a business. Whether it’s a shopping mall 
, restaurant 
or tea shop, Santosh Kumar has been reviewing inclusivity with accessibility , LGBTQ+ friendliness, bathroom facility 
, parking space 
, sustainable options 
& pet friendliness 
on Google Maps.
Let’s hear what Santosh Kumar has to say!
- Can you start by telling us about your journey as a Local Guide and what initially drew you to focus on LGBTQ+ friendliness in your reviews?
Answer : Santosh Kumar began his journey as a local guide 
years ago on Google Maps. He had been a strong believer in equality & inclusivity which drove him to share his experience through reviews and editing attributes on Google Maps. While navigation is a widely used feature on Google Maps, he truly believes that we as local guides could provide valuable information & update based on our experiences was just valuable for users which is exactly where inclusivity becomes important.
- What are key indicators you look for when a business is LGBTQ+ friendly, other than a sign on the door?
Answer : The first and foremost indicator where Santosh looks for is the welcoming attitude of the business. He barely looks for the sign on the door and believes in the spirit more than the letters.
Some ways Santosh looks for LGBTQ+ friendliness in a business.
- The behavior they (business) show towards their guests without any prejudice.
- Their openness about inclusivity.
- At times he also talks with the owner and staff to discover more about their Inclusive space.
- What impact do you see when we include LGBTQ+ Friendliness in our reviews, as both in community & business?
Answer : Our contributions generate awareness about LGBTQ+ friendly places. It also inspires others to welcome and adapt to the change. Local Businesses become more sensitive towards this and sometimes, even business is not aware about what they are doing to support LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere but actually they are doing it. Thus, as a Local Guide if we can highlight such aspects, it helps them also understand and highlight what they do.
Just to give an example, one of the business owners replied to his review saying : “It’s wonderful to know that you found us to be LGBTQ+ friendly. We recognize your concern regarding wheelchair accessibility and will keep it in mind as we strive to improve.”
Our review can also impact local Businesses in a positive way to know about Accessibility & Inclusivity.
- As you are also an Accessibility Champion, do you have any favourite accessible LGBTQ+ friendly cafes or restaurants you visit often? Also, why do you think it’s important to support accessible inclusive places on Google Maps?
@ShreyaMusings, Santosh Kumar & @Ssiddharth2000 having chai together, as part of Chai Pe Charcha.
Answer : Santosh Kumar has been exploring new places and in recent discovery has led to Daryaganj Restaurant. It is very rare to find such a cozy place following inclusivity in spirit. Not only is the place accessible, LGBTQ+ friendly but also follows the Sustainability norms & was amazed to experience the welcoming atmosphere there for everyone. He also shared his review of the Resturant on Google Maps, sharing important details like Wheelchair Accessiblity , LGBTQ+ friendliness, bathroom facility , parking space & Kid Friendliness.
In today’s world, our reliance on Google Maps is immense. Before embarking on any journey, our first instinct is to consult Google Maps for essential details and information about our destination. This highlights the critical importance of keeping Google Maps updated with accurate and current information. Such diligence significantly benefits the entire community. As Local Guides, we possess the unique ability to enrich this system with our real-time experiences. By contributing accurate information, especially regarding places that champion inclusivity, we can immensely help others plan visits to locations that align with their values and needs.
- As a local guide, you contribute valuable information towards inclusivity, both for accessibility & LGBTQ+ Friendliness. With Disability Pride Month coming up in July, do you have any plan to celebrate & give awareness to the community?
Answer : As a Local Guide, Santosh Kumar keeps on discovering and sharing information on inclusivity to raise more awareness. He do identify such topics to include in his Ghumakkad Gossip Meet-up series & participate more in meet-ups and discussions around the topic. He also conducted such a meetup at Exploring Pride Station exploring Accessibility & LGBTQ+ friendliness of Metro stations.
He encourages fellow LGs to come forward & talk and contribute inclusivity on Google Maps and Connect.
Thank you Santosh Kumar for giving me such insights and information on Accessibility & Inclusivity.
Check out Pride with Local Guides - Adrian
Let’s celebrate this Month with valuable contributions on Google Maps. Do you share any Accessible LGBTQ+ friendliness in your reviews? Please comment below & tell what indicators made you type in the reviews.
accessibility
like our long conversations. It was the day I learned so much about connect and maps. Thank you 
