Editor’s Note: It’s “holiday week” on The Window Seat, and our editors get into the spirit of the season with a series of articles exploring the many facets of this busy travel period.

If you’re anything like me, you’re used to hearing your family fuss over Thanksgiving details. From whose in-laws to visit to what kind of cranberry sauce works best (I prefer the chunky homemade kind), there’s always something piffling to stress about. But what if you were to skip out on all of that Thanksgiving hoopla for a relaxing getaway in the Bahamas instead?

For many gay men and lesbians around the country, there isn’t always much choice in the matter. Gay people often have strained relationships with their families, which makes attending--or bringing partners to--traditional holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or even Mother’s Day, a whole new can of worms.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member shepherd333.

The gay community’s approach to Thanksgiving is as varied as the community itself. When I spoke yesterday with my contact, Jerry, at gay and lesbian market research firm Community Marketing, Inc., I learned that November is actually the least-traveled month of the year for gay people. Only 18% of respondents to a 2007 survey reported having booked travel for this month. These findings ring true with my own experience: several friends and acquaintances of mine hold annual “gay” Thanksgiving dinners with their friends at home. I’ve also seen gay couples separate on Thanksgiving, each dining with their respective relatives, since parents often want to see their child, but reject their child’s partner.

Of the 18% who do travel, some use Thanksgiving weekend to indulge in one of many exotic, fun-filled destinations. Online gay and lesbian hub gay.com recently published a list of Top 5 Thanksgiving Destinations. On it are Martha’s Vineyard, Curaçao, and several other gay-friendly destinations, as well as tips for local restaurants, lodging, and sightseeing.

Jerry agrees that warm destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean are popular with gay men and lesbians throughout the holiday season. Low rates and time off from work keep gay people on the go in late November and December, even if they’re not visiting relatives. With the gay and lesbian travel market representing $65 billion out of an overall $1.3 trillion, that’s a lot of traveling. You go, girl!