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Frequently asked.

What we get asked, all the time.

Why does Gloria use the term “women” on its website?

Most people seeking abortion care are women, and we want the people arriving on our website to immediately recognize themselves in our language. We believe clarity matters, especially in moments of stress and urgency.

At the same time, we fully recognize that trans men and nonbinary people can also become pregnant and need abortion care. Gloria supports anyone seeking abortion care who needs our services. Our language is intended to be accessible and human — not exclusionary.

Does Gloria only use Airbnbs?

No. Gloria works with all kinds of short-term lodging, including Airbnbs, VRBOs, guest houses, casitas, private apartments, and other donated stays.

We often use the word “Airbnb” conversationally because many people immediately understand what it means — similar to how people say “Band-Aid” instead of adhesive bandage. But Gloria is not limited to Airbnb properties or affiliated with Airbnb.

Is Gloria an abortion clinic?

No. Gloria is not a medical provider and does not provide abortions or medical advice. We focus on the logistics around abortion travel, including lodging coordination and practical support.

Can anyone use Gloria?

Mostly, yes — with a few important limitations.

At this time, Gloria is unable to support minors, and we are unfortunately not yet set up to adequately support Spanish-speaking guests. We know these are important gaps, and expanding accessibility remains a future goal as we grow our capacity.

How much does it cost to stay with Gloria?

Nothing. Gloria lodging is provided free of charge through donated stays.

Are hosts aware that these are abortion-related stays?

Yes. Gloria hosts knowingly volunteer their space to support people traveling for abortion care.

How does Gloria protect privacy?

Gloria is built around data minimization and privacy-first practices. We collect only the information necessary to coordinate support, limit who can access it, and delete sensitive data as soon as possible.

Can I volunteer or become a host?

Yes! Gloria is powered by everyday people who want to help. Hosts, donors, and volunteers all play an important role in supporting abortion travelers.

Why does Gloria call volunteers “sidekicks”?

Because even superheroes need sidekicks.

In almost every superhero story, sidekicks are the people who show up at exactly the right moment — offering support, backup, protection, or the thing the hero could never accomplish alone. They are essential to the mission, even if they rarely get the spotlight.

At Gloria, we believe the same is true in real life. No one should have to navigate abortion travel completely alone. Whether it’s a place to stay, a ride to an appointment, a meal, or simply someone helping coordinate the chaos, sidekicks can change the outcome of someone’s journey.

Even if only temporary, we believe everyone deserves a sidekick when they need one most.

Is Gloria affiliated with Airbnb?

No. Gloria is not affiliated with Airbnb in any way, and we do not interface or work directly with Airbnb as a company.

We coordinate many different types of short-term lodging, including guest houses, casitas, private apartments, and rentals listed across a variety of platforms. We sometimes use the word “Airbnb” conversationally because people immediately understand what type of lodging we mean.

What kinds of lodging does Gloria use?

Every stay is different. Lodging may include donated Airbnbs, guest houses, casitas, apartments, or other short-term rental options depending on availability and patient needs.

Why focus on lodging?

Next to airfare, lodging is often one of the largest expenses abortion travelers face — and for people needing multi-day appointments, it can become the single most expensive part of the journey.

We also know that more than 55% of abortion travelers require an overnight stay. At the same time, the average short-term rental occupancy rate in the United States is only around 55%, meaning millions of beds sit empty every night.

To Gloria, that represents an enormous opportunity for community-powered support. By coordinating existing vacant spaces, we can reduce one of the biggest barriers to abortion access while making use of resources that already exist.

How does Gloria vet hosts?

Every Gloria host goes through a multi-step screening and onboarding process designed to prioritize guest safety, privacy, and values alignment.

This process includes:

  • Criminal background checks
  • A personal interview with the Gloria team
  • Social media review
  • Property record verification
  • A values-alignment survey and onboarding process

We look for people who understand the importance of privacy, autonomy, and compassionate support for abortion travelers. Because Gloria is built on trust, we take host screening seriously.

Why not just put people in hotels?

Hotels can absolutely be helpful, and sometimes they are the best option. But short-term rentals often provide important advantages for abortion travelers.

Many stays offer flexible check-in and check-out times, which can be especially helpful for people taking red-eye flights or navigating unpredictable appointment schedules. Short-term rentals also often include kitchens, allowing travelers on multi-day stays to cook meals instead of relying on restaurants for every meal.

In many cases, people are traveling with children, caregivers, partners, or additional support people, and short-term rentals can provide more flexible, comfortable spaces for families and groups. Some stays may also include outdoor areas, gardens, or quieter environments that help people rest and recover during stressful moments.

For many travelers, these spaces feel more private, grounding, and humane than a standard hotel stay.

Can I donate my guest bedroom?

At the moment, no. Gloria currently only accepts lodging that includes a private entrance and a private, lockable space for guests.

While we deeply appreciate people willing to open their homes, we want to prioritize privacy, autonomy, and comfort for the people we support.

That said, this could change in the future. If you’d be interested in offering a guest bedroom down the line, please submit our host intake form and let us know you’d like to be contacted if our requirements evolve.

Will I meet my lodging host?

Usually, no. Most Gloria stays are private short-term rentals where guests can check themselves in and have their own space.

In most cases, you would only interact directly with a host if you need assistance during your stay — such as help accessing the property or fixing an issue. You are always in charge of how much interaction you want.

Travelers are included in a group chat thread with Gloria and the host so support is easy to access if needed, while still maintaining privacy and autonomy.

How does Gloria protect host’s privacy?
  • We share a host’s address no earlier than 24 hours before check-in. Plans change, and we believe sensitive information should travel only as far as necessary.
  • We use an end-to-end encrypted messaging app with auto-deleting threads to prevent long-term communication records about any assistance provided.
  • Host addresses are stored in our custom-built software, hosted on EU-based servers and governed by GDPR.
  • We do not share host’s personal information without their consent.
Is it legal to help someone from out of state coming to Colorado for an abortion?

Colorado has Shield Laws that offer certain protections inside Colorado for those who help others access “legally protected health-care,” including lawful abortion care.

What the Shield Law Does:

  • Defines “legally protected health-care activity” (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-30-121).
  • Offers various protections, including for those who “assist” or offer “material support” for someone seeking lawful abortion care in Colorado.
  • Stops Colorado’s officials from cooperating with certain out-of-state investigations or proceedings against anyone in Colorado who helps others access lawful abortion care.
  • Stops Colorado courts from enforcing certain out-of-state civil judgments concerning “legally protected health-care activity.”

Additional Resources:

Legal Citations:

  • Legally Protected Healthcare Activity — Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) § 12-30-121(1)(d)
  • No Cooperation with Out-of-State Investigations — Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) §§ 13-1-140, 16-3-102, 16-5-104, 24-116-101, 24-116-102
  • No Civil Lawsuit Enforcement in Colorado (2024) — Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) § 13-1-140

The resources above are authored by other organizations. Indigo Bird is sharing them for convenience and is not responsible for the accuracy of their content.

Will the host know my name?

Not necessarily. Gloria prioritizes privacy and data minimization whenever possible.

In most cases, hosts only receive the information necessary to coordinate your stay, such as arrival timing or basic communication details. Usually guests choose to use a preferred name or alias. We believe people seeking abortion care should not have to share more personal information than necessary in order to receive support.