Here be Rainbows: LGBTQ mapping in OSM
2026-08-30 , La Réunion
Language: English

This talk provides an overview of tagging practices for mapping LGBTQ+ venues and spaces in OSM, covering history of mapping. We'll talk about what sort of things can, and can't be tagged, what should, and should not, be mapped.

The aim is to offer a structured summary of current practices while outlining key limitations, supporting more informed and responsible contributions to OpenStreetMap.


Talk keywords:

LGBTQ, trans, gay, queer, diversity

Amanda McCann is a mapper and programmer originally for Ireland, but is now a queer trans woman living in Germany, and works at Geofabrik keeping servers online.

She's been active in OSM for 15+ years, doing things that keep her interested., such as running Irish historical mapping projects Townlands, being on the OSM Foundation Board, and lately, hydrology mapping with WaterwayMap.org.

Outside OSM, she enjoys hiking.

Erica 'spughetti' Temp is a queer mapper from the Netherlands. She began contributing to OSM in May of 2022 when in dire need of a new hobby. She currently does general OSM wizardry and community engagement at TomTom.

Spughetti is passionate about humanitarian mapping, particularly mapping roads leading towards settlements in Africa that are currently missing entirely from the map.