LGBTQ+ travel: how to stay safe

LGBTQ+ travel

Everyone deserves to explore the world and feel safe along the way, but while many countries welcome people of all identities with open arms, 70 still criminalise same-sex relationships and 15 criminalise diverse gender expression and identity¹.

With research and preparation, you can make travel decisions that help you to stay healthy and to feel comfortable and safe being who you are - so you can explore, relax, and party as desired.

Looking after your health

No one wants health issues on holiday. From first aid kit essentials to festival abroad safety, being prepared and proactive could be the difference between a temporary blip and a ruined trip.

If there's a chance you might have sex with a stranger, condoms prevent the spread of STIs. Some people take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication - available in UK sexual health clinics - as a preventative measure against HIV if they're in a high-risk group. Check whether you can take PrEP into the country you're visiting here.

In some places - typically larger cities - you can also take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) if you're worried you've been exposed to HIV. This needs to be taken within 72 hours after exposure, so it's worth knowing if your destination has this treatment.

1. Choosing your destination

This starts with deciding where to go, and understanding if there are laws, attitudes, or customs that put you at risk. These maps show the parts of the world that criminalise and discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community:

• The Human Dignity Trust map.

• The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association map.

While these maps cover a range of legal restrictions and recognitions, other resources can help you get a fuller picture - including cultural attitudes and regional differences. Calum McSwiggan, content creator and author of travel memoir Eat, Gay, Love draws on his own experience:

"I've always found that the best resource for understanding where is and isn't safe is to talk to fellow queer travellers. Failing that, there are countless incredible LGBTQ+ travel blogs out there which break down the most and least safe destinations. I highly recommend 27 Travels or The Globe Trotter Guys as great places to start."

2. Researching a country's LGBTQ+ laws

Many travellers choose to visit countries with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Before you travel, make sure you know what is illegal and what isn't. Human Rights Watch have a helpful guide.

The two main types of anti-LQBTQ+ laws:

• Laws that make same-sex relationships and activities illegal.

• Laws that criminalise forms of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Things to remember:

• Local research is also key - how these laws are applied can also vary significantly, depending on the region, city, or town you're visiting within that country.

• Discrimination can still exist in places with no anti-LGBTQ+ laws - so research cultural attitudes as well.

• In some places, authorities use laws relating to 'public morals' or 'public nuisance' to criminalise LGBTQ+ people.

• The punishment for breaking the law can vary greatly depending on the destination - you could be fined, arrested, sentenced, or in a small number of countries - given the death penalty.

Trans, intersex, or non-binary travellers

In some countries, trans, intersex, or non-binary people aren't recognised - and so no specific laws criminalise them. However, keep in mind that destinations with laws against same-sex relations often use these laws to outlaw gender identities. Some countries will also use laws that target cross-dressing to discriminate against gender identity and expression.

3. Understanding that laws and local attitudes don't always match

Although researching a country's LGBT+ laws is a great place to start when trying to understand how safe a destination is, this isn't always enough as local attitudes don't always line up with a country's laws. Calum explains:

"Countries that have only recently decriminalised homosexuality, for example, may still have a lot of prejudice as a result. The opposite can also be true - there are many countries in the world that have laws that criminalise LGBTQ+ identities, but local attitudes may be more accepting.

"I've experienced homophobia in both Slovenia and Romania despite both countries having a positive LGBTQ+ track record, while being welcomed as a queer traveller in places like Indonesia and Morocco, which don't."

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Calum also points out that attitudes can shift depending where in the country you are. "Malaysia is a great example of this - it's a country where homosexuality and cross-dressing are both considered criminal, and yet if you visit the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, you'll find gay bars with drag artists performing every weekend. However, venture out into the countryside, and attitudes may remain more conservative."

To find out about local attitudes you could:

• Research LGBTQ+ groups’ websites that are local to your destination.

• Check online forums, blogs, and media that cover issues for LGBTQ+ travellers.

• Buy a regional guidebook specialising in LGBTQ+ travellers' advice.

4. Knowing your legal protections

It's possible that you may not have access to certain rights and services during your trip. To protect your health and wellbeing, it's important to find out:

• If a hospital will treat you - some healthcare institutions may also deny same-sex partners visitation or next-of-kin rights.

• Whether the police will protect you - homophobia and transphobia in the police force could mean that they dismiss hate crimes against you or discriminate themselves.

• If your travel insurance will cover you - if you're undergoing trans medical treatment, most standard insurance policies won't cover you if treatment goes wrong.

If you're a UK resident in need of help because you've been mistreated by authorities overseas, contact the local British embassy, high commission, or consulate.

5. Choosing LGBTQ+ inclusive hotels

Another way to travel safe is to stay with hotels that have a commitment to providing a safe and welcoming space to their LGBTQ+ guests.

"The Four Seasons and Hilton are both great examples of hotel chains that have a commitment to queer inclusion," says Calum. "Booking.com also has listings of hotels that have been 'Proud Certified' as LGBTQ+ inclusive destinations."

6. Making safe social choices

Holidays are about enjoying yourself and experiencing new things, but in some countries it's worth considering how comfortable you are being yourself, and whether you'd like to take certain precautions around people you don't know. For example, you may want to decide:

• How comfortable you are in public with a partner - if locals aren't known to be tolerant, you could become the victim of verbal or physical violence.

• Whether you feel safe in your clothing - in the context of the culture you are visiting, if it discloses your sexuality or identity.

• If you use LGBTQ+ themed apps that authorities might monitor - in countries where LGBTQ+ people are persecuted, authorities sometimes create fake online profiles to entrap you.

• Whether you are cyber secure - if your public-facing content discloses your sexuality or gender this content may have legal implications or affect your safety in your destination.

• Where the safest places are for social activities - whether its hotels, beaches, or nightclubs, research LGBTQ+ travel blogs.

• Your approach to new friendships - especially those you make online or through dating apps.

If you find yourself in a scary situation with someone who means you harm, local LGBTQ+ inclusive charities, organisations, or travel agents may be able to offer immediate help and protection.

Helpful organisations for LGBTQ+ travel

1. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - information on LGBTQ+ rights in different countries.

2. International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association - general travel advice.

3. Gay European Tourism Association - travel advice for European travel.

4. Equaldex - information about LGBT+ rights by country.

Further reading

1. GOV.UK: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender: foreign travel advice.

2. Globetrender: Safest countries for LGBTQ+ travellers revealed.