We all want to feel safe when we travel, but for LGBTQIA+ travellers, visiting some countries can flag up safety concerns. According to Booking.com, 56% of LGBTQIA+ travellers actively seek destinations that are supportive of LGBTQIA+ residents while planning a trip away.
Many people take it for granted that they’ll be welcomed and accepted when they travel somewhere new. But this isn’t always the case for people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
In fact, attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community can be very different from those in the UK. We’ll take a look at what you can do if you’re having safety concerns about travelling.
What should I do to prepare to travel?
In some countries, you might find that cities are more tolerant than more rural areas. It’s a good idea to research the specific locations you plan on visiting, not just the country as a whole. Check the LGBT+ foreign travel advice on the GOV.UK website.
When planning to travel, you might also want to:
- Buy a guidebook that includes an LGBTQIA+ section. Some guidebooks for travellers will include this or specialise in LGBTQIA+ advice. The book Out in the World is a travel guide to more than 100 destinations around the world. Or you could pick up The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide by Alicia Valenski, packed with useful insights from LGBTQIA+ locals.
- Check online discussion forums, blogs, and any other LGBTQIA+ media. Reading about the experiences of other LGBTQIA+ travellers can help you make your own decision. Travel blogs like Ravi Round the World, Nomadic Boys, and The Jenna Way are just some of the great LGBTQIA+ targeted travel sites. Social media blogs are becoming an increasingly popular way for creators to share their travel experiences. So you might want to take a look at Instagram or TikTok for even more content and travel inspiration.
- Ask your travel agent if they have any advice specific to the country you’re visiting. You can ask them about the local LGBTQIA+ scene in your chosen destination.
- Check the map on the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s website. The map highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries for the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Have an emergency contact. It may sound upsetting, but making sure you’re prepared if there’s an emergency can give you peace of mind. Make sure you have your contact’s details written down in a few places in case your tech fails you. Or if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
- Get travel insurance. It’s not a legal requirement, but it can protect you financially if something happens while you’re away. This can also be another point of contact in medical or political emergencies.
- In extreme situations you can contact the local embassy from your home country. They can help you in emergency situations.
How can I stay safe when going through airport security and immigration?
In most airports you’ll need to go through a metal detector and/or the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) booth.
If they detect something unusual, a security officer might search you. Usually this officer is the same gender as the one on your passport.
If you’re transgender, this security process might spark some worries. If you haven’t got an up-to date gender marker on your ID, make sure you have a signed doctor’s note with you while travelling.
In many countries you’ll be entitled to a private screening. If possible, bring a travel companion into the room with you. You can also ask to speak to a supervisor at any point during the screening process.
It’s also worth noting that airport security can search your carry-on bags at any point during your time at the airport. Check the laws and cultural acceptance of carrying things like contraceptives before you go.
How can I safely travel to countries that might be considered anti-LGBTQIA+ ?
The attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people in these countries aren’t always straightforward. Viewpoints are influenced by religion, age, education, and background. If you’re interested in travelling to one of these countries as an LGBTQIA+ person, it’s a good idea to do your research before you go.
Finding a hotel or tourism business that’s a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) is a great way to find tourism and hospitality businesses that welcome LGBTQIA+ travellers. The IGLTA is a code of conduct that states they’ll conduct business with honesty, integrity, and fairness. Each member agrees to protect their customers’ or clients’ confidentiality and won’t discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The code also extends to other protected characteristics like sex, race, colour, religion, national origin, age, and disability status.
The hotel or tourism companies are usually LGBTQIA+ owned or allies of the community. They’ll want to ensure members of the community are safe and enjoy their stay in that destination.
What are the top destinations for LGBTQIA+ travellers?
There are a variety of LGBTQIA+ friendly city breaks and holiday destinations to consider.
If you’re looking to get involved in the local gay scene whilst you’re on holiday, there are plenty of cities that are worth visiting. You may want to visit Copenhagen in Denmark and spend time at the oldest gay bar in the world. Or if you’re a movie fanatic, you might want to visit Berlin’s Queer Film Festival, which takes place in the city each summer.
Finding local LGBTQIA+ scenes might not be a priority, though. You’ll just want to feel safe and secure in the destination you’re in. Many LGBTQIA+ people will want to visit well-known monuments or historic places that are known to be anti-LGBTQIA+. If you do choose to visit destinations like this, you may be able to find LGBTQIA+ welcoming hotels, tour operators, and businesses.
What are the best destinations to celebrate pride?
Some travellers might be interested in taking part in pride celebrations. This can be a great way to support the community in a new city. Here are some pride events you may want to consider:
New York City, New York: New York is home to one of the most famous Pride parades in the world, drawing in thousands of participants and spectators. The parade takes place on the last Sunday of June, featuring floats, marching bands, and drag queens. There are also a variety of community groups, businesses, and organisations present.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: The city is home to a weeklong pride celebration that takes place in August. The Canal Parade is a highlight, featuring colourful boats that travel down the city’s canals.
São Paulo, Brazil: Home to one of the largest pride parades in the world, the event takes place each year in June. It features a wide variety of floats and live music, as well as workshop events and seminars that help connect the community and allies alike.
Madrid, Spain: Madrid hosts the most well-known pride parade in Europe, known as Orgullo Gay (Gay Pride). Typically held on the last Saturday of June or the first Saturday of July. Alongside the bustling parade, there are film festivals, concerts, cultural events, and parties to go to.
Berlin, Germany: The strong and active LGBTQIA+ community in Berlin makes it the perfect place to visit for pride celebrations. The main pride parade is known as the Christopher Street Day Parade and takes place annually in July. Berlin has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a long history of LGBTQIA+ rights and acceptance. The first gay rights organisation in Germany was founded in Berlin in 1897.
Is it safe to travel to countries where being LGBTQIA+ is illegal?
In some cases it’s possible to travel to many of these countries safely. But it’s important to note that each country is different, so it can be hard to generalise or be true to each individual experience. Around 70 countries criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity, and at least 15 countries criminalise diverse gender expression. Some regions of the country might be generally safe for LGBTQIA+ people, whilst others carry high risks. If you decide to visit one of these countries, you may have to follow some precautions.
Consider your ability and comfort in ‘passing.’ This is a LGBTQIA+ person’s ability to pass as cisgender or heterosexual. In other words, if a person is comfortable and capable of being perceived as non-LGBTQIA+ by locals, it’s likely possible to travel safely across these destinations. Understandably, many LGBTQIA+ people won’t feel comfortable or capable of doing this though. So the choice should always be made on an individual basis.
If you decide to travel to these destinations as an LGBTQIA+ person, here are some precautions you can take:
- Don’t engage in conversations relating to your or other people’s sexuality.
- Don’t publicly display affection.
- Avoid using the terms relating to your sexuality on social media or in emails.
- Don’t use the internet or social media apps to meet other members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- If possible, transgender travellers should consider having their passports and identification changed to reflect the gender they identify as.
- Try to dress and act in accord with local culture and norms.
Check the LGBTQ+ Travel Map for information about the law and the level of acceptance in each country.
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