Lgbt travel guide
International Travel
Travelers can face unique challenges abroad based on their genuine or perceived sexual orientation. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel.
More than 60 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime. In some of these countries, people who engage in consensual same-sex relations may meet severe punishment. Many countries do not recognize same-sex marriage.
Research your destination before you travel
Review the travel advisory and destination information page of the place you plan to visit. Check the Local Laws & Customs section. This has information specific to travelers who may be targeted by discrimination or violence on the basis of sexual orientation.
Many countries only recognize male and female sex markers in passports. They do not have IT systems at ports of entry that can accept other sex markers, including valid U.S. passports with an X sex marker. If traveling with a valid U.S. passport with an X sex marker, check the immigration regulations for your destination as acceptance can v
Essentials tools, websites and recommendations to craft gay travel easier – the most complete guide of gay travel resources for LGBTQ travelers
At lunch earlier in the day, over a bowl of guacamole, I’d sat with my friends looking through a copy of Echo Mag—one of Phoenix’s three (three!!!) produce LGBTQ magazines. On the second to last page was a map of downtown Phoenix with short descriptions of each of the bars, shops and clubs. There were at least 20 different ones and we weren’t entirely sure which was for what crowds, but I pulled out the page from the magazine and stuffed it in my pocket.
From a boozy lunch of margaritas to a carb-heavy dinner of pasta and glass-after-glass of wine, it was finally Saturday night. My friends and I were bar-hopping across Phoenix’s gay bars using the now crumpled-up map as our guide. Some of the places were awful, some were fun, but by about am., drinking cheap PBRs in a dyke club and dancing to old-school hip hop, it was time to detect the next place to go. (Yes, lesbian bars still do exist!)
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LGBTQ+ Worldwide Travel Map
LGBTQ+ Travel Safety
In general, staying aware of your surroundings, being mindful of the culture, trying not to stand out as a tourist and disclosing as little personal information as possible is the optimal course of action for anyone traveling in a new place. It is usually better to always stay discreet, even in more accepting areas, to avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Homosexuality is perfectly legal and acceptable in some places, but due to cultural stigmas the society may still maintain a low profile, even in LGBTQ+ friendly venues. Those societies may require Queer travelers to use discretion and avoid discussing or displaying their orientation.
If you are harassed, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible and do not escalate by confronting your harasser. If you are being followed, find a busy establishment to enter. If you encounter harassment by officials, remain calm and gentlemanly, request a ticket if you are receiving a citation and contact your diplomatic representation to describe the issue. If you are the victim of a crime, contact local authori