Travelling As A Lesbian Where Homosexuality Is Illegal
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As travel content creators, most people in our industry dream of visiting every country in the world. However, as LGBTQ+ travel content creators, the reality is that doing so is near impossible.
That’s because more than 65 countries (more than 30% of the world) still criminalise LGBTQ+ in some form. On the extreme end, that’s with a maximum punishment of death by stoning while the less extreme is anything from one year to life imprisonment.
With all that in mind, a couple of friends recently came to me and asked “would you visit somewhere where being gay was illegal?” Surprisingly it’s a question I’d never been asked or thought of before, but one that played on my mind for the days and weeks to come.
Visiting A Country Where LGBTQ+ Is Illegal
To be honest, I naively had never researched in-depth the laws around LGBTQ+ rights in countries extensively up until this point. As such, my gut response to the question was a rather disappointing “it depends”.
Although post my extensive research and having posed the same question to the LGBTQ+ community, my answer remains much the same.
As a more masculine lesbian with short hair who occasionally gets confused for a male even here in the UK my experience travelling to any of these countries or in fact countries where LGBTQ+ is legal, is very different compared to that of my significantly more feminine wife.
Much like I imagine the experience in more progressive countries where tourism is high, yet sadly LGBTQ+ is still criminalised is going to be significantly different to more remote countries.
However, now as parents, we are and continue to be more conscious than ever about where we travel not just for our safety, but for the safety of our child and for that reason, we would never travel to any country where LGBTQ+ is illegal as a family.
Although let’s be realistic here for a second because while I’m not going to be imprisoned here in the UK for being gay, I and likely every member of the LGBTQ+ community still have stories of acts of discrimination which have been placed against them.
So let’s not pretend that it’s simply easy to go ahead and visit every country where LGBTQ+ is legal, and even countries where discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community is illegal because that’s simply not the case.
Would The LGBTQ+ Community Visit A Country Where LGBTQ+ Is Illegal?
As I continued to battle with my own answer to this complex question, I asked the LGBTQ+ community on Instagram to try and get a more broadly accurate opinion and found the results to be somewhat surprising.
- 58% of LGBTQ+ people said that they would not visit any country where LGBTQ+ is illegal
- 22% of LGBTQ+ people said that they would visit any country where LGBTQ+ is illegal
- 20% of LGBTQ+ people said that their decision to travel to a country where LGBTQ+ is illegal would depend on the country.
This poll led to an inbox filled with incredibly deep and meaningful conversations about real-life experiences and opinions from LGBTQ+ people and allies.
Sadly, that poll was on Instagram and has now closed. However, I’ve gone ahead and set up a new poll below so you can continue to have your say – the comments are also open for you to expand on your thoughts.
My Approach To Travelling As A Lesbian
Aside from visiting Egypt with my family aged three, I’ve yet to visit any country where LGBTQ+ is criminalised.
However, so many of my heterosexual friends share their photos and experiences in Morrocco, the Maldives, Jamaica and Sri Lanka to name just a few and I’d be lying if I said, I wasn’t jealous and didn’t want to do the same.
Right now, that situation of actively choosing to visit a destination, and spend money in a destination where LGBTQ+ is criminalised is not one I’ve faced. Although I expect over the next decade, it very much could be.
That being said, not all choices are quite as simple because I have transferred flights in the airports in both Doha, Qatar and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Personally, I do not count transferring at the airport as visiting a country and while I could have gotten around these precarious transfers, it would mean spending hundreds more on flights and a significantly longer journey and in that case I chose to balance the risks.
Both Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are two countries where that I would personally not visit, do not plan to ever visit and do not feel safe in.
As such I do not leave the airport, I walk with my head down, I don’t draw any attention to myself and get to the next flight as quickly as possible.
Where In The World Is LGBTQ+ Illegal?
Finding the most up-to-date information about LGBTQ+ laws across the world is surprisingly difficult with the vast majority of information either being incorrect or outdated.
This isn’t surprising considering that in the past four months alone there have been at least ten laws changed in regard to LGBTQ+ rights around the world.
I put together the table below (last updated March 2023) using various resources.
However, with an ever-changing landscape, I would always recommend researching any country you’re looking to visit in further detail.
Country | Criminalisation | Maximum Punishment |
---|---|---|
Afghanistan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Death penalty |
Algeria | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment and a fine of 10,000 Dinars |
Bangladesh | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Life imprisonment |
Brunei | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Gender expression of trans people | Death by stoning |
Burundi | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Two years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 Burundian Francs |
Cameroon | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Five years imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 West African CFA Francs |
Chad | – LGBT people – Sex between men – Sex between women | Two years imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 West African CFA Francs |
Comoros | – LGBT people – Sex between men – Sex between women | Five years imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 Comorian Francs |
Dominica | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Twelve years imprisonment |
Egypt | – LGBT people – Sex between men | Three years imprisonment and a fine of a 3,000 Lira |
Eritrea | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment |
Eswatini | – LGBT people – Sex between men | Imprisonment |
Ethiopia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | One year imprisonment |
Gambia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Gender expression of trans people | Life imprisonment |
Grenada | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Ten years imprisonment |
Guinea | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment and a fine of 1,000,000 Guinean Francs |
Guyana | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Life imprisonment |
Indonesia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Gender expression of trans people | Eight years imprisonment and 100 lashes |
Iran | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Death penalty |
Iraq | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Six month imprisonment and a fine |
Jamaica | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Ten years imprisonment with hard labour |
Kenya | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Fourteen years imprisonment |
Kuwait | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Seven years imprisonment |
Lebanon | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Gender expression of trans people | Six years imprisonment |
Liberia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | One year imprisonment |
Libya | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Five years imprisonment |
Malawi | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people | Fourteen years imprisonment with corporal punishment |
Malaysia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people | Twenty years imprisonment and whipping |
Mauritania | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Imposes the death penalty | Death by stoning |
Mauritius | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Five years imprisonment |
Morocco | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 Dirhams |
Myanmar | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – The gender expression of trans people | Ten years imprisonment |
Namibia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Unclear |
Nigeria | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people – Imposes the death penalty | Death by stoning |
Oman | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people | Three years imprisonment |
Pakistan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Imposes the death penalty | Death by stoning |
Palestine | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Ten years imprisonment |
Papua New Guinea | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Fourteen years imprisonment |
Qatar | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Imposes the death penalty | Death by stoning |
Saint Lucia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Ten years imprisonment |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Ten years imprisonment |
Saudi Arabia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people – Imposes the death penalty | Death penalty |
Senegal | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Five years imprisonment and a fine of 1,500,000 West African CFA Francs |
Sierra Leone | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Life imprisonment |
Solomon Islands | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Fourteen years imprisonment |
Somalia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Imposes the death penalty | Death penalty |
Sri Lanka | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people | Ten years imprisonment and a fine |
South Sudan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – The gender expression of trans people | Fourteen years imprisonment and a fine |
Sudan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Life imprisonment |
Syria | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment |
Tanzania | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Life imprisonment |
Tunisia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Three years imprisonment |
Turkmenistan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Two years imprisonment |
Uganda | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Life imprisonment |
United Arab Emirates | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – The gender expression of trans people – Imposes the death penalty | Death penalty |
Uzbekistan | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | Three years imprisonment |
Yemen | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females – Imposes the death penalty | Death penalty |
Zambia | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males – Sexual activity between females | Life imprisonment |
Zimbabwe | – LGBT people – Sexual activity between males | One year imprisonment and a fine |
Source: Human Dignity Trust & Equaldex
Ref 1. Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited explicitly in two provinces of Indonesia: Aceh, a conservative Muslim province which practices Shariah law, and South Sumatra, a Muslim-majority, but less conservative, province.
Hi Cora and Helen
I’ve just stumbled across your brilliant website; just wanted to say how useful it is and what a great job you’re doing!!! Very user friendly, great information and very ‘human’ and real.
We have just had a trip to Sherwood Forest Centre Parcs and SO wish we’d found IOS before we went (so many useful hints and tips)! I was googling – as you do – to try and find out whether it’s worth paying the extra for the executive lodges as ours was … well … a bit basic, with a hint of mustiness to say the least. IOS popped up ’cause of your reviews of the Parcs and pulled me in immediately – I’ve been clicking all over ever since, armchair travelling.
We’ve not holidayed for quite some time due to my health/disability issues and it was our first toe dip back into the (oft murky) waters of travel for pleasure; we thought because it is so self contained it would be easier for me; even then I had a nigh on massive panic attack and nearly didn’t go! It was only the thought of the grand kids missing me that got me out the door. And of course I am glad I did; cabin aside, the family time was lovely……
One article I stumbled across – and I could not help but comment on – was this one – LGBQT one. It’s horrified me – to think that a person can be stoned to death just because of who they fall in love with. For a minute I thought I was back in the dark ages – not the 21st century. And so many countries still view sexuality in this way, reading your facts was such an eye opener.
A couple of my own family are LGBQT and it’s so ‘normal’ to us it never even crossed my mind that they may face these dangers when planning a simple holiday! And it is danger because it is so extreme. Dreadful. I am so sorry you have all that extra stress on a simple stop over; I never even thought about that aspect and I am so saddened for them, it should not be this way. Madness!
Anyway, I sadly can’t change the world as much as I ‘d love to, but I can, on a cheerier note say thank you for a fascinating and useful website. They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life so keep up the good (non) work :0) !