Travel Safety Report

The Americas region is equally diverse in terms of the level of acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals from place to place. Canada is known to be very LGBTQ+ friendly overall, though of course individual attitudes may vary. Similarly, the United States and Mexico have expanded LGBTQ+ rights in recent years, though this has been most pronounced in larger urban areas.

Many Latin American countries present somewhat of a contradiction. There are a number of countries in Central and South America with laws for the protection and equality of LGBTQ+ people, but culturally, Central and South America are largely conservative and have high rates of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Essentially, the progressive laws do not match the conservative social norms, making travel within some countries in the region a challenge despite legal protections.

There are some exceptions, however. For example, Uruguay and Argentina, both located in South America, are considered quite liberal when compared to the rest of the region. A number of other countries in the Americas, including the South American country of Venezuela and the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, on the other end of the spectrum, are much less accepting. Travel to locations such as these without taking the proper steps to carefully research and remain discreet may lead to both legal troubles and safety issues.

An example of a more hostile environment in the Americas region is the Caribbean country of Jamaica which is both legally and culturally unaccepting of LGBTQ+ individuals. In Jamaica, same-sex relations between men are illegal, while there is no similar law in place for women. Despite the legal disparity, cultural attitudes in Jamaica trend toward a lack of acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. This has resulted in instances of violence and extrajudicial killings with little or no interference from law enforcement on behalf of the victims.

While there are Jamaican hotels and resorts that accept same-sex couples, any form of public displays of affection between same-sex couples outside of the confines of major resorts opens LGBTQ+ travelers up to significant risks. Likewise, transgender travelers may face risks of harassment and violence outside of resort areas.

In the Asia-Pacific region, locations such as New Zealand and Australia are quite accepting, though like most destinations, some areas may be less friendly to LGBTQ+ travelers. The island nation of Taiwan is very open to LGBTQ+ travelers but other Pacific nations are less accepting.

Some countries, such as India and Indonesia, do not explicitly criminalize LGBTQ+ identification (apart from Indonesia's Aceh province, which is governed by Sharia law); however, LGBTQ+ individuals lack various legal protections. Additionally, Indonesia bans sexual activity and cohabitation outside of marriage, which disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community. LGBTQ+ individuals also face risks of harassment and violence.

Countries such as Brunei, Bangladesh and Malaysia have religious laws criminalizing LGBTQ+ relations. However, these laws are not consistently enforced, and travel by LGBTQ+ individuals is possible if discretion is practiced, and orientation is not discussed or disclosed. These countries are religiously conservative, so in general, public displays of affection are not well accepted.

This is also the case for Asian countries such as Japan and Vietnam. These locations are generally more accepting, but cultural stigmas remain, and people often refrain from discussing their LGBTQ+ identity. The LGBTQ+ community may be more underground in these countries, but travelers have reported few instances of discrimination.

In this region, there are some locations, like Tel Aviv, the capital of Israel, and Istanbul, Turkey's most populous city, with thriving LGBTQ+ scenes. However, many countries in the region have laws against identifying as LGBTQ+, and these laws vary in scope and application.

While laws in countries like Egypt and Jordan focus on public decency and not specifically on the LGBTQ+ community, they have nevertheless been used against LGBTQ+ individuals. In Egypt specifically, authorities have raided LGBTQ+-oriented nightlife venues, for example. Both authorities and criminal groups have also attacked and publicly exposed LGBTQ+ individuals after using online apps and forums to arrange meetings.

Other countries in the Middle East-North Africa region, such as Saudi Arabia, have instituted the death penalty for identifying as LGBTQ+. Travelers to Saudi Arabia would be more likely to face detention, however. In the United Arab Emirates, LGBTQ+ travelers may be deported upon arrival, though authorities do not apply these policies consistently. In Morocco, same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment, but that does not apply to non-Moroccan couples visiting the country.

A number of countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan and Algeria, have additional policies for HIV-positive travelers. Individuals may simply be refused entry and deported in some cases. Some countries require an HIV test when applying for a visa or during the customs screening process, and HIV-positive travelers could be denied entry. Countries may also place restrictions on the length of stay for HIV-positive travelers. Further restrictions can apply for individuals entering with HIV medications.

In countries with strict religious laws, all travelers should avoid public displays of affection due to the cultural norms. Additionally, locals may engage in entrapment activities to lure LGBTQ+ individuals to an isolated area and attack them. To avoid an incident when traveling, carefully research the laws for both men and women and try to adhere to them, keep a low profile and take great care when interacting with locals.

Identifying as LGBTQ+ is illegal in many African countries, and in some places, LGBTQ+ locals and travelers face significant dangers.

One exception is South Africa, which has anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. Cape Town is considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities on the continent, though travelers should note that less populated areas may still be more conservative.

In some African countries, same-sex activity may be illegal, but there are human rights laws that protect all individuals, such as Namibia. In other locations, it is extremely dangerous to be openly LGBTQ+.

One of the most prominent countries in terms of LGBTQ+ laws is Uganda, which has incredibly restrictive LGBTQ+laws, with punishments that include imprisonment and the death penalty. As a result, the country presents an extremely hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals. Local members of the LGBTQ+ community may be disproportionately targeted in comparison to travelers, but traveler safety cannot be guaranteed. Furthermore, interacting with locals who are within the LGBTQ+ community can put them at great risk of both legal action and community-led violence. It is very important to remain discreet to protect the safety of others as well as your own.

Similarly, some countries like Nigeria, Tanzania and Cameroon prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals, and authorities have engaged in entrapment campaigns by targeting LGBTQ+ meeting locations. Locals have also targeted the LGBTQ+ community with harassment via social media and text messages and in vigilante executions.