How to Travel Safely While LGBTQ
Countries around the world are celebrating a month of pride, but the LGBT community as a whole remains in jeopardy.
In April, the Sultan of Brunei sentenced him to death for same-sex sex (which he later canceled after backlash ). Earlier this month, a lesbian couple in London was assaulted and robbed; one of the women posted a photo of her bloodied faces on Facebook, which later made headlines.
In the United States, two gay men and a transgender woman were recently murdered at a home in East Detroit; In another incident, a gay man was killed in Decatur, Georgia, which some activists say is indicative of an overall rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ people.
Traveling in a homosexual society is often fraught with a number of dangers, especially in countries that continue to criminalize and discriminate against same-sex relationships or transgender or non-gender-conforming people. “Queer people have always been very reluctant to travel and were absent because they could be arrested, persecuted or worse,” Ed Salvato, founder of ManAboutWorld, which provides travel guides and resources for LGBTQ people, said in an email. “Even now, there are areas in New York where I would not go hand in hand with my same sex partner.”
Before traveling abroad, it is important to do your research, find gay-friendly accommodation and get a basic understanding of local customs when visiting a country that may not recognize the rights of the LGBT community.
Explore LGBTQ policies in your area
When you travel abroad, research is key, especially if you are visiting a place you haven’t been to before; you should research local social customs and LGBT policies at your destination.
At least 69 countries still have laws that criminalize sex between two people of the same sex and at least six discriminatory transgender and non-gender-conforming people, so it is important to have a basic understanding of where you are going.
“I always recommend doing your due diligence,” Jack Suwanlert, director of risk management at Marriott International, told ManAboutWorld . “If public display of love is not local culture, then be careful when in the country.” However, this should not necessarily discourage you from visiting the place, unless you are at serious risk for something as simple as holding your partner’s hand.
The Department of State website has a short list of travel advice and resources for LGBTQ people. Human Rights Watch and Equaldex also post several maps on their websites detailing laws outlawing LGBTQ around the world, which should give you a better idea of the country’s progressiveness (or lack thereof).
Of course, social media is helpful in your research, too; you can find local LGBT organizations on Facebook and get any recommendation.
It is also important to know your rights when traveling, especially for transgender people; Both TSA and the National Center for Transgender Equality provide travel and safety resources for transgender people. As CNN writes, while traveling, you must have copies of any evidence of a change in the name of the vessel and any other legal documents; Also, make sure your name and gender when booking matches the ID you are traveling with to avoid any problems – for example when checking in.
If you are traveling with children, you should also be aware of any documents in which the last name may differ from yours. In an interview with Conde Nast Traveler, the Department of State recommended that you have supporting legal documents proving that you are their parent, as some countries may scrutinize this.
When traveling with any medication, it is important to research the laws of that country in advance to ensure that your medications will not be confiscated at the airport as well.
Use LGBT organizations or those that support them
According to the New York Times , organizing travel through LGBT companies can better ensure your safety while traveling abroad. On the website of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, you can find tours by LGBTQ or LGBT friendly guides; you can also find a range of gay hotels and local activities in your destination using their recommendations.
Mister B&B is another useful place to stay for gay people (although options tend to be more limited than on Airbnb). A quick look at some of the Hotels.com or TripAdvisor reviews can also give you a good idea of what to expect from some of the LGBTQ-focused hotels.
You don’t need to go out
When you travel abroad, you are not required to disclose your sexual orientation or gender identity, especially if it puts you in danger. For this reason, and I will repeat it again, it is important to study the destination. You need to assess what kind of social environment you are in and whether the decision to go out could lead to harassment or violence.
“Most queer people have finely tuned antennas, knowing when they can probably express themselves and when they can’t,” said Ed Salvato. “Many brave people, especially those who are not gender-conforming, may have little choice but to go about their business boldly while traveling as they cannot comfortably return to the closet as a more gender-sensitive person might. norms “.
If you do intend to leave the house while traveling, you should feel comfortable and not forced to do so . If this is not your option, it may be worth reconsidering your destination.
Check out travel tips
There are some general precautions to take before traveling abroad. First, by subscribing to the Smart Traveler registration program, any family or friends can contact you in the event of an emergency and if you become unavailable.
You can also visit the CDC website to inquire about vaccines you may need before you travel. (You can purchase travel health insurance and compare policies with InsureMyTrip in case you want to protect yourself in case of illness.)
It would be helpful to check all travel advisors as recommended by the Department of State; Once there, you must select the Country Information Page for your destination and scroll down to Local Laws and Special Circumstances. In this section, you will often find information for LGBT travelers so that you can better ensure your safety when traveling abroad.