Tips for L.G.B.T.Q. Travelers to Visit the World Safely

For L.G.B.T.Q. travelers, taking a trip can bring up safety concerns, fears of discrimination and the stress of navigating different sets of rules and restrictions. Adding to the complexities of travel is that “L.G.B.T.Q.” itself is an umbrella category. People who identify under one of these categories may also identify in or encompass others: Skin color, gender, wealth and ethnicity all affect the way that we are treated as travelers.

With that in mind, here are some tips to stay safe and make the most of your travel.

Support L.G.B.T.Q.-owned travel companies

When harsh anti-L.G.B.T.Q. laws went into effect in the country of Brunei in April, a campaign urged travelers to boycott certain properties owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Instead of thinking about a list of places to boycott, however, L.G.B.T.Q. travelers could actively support L.G.B.T.Q.-owned businesses and businesses with strong anti-discrimination policies. The International L.G.B.T.Q.+ Travel Association maintains a list of gay-friendly tour operators, including Olivia, R Family Vacations, Oscar Wilde Tours, and OUT Adventures. Lodging companies like misterb&b. and Purple Roofs specifically cater to the needs of queer travelers looking for friendly hotel and rental accommodations.

“We are seeing that things are slowly changing. I think the Stonewall riots 50 years ago started to do the work for us,” said Matthieu Jost, chief executive of misterb&b.

Know local laws and customs when you plan your trip

Regardless of a country’s reputation, doing the legwork ahead of time about local laws and customs is vital for L.G.B.T.Q. travelers. Upward of 70 countries have restrictive laws about sexuality and sexual orientation, and sites like Equaldex track those laws country by country. Travelers can also check the U.S. State Department and the U.K. Foreign Office websites for additional insight into countrywide travel warnings. The National Center for Transgender Equality offers trans-specific travel tips, and the American Civil Liberties Union fields complaints from trans people who feel their rights were violated while traveling.

Connect with locals

Connecting with local members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community can be an indispensable resource for navigating local culture and even finding inclusive health care. Many travelers use Facebook, Instagram, Tinder and Grindr to meet people in new places, even in a platonic way.