Planning your next vacation is difficult as is, but it can be even more challenging when LGBTQ+. For queer travelers, vacationing involves an extra level of research, awareness and street smarts that most people don’t have to worry about. Some travel destinations are not LGBTQ+ friendly, and queer travelers have to be prepared to ensure their safety and well-being during their travels. Though it may seem scary to travel to foreign countries as a queer person or couple, there are plenty of precautions you can take before planning your next trip. Here’s a list of 5 tips for traveling LGBTQ+.
1. Do Your Research
Above all else, it’s essential to research your travel destination before hopping on a plane. Not every country is LGBTQ+ friendly and knowing where you’re headed and how accepting your destination is of the queer community is extremely important. There are tons of online resources for queer travel, and often plenty of LGBTQ+ perspectives to give you all the information you need before booking a ticket. Researching the laws around LGBTQ+ people, as well as LGBTQ+ cultural attitudes is essential to ensuring that you are as safe as possible. My favorite LGBTQ travel resources are Queer in the World and IGLTA. There are also plenty of LGBTQ+ travel TikTok accounts, like @courtneytheexplorer.
2. Play it cool
Unfortunately, not every country is fully accepting of queer people. Although it is probably safest to avoid travel destinations with low LGBTQ+ acceptance if you’re dying to make a trip, try and play it cool. That means PDA might have to be put on pause, and it might be time to take a step back and reconsider how you are presenting. My girlfriend and I have felt relatively safe traveling around Europe; however, as we headed East, we noticed we were receiving a growing number of judgmental looks, and even scoffs. For our own safety, that meant that we had to distance ourselves in public and tone down everything that made us appear couple-y. Obviously, this is disheartening and devastating for couples and queer solo travelers looking to enjoy their vacation worry-free, but unfortunately, safety has to come first.
3. Feel things out
No amount of online information and opinions can fully prepare you for the vibes of a country. Even if the general attitude of a place is anti-LGBTQ+, larger cities tend to be more accepting and open to the queer community. So, when you get to your destination, feel things out. If you see other LGBTQ+ couples or solo travelers, watch how they are navigating their travel experience, and follow accordingly. Not everything is cut and dry, and sometimes you can have a comfortable and easy vacation, even in places where there are mixed opinions. I have found in my travels that even in areas that are generally anti-LGBTQ+, most locals mind their own business and do nothing beyond stare. Obviously, this rule doesn’t apply to countries with strict anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. As with any travel, being discerning and using your street smarts to make informed decisions is key.
4. Scope out local queer spaces
In nearly every city in the world, there is an LGBTQ+ community. If you’re willing to explore and do your research beforehand, there are plenty of spaces, in most countries, where queer communities thrive. Even in countries that are accepting of the queer community, sometimes locals don’t share the attitude of their government or the majority of the population. If you want to avoid dirty looks and uncomfortable grunts of disapproval, don’t be afraid to look for queer spaces where you can exist judgment-free. My girlfriend and I often find ourselves in Paris, and although the city is largely considered queer-friendly, we’ve found that we are often being stared at and even confronted in the street about our relationship. To avoid this, we’ve carved out spots in the city where we know we can exist freely and with like-minded people.
5. Be cautious when necessary
If there’s one tip you should take from this list, it’s to be cautious. Even in countries that generally accept queer people, there is always a risk of someone disapproving, or even worse, acting on their disapproval. So, more than anything, be careful! This doesn’t mean worrying so much that you don’t enjoy your vacation, but it does mean taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of yourself, your partner or even your queer friends. All of the above tips can help you navigate your travels, but you can’t predict everything. Take measures to make sure you’re safe, and don’t assume you know everyone’s opinion or intentions.
Traveling LGBTQ+ can be intimidating, but it is entirely possible. Using these tips, you can ensure that your next vacation will be fun, seamless and most importantly, safe.
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