If you are a couple on vacation or honeymoon, there is a good chance that you will be showing each other some affection in public. A little PDA never harmed anyone right? You could be wrong, and it could cost you years in prison or your life. These awful laws never became more real as when I started researching safe destinations for this specific group. However, this prejudice is not only outside the USA. Finding articles with headlines that read “11 Gay-Friendly Small Cities in Big Red States” left me feeling a little ill that there is still so much discrimination here at home.
Photo credit Café Manhattan Cape Town
Ensuring the safety of a gay client becomes even more complicated when dealing with transgender individuals, who struggle with difficulties that other gay people do not. Those who are transitioning already experience so many difficulties in daily life, I can imagine that going through legal examinations, pat-downs, and X-rays, could turn a trip into a nightmare. Having to explain to authorities why your passport says one gender when you identify and look like another must be an awful and frightening experience. Aside from check -in, there is a real chance of harassment during the long hours on a flight next to strangers or deciding which restrooms to use. Steering transgender and non-conforming individuals to destinations that are LGBTQ+ friendly and welcoming, is so important. The good news is that a handful of countries are starting to issue passports with more than two gender markers and some airlines are recognizing more than two gender markers as well. Increasingly more States and Countries are also issuing non-binary identities in legal documents such as passports and driver’s licenses, but it is a process and sometimes a slow moving one. I was astounded to learn that 52% of Generation Z, usually defined as those born between 1995 and 2010, identify as something other than straight.
It often is not only about the laws in certain countries but also the social situations. While some countries have legalized same-sex marriages and criminalized discrimination, many of its citizens still have homophobic views. I spoke to a gay couple who told me they booked an Airbnb apartment last year and were shocked when told they could not stay there. The property manager didn’t agree with their sexual preferences, and they had to find other accommodations. They decided that they would disclose when booking future trips to avoid this harassment.
Photo credit Tel-Aviv Pride.
Besides ensuring the countries that LGBTQ+ clients travel to are safe, it is also important to check for safety when booking transfers so there is no risk or fear of arrest or invasive questioning.
No matter how much research I do, I will always wonder whether I have done enough. With that in mind, I made some inquiries and found a few wonderful destinations and tours for the LGBTQ+ community to consider, which will eliminate at least most concerns and guarantee that they will be welcome and have a fabulous time.
Castro street San Francisco.
Starting with Israel: (thank you to Jono Rose of – https://touringisrael.com/ – who sent me this link – https://telaviv-pride.com/)
Having been to Tel Aviv, I must concur that it is as much fun as advertised whatever your preferences! As far as a gay destination is concerned, it is one of the most amazing gay capitals in the world. They promise a breezy atmosphere and a 24/7 party vibe which makes Tel Aviv’s gay-friendly scene, a welcoming and fabulous vacation destination.
Pride-Credit-Guy-Yechiely
Mariana of Lunfarda Travel in Argentina (mariana@lunfardatravel.com) provided me with tour information about the history, landmarks, and legacy of Argentina’s queer movement, from pre-colonial times to the historic Egalitarian Marriage Bill and Gender Identity Bill. Lots to experience during this tour including why Evita Perón became a gay icon, at the Evita Museum. They donate a portion of their earning to the Mocha Celis high school for Trans folk. Upon legalizing same-sex marriage on 15 July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America, the second in the Americas, and the tenth in the world to do so.
Los Cabos in Mexico (thank you Hector Giles – vcridecabo@gmail.com) is the first Mexican resort area to grant queer recognition. Los Cabos, home of the jet set is one of the most stylish and gay-friendly destinations in Mexico and enjoyed by both celebs and the fashionable set. Its position between the contrasting desert and the of Sea of Cortez makes it one of the most unique places to visit.
Courtesy Hilton Los Cabos.
Portugal’s vibrant cities, decadent cuisine and welcoming attitude have made it one of the world’s premiere gay travel destinations. (Thank you Francisco Pais
General Manager of Viva Pride – info@vivapride.pt) Besides being a safe Country, Lisbon has so much history and is famous for its colorful buildings, sunny weather, amazing nightlife and friendly locals. Portugal is on track to be ‘THE’ next destination in Europe and quite affordable. Lisbon and Porto have popular gay scenes with annual pride parades. Lisbon’s nightlife centers around the Bairro Alto (Upper District), and the capital is home to one of Europe’s biggest queer film festivals. The magical Azores is a must-see when you visit.
Courtesy of GayUK.
South Africa has one of the most entrenched LGBTQ bill of rights in the world according to Robin Mcleod and Michael Gladwin. (https://www.wetravel.com/trips/the-glitter-trail-joburg-to-cape-town-afrigay-travel-south-africa-96803016#organizer-info) Afrigay Travel is an exclusive LGBTQ+ Tour Operator that do mostly bespoke trips, but they have just launched a brand new Glitter Trail – a 9 day, gay bus tour of South Africa. You can reach Michael here. mike@afrigay.co.za www.afrigay.co.za
South African safari DMC Sandra Lee Mackintosh of https://www.rubytravel.co.za/ says that De Waterkant in Cape Town is a gay friendly area, and you will find Cape Town’s LGBTQ -friendly venues listed on street maps at the city’s tourist kiosk. Somerset Road is known as “The Strip” and runs through Green Point and De Waterkant (which means the waterside) and is home to the most popular LGBTQ+ friendly venues and gay bars in Cape Town.
Courtesy of Cape Town Travel
Aside from the above information, I have also been referred to these links as helpful for those who serve the gay community.
https://www.iglta.org/ http://hospitable.me/ https://www.equaldex.com/ https://www.grindr.com/ Grindr is a social network that connects queer people around the world and is used when traveling as a direct line to the local LGBTQ community. These connections give travelers inside knowledge about their destination both in advance and in real-time.
There are several other Countries that are also gay-friendly and provided by those “in the know’ in my travel group… Zanzibar Island, Sweden, Ecuador, Peru, St. Maarten, Mykonos/Greece, Ibiza, Spain, Taiwan, Stockholm, Aruba, Malta and the Philippines. Thank you to all who took the time to contribute.
This link is an updated 2022 list of 203 Countries: the safest and the worst. Working in an updated one for 2024/2025. https://www.asherfergusson.com/lgbtq-travel-safety/?fbclid=IwAR09b0Ow61z-Nq-JY3v-FsNoF8LvS_W3xScZ-EoOu8p9fYQslOlTK4jyb9E
Last but not least, it is always about kindness and respect. Always. Love is love!
Dream Destinations Travel 