Ed Salvato

Ed Salvatohttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/ed-salvatoEd Salvatohttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/worldwide/lgbtq-travel-safety-tipsHave a safe, happy and prideful trip by researching your destination, understanding its laws, culture, finding out where to stay and meet other LGBTQ+ travelers, and where to go for help.2023-07-18T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/worldwide/lgbtq-travel-safety-tipshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>LGBTQ+ people have always traveled. Despite enormous challenges, LGBTQ+ travelers wander far and wide to enjoy the world like other travelers, but also to meet other queers. While acceptance of LGBTQ+ people has increased across the world over the last 25 years, there has also been a marked rise in anti-LGBTQ+ laws in more conservative parts of the U.S. and elsewhere in the world and a lamentable increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hostility and violence.</p> <p>Though usually directed at locals, this anti-queer climate poses challenges to LGBTQ+ travelers, especially younger ones navigating the world, perhaps for the first time, and gender non-conforming, trans, and other non-binary travelers who face significant challenges in spaces created for a binary world.</p> <p>Understanding the specific needs and concerns of LGBTQ+ travelers, and the resources at our disposal, helps us travel the world with the unique joy queer people bring.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#1"> Laws and LGBTQ+ travelers</a></li> <li><a href="#2">Understanding different cultures' view of LGBTQ+ people</a></li> <li><a href="#3">LGBTQ+ accommodation</a></li> <li><a href="#4">Find your LGBTQ+ community when traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#5">LGBTQ+-friendly tourism</a></li> <li><a href="#6">Coming out while traveling</a></li> <li><a href="#7">LGBTQ+ tour operators</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="1"><strong>Laws and LGBTQ+ travelers </strong></h2> <p>Despite significant societal gains, homosexuality and non-normative gender expression is criminalized in more than 60 countries with the death penalty applied in 11, according to <span><a href="http://ilga.org/">ILGA World</a></span> – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association.  It’s difficult for non-LGBTQ+ people to grasp but knowing a 2023 Ugandan law mandates imprisonment of a gay person simply for voicing their sexuality gives queers pause before visiting. Queer people are courageous and resilient, and we still travel to such places, but it is incumbent upon us to learn about the law before we go.</p> <p>ILGA offers easy-to-understand, color-coded maps with the legal status of queer people country by country. Eleven deep-red countries have the death penalty, with five still actively imposing it. This only tells a partial story, however. Saudi Arabia, a ‘death penalty’ country declares that LGBTQ+ travelers are welcome to visit the Kingdom on their official visitor website.</p> <p>Other countries, such as China, do not ban consensual same-sex sexual acts but rather use other laws to harass and intimidate queers, which ILGA describes as de facto criminalization. Check ILGA’s incredibly detailed legal analysis. But also check your government’s online resources before you visit a destination, such as Australia’s SmartTraveller.gov.au. Registering your upcoming trips and signing up for its alerts could protect you and help you steer clear of danger.</p> <p>Don’t let the law prevent you from enjoying anywhere in the world but do your homework first by following queer content creators such as <span><a href="https://nomadicboys.com/">Nomadic Boys</a></span>, <span><a href="https://www.readytostare.com/">Ready To Stare</a></span>, and <span><a href="https://everyqueer.com/">Every Queer</a></span> which specialize in gay, lesbian, and non-binary travel, respectively.</p> <p><span><a href="https://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights">Human Rights Watch</a></span> (HRW) conducts top-notch reporting and advocacy including for LGBTQ+ people around the world.</p> <h2 id="2"><strong>Understanding different cultures’ view of LGBTQ+ people</strong></h2> <p>Ironically, many countries where queer travelers consistently find a warm welcome and a strong culture of hospitality, also criminalize homosexuality. This includes Egypt whose people are happy to invite you to tea, talk for hours and perhaps sell you a rug. It’s not to say it’s a gay paradise, and certainly local queers and expat LGBTQ+ people can experience the horrors of state-sanctioned violence and hostility. But Egypt, St. Lucia, Zimbabwe, and other countries depend on tourists, and they endeavour to keep them safe.</p> <p>Research the culture in the country you are visiting. While Thailand actively courts queer visitors, all guests must dress modestly when visiting temples. Women may want to consider covering their head in certain religiously conservative countries.</p> <p>The more you respect the culture, the less of a target you become. If you feel unsafe or are victim of microaggressions, remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible and head to your hotel or other safe space. If you use same-sex dating or hook-up apps, be safe: only meet in public spaces; never go alone; and tell your companions, your tour operator or someone back home your plans.</p> <h2 id="3"><strong>LGBTQ+ accommodation</strong></h2> <p>One way to stay safe especially in jurisdictions with a legal or cultural anti-LGBTQ+ posture is to find queer-owned and queer-friendly accommodation. <span><a href="https://www.misterbandb.com/">Misterb&b</a></span> is a queer-owned version of Airbnb which lists LGBTQ+-owned/friendly accommodation for queer travelers and their loved ones. <span><a href="https://www.iglta.org/accommodations/">The international LGBTQ+ Travel Association</a></span> (IGLTA) has excellent travel guides and lists of queer-welcoming accommodation. Lesbian-run <span><a href="https://onceuponajrny.com/">Once Upon a Journey</a></span> offers tips for finding accommodation, destinations, and trips catering to queer women travelers.</p> <p>Non-binary travelers should inquire ahead of time whether your hostel or hotel offers single rooms and private toilets to avoid awkward encounters. This may be particularly important in socially conservative jurisdictions. If budget is an issue, inquire about the policy: ask whether they welcome trans and non-binary guests in gender-segregated dormitory-style housing.</p> <h2 id="4"><strong>Find your LGBTQ+ community when traveling</strong></h2> <p>Before you head off on your trip, use hashtags and the search feature on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook to find local LGBTQ+ cafes and other hangouts. In many destinations, you’ll find your people in the local LGBTQ+ center, in independent bookstores or in gay bars and other spaces. You might want to hire a local queer tour guide for an orientation to the city on your first day. This person can help you identify safe places and perhaps areas to avoid for the remainder of your trip.</p> <p>If you’re anxious about visiting an unknown destination the first time, coincide your trip with its Pride celebration, an LGBTQ+ film festival, or other such gathering. There’s strength in numbers and seeing and meeting queer locals during their most joyful celebrations will help ease your concerns and provide you with local contacts who know queer-friendly locales.</p> <h2 id="5"><strong>LGBTQ+-friendly tourism</strong></h2> <p>Queer travelers have always traveled widely. However, it is nice to visit places where you know you are wanted and where you might prefer to invest your pink dollars as a reward for their authentic outreach. Stockholm, Thailand, Great Britain, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Puerto Rico, New York City, West Hollywood, and San Francisco want you to visit. You can find many more LGBTQ+-welcoming destinations on the <span><a href="http://iglta.org/">IGLTA</a></span> site with links to websites where you can start planning a truly queer-friendly and safe vacation.</p> <p>Younger travelers who wish to join a queer-friendly tour should consider budget-friendly <span><a href="http://contiki.com/">Contiki</a></span>, a tour company specializing in social travel for 18–35-year-olds. As well as being one of the most inclusive tour operators in the world, it also appoints a queer travel ambassador every year.  <span><a href="https://www.meetup.com/">MeetUp</a></span> is a social site facilitating gatherings with countless LGBTQ+ meetups all over the world.</p> <h2 id="6"><strong>Coming out while traveling</strong></h2> <p>For younger queers grappling with issues around sexual orientation and gender identity, traveling may be one way to explore their sexuality and identity without risking backlash from family or others especially in socially conservative hometowns. Still, the question of whether to come out, to whom, when and how is fraught. It’s complicated and personal and depends on where you are.</p> <p>This resource from <span><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-do-you-decide-to-come-out-while-traveling">National Geographic</a> </span>describes the tough choices individual queer travelers have faced and their solutions. <span><a href="https://www.goabroad.com/downloads/lgbt-study-abroad-guide.pdf">This guide</a></span> from <span><a href="https://www.goabroad.com/">GoAbroad.com</a></span> is packed full of useful tips to help younger travelers come out safely. Whether you fly your rainbow flag proudly while traveling or prefer an under-the-radar approach, the decision is yours to make. The most important thing is to take courage from knowing you are one of the millions of intrepid queer travelers proudly exploring, meeting, and enjoying the world in all its messy beauty.</p> <h2 id="7"><strong>LGBTQ+ tour operators</strong></h2> <p><span><a href="https://www.outadventures.com/">Out Adventures<br /> </a><a href="http://www.zoomvacations.com/">Zoom Vacations<br /> </a><a href="https://hetravel.com/">HE Travel<br /> </a><a href="https://venture-out.com/">Venture Out<br /></a></span><a href="https://atlantisevents.com/">Atlantis Events<br /></a><a href="https://www.myvacaya.com/">VACAYA LGBTQ Vacations<br /></a><span><a href="http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiais.htm">Utopia</a></span> is a good source for LGBTQ+ information in Southeast Asia especially for bars, saunas, and sexually-focused information.<br /><span><a href="https://www.travelgay.com/" title="https://www.travelgay.com/">Travel Gay</a></span> offers information on bars, clubs, saunas, beaches, and hotels. You can book hotels here that are fulfilled by a gay-owned and gay-managed travel agency, <a href="https://www.outofoffice.com/">OutOfOffice.com</a>.<br /><span><a href="https://everyqueer.com/">EveryQueer</a></span> caters to lesbian and non-binary travelers.<br /><span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/missjulievu/?hl=en">Miss Julie Vu</a></span> is a Canadian transgender traveler.</p>Getty Images / Lourdes Balduque 11449126989 Getty Images Rainbow flags hung from balconies in Madrid

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/north-america/united-states/lgbtq-destinationsProvincetown, Palm Springs – there's more to the US beyond the major cities worth exploring, so we asked our expert Ed Salvato to reveal the best LGBTQ-friendly beachside and regional destinations.2019-04-09T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/north-america/united-states/lgbtq-destinationshttps://www.worldnomads.com<h2>When to Go</h2> <p>The US is a huge country – parts of it are popular in winter, and other parts popular in summer. You can visit the cities all year round, of course, and in fact many are more fun and much less expensive off-season. New York, for example, offers all sorts of specials on restaurants, Broadway entertainment, and attractions in January and February.</p> <h2>LGBTQ Events</h2> <p>If you can plan your trip around one of the major queer events, it’s even more fun. Gay Pride in some of the big cities can be super fun. The two best for visitors are in <a href="http://www.sfpride.org/">San Francisco</a> and <a href="https://queerintheworld.com/gay-new-york-city-usa-travel-guide/">New York</a>. </p> <p>Other major events to plan a trip around include: <a href="http://winterparty.com/">Winter Party</a> in Miami, Florida; <a href="https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/events/signature-events/white-party-palm-springs/">White Party</a> for men and the <a href="https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-the-dinah-shore-weekend-2019/">Dinah</a> for women in Palm Springs, California; <a href="https://www.neworleans.com/event/southern-decadence/3316/">Southern Decadence</a> in New Orleans, Louisiana; <a href="https://fantasyfest.com/">Fantasy Fest</a> in Key West, Florida; and <a href="https://ptownevents.com/event/ptown-carnival-parade/">Carnival</a> in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Note that the first ever Pride of the Americas is scheduled for 2020 in <a href="/travel-safety/north-america/united-states/lgbtq-travel#queer">Fort Lauderdale, Florida</a>.</p> <h2>Provincetown, Massachusetts</h2> <p><a href="https://provincetowntourismoffice.org/">Provincetown</a> is probably the gayest resort in the United States – in some ways, on par with Mykonos and Ibiza for gay popularity, though not so much in terms of vibe. P-town (as locals call it) is located at the curlicue tip of Massachusetts’ arm-shaped Cape Cod, and bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. It has been home to the original Pilgrims (who penned the Mayflower Compact there 400 years ago, then decamped to Plymouth, Massachusetts to found one of the earliest American colonies) and Portuguese fishermen (there’s just one active fishing trawler left, though many families of Portuguese descent still live here). Artists and queer people started coming here in the late 1800s to live relatively free lives, and have been returning every summer since then.</p> <h2>Key West, Florida</h2> <p><a href="https://queerintheworld.com/gay-key-west-florida-travel-guide/">Key West</a> was the quintessential gay colony, located in a remote area of the Caribbean (only 90 miles north of Havana, Cuba) and home to super quirky, hippy gays and lesbians for decades, until a bridge and large mainstream cruises connected it to the outside world. It’s more straight than gay nowadays, but it still retains its quirky, independent, all-welcome vibe, and boasts one of the world’s greatest and longest-running all-men’s gay guesthouses (Island House Key West).</p> <h2>Palm Springs, California</h2> <p><a href="https://queerintheworld.com/gay-palm-springs-california-travel-guide/">Palm Springs</a> is a fabulous, midcentury modern resort in the desert, two hours east of Los Angeles. This is mostly popular with gay men who flock here all winter long and gather around their all-male (sometimes clothing-optional) guesthouse pool to flirt over cocktails.</p> <p>Other beach-oriented gay getaway spots include:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://saugatuck.com/my-trip/lgbtq/">Saugatuck</a>, Michigan</li> <li>Rehoboth Beach, Delaware</li> <li><a href="https://queerintheworld.com/gay-honolulu-travel-guide/">Waikiki</a> on the Hawaiian island of Oahu – Waikiki may, of course, be considered more urban than resort-like, since Honolulu is a big <span>– </span>and in places, gritty <span>– </span>city but, hey, you go for the warm and the beach in addition to the active gay scene.</li> </ul>Getty Images / Vadim Anvaer 1924667262 Getty Images Rainbow-colored lights on Town Hall, Provincetown, Massachusetts.

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/north-america/united-states/lgbtq-travelThere is a vibrant queer community and culture across the U.S. but are all places LGBTQ+-friendly? Our LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his advice to help you plan your trip.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/north-america/united-states/lgbtq-travelhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#legal">LGBTQ+ legal status in the US </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Safety concerns for LGBTQ+ travelers </a></li> <li><a href="#queer"> Queer friendly places </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="legal">LGBTQ+ legal status in the US</h2> <p>LGBTQ+ Americans enjoy most of the same rights as non-queer citizens though these rights were granted relatively recently. Sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex has been legal nationwide since June 2003. All states license and recognize marriage between same-sex couples since 26 June 2015. Pride celebrations that year were particularly jubilant.</p> <p>The United States lags several Western nations in the rights it grants queer citizens. It wasn’t until June 2020 that the U.S. Supreme Court said the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, queer people are still fired, denied housing or refused service for being gay, lesbian or transgender in some parts of the country. As a result, LGBTQ+ persons in the United States may still face some challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ+ residents, particularly in the Deep South and rural areas with large conservative populations.</p> <h2 id="safety">Safety concerns for LGBTQ+ travelers</h2> <p>Although acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights and people has risen in recent decades – particularly dramatically among younger Americans – there was an increase in reports of homophobia and transphobia during the Trump era paralleling a lamentable rise in right-wing nationalism. <br /><br />The current U.S. administration has reversed some of the protections denied to LGBTQ+ people during the Trump administration, but there continues to be an alarming increase in reports of anti-trans murders and other violence especially those perpetrated against younger American transwomen of color. However, there are few, if any, reports of anti-LGBTQ+ or anti-trans violence perpetrated against visitors.</p> <h2 id="queer">Queer-friendly places to go in the USA</h2> <p>There are many queer-friendly places in the United States and very few that LGBTQ+ travelers should avoid. For the most part big cities are more accepting and welcoming of diversity than rural places, though it’s more complex than that. There are parts of big cities where local out people may not wish to demonstrate even mild expressions of affection like handholding – for example, parts of the South Bronx in New York or South Central Los Angeles; though it’s unlikely any visitors would find themselves in these places.</p> <p>Counterintuitively, while Indiana has a reputation as a conservative rural state where you probably won’t want to sport a pink Mohawk and kiss your lesbian partner on the lips in public; South Bend, Indiana had a very popular out gay and married mayor, Pete Buttigieg, who ran for the Democratic nomination for president of the U.S. and currently serves as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. There are breathtakingly beautiful <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/north-america/united-states/adventure-junkies-these-national-parks-are-for-you">national parks</a> in the American wilderness that actively promote to LGBTQ+ travelers. So queer visitors are encouraged to keep an open mind and do their research; a warm welcome may await in surprising locales throughout the U.S.</p> <p>Here are just a few of the many destinations with a significant LGBTQ+ local population where queer visitors can find many venues, activities and events of cultural interest and where they’ll find lots of other queer people.</p> <h3>New York City</h3> <p>It's the number-one tourist destination for queer visitors to the U.S., and it’s no surprise with vibrant LGBTQ+-popular neighborhoods and nightlife; over 1,000 historic sites of interest to queer people; a thriving performing arts culture with numerous productions large and small with very queer themes; and queer people everywhere. The Big Apple, especially the area around Stonewall, is a must-visit for all travelers who are remotely interested in queer culture.</p> <h3>San Francisco</h3> <p>Usually, number one or two for LGBTQ+ visitors, San Francisco is a true queer mecca. LGBTQ+ people live everywhere, and despite years of gentrification, the Castro remains one of the queerest neighborhoods in the U.S.</p> <h3>Chicago</h3> <p>Chicago is both a regional and national draw for LGBTQ+ visitors. Everyone affectionately refers to the gayborhood as “Boys Town”— even the gruffest looking male taxi driver. <br /><br />Lesbians are more likely to make their home in Andersonville. Note that in 2021, the neighborhood officially changed its name to Northalsted to promote inclusion, but not everyone is on board with that, and you’ll hear both names used.</p> <h3>Fort Lauderdale</h3> <p>Tourism officials in Fort Lauderdale make a huge, concerted effort to reach out to all segments of LGBTQ+ travelers including often-ignored trans travelers, same-sex parents with children and lesbians. Fort Lauderdale’s destination marketing organization attributes $1.5 billion annually in terms of revenues generated by LGBTQ+ visitors. <br /><br />It's more laidback than nearby Miami (which is more popular with party-seeking younger gay men) and is one of the few cities getting queerer as retirees flock here for the convivial spirit, warm weather and lower cost of living compared to other big North American cities.</p> <h3>Other LGBTQ+-Friendly Places</h3> <p>Here are a handful more of the many other urbane hot spots where queer travelers will feel super welcome:</p> <ul> <li>West Hollywood and San Diego, California</li> <li>Miami, Florida</li> <li>New Orleans, Louisiana – home to the 4th-highest concentration of LGBTQ+ people in the country and the South's biggest queer celebration</li> <li>Boston, Provincetown and Northampton (especially for lesbians), Massachusetts</li> <li>Palm Springs, California – holds an annual LGBTQ+ White Party, Pride Festival and The Dinah, a celebration for lesbians.</li> </ul> <p>In a sign of changing times, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Cleveland, Ohio; Houston, Texas; southern Illinois; and other “Red State” cities are also eagerly promoting themselves as LGBTQ+ welcoming.</p>Getty Images/BrigitteMERLE 1986952376 Getty Images San Francisco , Castro district, Castro street

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southeast-asia/vietnam/lgbtqOur LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his advice on what LGBTQ+ travelers need to know before they head to Vietnam.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southeast-asia/vietnam/lgbtqhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#legal">LGBTQ+ legal status in Vietnam</a></li> <li><a href="#friendly">LGBTQ+ friendly areas</a></li> <li><a href="#time">When is the best time to go?</a></li> <li><a href="#visit">Trip planning</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="legal">LGBTQ+ legal status in Vietnam</h2> <p>Vietnam is one of the most queer-friendly countries in Southeast Asia. While the country is welcoming towards LGBTQ+ tourists, Vietnamese society remains traditional and conservative towards homosexuality. Most queer locals live in the closet and while it's changing, many are still expected to get married (to an opposite-sex partner) and produce children.</p> <p>In terms of rights, Vietnam does not offer marriage equality; however, by Asian standards, it's quite progressive. It's never had anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In January 2015, the Law on Marriage and Family came into effect outlawing the ban on same-sex weddings. It's very open to gay travelers. The country held its first pride parade on 5 August 2012, in Hanoi and <span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vietpride.vn/">Viet Pride</a></span> has been going strong ever since.</p> <h2 id="friendly">LGBTQ+-friendly areas</h2> <p>Vietnam is a big country with many attractions. Most LGBTQ+ life in centered Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south and Hanoi in the north. Both have a few small local bars and saunas. Visitors can go to them but shouldn't always expect a warm welcome. In the big cities, locals have seen many LGBTQ+ people, and there is also a Ladyboy culture like <a href="/travel-safety/southeast-asia/thailand/thailand-for-lgbtqi-travellers">Thailand</a>. However, in smaller towns and villages, locals may not have been exposed to LGBTQ+ people so you may be subject to side glances. There shouldn't be any inherent hostility, just curiosity.</p> <p>If you request a single bed your wishes will be respected. Your tour guides will most certainly have seen many other queer visitors; the guide may even be in the community. Many of the tour operators included below hire qualified queer guides when possible. They vet all their guides to ensure they are comfortable with LGBTQ+ guests.</p> <p>The only caveats about traveling in southeast Asia is to respect the local norms and customs. Open displays of affection (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) are very uncommon. When entering temples and other important sites, you will be expected to dress appropriately.</p> <h2 id="time">When is the best time to go?</h2> <p>LGBTQ+ travelers might want to visit during Viet Pride, a three-day event held in Hanoi in August.<br /> <br /> Since Vietnam is not an overly LGBTQ+-friendly country and tourism infrastructure is not necessarily as easy to navigate as in many developed nations, you might prefer to travel with a group, especially if you want to ensure the presence of fellow friendly LGBTQ+ travelers.</p> <h2 id="visit">Trip planning</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiais.htm" target="_blank">Utopia</a> is a good source for LGBTQ+ information in southeast Asia, especially for info about bars, saunas, and sexually-focused activities. </li> <li><a href="https://www.travelgay.com/destination/gay-vietnam" target="_blank">Travel Gay</a> offers information on bars, clubs, saunas, beaches, and hotels. You can book hotels here which are fulfilled by a gay-owned and gay-managed travel agency, OutOfOffice.com. </li> <li><a href="https://nomadicboys.com/category/gay-travel-destinations/southeast-asia/">NomadicBoys</a> is the blog published by Stefan and Sebastian, a gay couple writing about their global adventures.</li> </ul> <h3>Legal Services</h3> <p>The <a href="https://ilga.org/" target="_blank">International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)</a> publishes an annual survey of sexual orientation laws.</p> <p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights">Human Rights Watch</a> (HRW) conducts top-notch reporting and advocacy including for LGBTQ+ people around the world.</p> <h3>LGBTQ+ tour operators</h3> <p>While the following highly recommended tour companies cater primarily to gay men, most welcome lesbian travelers.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.outadventures.com/ " target="_blank">Out Adventures</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.zoomvacations.com/ " target="_blank">Zoom Vacations</a></li> <li><a href="https://hetravel.com/ " target="_blank">HE Travel</a></li> <li><a href="https://venture-out.com/ " target="_blank">Venture Out</a></li> </ul> <h3>LGBTQ+-friendly mainstream tour operators</h3> <p>The following mainstream river cruise companies extend a warm welcome to LGBTQ+ guests.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.pandaw.com/">Pandaw</a> offers luxury small ship river cruises in Asia. The manager is openly gay and the staff is gay-friendly.</li> <li><a href="https://www.aquaexpeditions.com/luxury-cruise-vacations/aqua-mekong-cruises/">Aqua Expeditions</a> offers luxury cruises on the Mekong River and is known for excellent food, service and a focus on sustainability.</li> </ul>GettyImages/Borja Sanchez Trillo/Stringer 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southeast-asia/laos/lgbtqLaos is ancient, beautiful and scenic but is it safe? Our LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his advice on what LGBTQ+ travelers need to know before they go2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southeast-asia/laos/lgbtqhttps://www.worldnomads.com<div> <p>Laos is the least-developed country in southeast Asia but is one of the most tolerant communist states, with a growing acceptance of homosexuality.</p> </div> <ul> <li><a href="#curfew">Local Curfew</a></li> <li><a href="#legal">LGBTQ Legal Status</a></li> <li><a href="#friendly">LGBTQ Friendly Areas</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Trip Planning</a></li> </ul> <h2>Local curfew</h2> <p>There is a nationwide midnight curfew for all businesses, so bars close at 11.30pm. During the pandemic they’ve occasionally instituted an earlier curfew. Check the <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/laos">SmartTraveller website</a> for updates. There's not much to do except head back to the hotel and get ready for your adventures the next day</p> <h2>LGBTQ+ legal status</h2> <p>Homosexuality isn't criminalized in Laos, but the existing laws have suppressed the rights of the Laos LGBTQ+ community. Overall, the Lao people tend to be welcoming to visitors. However, while the country is tolerant towards LGBTQ+ visitors, Lao society remains traditional and conservative towards homosexuality. Most queer locals live in the closet and, while attitudes are changing, many are still expected to get married (to an opposite-sex partner) and produce children. </p> <h2>LGBTQ+-friendly areas</h2> <p>There aren't any gay bars (there's almost no nightlife of any sort) though there are queer-friendly cafes. The most visited part of Laos, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/laos/top-things-to-do-in-luang-prabang">Luang Prabang</a>, is a charming colonial city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Incredibly pretty, the city has lovely high-end boutique hotels where you'll certainly see other LGBTQ+ guests, and if you request a single bed your wishes will be respected.<br /> <br /> Your tour guides will most certainly have seen many other queer visitors; the guide may even be in the LGBTQ+ community. Many of the tour operators included below hire qualified queer guides when possible. They vet all their guides to ensure they are comfortable with LGBTQ+ guests.</p> <p>The only caveats about traveling in southeast Asia is to respect the local norms and customs. Open displays of affection (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) are very uncommon. When entering temples and other important sites, you will be expected to dress appropriately.  Check with your government travel advisory prior to travel for LGBTQ+ safety information.</p> <h2 id="resources">Trip planning</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiais.htm">Utopia</a> is a good source for LGBTQ+ information in southeast Asia especially for bars, saunas, and sexually-focused information. </li> <li><a href="https://www.travelgayasia.com/">Travel Gay Asia</a> offers information on bars, clubs, saunas, beaches, and hotels. You can book hotels here which are fulfilled by a gay-owned and gay-managed travel agency, OutOfOffice.com. </li> <li><a href="https://nomadicboys.com/category/gay-travel-destinations/southeast-asia/">NomadicBoys</a> is the blog published by Stefan and Sebastian, a gay couple writing about their global adventures.</li> </ul> <h3>Legal services</h3> <p>The <a href="https://ilga.org/fighting-for-gay-rights-across-southeast-asia">International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)</a> publishes an annual survey of sexual orientation laws.</p> <p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights">Human Rights Watch</a> (HRW) conducts top-notch reporting and advocacy including for LGBTQ+ people around the world.</p> <h3>LGBTQ+ tour operators</h3> <p>While the following highly recommended tour companies cater primarily to gay men, most welcome lesbian travelers.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.outadventures.com/ ">Out Adventures<br /></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.zoomvacations.com/ ">Zoom Vacations<br /></a></li> <li><a href="https://hetravel.com/ ">HE Travel</a></li> <li><a href="https://venture-out.com/ ">Venture Out</a></li> </ul> <h3>LGBTQ+-friendly mainstream tour operators</h3> <p>The following mainstream river cruise companies extend a warm welcome to LGBTQ+ guests.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.pandaw.com/">Pandaw</a> offers luxury small ship river cruises in Asia. The manager is openly gay and the staff is LGBTQ+-friendly.</li> <li><a href="https://www.aquaexpeditions.com/luxury-cruise-vacations/aqua-mekong-cruises/">Aqua Expeditions</a> offers luxury cruises on the Mekong River and is known for excellent food, service and a focus on sustainability.</li> </ul>GettyImages/Watsamon Tri Yasakda/EyeEm 0

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southeast-asia/cambodia/lgbtqOur LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato gives us the lowdown on how LGBTQ+ travelers can stay safe while enjoying beautiful Cambodia.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southeast-asia/cambodia/lgbtqhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#legal">LGBTQ+ Legal Status</a></li> <li><a href="#friendly">LGBTQ+ Friendly Areas</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Trip Planning</a></li> </ul> <p>Compared to many other Asian countries, Cambodia is surprisingly queer-friendly for visitors. There are no major pride events, and legal recognition of same-sex unions or even anti-discrimination laws are still far off. Still, LGBTQ+ travelers will feel welcome and safe everywhere they travel. There is a relatively large queer scene in the capital, Phnom Penh.</p> <h2 id="legal">LGBTQ+ legal status</h2> <p>The country is known for its abysmal <a href="https://www.hrw.org/asia/cambodia">human rights record</a> and gender inequality. Though there are no anti-LGBTQ+ laws, local authorities and police have reportedly used various laws to infringe on the local community's rights. However, while homosexuality is not celebrated culturally, LGBTQ+ locals enjoy a degree of visibility and acceptance in society (especially in larger cities) not seen in many other more conservative countries.</p> <p>There is a small <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cambodiapride/">pride celebration</a> that has taken place annually in Phnom Penh since 2003. The Cambodian government also announced it will introduce a new queer-friendly course in schools called "<a href="https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lgbti-life-skills-course-for-cambodian-students/">Life Skills</a>" to teach students about LGBTQ+ issues, sexuality and gender.</p> <h2 id="friendly">LGBTQ+-friendly areas</h2> <p>You will see fellow LGBTQ+ travelers and locals in Phnom Penh and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/cambodia/top-things-to-do-in-siem-reap">Siem Reap</a>, especially in higher-end accommodation, and locals are used to seeing same-sex couples and groups. In remote areas, locals will not react with any hostility to LGBTQ+ travelers, though they may watch you with curiosity. If you request a single bed, your wishes will be respected without question. Tour guides will most certainly have seen many other queer visitors, and the tour operators mentioned below hire LGBTQ+-qualified guides when possible, vetting all their guides to ensure they are comfortable with queer guests.</p> <p>The only caveats about traveling in southeast Asia as a LGBTQ+ traveler is to respect the local norms and customs. Open displays of affection (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) are very uncommon. <br /> <br /> If you want to be meet other LGBTQ+ travelers, consider joining a tour. Check with your government travel advisory prior to travel for LGBTQ+ safety information.</p> <h2 id="visit">Trip Planning</h2> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.utopia-asia.com/utopiais.htm">Utopia</a> is a good source for LGBTQ+ information in southeast Asia especially for bar, sauna, and sexually focused information. </li> <li><a href="https://www.travelgayasia.com/">Travel Gay Asia</a> offers information on bars, clubs, saunas, beaches, and hotels. You can book hotels here which are fulfilled by a gay-owned and gay-managed travel agency, OutOfOffice.com. </li> <li><a href="https://nomadicboys.com/category/gay-travel-destinations/southeast-asia/">NomadicBoys</a> is the blog published by Stefan and Sebastian, a gay male couple writing about their global adventures, including those in southeast Asia.</li> </ul> <h3>Legal Services</h3> <p>The <a href="https://ilga.org/fighting-for-gay-rights-across-southeast-asia">International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)</a> publishes an annual survey of sexual orientation laws.</p> <p><a href="https://www.hrw.org/topic/lgbt-rights">Human Rights Watch</a> (HRW) conducts top-notch reporting and advocacy including for LGBTQ+ people around the world.</p> <h3>LGBTQ+ Tour Operators</h3> <p>While the following highly recommended tour companies cater primarily to gay men, most welcome lesbian travelers.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.outadventures.com/ ">Out Adventures<br /></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.zoomvacations.com/ ">Zoom Vacations<br /></a></li> <li><a href="https://hetravel.com/ ">HE Travel</a></li> <li><a href="https://venture-out.com/ ">Venture Out</a></li> </ul> <h3>LGBTQ+-Friendly Mainstream Tour Operators</h3> <p>The following mainstream river cruise companies extend a warm welcome to LGBTQ+ guests.</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.pandaw.com/">Pandaw</a> offers luxury small ship river cruises in Asia. The manager is openly gay and the staff is LGBTQ+-friendly.</li> <li><a href="https://www.aquaexpeditions.com/luxury-cruise-vacations/aqua-mekong-cruises/">Aqua Expeditions</a> offers luxury cruises on the Mekong River and is known for excellent food, service and a focus on sustainability.</li> </ul>Getty Images/ValentinWolf 1949538018 Getty Images Long Beach, Sok San Village, Koh Rong Island, Krong Preah Sihanouk, Sihanoukville

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southeast-asia/myanmar/safety-for-lgbt-travelers-in-myanmarFind out where LGBTQ+ travelers will feel most welcome and where to exercise caution in Myanmar, the legal status for locals, plus a few other travel safety tips from our expert, Ed Salvato.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southeast-asia/myanmar/safety-for-lgbt-travelers-in-myanmarhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Myanmar had become a hot destination, especially among LGBTQ+ travelers who were thunderstruck by the evocative photos posted by their enviable friends who've already visited. Since the coup and political clampdown which coincided with the pandemic, travel to this country has been greatly curtailed.</p> <p>While it's illegal to be gay there, we've found the culture to be far more accepting than other countries in Asia which ban homosexuality, including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southern-asia/india/is-india-safe-for-lgbt-travelers">India</a>.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#welcome"> LGBTQ+ friendly places </a></li> <li><a href="#caution"> Where to be cautious </a></li> <li><a href="#legalities"> Legal status of LGBTQ+ locals </a></li> <li><a href="#visitors"> Current attitudes towards LGBTQ+ visitors </a></li> <li><a href="#locals"> Current attitudes towards LGBTQ+ locals </a></li> <li><a href="#tips"> LGBTQ+ travel safety tips </a></li> <li><a href="#resources"> Resources </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="welcome">LGBTQ+-friendly places</h2> <p>Most visitors stay on the fairly well-trodden tourist trail, which includes <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/myanmar/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-mandalay">Mandalay</a>, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/myanmar/get-the-most-out-of-your-trip-to-bagan">Bagan</a>, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/myanmar/why-you-must-visit-inle-lake">Inle Lake</a> and the former capital Yangon. These spots are all so accustomed to tourists, that LGBTQ+ travelers should have no problems here.</p> <p>While there are no LGBTQ+-exclusive establishments, <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southeast-asia/myanmar/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-yangon">Yangon</a> is where the bulk of the community lives.</p> <h2 id="caution">Where to be cautious</h2> <p>LGBTQ+ people are rarely out, the country is devoutly Buddhist, and most Burmese people tend to think of gay men as men who want to be women or dress like women. Some locals believe that those who conducted sexual misconduct in a previous life are gay in this one. But attitudes are slowly changing. </p> <p>Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy activist, and the country’s deposed leader, has spoken out against Myanmar's antiquated anti-LGBTQ+ laws. There have been pride festivals and film festivals — but on a very small scale.</p> <p>In the rural areas, the locals are not used to seeing LGBTQ+ people. That said, Robert Sharp, owner of LGBTQ+ tour company <a href="https://www.outadventures.com/">Out Adventures</a>, reports, "groups have experienced some very interesting conversations in rural areas, where locals are curious and just want to know more."</p> <h2 id="legalities">Legal status of LGBTQ+ locals</h2> <p>A holdover from British colonial days, homosexuality is illegal in Myanmar with punishment including 10 years’ imprisonment. The law is rarely enforced, but it can be used as an excuse to harass LGBTQ+ locals.</p> <p>There are also other laws that can negatively impact the LGBTQ+ community, from sodomy laws to restrictions against participating in a marriage that is not considered “legal”, i.e., same sex. Many of the laws are quite conservative, and can also cross over to various sexual identities, as well as making, selling or distributing “obscene” material, i.e., pornography.</p> <h2 id="visitors">Current attitudes towards LGBTQ+ visitors</h2> <p>Two men or two women together are mostly viewed as just friends. More sophisticated Burmese, however, will understand the nature of the relationship but won't react, especially those in the hospitality field.</p> <p>Though the culture is welcoming overall, with respect to gay travelers it's more like tolerated, not so much enthusiastically embraced.</p> <h2 id="locals">Current attitudes towards LGBTQ+ locals</h2> <p>With many exceptions, it is still shameful for a family to have a child that identifies as LGBTQ+. It is still a conservative culture, especially after being under strict military rule for decades, where media could not openly report on LGBTQ+ issues, and LGBTQ+ people could not legally organize.</p> <h2 id="tips">LGBTQ+ travel safety tips</h2> <ul> <li>When choosing safe and welcoming hotel accommodations, stick with boutique hotels or international chains, such as the Shangri-La.</li> <li>Your hotel may slip up in terms of your accommodations, not realizing two men or two women traveling together may be a couple, or by asking where their husbands or wives are. Call or email ahead to ensure the room is set up how you require. Be patient. They're not used to LGBTQ+ travelers. </li> <li>Avoid public displays of affection, which are culturally taboo for everyone (not just queer people).</li> <li>Intimacy among Burmese men is most often a sign of familiarity, not of homosexuality.</li> <li>For lesbian travelers, note that the Burmese are extremely respectful of women. Any attention is likely to be out of curiosity because you're a foreigner, but it is well known they are not in any way aggressive to women. That said, exercise the same caution you'd use back home.</li> <li>Dating apps, especially Grindr and Hornet are often the best way to find out about LGBTQ+ venues, nightlife and events. Just beware of prostitution, which can lead to trouble for travelers and locals alike.</li> <li>Dress modestly covering knees and shoulders, especially when visiting temples. </li> </ul> <h2 id="resources">Resources</h2> <p>Myanmar is a challenge logistically, especially if you go overland (as opposed to an all-inclusive river cruise). Work with an international tour operator. We highly recommend <a href="https://www.outadventures.com/gay-travel/">OUT Adventures</a> which has been organizing trips there for years.</p> <p><a href="http://venture-out.com/gay-tours-myanmar-burma">Venture Out</a> launched its first Myanmar adventure in 2018.</p> <p><a href="https://nomadicboys.com/category/gay-travel-destinations/southeast-asia/myanmar/">The NomadicBoys</a>, a blog produced by a young well-traveled gay male couple has extensive up-to-date information on the country and its queer life.</p>iStock/ugurhan 0613542170 iStock Hot air balloons in Bagan, Myanmar

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/southern-asia/india/is-india-safe-for-lgbt-travelersFind out about the complicated legal status of LGBTQ+ locals, attitudes towards public displays of affection, and safety tips for LGBTQ+ travelers in India.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/southern-asia/india/is-india-safe-for-lgbt-travelershttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#safe">Is India safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</a></li> <li><a href="#legal-status">The legal status of LGBTQ+ locals is complicated</a></li> <li><a href="#attitudes"> Local attitudes </a></li> <li><a href="#tips">LGBTQ+travel safety tips</a></li> <li><a href="#modesty"> A little modesty goes a long way </a></li> <li><a href="#dating-apps"> Be cautious with dating apps </a></li> <li><a href="#resources"> Resources </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="safe">Is India safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h2> <p>Through our own visits and those of the handful of LGBTQ+ tour operators who lead trips there, India is hospitable and welcoming to all visitors – including gay or lesbian couples or groups.</p> <p>Some precautions need to be taken, but as for many countries with traditional societies, queer Western visitors also enjoy "tourist privilege," whereby the hosts overlook behaviors that may not be tolerated among their own countrymen.</p> <h2 id="legal-status">The legal status of LGBTQ+ locals is complicated</h2> <p>In September 2018, homosexuality was made legal in India once again after it was criminalized in 2013 and previously decriminalized in 2009.</p> <p>However, much to the surprise of the global LGBTQ+ community, transgender rights have improved in recent years with a ruling in 2014 granting legal recognition of a third gender in India (one of only a handful of countries with such a law). This has helped nudge acceptance of the mostly marginalized trans (<em>Hijras</em>) community.</p> <p>The legal status of LGBTQ+ locals is complex, but visitors don't have to worry about this, as long as they <span><a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/southern-asia/india/etiquette-and-faux-pas-in-india-for-travelers">behave according to local customs</a></span> and to be mindful of interacting with and endangering locals.</p> <h2 id="attitudes">Local attitudes</h2> <p>One aspect of local life that often surprises gay visitors to India is the open affection that Indian men display with other men. You will frequently see men walking arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand, or talking closely – and seemingly affectionately – to one another. They are not gay, nor in a relationship. But make no mistake: they are not displaying sexual affection for one another in a physical manner.</p> <p>There are no "no-go" zones in India. All the spots that attract mainstream tourists are open and welcoming to LGBTQ+ guests, though it's always important (for all Western visitors) to be modest with respect to behavior.</p> <h2 id="tips">LGBTQ+ travel safety tips</h2> <ul> <li>LGBTQ+ visitors are advised against mistaking close physical intimacy among Indian men as a “green light” for public displays of affection with your same-sex partner. Travelers must note that all forms of public displays of affection – even among straight couples – are discouraged.<br /><br /></li> <li>Choose hotel accommodations at the 4 or 5-star level. You will be treated well, and your perceived sexuality will not be an issue among customer-facing hotel personnel.<br /><br /></li> <li>Of course, the global brands with properties in the sub-continent, including Four Seasons, Aman Resorts, Marriott, and others, are sensitive to the needs of their LGBTQ+ guests. What may come as a surprise is that luxury Indian hotel groups are actively seeking LGBTQ+business.<br /><br /></li> <li>We interviewed several gay tour operators including Bryan Herb from Zoom Vacations (listed as a resource below), Robert Sharp from Out Adventures, and Zach Moses from HE Travel, who have frequently traveled to India, and they all report feeling incredibly welcome.</li> </ul> <h2 id="modesty">A little modesty goes a long way</h2> <p>LGBTQ+ travelers to India will want to keep in mind that India is still a conservative country, and a general sense of modesty will serve you well.  That said, tour operators who've brought many LGBTQ+ guests to India, report that being gay is simply a non-issue.</p> <p>Still, it's advisable for same-sex guests (especially male guests) and heterosexual couples to avoid public displays of affection, particularly in rural locations which may be more conservative. Lesbian couples, especially those who present in a gender conforming way, can travel under the radar. Their concerns are more those of any female traveler: <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/southern-asia/india/womens-travel-safety-in-india">safety and fear of harassment</a>.</p> <h2>Be cautious with dating apps</h2> <p>Dating and hook-up apps do exist in India, and if using one of these apps, one should use discretion and be careful – just like anywhere. For instance, do not meet at a private residence. <br /><br />Always meet someone in a public place. Be sure to tell your hotel front desk, tour operator, or guide that you are meeting a local, and provide the public meeting place and time.</p> <h2 id="resources">Resources</h2> <p>For any traveler, India can be a challenging country – especially for first timers. For LGBTQ+ travelers, there is a little more complex since homosexuality is technically illegal. <br /><br />For these reasons we advise LGBTQ+ travelers to visit India on a guided group tour or, if traveling individually, to work with a trusted LGBTQ+ or LGBTQ+-friendly tour operator or travel agent.</p> <p>We traveled with <a href="http://www.zoomvacations.com/india/">Zoom Vacations</a>, which has led many successful tours to India.</p>iStock/SoumenNath 0 iStock Pride parade in India

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/caribbean/cuba/lgbt-travel-safety-for-cubaLGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his advice and useful resources to help you plan your vacation in Cuba.2022-02-21T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/caribbean/cuba/lgbt-travel-safety-for-cubahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Cuba is a popular LGBTQ+ travel destination thanks to its rich history and culture, unspoiled nature, and yes, vibrant gay life – especially compared to other islands in the Caribbean.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#is-cuba-safe"> Is Cuba Safe for LGBTQ+ Travelers? </a></li> <li><a href="#local-attitudes"> What Are the Local’s Attitudes to LGBTQ+ Travelers in Cuba? </a></li> <li><a href="#gay-friendly-areas"> Gay-Friendly Areas to Visit in Cuba </a></li> <li><a href="#travel-resources"> Helpful Resources for LGBTQ+ Travel in Cuba </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="is-cuba-safe">Is Cuba safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h2> <p>While local LGBTQ+ people may experience legal or societal difficulties, LGBTQ+ visitors are highly unlikely to experience any challenges due to their sexuality or gender identity.</p> <p>Homosexuality was decriminalized in Cuba in 1979. In 2008, Mariela Castro Espín, director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education in <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/cuba/top-things-to-see-and-do-in-havana">Havana</a>, LGBTQ+ activist, and daughter of President Raúl Castro – made huge strides in the queer rights space.</p> <p>She delivered a speech championing LGBTQ+ advocacy, a moment that inspired the country’s first pride parade in <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/cuba/day-trips-from-havana-you-must-do">Havana</a>. Today, the parade still continues annually across Cuba (including <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/cuba/santa-clara-everything-you-need-to-know">Santa Clara</a>), but more as a protest than a celebration.</p> <p>Her involvement has helped improve Cuba’s reputation around the world as a safer, more queer-friendly destination. While the pride parades were stopped in 2019, the government sanctioned the opening of the country’s first gay hotel, the <a href="https://www.rainbowmuthuhotel.com/en/">Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel</a> and there has been discussion of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same-sex_unions_in_Cuba">recognizing the rights of same-sex couples</a>.</p> <h2 id="local-attitudes">What are the locals' attitudes to LGBTQ+ travelers in Cuba?</h2> <p>For decades, LGBTQ+ Cubans were the black sheep of Cuba — outcasts trapped on a Caribbean Island that was at once conservative, Catholic, and communist.</p> <p>While Cuba remains socially conservative, especially outside of big cities, times have changed dramatically.</p> <p>You’ll find a visible queer scene in Havana: in the Vedado neighborhood, along the Malacón at Mi Cayito beach, which is popular with gay men, and in bars and clubs that reflect a more innocent, pre-Grindr time.</p> <p>Holding hands and basic affection isn’t a big deal in Havana, especially in the areas around where LGBTQ+ people congregate. But a little more caution is advised outside the city. </p> <h2 id="gay-friendly-areas">Gay-friendly areas to visit in Cuba</h2> <p>Cuba got its first dedicated gay bar in 2013, which closed a few years ago. Kingbar, which opened a few years ago in the hip Vedado neighborhood, harks back to a time when American queer bars still had a bit of a renegade quality.</p> <p>El Malecón, along this ocean, is a popular hangout for all Habaneros, with queer people congregating in the area around Avenida 23.</p> <p>Mi Cayito is the beach popular with gay men, about 15 miles east of Havana. X Y (formerly Bar Myxto) is one of our favorite Cubano gay bars and Café Cantante Mi Habana, a club near Havana’s Revolutionary Square, hosts live music.</p> <h2 id="travel-resources">Helpful resources for LGBTQ+ travel in Cuba</h2> <h3>Trip-Planning/LGBTQ+ Tour Companies</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://outadventures.com/">Out Adventures</a> and <a href="http://remembercuba.com/">Remember Cuba</a> run LGBTQ+ Cuba trips.</li> <li>For convenience and ease, we highly recommend you join one of their trips, or do as we do and create a custom tour with Matt of <a href="http://www.detourswithmatt.com/">Detours With Matt</a>. He runs scheduled groups and can also be hired for private groups, as we did. He has led about 30 trips in Cuba, and ingratiated himself to a wide swath of locals in the process. The good will he’s fostered locally results in VIP treatment and personal engagement of the best kind.</li> </ul> <h3>LGBTQ+/human rights organizations contacts</h3> <ul> <li><span>Cuban Foundation for LGBTI Rights</span></li> <li><a href="http://www.cenesex.org/" target="_blank">National Center for Sexual Education</a></li> <li><span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Mejunje" target="_blank">El Mejunje</a> </span><span>(Santa Clara)</span></li> </ul> <h3>Noteworthy hotels</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/cuba/havana/tryp-habana-libre/index.htm">Tryp Habana Libre Hotel</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com/">Hotel Nacional</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.hotelparquecentral-cuba.com/">Hotel Iberostar Parque Central</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.rainbowmuthuhotel.com/en/">Gran Muthu Rainbow Hotel</a></li> </ul>iStock/PhotosByByron 0498769043 iStock Gay pride parade in Cuba

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/eastern-asia/japan/queer-travel-in-japanJapan’s LGBTQ+ scene can be complex for travelers to navigate. LGBTQ+ travel expert Ed Salvato shares his safety tips and shows us around Tokyo’s vibrant gayborhood.2024-07-17T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/eastern-asia/japan/queer-travel-in-japanhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Is Japan a safe and welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travelers? This guide delves into Japan’s LGBTQ+ scene and offers tips for exploring Tokyo’s gay nightlife.</p> <p><strong><a href="/explore/guides/japan-itinerary" target="_blank">Traveling to Japan soon? Download our free 14 day itinerary to discover the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Osaka and more.</a></strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="#homosexuality">Homosexuality and LGBTQ+ rights in Japan</a></li> <li><a href="#safety">Safety tips for LGBTQ+ travelers in Japan</a></li> <li><a href="#tokyo">Exploring Tokyo’s gayborhood: where to go and what to expect </a></li> <li><a href="#bar">LGBTQ+-friendly bars and clubs in Tokyo</a></li> <li><a href="#saunas">Japanese saunas and bathhouses</a></li> <li><a href="#plan">Trip planning in Japan for LGBTQ+ travelers</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="homosexuality">Homosexuality and LGBTQ+ rights in Japan</h2> <p>Japanese society places more emphasis on group identity and values than personal expression. Sexuality – homo or hetero – is considered a private matter; It’s not flaunted in public displays of affection or discussion. Because of this, much of local gay life is not just hidden – it’s inaccessible. This is even more so for lesbians in Japan, who remain invisible. </p> <p>That said, homosexuality in Japan is legal. There are protections for gays, lesbians and even transgender people enacted mostly on a local level, with an increasing number of cities and prefectures implementing anti-discrimination laws. However, there are no national laws protecting LGBTQ+ people, and same-sex marriage is not legal.</p> <h2 id="safety">Safety tips for LGBTQ+ travelers in Japan</h2> <p>Japan is <a href="/travel-safety/eastern-asia/japan/is-japan-safe">overall a very safe destination</a>, and LGBTQ+ travelers are unlikely to experience violence or hostility. Nonetheless, it's best to avoid public displays of affection, whatever your orientation.</p> <p>As openly gay travelers (who used the word husband, but didn’t hold hands in public), we felt completely comfortable and welcome. Japan is perfectly safe for queer visitors, but the scene is hard to find. Tokyo has hundreds of gay bars, but only a handful welcome foreigners.</p> <h2 id="tokyo">Exploring Tokyo’s gayborhood: where to go and what to expect</h2> <p><a href="/explore/eastern-asia/japan/tokyo-kyoto-things-to-do">Tokyo</a> is subdivided into 23 wards or districts, which are large areas with their own city governments. Although you’re likely to visit several wards, you’ll probably spend most of your time in the main areas of the city, including the city’s busiest and most diverse ward – Shinjuku. This is where you’ll find the gay neighborhood and the most concentrated dose of queer travel Japan offers. </p> <p>Northeast of Shinjuku station is Tokyo’s red-light district, with numerous bars, restaurants, smoky and noisy pachinko parlors, love motels and nightclubs. Near the seedy red-light district is the Ni-chome district, a cluster of older low-rise buildings with hundreds of establishments oriented towards gay men. </p> <p>Despite the hundreds of gay bars in Tokyo, there are only a few options for non-Japanese-speaking customers. Our best advice would be to start at <span><a href="http://aliving.net/aiirocafe/">Aiiro Cafe</a>.</span> Make friends here with a local or two, and they can help you explore some of the bars that are lesser known. </p> <p>Tokyo is a hard-working city, and the bar scene can be quiet on weeknights. Many locals clear out just before midnight to catch the last subway or train home. On weekends, the scene gets busy around 9 or 10, and can stay busy until 5am, when the trains start running again.</p> <p><em>Planning a trip to Japan? Find out <a href="/travel-insurance">how travel insurance can cover</a> lost or stolen baggage, sudden illness, or other travel mishaps.</em></p> <h2 id="bar">LGBTQ+-friendly bars and clubs in Tokyo</h2> <p>Japanese travel providers are starting to recognize the gay travel market.</p> <p><a href="http://outasiatravel.com/" target="_blank">OutAsia Travel</a> offers night tours of Shinjuku — basically a gay guide to bring you to two or three of the bars that welcome foreigners, and generally show you around. </p> <p>Even with good directions, it’s not easy to find many places. Be sure to gaze upward for signs, as many bars aren’t on street level. </p> <p>At most bars, you’ll pay a cover charge with your first drink, and the bar master, or Mamasan (owner/manager), will be your genial host. They’ll make introductions, help guys meet and mingle, and generally ensure everyone’s comfortable and having a good time. </p> <h2 id="saunas">Japanese saunas and bathhouses</h2> <p>Saunas can be even less welcoming of foreigners than bars, for all the same reasons, combined with a prejudicial fear of HIV as a foreigners’ disease. If saunas are your thing, you’ll need to know the etiquette. </p> <p>Upon arrival, pop your shoes in a shoe locker, and change into a pair of slippers. Buy an admission ticket from the machine, and then take your shoe locker key and ticket to the front desk, where you’ll get a locker key, towel, bathrobe, and washcloth. If you walk to the front desk in your shoes, your ignorance of the local customs will very likely result in denied admission.</p> <p>For the most extensive and up-to-date bar, club and sauna listings, the best reference is <span><a href="http://www.travelgayasia.com/tokyo-gay-bars/">TravelGayAsia.com</a></span>. A printout of their <span><a href="http://www.travelgayasia.com/gay-map-of-tokyo/">gay map</a></span> is also very useful.</p> <h2 id="plan">Trip planning in Japan for LGBTQ+ travelers</h2> <p>You’ll need some assistance beyond these recommendations to plan your own ideal Japanese adventure, including:</p> <p><strong>Guided group tours:</strong> There are many tours offered by mainstream companies, but we highly recommend the tour offered by our friends at <span><a href="https://www.outadventures.com/gay-tours/japan-kyoto-to-tokyo/">Out Adventures</a></span>. </p> <p><strong>Full-itinerary planning assistance:</strong> In our search for assistance and information, all gay roads in Tokyo led to Shintaro, the owner of <span>OutAsia Travel</span>. His insights and assistance in putting together a customized itinerary are highly recommended. Be sure to mention Ed Salvato when you contact him. </p> <p><strong>Individual planning resources:</strong> The<span><a href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/" target="_blank"> Japan National Tourism Organization</a> </span>provides a variety of resources that will be helpful to prospective visitors. The most impressive of these is a directory of <span><a href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/guide/guideservice.html" target="_blank">Systematized Goodwill Guide (SGG) Clubs</a></span>. These volunteer guides, mostly retirees and housewives, provide free guide services to tourists in their native languages. Budget travelers will appreciate the <span><a href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/affordable/dine.html" target="_blank">JNTO’s Affordable Japan recommendations</a></span>. For hotels and <em>ryokans</em> in smaller cities, we found <span><a href="http://japanican.com/" target="_blank">Japanican.com</a></span> useful.</p>iStock/electravk 0528968254 iStock Two people at Tokyo Pride Parade

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/north-america/mexico/lgbt-mexico-what-you-need-to-knowIs Mexico LGBTQ+- friendly or not? Here's everything you need to know, from local laws to marriage and muxes, we take a look.2020-10-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/north-america/mexico/lgbt-mexico-what-you-need-to-knowhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Mexico offers a wide range of experiences for LGBTQ+ travelers, including cosmopolitan cities, beautiful gay-popular beaches, culturally rich towns and endless historic sites to explore. Queer visitors should expect a warm welcome throughout the country, but it’s important to note that the experience for locals may be different.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#legal">LGBTQ+ laws</a></li> <li><a href="#locals">LGBTQ+ locals</a></li> <li><a href="#visitors">LGBTQ+ visitors</a></li> <li><a href="#areas">LGBTQ+-friendly areas to visit</a></li> <li><a href="#transgender-in-mexico">Mexico's third gender: Muxe</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="legal">The LGBTQ+ legal status in Mexico</h2> <p>Though laws favor LGBTQ+ people, there are still significant obstacles. Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1871, 132 years before the USA. Same-sex marriage is allowed in Mexico City and 12 states (and recognized nationwide). Transgender persons can change their legal gender and name in Mexico City and two states.</p> <h2 id="locals">Is Mexico safe for LGBTQ+ locals?</h2> <p>The country is strongly Catholic; even gay people are often faith-driven; and family still plays a central role in the lives of LGBTQ+ Mexicans, who must often express their sexuality discreetly. The culture is stronger than the printed law, and each Mexican state can override national decriminalization laws by finding “adjacent“ excuses — like public decency laws — for making an arrest in rare situations. Interestingly, tolerance for homosexuality and non-binary gender identity is higher among indigenous Mexicans, especially among <a href="/explore/north-america/mexico/the-muxes-of-juchitan-de-zaragoza">Isthmus Zapotecs, who recognize a distinct and respected third gender - <em>muxe</em></a> - and Yucatán Mayas.</p> <h2 id="visitors">Is Mexico safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?</h2> <p>Basic displays of same-sex affection, like kissing and handholding in public (except for in or around a gay bar in, say, Mexico City), are invitations for scrutiny and potential backlash, which wouldn’t be much different from a small, conservative, rural town anywhere in the world. Gay-popular Puerto Vallarta has a defined gay area and beach. But, a five-minute walk in either direction and the rules change completely. Visitors are encouraged to exercise common sense and respect local culture. Visitors enjoy “tourist privilege” with little likelihood of harm, but it’s important to exercise discretion with locals you meet so you don’t inadvertently put them in harm’s way.</p> <h2 id="areas">LGBTQ+-friendly areas to visit in Mexico</h2> <p>The legalization of gay marriage has reinvigorated LGBTQ+ culture in Mexico City and the place is rich with art, culinary experiences, historical sites, parks, great people watching and a super fun gay area called Zona Rosa packed with queer people, <span>LGBTQ+</span>-popular restaurants and gay bars. Note that many feminine-presenting women may be male prostitutes. The ‘good vibe guys' (or ‘<em>chavos buena onda</em>') solicit along stretches of Paseo de la Reforma, just on the periphery of the 'Pink Zone'. </p> <p>The area was reputedly named the Pink Zone by Mexican artist José Luis Cuevas in the 1970s when he claimed the district was "too timid to be called red, too frivolous to be white." Now, a seen-it-all vibe prevails.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gaytravel4u.com/event/mexico-city-gay-pride/">Mexico City Pride</a>, scheduled for June 26-July 1, 2024, is an especially fun time to visit.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/north-america/mexico/puerto-vallarta-safety-guide">Puerto Vallarta</a> is Mexico's <span>LGBTQ+</span> capital. As well as hosting an annual <span>LGBTQ+</span> parade, there are plenty of hotels, tours, cruises, and venues (from sleek martini bars to gritty strip clubs and drag shows) that all aim to take a slice of the lucrative, upwardly mobile <span>LGBTQ+</span> market. In many bars, you'll come across Purple Hand, the only beer (produced by a small Mexican brewery called Minerva) marketed at the LGBTQ+ community.</p> <p>Many other places such as <span>Cancún, Acapulco and Playa del Carmen</span> have queer bars and significant LGBTQ+ populations, which you can look up online. You can connect with other queer people using dating apps but always practice discretion (meet in a public place) for your safety and theirs.</p> <h2 id="transgender-in-mexico">Mexico's third gender: muxe</h2> <p>Southeast of Oaxaca, the lowland Isthmus of <g class="gr_ gr_61 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="61" data-gr-id="61">Tehuantepac</g> has a strong Zapotec culture in which alternative notions of sexuality are not only accepted, they're celebrated. Once a matriarchal society, Zapotec women are hard-core saleswomen who also like to take the lead in all manner of village affairs.</p> <p>Then there are the <g class="gr_ gr_66 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="66" data-gr-id="66">muxe</g> (pronounced ‘moo-she'), a 'third gender‘ that takes both male and female characteristics and is neither devalued nor discriminated against in their communities. Muxes are not transgender, they are distinct. Vestidas <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75">are muxes</g> who dress as women and apply makeup, but there are also <g class="gr_ gr_67 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="67" data-gr-id="67">pintadas</g>, the less common muxes who wear men's clothing.</p> <p>Just five hours from Oaxaca city, the town of Juchitán is a ‘queer paradise' where gender stereotypes are obliterated at every turn. You'll see priests offering communion to women dressing like men and taking male lovers but still occupying traditional female roles.</p> <p>Occasionally muxes will take on more ‘manly' career paths; one notable <g class="gr_ gr_69 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="69" data-gr-id="69">muxe</g>, Amaranta Gómez Regalado, ran for Mexico's congress in 2003. Muxes also serve as a sexual outlet for men before marriage, often dating men who go on to marry women (who will visit the <g class="gr_ gr_68 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="68" data-gr-id="68">muxe</g> to learn some tips about their new spouse). When the daughter gets married and leaves home (usually at a very young age) the gay son generally assumes the role of caregiver to aging parents.</p>GettyImages/VIEWpress-Contributor 0