[Why does this website use the term LGBTQ+ and ‘queer’?]
Queer Travel Conundrum
Queer travellers face a unique set of challenges when travelling overseas. Certain countries have laws and cultural traditions that will affect your safety and how you navigate both cities and country locations. You may NOT be covered by anti-discrimination laws or other protections, public displays of affection can lead to criminal convictions and in some countries, consenting sex between same-sex or genderqueer people is treated as a crime, with severe consequences for both visitors and local citizens.
Big Gay Travels uses information about sexual orientation and gender expression laws from trusted sources, including ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) and TGEU (Transgender Europe). Where sources are used, they will be noted clearly in an article.
Check out: ILGA | TGEU
Should LGBTQ+ people travel to places like Russia, Qatar or Uganda?
Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself. Research can help, which is why this website exists. I think travel is a political choice and it’s good to be well-informed before you decide. Some people won’t visit Russia due to their anti-LGBTQ+ laws (as well, of course, as the war in Ukraine). Other people argue that they shouldn’t be denied access to fantastic locations like St Petersburg and two fingers up to the regime. Yet others point out that many LGBTQ+ people rely on their queer family and love relationships continuing across borders and queer businesses may rely on tourist dollars. It’s not simple.
Big Gay Travels exists to help you pick places to visit, and many (hopefully even MOST) of those choices may be very easy to make. Our Country Ranking system, currently under development, gives you a way to see, at a glance, concerns about human rights (if any) and ease of being LGB and/or T in that country, before diving into travel guides and blogs about locations.