gay travel oman

LGBT Rights In Oman: Everything You Should Know Before You Visit! 🇴🇲

As a knowledgeable queer travel writer and LGBT advocate, I’d like to address the situation of LGBT rights in Oman, particularly focusing on the experiences …

Gay Muscat, Oman | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!

In this article we will cover…Attractions in Gay Muscat, OmanGay-Friendly And Gay Hotels in Muscat, OmanGay Nightlife in Muscat, OmanBars in Muscat, OmanCocktail Bars in …

Gay Oman: Essential Knowledge, Safety Tips and Destination Insight for LGBTQ+ Travelers!

Embark on a journey through the mystic dunes of Gay Oman, a land where ancient traditions meet modern aspirations. Oman’s vast desert landscapes, the arresting …

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Gay travel and tours on all seven continents!

Magic of Oman Gay Cultural Tour

 2020  December 8 to 14

Prices listed are per person: Shared Room: $5998 Private Room: $7798

Physical Challenge

Join us  to explore  the  fascinating country of  Oman. It’s a small country on one tip of the Arabian Peninsula  with  incredible variety.  Discover the beauty  and majesty of Oman  as  we snorkel  in the  Gulf of  Oman ,   marvel at endless towering sand dunes,  gaze upon  stunning mountain landscapes, and so much more!    

Discover mesmerizing landscapes from the Wadi Bani Awf. Explore Oman’s capital of Muscat, a modern port city with ancient roots. Marvel at the sunset and sunrise across the vast dunes of the Wahiba Sands. Hike through the craggy Jebel Akhdar mountains and deep canyons. Visit the Grand Mosque and take in its beautiful architecture. Relax in a magical desert Oasis at Wadi Bani Khalid. Discover the white sand beaches and snorkel the waters of the Daymaniyat Islands. Camp in the desert under the endless night sky. Travel back in time at the Nizwa Livestock Market and Fort.

This tour of Oman begins in the capital city of Muscat. We’ll then head to the beautiful Daymaniyat Islands where we’ll snorkel in their pristine turquoise waters. These islands are home to many varieties of colorful fish and sea turtles.

We’ll also visit the Grand Mosque, one of the few that allow non-Muslim visitors. The mosque features one of the largest chandeliers in the world as well as one of the largest Persian carpets. From here, we’ll head to the desert oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid. This mesmerizing place is home to gorgeous green pools where we’ll cool off and relax. We’ll then head to the awe-inspiring Wahiba Sands where the orange dunes stretch as far as the eye can see.

From the Wahiba Sands, we’ll make our way to we’ll visit the former capital city, Nizwa—home to the Nizwa Fort and the famous colorful marketplace, the Nizwa Souq. For tours that visit Nizwa on a Friday, we’ll get to witness the livestock market where camels, goats, and other animals are traded.

Next, we will take a steep road into Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and on our way, we’ll see the ruins of ancient Omani villages as well as an irrigation system that dates back to 500 AD. This stunning limestone mountain range is home to many villagers who grow crops in the rocky soil, including one of the few varieties of rose that can be used for making rosewater. While in the mountains, we’ll have the option to trek through a canyon past small hillside villages or to relax at our lodge perched on the edge of a deep canyon.

As we start our drive back to Muscat, we’ll take a panoramic route by 4×4 vehicle past the fairy tale villages and narrow canyons of Wadi Bani Awf. We conclude our tour at one of Muscat’s finest hotels overlooking the nearby mountains and sea.

Day 1: Arrive in Muscat

Arrive in Oman’s capital of Muscat today, and meet your driver for a transfer to our hotel. Those on our pre-tour Dubai and Abu Dhabi extension will arrive in the afternoon. Anyone flying from North America for the main tour will need to depart the day before, with a connection in Europe or the Middle East.

Since some of the most convenient flights arrive late in the evening, there are no planned meals or activities on this day.

Day 2: Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve

Breakfast is included at our hotel each day of the tour. This morning we will stroll to a nearby pier for a snorkeling excursion to the Daymaniyat Islands, about an hour offshore. The area is known for its white-sand beaches, turtles, coral and a myriad of tropical fish. We’ll have lunch on the island, then return to the port and our hotel for our welcome dinner.

Day 3: Grand Mosque, Wasi Bani Khalid, Wahiba Desert

This morning we will check out of our hotel then enjoy a short tour of Muscat, a modern city with ancient roots as a critical crossroads between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. During our tour, we’ll visit Muscat’s sandstone and marble Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The surrounding gardens are impressive, but the massive prayer hall features a huge Swarovski chandelier above a floor covered with a handmade Persian carpet. It took six years to complete the mosque after an international competition sponsored by Sultan Qaboos.

From the mosque, we will drive south through rocky hills and date plantations to the enchanting natural pools of Wadi Bani Khalid. These stunning emerald pools are cool and deep with swimming available for those who want to experience the clear waters. Those who don’t wish to submerge themselves, are welcome to dangle their feet in the water for a unique sensation, as a school of fish will most likely come to greet us.

Next, we will drive further into the heart of Oman to the entrance of the vast expanse of the Wahiba Sands. These dunes stretch 125 miles and are over 50 miles wide, stretching to the Arabian Sea. This vast sea of dunes has been home to the Bedouin for 7,000 years.

After a ride along a wide highway consisting only of hard-packed sand, we’ll arrive at our desert camp. As the approaching sunset brings the deep hues of late afternoon, and while our Bedouin cook prepares dinner, let’s scramble up the tall dunes to witness an unforgettable sight.

Day 4: Jebel Akhdar

Today, we encourage everyone to rise at dawn to watch the sun emerge from the early morning mist that rises from the desert sands. After breakfast, we’ll get back in our vehicles to return to villages and paved roads.

Our first stop will be in the former capital of Oman, Nizwa. For tours that arrive in Nizwa on a Friday, we’ll have the special treat of watching the lively livestock market bringing together farmers and traders from throughout Oman. (If not on a Friday, we’ll visit the Nizwa souk.) Later, we will visit Nizwa Fort, built-in 1850, but on a foundation that dates to the 9th century. Then we’ll stop at the ruins of the village of Birkat Al Maouz, to see how traditional Omani architecture protected its residents from raids by other tribes back in the Middle Ages.

We’ll continue to the impressive Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) range with peaks over 10,000 feet. Small villages dot the steep hillsides, with many growing crops in multi-level terraces. We will wind our way up a winding mountain road to a wide plateau, whose villages specialize in producing the fragrance known as rose water.

Our hotel for the next two nights sits on a promontory overlooking the spot where two magnificent canyons intersect. We’ll have dinner at our hotel, with leisure time after dinner for stargazing. When skies are clear, you can walk a short distance from our lodge and see the vast sky free of ambient light as we indulge with the stars.

Day 5: Jebel Akhdar Trek

We will offer two options today to take advantage of this magnificent location.

For our hardier travelers, we will experience Oman’s premier walking/trekking excursion. Our route includes gentle walks between villages, tough traverses of the highlands, and thrilling tramping through the wadis (gorges). The trek is about 5 miles long and takes about 5-6 hours.

For those who prefer something less strenuous, there is a fairly level walking path around the grounds of the lodge with an exquisite set of exhibits showcasing the unique flora and fauna of the region including the lodge’s organic herb garden. There’s even a set of beehives from which the lodge obtains the nectars to top our favorite Omani dishes.

The lodge has an archery range, so later in the afternoon, we may ask an archer from the lodge to show us how to get an arrow inside the best ring.

Dinner will be at our hotel (with any luck) on a terrace overlooking nature’s splendor.

Day 6: Nizwa, Wadi Bani Awf

This morning we start our journey back to Muscat by riding into the valley. Then we’ll go off-roading for 3 hours through the mountains with panoramic views of Snake Canyon. Are you ready for small villages such as Bilad Sayt, which appear to be untouched by time?

Later this afternoon we will arrive at our hotel that resembles an Arabian palace on the rugged Eastern shore of Muscat. We’ll enjoy our farewell dinner as we share our memories of our week in Oman.

Price Includes

Main Tour Price includes: Accommodations at deluxe hotels for five nights, plus one night in a desert camp, in double occupancy; single rooms and tents available subject to availability; All transportation by buses, vans, jeeps, boat, and other modes during the trip; Airport transfers upon arrival and departure; all meals except lunch and dinner on Day 1; Wine or soft drinks at the Welcome and Farewell dinners; Services of a knowledgeable HE Travel tour host (with a minimum number of participants) and local Omani guides; Admissions to sites, museums and attractions that are shown in the itinerary; All hotel service charges, government taxes, porterage, and gratuities for drivers and included meals. HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.

Not included: Airfare to and from Muscat; Airport departure taxes if any; Meals on Day 1 and lunches and dinners on any added nights; not included in the itinerary; Gratuities for guides and HE Travel tour host; Personal items such as alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, and laundry.

Optional Tour Choices:

$1800 Single Supplement (for solo travelers who wish to enjoy a private bedroom and bathroom)

Pre Tour Extension Price Includes: 3 nights at a deluxe Dubai hotel; 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner; transfers between Dubai airport and our hotel; Abu Dhabi and Dubai touring as described in the itinerary; flight from Dubai to Muscat.

Not included: Lunch on arrival and departure days, 2 dinners; personal expenses; gratuities to local guides and drivers.

$2698 Shared Room – per person price

$3398 Single Room – (for solo travelers who wish to enjoy a private bedroom and bathroom)

We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury. Click Here to learn more about our Insurance partner.

Arrive early for our Abu Dhabi Pre-tour – Dec 5 to 8, 2020 Day 1: Arrival in Dubai

Most North American travelers will depart home the day before. After clearing Immigration and Customs, look for your driver for your transfer to your hotel.

To allow maximum flexibility for flights, no activities are included today.

Day 2: Abu Dhabi Tour

Breakfast is included each morning of the Extension.

This morning we’ll drive to Abu Dhabi, about 90 minutes from Dubai. Seven Emirates comprise the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi strives to maintain a balance between its Arab desert traditions and its goal to be a contemporary world-class city-state. Among its highlights are the Formula 1 Grand Prix track and an extension of the Louvre Museum. During our tour, we’ll visit the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. We will continue through a beautiful palm-lined residential area with a photo stop outside the at Al Husn Palace, and a ride along the Corniche to admire the skyline of Abu Dhabi.

We’ll pause for lunch together, then stop at the Heritage Village to witness traditional aspects of desert life. We’ll immerse ourselves in a time capsule that brings to life a souk, a mosque, and an encampment from a simpler time in the history of Abu Dhabi. Before returning to Dubai, we’ll have a panoramic tour of Yas Island, home of Formula 1, and the Ferrari World theme park.

The evening will be on your own back in Dubai.

Day 3: Dubai Touring

In a few short decades, Dubai has grown from a small Persian Gulf port to a major international metropolis. This morning we’ll walk along narrow streets with wind towers, learn of Dubai’s history at a museum, cross Dubai Creek on a water taxi, and visit the gold and spice souks.

After lunch, we’ll explore Dubai’s modern city with panoramic views of the iconic Bur al Arab Hotel, which was the first to call itself a 7-star hotel. Next, we’ll drive around the artificial island The Palm with narrow peninsulas in the shape of palm fronds jutting into the sea. Heading back toward downtown we’ll see Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world, then ascend to the 124th and 125th floors of the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa.

This evening we’ll have dinner together at a restaurant with views of a musical fountain performance.

Day 4: Departure from Dubai

Today we will transfer from Dubai across the mountains to Muscat to start our Omani tour.

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Discover the 5 most gay-friendly Arab countries 

Through a haze of shisha smoke and somewhat stifling sexual stigma, the Arab world unveils an unexpected realm of possibilities for intrepid gay travellers. If you can forgive the state-approved homophobia and are willing to act with discretion while out and about, the Arab countries can redeem themselves in a thousand and one different ways, from the ancient centre of Petra to the glittering epithets of Bahrain and into the deserts beyond. While by and large closeted kingdoms, the handful of gay clubs in the progressive city of Beirut can allow you to be your true self, while the luxury international hotels across the region can ensure your privacy is respected. Join us as we track the 5 most gay-friendly Arab countries.

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Mosque Okba, Kairouan, Tunisia | Photo: Haythem Gataa

Less foreboding than its name might suggest, Oman is a hidden gem of the Gulf, home to one of the region’s most important ports, within the picturesque city of Muscat. Rich in both cultural customs and oil money, Oman rolls out the finest patterned carpets (including the second-largest rug in the world within Muscat’s Grand Mosque!), leading visitors towards heritage architecture, frankincense marketplaces and traditional towns where humble living coincides with pristine landscapes of mountain, desert and coastline entwined. With so much do see and do, Muscat is best seen by tour bus, allowing you to hop off at countless museums, the Sultan’s Palace and the Mutrah Corniche waterfront, before venturing further afield on day trips to the beaches and turtle-filled lagoons for diving and leisure.

One of the slightly more tolerant countries in the region, Oman is said to have once had its own gay sultan – Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said – although the state press is quick to deny this as a capricious rumour! Nevertheless, the unofficial gossip is that the former sultan leads a lavish gay lifestyle within his palace, divorced from his wife and enjoying the occasional English lover. Much in the way of the Sultan, gay life here is to be led underground, due to the heavy penalties for homosexuality. In reality, the laws are rarely upheld except in high-profile cases, however, and gay Oman remains a perfectly safe place to visit.

Oman | Photo: Katerina Kerdi

Petra, in particular, is the crowning glory of Jordan, protected within sandstone cliffs and offering an unrivalled collection of monuments, including the defining Siq to the Treasury on an ethereal desert site of red rock and dunes known as Wadi Rum

A beacon of hope in a region otherwise ensconced in conflict, Jordan is also much renowned as a centre of ancient hospitality, welcoming all sorts throughout history.  Roman legions, Crusaders, Islamic armies and Nabataean merchants have all passed through the land, leaving behind many rich artefacts in their wake. Now you, avid explorer of gay Arab worlds, get to see these antiquities in all their majesty, moving from Roman Amphitheatre to Crusader castle with a sampling of early Christian art along the way. Petra, in particular, is the crowning glory of Jordan, protected within sandstone cliffs and offering an unrivalled collection of monuments, including the defining Siq to the Treasury on an ethereal desert site of red rock and dunes known as Wadi Rum.

While the southeast is firmly Laurence of Arabia meets The Martian territory, journey across the nation to glimpse other points of interest, like the lowest point on earth – the salt sea – as well as various seasonal canyons and oases quenching arid land. Though an influx of Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees – as well as increased tourism – means modernity and diversity are thrust upon Jordan’s cities, rural life is still well preserved and traditional styles adhered to (including more conservative ways of thinking). Wherever you go in Jordan however you are in safe hands, as the country is both stable and more liberal in its LGBT laws. Jordan decriminalised homophobia as early as 1951 and while there remains social stigma and ‘public morality’ laws that hinder LGBTQ+ freedoms, gay Jordan gains traction thanks to its underground gay community (most active on Grindr!) and annual events such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Petra, Jordan | Photo: Filippo Cesarini

Photo: Mirco Violent Blur

Home of the Dilmun empire and once the centre of the Gulf pearl trade, Bahrain has quite the iridescent history. Today, the country is both as modern and wealthy as you may have come to expect from the region, running its own Formula 1 Grand Prix alongside a fun arts and culture scene, particularly in Manama where an ex-pat foodie takeover has emerged, bringing evermore diversity of choice to the city’s shores. While the Bahrain National Museum provides an exceptional overview of the island’s unique history, get up close to real-life relics such as the Barbar Temples of millennia past, the honeycomb crypts of Saar, the 8 th century Souq al-Khamis mosque and the Portuguese-built Bahrain Fort from the 16 th century. Other more up-to-date attractions include Awali’s Oil Museum, pearl diving tours off the coast or, bizarrely, when outside tops 50°C, ice skating disco at Funland.

As far as tolerance goes, Bahrain is also among the more lenient states, allowing visitors to buy alcohol and partake in lively nightlife within cities such as Manama with its bars, nightclubs, and late-night shopping options among cafés, restaurants and alternative male-only ‘coffee shops’. Gay Bahrain legalised homosexuality in 1976 though this means little as an LGBTQ crackdown is still in force targeting those that supposedly violate “public decency”, as in Jordan. Regardless, stay discreet, and Bahrain will be your Oyster.

Bahrain | Photo: Charles Adrien Fournier

On a small slip of land in Northernmost Africa, lies Tunisia, a nation of stunning landscapes and distinct cultures, neatly contrasted by both Saharan sands and balmy Mediterranean coastline

Photo: Moon

On a small slip of land in Northernmost Africa, lies Tunisia, a nation of stunning landscapes and distinct cultures, neatly contrasted by both Saharan sands and balmy Mediterranean coastline. While a beach vacation is certainly in Tunisia’s repertory, there’s much more to be done than lounging about on forested shores eating seafood. Explore the nation’s extreme landscapes, from desert plateaus to offshore archipelagos, stopping at top spots such as Tabarka’s red coral shores, the UNESCO-recognised beaches and valleys of Bizerte and Dougga and the cultural centre of Tunis.

Tunisian society is viewed positively among the Arab gay community for its LGBT progress, as the base for organisations such as ‘Mawjoudin’ which campaigns for LGBTQ minority rights. On paper, Tunisian law still states that homosexuality is illegal, yet with an openly-gay presidential candidate recently running and ongoing activism, it’s looking more and more likely decriminalisation will come. In a strange twist, one gay marriage became legally recognised in Tunisia and though that doesn’t say much for society as a whole, it’s a small win for gay Tunisia.

Tunisia | Photo: Bedis Elacheche

Tiny but mighty, the Mediterranean nation of Lebanon is where the Middle East and Europe enter a shared embrace, sharing worldly influences across time and space. A clear winner for its LGBTQ freedoms, Lebanon is also hard to beat for its lively gay scene and diversity of spirit. It’s true that traditions run deep in Lebanon, particularly in regards to family and religion, and passions have been known to overrun, resulting in sectarian violence among Hezbollah soldiers, migrants and Islamic extremists. Avoid these occurrences and Lebanon will shine, thanks to its fantastic beach resorts not far from the capital as well as its mountain vistas, ancient ruins and more, all courteously attended by kindly Lebanese locals.

Though social stigma rings true and the finest array of Arabian gays is likely to be found online (hello Grindr, my old friend) gay Lebanon is perhaps one of the few Arab nations where a tentative gay scene takes shape in real life. As well as hosting the region’s largest gay club, POSH, where gay Arabs and internationals can finally dance together without fear of persecution, gay Beirut also hosts annual queer events such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and Beirut Pride. If partying in Beirut be discreet at all times and stay aware of your surroundings particularly if outside late at night. For more information on the queer climate in Lebanon, follow the LGBTQ movements of Helem and Meem.

Tyre, Lebanon | Photo: Charbel Aoun

Byblos, Lebanon | Photo: Nate Hovee

Want to simplify luxury travel planning?

Whether you want a resort vacation, wildlife safari, city break, luxury cruise, wellness retreat, honeymoon, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or weekend escape, the trip curation experts at Mr Hudson make travel planning a breeze. Find out how we can handle the finer details of vacationing in style.

Oman | Photo: Vera Davidova

Amman, Jordan | Photo: Benziad

Oman | Photo: Mr Marox

Houmt Souk, Tunisia | Photo: Khalil Yamoun

Saoufar, Lebanon | Photo: Ali Zbeeb

Lebanon | Photo: Boris Ulzibat

Oman | Photo: Bashir Mohd

Amman, Jordan | Photo: Hisham Zayadnh

Bizerte, Tunisia | Photo: Oumaima Attia

Tunisia | Photo: Alex Sky

La Marina Dbayeh, Lebanon | Photo: Charbel Aoun

Petra | Photo: Mike Swigunski

Photo: Dziana Hasanbekava

Photo: Spencer Davis

Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan | Photo: Anton Lecock

Nizwa, Oman | Photo: Mr. Marox

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MUSCAT, OMAN

Holiday houseboys, to fully appreciate oman you need to book a holiday houseboys , your local gay friendly tour guide. he will be able to show you around like a local. whether you want to see the tourist sites, places off the beaten track or discover new experiences, the holiday houseboy is there to help you. he looks after your safety and welfare at all times., jquery(function() { _initlayerslider( '#layerslider_248_zj995npax8qy', {createdwith: '7.0.7', sliderversion: '7.5.3', type: 'fixedsize', allowfullscreen: true, skin: 'v6', sliderfadeinduration: 350, usesrcset: true, skinspath: 'https://www.holidayhouseboys.com/wp-content/plugins/layerslider/assets/static/layerslider/skins/', performancemode: true, plugins: ["origami"]}); });, qamber is your local omani licensed tour guide since 2013. he offers hidden and diverse oman charms such as cosy mountains, exotic beaches, beautiful valleys and shining deserts. in addition to ancient arab culture which is full of surprises. from an early age he has had a passion for his culture and country beautiful landscapes which have shaped his personality., qamber enjoys to interact with different cultures and loves to share his knowledge of his country’s beauty and charm.  in addition, a love for adventures like hiking, swimming, driving through the rocky valleys and dunes. he chose to be a tour guide to enhance his love to live life to the full. he owns a 4×4 landcruiser and guests are welcome to hire this transportation for a fee., qamber is 30 years old, covid vaccinated, a casual smoker and speaks english, arabic, hindi and baluchi., total cost for the guide services of qamber for one day (8 hours) = a non refundable deposit of usd 45 by paypal or major credit card (visa, mastercard, american express) plus usd 200 in cash to qamber after his services. total approx. 245 us dollars., total cost for half a day (4 hours) with qamber = a non refundable deposit of usd 25 by paypal or major credit card (visa, mastercard, american express) plus usd 100 in cash to qamber after his services. total approx. 125 us dollars., this includes transport, but does not include entrance fees or any food & beverage costs., jquery(function() { _initlayerslider( '#layerslider_331_10fhfbcqakyyl', {createdwith: '7.6.9', sliderversion: '7.6.9', type: 'fixedsize', skin: 'v6', usesrcset: true, skinspath: 'https://www.holidayhouseboys.com/wp-content/plugins/layerslider/assets/static/layerslider/skins/', performancemode: true}); });, originally from pakistan, atif moved to oman. there he has been driving in oman for 4 years, the last two of which have been driving as a tour guide. his bobby is car racing. to book atif, please click the green “book now” icon below., atif is covid vaccinated, does not smoke and speaks english, arabic, and urdu., total cost for the guide services of atif for one day (8 hours) = a non refundable deposit of usd 45 by paypal or major credit card (visa, mastercard, american express) plus usd 160 in cash to atif after his services. total approx. 205 us dollars., total cost for half a day (4 hours) with atif = a non refundable deposit of usd 25 by paypal or major credit card (visa, mastercard, american express) plus usd 80 in cash to atif after his services. total approx. 105 us dollars., how to book a holiday houseboy, to book any of our holiday houseboys please go to the enquiry form ., or send an email to [email protected] ., alternatively whatsapp +94-76-630-1069., remember a holiday houseboy is your gay friendly tour guide who looks after your safety and welfare at all times., please note these are guide services and not sexual services., to make the most of your stay in oman, book one or more of these amazing activities., highlights of muscat oman, muscat, oman’s port capital, sits on the gulf of oman surrounded by mountains and desert. with history dating back to antiquity times. you will find a mixture of high rises, upscale shopping malls and cliff top landmarks such as the 16 th century portuguese forts., at the heart of old muscat there is a walled city with a natural harbor. watched over by the twin fortresses of jalali and mirani , which is where the sultan has his palace. nearby you will find the historic commercial district of muttrah . this is where you will find the old souq and the fish souq., between qurm and the airport at seeb are residential suburbs, one of which is home to the modern sultan qaboos mosque , a beautiful piece of architecture combining traditional arab and persian influences with a modern twist. in addition, in the mosque you will find a 50m dome and persian carpets., the rich traditional culture and dramatic landscapes of oman guarantee a wide range of activities to enjoy. you can also take a boat into the gulf to spot dolphins and whales., other things to do include hiking through the rugged jebel akdar mountains to visit ancient tombs and forts. alternatively, why not take a trip to the wahiba sands for a night under the desert stars. or a refreshing dip in the pools of wadi bani khalid , or, on fridays, a visit to the traditional nizwa livestock market ., finally, why not take an evening excursion to green turtle beach . watch turtles laying eggs or young turtles making their way to the water., if you are staying at a local hotel, then you can get up early in the morning, before dawn. this is when you have the chance to see turtles laying eggs., in conclusion, whatever you choose to do in oman, we assure you it will be an experience of a lifetime, with a holiday houseboy, who will look after you..

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Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Muscat Oman (2024 Updated)

Muscat is a fantastic city and even if it’s a muslim country, people are tolerating the foreigner gay couples are there a few gay friendly hotels Muscat.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)  persons in  Oman  face legal challenges not experienced by non- LGBT  residents. Homosexuality in the  Sultanate of Oman  is illegal according to §§, 33 and 223 of the penal code and can be punished with a prison sentence of up to 3 years. In Oman, it is said that cases only get to court if “public scandal” is involved.

Muscat, Oman’s port capital, sits on the Gulf of Oman surrounded by mountains and desert. With history dating back to antiquity, it mixes high-rises and upscale shopping malls with clifftop landmarks such as the 16th-century Portuguese forts, Al Jalali and Mirani, looming over Muscat Harbor. Its modern, marble-clad Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, with 50m dome and prodigious Persian carpet, can accommodate 20,000 people.

 Top attractions to visit in Muscat

Table of Contents

• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
• Royal Opera House
• Wadi Bani Khalid
• Bimmah Sinkhole
• The National Museum

 Best day trips in Muscat:

• Wahiba Sands and Wadi Bani Khalid Desert Safari
• Full-Day Grand Canyon and Nizwa Tour by 4×4
• Private Muscat City Tour
• Private Tour to Jabal Shams Grand Canyon Balcony Walk
• Wahiba Wilderness

See more day trips in Muscat on GetYourGuide

1. The Chedi Muscat 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Muscat

This 5-star beachfront resort in Muscat is a 15-minute drive from Muscat International Airport. It has a  spa  with massage services,  swimming pools . Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property.

The air-conditioned rooms at The Chedi Muscat have a flat-screen TV, a private espresso machine and a  spacious  work desk. Some rooms have a seating area.

The Chedi Muscat also features 6 restaurants where guests can enjoy Arabic, Asian, International and fusion cuisine. The restaurants have indoor and outdoor dining areas.

The Chedi Muscat’s spa offers an extensive variety of beauty rituals based on the holistic principles of aromatherapy, Ayurveda and herbalism.

A luxury resort with its own private beach near al Ghubra, The Chedi Muscat is located on an expansive 21 acres of land located approximately 20 minutes from Muscat’s old city. The resort features 158 rooms and suites with magnificent views of beautifully landscaped gardens, the surrounding Hajar mountains and the picturesque Gulf of Oman. Dining venues include six restaurants offering Arabic, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Denniston Architects, spearheaded by renowned visionary Jean-Michel Gathy, is the creative mind behind The Chedi Muscat’s inspired designs while The Restaurant is a creation of Yasuhiro Koichi of design studio SPIN in Tokyo.

he hotel itself makes you feel like you are in a safe haven away from everything. Also, even though it is quite big, you have an impression of it all being quite intimate. The place is very cleverly designed. The staff is what makes this place as well: they are devoted to answer your every needs and are oh so nice. I might add that we came here as a  gay  couple on honeymoon.

On arrival, we were told that we were given a free upgrade to a suit as, having booked through booking.com and messed up a bit, we had to change a couple of things and that’s how they knew it was a special thing for us. How thoughtful of them! Oman is a very liberal and tolerant country and the people are proud of that. It is in a place you might overlook as thinking of safety but Oman really is different and safe and I would recommend it to everyone.

The Chedi, especially, is a once in a lifetime place that you have to experience. If you can stand the heat, go in the summer as it is their low season. Temperatures do average 45° but coming from Scotland we were looking for some sun so were not disappointed and found the place very quiet with very good prices.

The food can be a bit pricey but when you taste it you find that it is worth every penny! The main restaurant has 3 open kitchens where you can see the chefs in action cooking your meals and also a pastry kitchen where the pastry chefs are baking the most amazing desserts.

The main attractions for us though were the SPA and the long pool (103m). Just mind blowing! We cannot recommend this place enough. It truly is something you have to see and experience to understand how great it is.

Location Occupying a prime beachfront location, this exclusive 21-acre beach resort is located 20 minutes north of old Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, at Al Ghubra. The Chedi Muscat is ideally located for business and leisure travelers alike as the main tourist attractions, the financial center, three golf courses, and Muscat International Airport are only a 15-minute drive away.

Style The minimalist design of this ultra-stylish resort was a revolutionary concept for the Middle East when the hotel opened in 2003, and its timeless decor remains an inspiration for resort architecture around the globe today.

The Chedi Muscat is a product of a countryman of mine, Denniston Architects and the multiple award-winning Belgian-born designer Jean-Michel Gathy, clearly approached the resort’s style from a culturally sensitive viewpoint. The minimalist lines of the low-rise buildings are accentuated by gardens of symmetrical simplicity, with lines of manicured hedges and ordered water ponds, creating a tranquil Zen calm. There are no fewer than 400 palm-trees throughout the grounds, each precisely planted to create artful arboreal symmetry.

Wandering around the 21 acres of spectacular resort grounds is a visual delight and your eyes will find awesome details every moment. The white exterior of the hotels pavilions blends perfectly in the lush greenery of the surrounding date palm gardens, and the maze of reflecting pools, falaj-inspired waterway, gorgeous fountains, and Moorish-style courtyards kept me entertained for the duration of my stay. At night, the gardens are enchantingly lit with candles and rope-lights.

Rooms The Chedi Muscat offers 160  rooms  and suites that are divided into ten  room  categories;  Serai   Rooms ,  Serai  Sea View  Rooms   Serai  Terrace  Rooms , Deluxe  Rooms , Deluxe  Rooms  Twin, Deluxe Club  Rooms , Deluxe Club Terrace  Rooms , Chedi Club Suites, Chedi Two Bedroom Suite and Chedi Four Bedroom Suite. Each  room  category has its own magnificent view of the water gardens, the Hajar mountain ranges, or the Gulf of Oman.

All 158  rooms  and suites feature minibars stocked with complimentary tipples (beer in standard  rooms ; everything in suites). Bose Wave music systems, iPod docks, televisions, Nespresso machines and kettles discreetly furnish minimalist Japanese-style living spaces, in which bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes are combined in the standard  rooms ; separate en suites with sunken tubs preside in higher categories. Marble, colored black and cream, and teak wood accessories, including Venetian blinds, create a soothing, neutral backdrop.

Room  amenities at The Chedi Muscat include Acqua di Parma toiletries, a Nespresso coffee machine, fresh fruit upon arrival, and – highly appreciated – a minibar with complimentary soft drinks and beer.

The Chedi Club Suites are beyond your imagination and I highly recommend to go for it. Overlooking either the Hajar Mountains, the Gulf of Oman or one of the hotel’s many water features, the suites each have a private terrace or balcony, vast windows and high ceilings, as well as a bathroom with sunken bathtubs and twin sinks (placed at opposite ends of the room , thanks to the grand dimensions). What’s more, you’ll be in the Club, member benefits of which include return airport transfers, access to the lounge, daily afternoon tea and pre-dinner cocktails and canapés, free laundry and a free minibar that gets topped up every morning. This Suite is amongst my personal favorite  rooms  at any hotel world wide. Truly stunning!

Service & facilities

The Chedi Muscat shines with most friendly employees and dedicated service- a class on its own. The attentive employees here going to make your stay the most pleasant and memorable one as possible. Smiling faces wherever you walk – shows the hotel in managed very well and every unit knows how to deliver high end hospitality.

Restaurants

Embark on an irresistible voyage of dining pleasure at the Chedi Muscat with a choice of six restaurants, featuring Arabic, Asian, Indian, Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as seafood served at The Beach Restaurant. All dining options are sure to promise a memorable and incredible dining experience, with both outdoor and indoor seating options catering to every season. For a truly inspiring al fresco experience, guests can dine at the Beach Restaurant (open from mid-September to the end of May), a romantic beachfront patio where the creative seafood menu is accompanied by a sublime panorama of the Gulf of Oman.

The restaurant, with outdoor and indoor seating, open kitchens and a ceiling full of chandeliers, starts each day hosting a breakfast buffet. Expect Arabian and European favorites, from labneh and flat bread to sautéed mushrooms and beef sausages made with beef, and à la carte extras including eggs Benedict. Lunch, dinner and drinks are also served here and different menus are available around each of the three pools, and liquid refreshments and pastries in the lobby lounge. From October to April, the Beach Restaurant sells Omani seafood, including wild lobster and tiger prawns with a choice of lemon beurre blanc, XO or tamarind sauce. The Arabian Courtyard puts on a Middle Eastern spread in a courtyard alongside an adjacent Shisha Lounge.

The Boutique at the Chedi Muscat offers a superb choice of limited edition art, fashion pieces and gifts that are exclusively available only at the hotel.

Pools and Spa The three pools each have their own cabana serving drinks and food, with Mediterranean fare by the Chedi pool, Asian flavours at the  Serai  pool and Japanese-cum-Malaysian nourishment to help you reach the other end of the Long Pool.

Those looking for absolute tranquility will not be disappointed as The Chedi Muscat features two adults only areas where you will not be disturbed at all: only guest aged 16 years and above are allowed at the Chedi pool and the Long Pool.

The 700-square-metre Health Club, adjacent to The Long Pool is stocked with 30 pieces of top-range Technogym equipment from the Visio Web line and free weights, Power Plates, a Kinesis wall and a Pilates corner. High- and low-impact group exercise classes as well as personal training sessions are available to further ensure that fitness goals are achieved. A dedicated ladies only sauna and steam  room  as well as a sauna and steam  room  that is exclusively reserved for the gentlemen, complete the extensive offering of facilities at The Health Club at The Chedi Muscat.

Two floodlit tennis courts are available for all guests to use at no charge. Tennis rackets and balls are available at the gym at no charge. A tennis coach is also at hand in case guests wish to further improve their techniques; his services can be booked through the concierge and charged directly to the  room . The Chedi Muscat offers a fully serviced private beach of 370-metre with umbrellas, towels and daybeds. The 800-square-metre spa is a true sanctuary with 13 fully self-contained spa suites including private changing facilities that are the epitome of understated elegance.

The Spa specializes in Balinese therapies, but also offers an extensive variety of beauty rituals based on the holistic principles of aromatherapy, Ayurveda and herbalism. The Spa is dedicated to pampering the body and mind, restoring spiritual balance and harmony and revitalizing all senses.

How much does a room costs at The Chedi Muscat  ?

Prices start 390 $/night for Serai Sea View Room.

The room comes with Gulf of Oman views and is decorated in Asian style minimalism with Omani details.The room features an open plan bathroom with a walk-in rain shower and bath products. Complimentary room amenities include 32-inch flat screen IPTV and in room Nespresso machine.

Benefits include: – Welcome drink – Daily breakfast buffet served at The Restaurant – Daily seasonal fresh fruits – Complimentary minibar (water, soft drinks and beer only), replenished once daily – Wi-Fi access in the room and most public areas – Access to computers in the Internet Room, subject to availability

Where to book online – The Chedi Muscat – Gay Friendly Hotels Muscat   – you can find the best hotels deals in Muscat during The Muscat Festival   which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Muscat on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com   and see more reviews on TripAdvisor .

2. Kempinski Hotel Muscat 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Oman

Nestled within the coastline community of Al Mouj and ‘the new heart of Muscat’, the five-star hotel will be an unparalleled luxury destination in Oman’s captivating capital.

Comprising 310 rooms and suites which all have a desk and a flat-screen TV. With a private bathroom equipped with a bath and free toiletries, certain rooms at Kempinski Hotel Muscat also have a balcony. Guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a coffee machine.

This upscale award-winning beachfront hotel along the Gulf of Oman is 15 minutes away from Muscat International Airport and a 5 minute drive from Al Mouj Golf Club. Polished rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and Nespresso machines, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. Upgraded rooms offer gulf views; some provide balconies or terraces.

Club rooms come with access to a private lounge offering breakfast and refreshments. Suites add separate living areas; some feature private pools. Food & Beverage outlets consist two award winning restaurants, an all-day-dining restaurant, a sports lounge, a beachfront lounge, a fully licensed bowling center and bars along with outdoor pools, a chic spa.

Great location in The Wave with walking distance to a cool social hub with a nice variety of shops and restaurants.

Close to the airport and the city but at the same time a nice and serene setting which keeps you disconnected!

Beautiful  facility with a variety of spaces and a selection of restaurants and food from Indian to Thai and even a nice Sports Bar. Breakfast is great with so much options.

Top service with well trained and very friendly staff. What i appreciated is the openness and flexibility of the F&B staff as they are wiling to accommodate any special requests or changes in the food or menu!

Anticipation is always there and even the top managers are frequently available and come and check on your experience and offer the extra mile in order to enhance it!

I definitely recommend this  hotel be it on a business trip or leisure as i feel the people is what makes this place unique.

l . Our superior room (city view) is the cheapest- but you feel like you are in a suite room. The room is spacious with opulent furnishings. It has a bathtub which honeymooners can put into good use. If not, you can swim in their infinity pool. Once you get up in the morning, you can go to THE KITCHEN. Not only do they serve a variety of dishes (Indian, Omani, Continental, etc), they are all delicious.

This is a real wonderful and satisfying experience staying in this  hotel. First thing I liked about this  hotel , it’s front view. The resort view is quite interesting with a blend of traditional stuffs and modern prompts, which I really liked. Then again  hotel  rooms are very cozy, comfortable also the   Swimming pool and safe. This  hotel  has very good room service. All the working stuffs are very nice and they always approach with a  beautiful smile, especially ( Buthaina) receptionist team.

The bedroom was absolutely  beautiful  with exquisite marble everywhere, enormous bathroom with free standing bath big enough for 2, enormous walk-in rainfall shower, touch controls for mood lighting, Nespresso coffee machine, large flat screen TV, the most comfortable King size bed with choice of pillows and so much more – just WOW

What immediately hits you is the attention to detail and superb build quality of everything in this  hotel  – it is such a tactile experience walking around this  hotel  – inspiration for upgrades to our home when we got back.

The staff were so friendly and accommodating making sure we were wanting for nothing – Oman was such a pleasant surprise to us after experiencing Dubai in the past – the Omani people are probably the friendliest of all the Arab states and don’t make you feel as though you are doing something wrong or inappropriate.

The pools are simply stunning, especially the infinity pool in the main courtyard and the beach beyond has the softest sand. No problem getting a sunbed and the pool attendant ensured we were set us up on arrival with towels neatly laid out, shade where we needed it and a supply of iced water in a nifty cool box.

How much does a room costs at Kempinski Hotel Muscat  ?

Prices start 245 $/night for Superior Double Room.

This double room has a soundproofing, sofa and tea/coffee maker.

Where to book online – Kempinski Hotel Muscat  – Gay Friendly Hotels Muscat   – you can find the best hotels deals in Muscat during The Muscat Festival   which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Muscat on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor .

3. W Muscat 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Muscat Oman

Set in Shatti Al Qurum Beach Area in Muscat, W Muscat features an outdoor swimming pool.

All the rooms come with air conditioning and a flat screen TV with satellite channels. While some rooms boast sea views and others garden views, all rooms come with an electric kettle and coffee machine. The rooms are complete with a private bathroom with free toiletries, a bathrobe, two outdoor swimming pools and hair dryer.

W Muscat boasts five dining facilities, including CHAR that specializes in grilling and Harvest, a health driven seasonal restaurant.

W Muscat is a resort situated in the upbeat Shatti Al Qurum beachfront, offering an insider access to what’s up and coming in the city. Step inside one of our luxury hotel rooms and suites where Omani heritage meets contemporary design. All rooms offer breathtaking views of azure waters of the Gulf of Oman. Five tantalizing restaurants offer an exciting experience for every foodie.

This  hotel  has the WOW Factor!!!

It has a very stylish/modern reception,  beautiful  bedrooms with huge comfy beds, luxury bathroom, wonderful views, fabulous pool, very polite/attentive staff and first class customer service throughout the  hotel !

We would highly recommended a stay at the  beautiful  W  hotel !

Look forward to returning soon for another amazing stay.

Hotel The W concept is modern and young.It is for you if you like lounge music (basically everywhere; beware; on Fridays it is pool party, so this is for modern music lovers only).

A highlight is most certainly the Siddharta Lounge (by Buddha Bar). Swimming in the Infinity Pool up there was one of my highlights. In the evening it is a “place to be”, young, DJ, great view to the ocean (rooftop bar).

Food and beverage

I really liked the breakfast. I don’t know what it is like if you stay here for longer, but the four times I had breakfast here (I arrived very early), I enjoyed it.

There is a beach right in front of the  hotel . It is not a private beach and I saw hardly anyone swimming there or lying there. I did not care for I rather use the beach for walks, and for this it was perfect.

My highlight: the staff. No: the TALENT

Everybody, and I mean; EVERYBODY treated me exceptionally nice here. People seem to love their job.

The room we stayed was so fantastic that it is hard to describe, but was hard to want to leave it. You will want to though as the hotel  offers so much. The pool area is large and designed in a way that makes your space private. They have a lounge that also has an infinity pool and is designed with a desert camp theme that is stunning. In all corners of this place are design features that highlight Omani landscape and culture.

As soon as you can after arrival, ask for one of the staff to take you on a tour to point out the design and architecture as you will be amazed at the thought that went into it as well as learning about Oman itself. Speaking of the staff/talent, there are people from 49 countries working there and not only are they all supremely well trained, but we learned a lot about their cultures at the same time. One of a kind.

How much does a room costs at W Muscat  ?

Prices start 236 $/night for Wonderful Room, Guest room, 2 Double, Sea view, Balcony.

Featuring views of the sea, this air-conditioned room has a balcony, sofa, mini-bar, desk and a safe.

Where to book online – W Muscat  – Gay Friendly Hotels Muscat   – you can find the best hotels deals in Muscat during The Muscat Festival   which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Muscat on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor .

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.

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MUSCAT, OMAN

To get the best experience out of oman you need to book one of our local friendly tour guides. they will be able to show you around, make you feel like a local. whether you want to see the tourist sites or visit places off the beaten track and discover new experiences, then our guides4me guide is there to make it happen., qamber is 30 years old, lgbt friendly and speaks english, arabic, hindi and baluchi., he has been an omani licensed tour guide since 2013. he can offer an unforgettable experience of oman such as hiking in the mountains and driving through the rocky valleys and dunes. qamber enjoys interaction with guests from different cultures and loves to share his knowledge of his own country’s beauty and charm. he has a passion for adventure and he chose to be a tour guide to enhance his love to live life to the full. he owns a 4×4 landcruiser and this transportation is included in the price he quotes. if you want a friendly guide who loves the outdoors, then qamber is your man., total cost for the guide services of qamber for one day (8 hours) = a booking fee of usd 33 via paypal, debit / credit cards, bank transfer or crypto currency plus usd 300 in cash to qamber after his services. this makes a total of usd 333., this includes transport, but excludes entrance fees or any food & beverage costs..

“Qamber is a very friendly, educated and a reliable guy, we had a great day with him in his 4×4, we wish we could have stayed longer. ” – Bryan, Canada

Muscat is Oman’s capital, its a port city that sits on the Gulf of Oman surrounded by mountains and desert. You will find a mixture of skyscrapers, upmarket shopping malls and cliff top landmarks such as the 16 th  century Portuguese forts.

At the heart of old muscat is a walled city with a natural harbour. nearby you will find sultan’s palace and the historic commercial district of muttrah. this is where you will find the old souq, which is worth a visit., for outdoor lovers, there are other things to do. including hiking through the rugged jebel akdar mountains to visit ancient tombs and forts. or why not take a trip to the wahiba sands for a night under the desert stars., whatever you choose to do in muscat, it will be a unique and memorable experience of a lifetime, with a guides4me guide, who will look after you and by the end of the trip you’ve made a best friend., a map of local hotels with discounts up to 60%, the cheapest flights to muscat, per month, latest blog post list.

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Travel safety report: 20 worst places for gay travelers in 2021.

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It goes without saying that international travel is challenging these days. But gay travelers face the added complexity of navigating a myriad of LGBTQ+ laws around the world. Depending on where they’re headed, travel can still be considerably dangerous —even in 2021. And although there have been some improvements over recent years, more than 70 countries still have homophobic laws, according to Equaldex .

READ MORE: The 20 Safest Countries For LGBTQ Travelers in 2023, Ranked In A New Report

Journalists Lyric and Asher Fergusson run a travel safety blog and recently authored an up-to-date report on the most dangerous —and safest—places for LGBTQ+ travelers based on nine factors, like legalized same-sex marriage and protections against discrimination. After 250+ hours of research, the duo reviewed all countries’ individual laws and gathered data from trusted international sources to create an LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index that reflects the most current information in an ever-evolving world.

Since the Fergussons’ study on the most dangerous places for gay travelers in 2019 , several laws have changed—some for the better ( Sudan ), and some for the worse ( Hungary , Poland ). “LGBTQ+ rights are still at the forefront of our awareness and we plan to continue keeping this study up to date to help the LGBTQ+ community stay safe and navigate international travel,” says Lyric Fergusson.

A new report details the most dangerous—and safest—places for gay travelers.

The journalists have noticed the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affect gay rights around the world. In 2020, Hungary ended the legal recognition of transgender and intersex people, and, according to Human Rights Watch , “It comes at a time when the government has used the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to grab unlimited power and is using parliament to rubber-stamp problematic non-public health-related bills, like this one.”

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For the Fergussons, LGBTQ+ rights are top of mind, even amidst a pandemic. “LGBTQ+ rights are still at the forefront of our awareness, and we plan to continue keeping this study up to date to help the LGBTQ+ community stay safe and navigate international travel,” says Lyric Fergusson.

The most surprising revelation from this year’s study? The continued level of violent persecution of the LGBTQ+ community around the world. “Of the ‘least safe’ countries on our list, the top 49 still have prison sentences as punishment for being gay,” says Fergusson. The two countries topping the “most dangerous” list—Nigeria and Saudi Arabi—still utilize the death penalty as a possible punishment for being LGBTQ+, while lesser punishments can include lashings, flogging or life in prison. “It’s just so hard to believe we live in a world where we can treat our fellow human beings so poorly just for who they love or for what gender they identify with.”

On the beach in Miami. While the U.S. is gay friendly in many ways, there are issues.

Even here in the United States , there are some major legal shortcomings for LGBTQ+ rights. Some states (such as Texas) have made it illegal to play on a sports team or use a bathroom of your choice. Other states have made it illegal to exhibit advocacy for homosexuality in schools. It might surprise many travelers that the United States places 20 th on the study’s list of the safest countries to visit. The wide variation in gay rights depending on the state you’re in certainly contributed to the United States’ low ranking of safest countries. There are also no constitutional or broad protections for LGBTQ+ rights under federal law in the U.S.

So is there any good news? “After our last study was published, there was a public outcry in many countries demanding that these inhumane laws be changed. Destinations that rely heavily on tourism continue to feel the heat as the LGBTQ+ community avoids countries like Jamaica for their conservative views. We hope that our 2021 study can add to the momentum for equality that is tangibly forming worldwide,” says Fergusson.

Read on for the 20 most dangerous places in the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, plus commentary from the coauthors of the study. Following this list are the five safest destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers. See the entire world rankings and important safety tips here .

The Lekki-Ikoyi bridge in Nigeria—the most dangerous place for gay travelers.

The 20 Most Dangerous Places for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2021

“Both in our 2019 study and now in the 2021 update, Nigeria has ranked as the number one most dangerous country for members of the LGBTQ+ community,” says Fergusson. “It was ranked so poorly largely due to the extreme penalties for simply being gay, which include up to 14 years in prison and the death penalty in states under Sharia law. The mere discussion of LGBT rights is criminalized via the current system. Under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2013, the country has seen an increase in violence and extortion against the LGBTQ+ community . Furthermore, Nigeria criminalizes transgender and gender-nonconforming people in its northern states under Sharia.”

2. Saudi Arabia

“Coming in as the second-worst country for LGBTQ+ travel is Saudi Arabia. This Middle Eastern kingdom is another on our list which can implement the death penalty for consensual homosexuality under their interpretation of Sharia law,” says Fergusson. “Other punishments include 100 whips or banishment for one year. “Men behaving as women” or wearing women’s clothes, and vice versa, is also illegal in Saudi Arabia, making this a particularly unfriendly country for members of the trans community.”

3. Malaysia

“This phenomenal Southeast Asian country is full of gorgeous beaches, islands, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making Malaysia a popular destination for international tourism. Unfortunately, imposed punishment for homosexuality is severe and the existence of gay people in Malaysia was denied by their tourism minister as recently as March 2019,” says Fergusson. “Under state interpretation of Sharia law, homosexuality in Malaysia results in up to 20 years in prison, whipping, and fines. And there are even recent proposals by the government to increase the penalties against the LGBTQ+ community . This makes Malaysia the least safe Asian country for queer and trans tourists.”

“The punishments for homosexuality in Malawi have earned this African country as the number four worst country for LGBTQ+ travelers,” says Fergusson. “Same-sex acts result in 14 years in prison for men and five years imprisonment for women. Additionally, any male whose hair is longer than down to his mouth can receive up to six months in prison. Pro-LGBTQ+ organizations are banned by the government in Malawi and general public sentiment regards homosexuality as off-limits. Only 3% of Malawians said their city is a good place for gay and lesbian people when asked by the Gallup World Poll .”

“Oman is known for its incredible mosques and unique terraced landscapes, but its treatment of the LGBTQ+ community has placed it in the fifth worst spot on our list,” says Fergusson. “Homosexual acts in this country will lead to up to three years in prison. For simply imitating the opposite sex , you can be thrown into jail for up to one year. And all pro-LGBTQ+ organizations are banned from the country.”

“One of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation destinations for tourists worldwide, Jamaica was another shocking country to top our LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index,” says Fergusson. “Jamaica ranks as the worst Caribbean nation for members of the LGBTQ+ community. This is largely due to Jamaica’s ‘buggery law,’ which is leftover from the colonial era, allows for a sentence of up to ten years in prison, including hard labor. In fact, Jamaica was called the most homophobic place on Earth by Time magazine in 2006 and LGBTQ+ people are sadly still the victims of homophobic violence today. Transgender individuals in Jamaica (especially male-to-female trans women) also face an exceptionally low tolerance from society at large.”

“Myanmar is a beautiful country filled with amazing Buddhist temples and pristine beaches but it’s also unfortunately not a safe destination for the LGBTQ+ community,” says Fergusson. “Transgender people ( especially trans women ) are commonly mistreated, raped, exhorted, and arbitrarily arrested by police. Homosexual acts, which their laws refer to as ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature,’ are subject to 20 years in prison.”

“Coming in eighth on our LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index is Qatar,” says Fergusson. “This oil-rich Middle Eastern country enforces up to three years in prison, flogging, and the death penalty under Sharia law for any acts of homosexuality. Tourism to Qatar is expected to skyrocket for the 2022 World Cup, which is to take place there. After much pushback, the Qatari government has recently changed its stance to say it would comply with FIFA rules promoting tolerance and inclusion at matches despite the country's strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.”

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most dangerous places for gay travelers.

9. United Arab Emirates

“The UAE is most famous for its two largest cities, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which attract millions of visitors each year. This popular tourist destination comes in as the ninth worst place to visit as an LGBTQ+ visitor,” says Fergusson. “If a male even wears ‘female apparel’ they can face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 dirhams (approximately $2,723). According to the Gallup World Poll, only 1% of respondents felt their city was a good place to live for gay and lesbian people.”

“In Yemen, the punishment for being gay for both men and women is prison time and 100 lashes, with death by stoning for married men,” says Fergusson. “This conservative Muslim republic means business when it comes to rejecting homosexuality, both in its laws and general public sentiment. Refugee Legal Aid Information highlights Yemen’s hostile attitudes toward their largely underground LGBT community.”

“Home of the magnificent Victoria Falls, renowned as the largest waterfall in the world, and incredible wildlife, Zambia is filled with plenty to explore. That said, the LGBTQ+ community is marginalized in this country and there are heavy consequences for being gay, which include seven years to life in prison for any same-sex act,” says Fergusson. “One possible sign of positive changes in the country is that the president recently pardoned a gay couple who were sentenced to a 15-year prison term.”

12. Tanzania

“This East African country is known for its remarkable natural attractions, including Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park, making Tanzania a massive hub for international tourism,” says Fergusson. “Unfortunately, this country was ranked at number 12 on our LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, which may inspire LGBTQ+ visitors to rethink their travel plans. In Tanzania, any homosexual acts result in 30 years to life in prison, and there has been a recent government crackdown on LGBT activity within the country.”

“This African nation made some good progress in 2020 by abolishing the death penalty for same-sex relationships. They do, however, still have up to five years in prison as a penalty for being gay,” says Fergusson. “Publicly, homosexuality is a taboo topic, so LGBTQ+ travelers choosing to visit Sudan should proceed with caution and remain discreet with regards to their sexuality. It is also recommended to be extremely careful when inviting guests into your hotel room , as this can potentially spark unwanted complications.”

14. West Bank & Gaza

“In the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is taken very seriously, with homosexual acts resulting in up to ten years in prison,” says Fergusson. “Groups advocating for LGBTQ+ rights are threatened by the governing authorities in Palestine , who consider homosexuality to be ‘a blow to, and violation of, the ideals and values of Palestinian society.’”

“Iran made number 15 on the index, due in part to its extreme punishments for homosexuality, which include 100 lashes for intercourse or the death penalty, and 31 lashes for same-sex acts other than intercourse,” says Fergusson. “One positive situation in Iran is that they do allow for transgender legal identity changes via sex reassignment surgery. Interestingly, Iran carries out more sex reassignment surgeries than any other country in the world after Thailand.”

Sunset captured from Naguru in Kampala Uganda—one of the most dangerous countries for LGBTQ+ ... [+] travelers.

“One of Africa’s most populous countries, Uganda ranks equal 16th on our LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index,” says Fergusson. “Homosexual intercourse results in life in prison and pro-LGBTQ+ organizations are banned throughout the country. Unfortunately, things may soon be getting even worse for the LGBTQ+ community, as the Ugandan president has recently been ramping up the anti-gay rhetoric to help win votes in an upcoming election.”

17. Maldives

“Famed as a popular romantic vacation destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, it comes as a significant wake-up call that the Maldives bears such anti-LGBTQ+ laws,” says Fergusson. “Earning the equal 16th spot, the Maldives punishes homosexual acts and intercourse with up to eight years in prison or 100 lashes. Though these laws are enforced in the cities, they are largely ignored at the resorts . For more adventurous travelers, regardless of orientation, be wary of the local customs and avoid any public displays of affection in the Maldivian cities.”

18. Morocco

“An enchanting destination, packed with beaches and incredible architecture, Morocco ranks as the equal 18th worst on our travel safety index,” says Fergusson. “Homosexual or “unnatural” acts can lead to six months to three years in prison, plus additional fines. Although affection is often freely shown among Moroccan men it is recommended that LGBTQ travelers use discretion particularly if using social media dating apps since meetups have led to assault and robbery in recent years.”

“Famous throughout the world for its ancient pyramids and historical and religious significance, Egypt is a massive tourist destination for global travelers. Unfortunately, Egypt ranked equal 18th on our list due to its negative laws regarding homosexuality,” says Fergusson. “Same-sex acts result in up to three years in prison with a fine, and possession of homosexual materials results in up to two years in prison with a fine. For LGBTQ+ travelers, it is recommended not to disclose your sexuality and avoid using dating apps since the local police have been known to create fake accounts to “catch” LGBTQ+ travelers looking to engage in illegal activity.”

20. Algeria

“This North African nation ranks as the equal 18th worst on our LGBTQ Travel Safety Index. Homosexual acts result in two months to two years in prison, plus a fine,” says Fergusson. “Simply being in possession of “homosexual materials” can subject you to up to 2 years in prison. As a tourist, you likely won’t be subjected to these laws, but you're advised to be cautious. Dressing in clothing of the opposite sex is prohibited by law, and the general social attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community is openly negative and sometimes violent.”

A rainbow pathway in Montreal, Canada—the safest place for gay travelers.

The 5 Safest Places for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2021

“Coming in first place as the safest country for LGBTQ+ travel in this year’s update is Canada,” says Fergusson. “Known for its kind locals and chilly winters, Canada has constitutional protections in place to guard the LGBTQ+ community against violence and discrimination, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005. Most recently in 2020, Canada has made the positive move to criminalize LGBTQ+ 'conversion therapy .’”

2. The Netherlands

“The Netherlands was the first place in the world to legalize same-sex marriage almost 20 years ago in 2001,” says Fergusson. “This alluring country renowned for its tulip fields, windmills, cheese markets, and canals has achieved an equal second spot in the 2021 LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index. The Netherlands also ranked number one in the latest Gallup Poll with 92% of respondents saying that the city or area where they live is a good place for gay and lesbian people.”

“Sweden’s friendly attitudes and positive legislation towards the LGBTQ+ community have earned it the title of equal second. Scandinavia is generally known for its friendly people and liberal attitudes towards equality for all,” says Fergusson. “Sweden legalized same-sex marriage in 2009 and performed well on all our nine ranking factors. This land of the Northern Lights has also been a regular host of Europride and has more Pride festivals per-capita than anywhere else in the world with over 30 different Pride celebrations throughout the country each year .”

“This tiny archipelago sandwiched in the Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast comes in fourth in regards to LGBTQ+ travel safety,” says Fergusson. “Malta has been rising in acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals for decades and its legislations make it one of the most LGBTQ+ travel-friendly countries in both Europe and the world. Who wouldn’t want to honeymoon or vacation on this paradisal island?”

5. Portugal

“With legalized same-sex marriage since 2010 and numerous legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community, Portugal placed fifth on our list,” says Fergusson. “Cities like Lisbon and Porto have the best gay scenes in the country and Portugal came in second place in its bid to host the 2022 Europride which is the biggest event celebrating gay pride in Europe.”

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The 203 Worst (& Safest) Countries for LGBTQ+ Travel in 2023

Instead of relying on hearsay and anecdotes from other travelers, we took a deep look at LGBTQ+ rights, country by country. After 400+ hours of research, we’ve reviewed all countries’ individual laws and gathered data from a variety of trusted international sources to create the definitive “LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index” that will help you find the safest (and least safe) countries for your next trip abroad.

Our methodology

We ranked 203 countries with available data, and then carefully examined LGBTQ+ rights for each country. We created our LGBTQ+ travel safety index based on a total of ten ranking factors, each pertaining to the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ individuals. We worked with academic researcher, Eliot Assoudeh PhD. , to design the methodology and cross-reference all data. We utilized a mixed-methods research design to create the index.

Note on Russia/Ukraine: Russia and Ukraine were included in this study. However, keep in mind that (as in all instances of political unrest), the most marginalized people in society are often targets . Please note that the situation for LGBTQ+ people is constantly evolving in the region.

Positive factors

• Legalized Same-Sex Marriage (0 to +50 Points) — Is same-sex marriage legal and equal under the law in this country? If marriage is not equal, are civil unions legal? If not, does the country legally recognize foreign LGBTQ+ marriages? We ranked the scores for this metric based on how many years same-sex marriage has been legal in this country with the highest possible score being 50 points. Civil unions and other types of partnerships received 25 points or less and were also ranked by the number of years they have been legal. Additionally, if a country only legally recognizes foreign LGBTQ+ marriages then they earned 10 points. Source: Recognition of same-sex relationships – Human Rights Watch , we also cross-referenced with Equaldex: Collaborative LGBTQ Knowledge Base
• LGBTQ+ Worker Protections (0 to +50 Points) — For the people living in that country, are there legal protections against discrimination in the workplace? 50 points were awarded for both sexual orientation and gender protection; 25 points were awarded for sexual orientation protection only. Additionally, if a country only recognizes limited rights for LGBTQ+ worker protections, then they earned 10 points. Source: LGBTQ+ Worker Protections – ILGA
• Legal Protections Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Discrimination (0 to +50 Points) — Are there either constitutional or broad legal protections of LGBTQ+ people in this country? Constitutional protections were awarded 50 points; broad protections were awarded 25 points. Additionally, if a country only recognizes limited protections against discrimination, then they earned 10 points. Source: Anti Discrimination Laws – ILGA
• Criminalization of Hate-Based Violence (0 to +50 Points) — Is anti-LGBTQ+, hate-based, or homophobia-inspired violence considered a hate crime in this country? Is hate-based, anti-LGBTQ+ speech considered hate speech? The existence of hate crime penalties received 50 points; incitement-only punishments received 25 points. Additionally, if a country only has limited criminalization of hate-based violence, then they earned 10 points. Source: Criminalization of Hate-Based Violence – ILGA
• Adoption Recognition (0 to +50 Points) — Is joint adoption and/or second-parent adoption legal in this country for same-sex parents? The recognition of both joint and second-parent adoption received 50 points, while only second-parent adoption recognition received 25 points. Source: Adoption Recognition – ILGA
• Gallup World Poll (0 to +100 points) — In the Gallup poll, individuals were asked, “Is the city or area where you live a good place or not a good place to live for gay and lesbian people?” The percentages represented and used in our metrics include those who said “good place” for that country. We gave this factor a double weighting (maximum 100 points) because it gives a very clear pulse on the general attitude towards LGBTQ+ people by locals in each country. If, for example, a country answered 92% positively to the Gallup question, then they were awarded 92 points. We use the most recently available data available for that country. Source: Gallup World Poll
• Transgender Legal Identity Laws (0 to +50 points) — The degree of legal recognition provided to transgender people varies widely throughout the world. We individually reviewed the laws for each country and asked the following questions. Does the country allow individuals to change their legal gender identity without requiring sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? If so, these countries were awarded 50 points or less depending on the details of the law. Does the country require SRS for people to qualify for legal gender change? If so, these countries received 25 points or less depending on the details of the law. Does the country have no rights for or against people legally changing their gender? If so, these countries received 0 points. Source: We reviewed individual laws of each country and Transgender Rights – Wikipedia

Negative factors

• Illegal LGBTQ+ Relationships and Acts (0 to -100 Points) — Can “sodomy,” “indecent acts,” or “buggery” result in punishments under the law such as physical violence, a fine, or prison time? Any possible death sentences or life-in-prison sentences under the law receive the maximum -100 point penalty. All other punishments were ranked by severity. We gave this factor a negative double weighting because the fact that homosexuality is illegal and can receive the death sentence means that the laws of these countries are extremely unfavorable for LGBTQ+ people. Source: Global Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws – Human Rights Watch
• Propaganda/Morality Laws (0 to -50 Points) — Are there laws sanctioned by the state to prevent the dissemination or publication of information about queer culture? Are there laws affecting the creation of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)? This metric was graded based on the severity of the punishments with -50 points being the worst score. Source: Global Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws – Human Rights Watch
• Transgender Legal Identity Laws (0 to -50 points) — We individually reviewed the laws for each country and asked the following question. Does the country make it illegal for people to change their gender? If so, these countries were given up to negative fifty points depending on the severity of punishment. For example, in Oman, simply imitating the opposite sex gets up to 1 year in prison and this country received the full -50 points. Source: Global Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws – Human Rights Watch
• Transgender murder rates (0 to -100 points) — Countries were awarded zero points if they did not have any recorded transgender murders, but were deducted up to 100 points if transgender murders were reported through the Transgender Murder Monitoring website. Rates are per million citizens and occurred between 2008 and September 2022. Source: Transgender Murder Monitoring – TvT

To measure LGBTQ+ safety abroad, one cannot look only at data on whether or not same-sex marriage is legal and if anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination laws are in place. It also depends on the general attitude of the culture, minutiae of the legal system, and oppression of LGBTQ+ rights. These issues can affect everything, from your ability to show public displays of affection to being able to share a hotel room bed to the capacity at which you can use dating apps without being caught by the local police. A few items on our list, such as adoption recognition and worker protections, may not affect LGBTQ+ travelers directly, but these factors are a good indication of overall attitudes within the culture.

Study Limitations: Due to budget constraints, the methodology used in our index does not sample the actual experiences of LGBTQ tourists who have visited each country. One way we attempted to overcome this weakness was by utilizing the Gallup World Poll as well as looking at each country’s laws and any progress the country’s had in comparison with our previous years’ studies.

What’s changed for LGBTQ+ individuals over the past year?

Some of the positive highlights include:

• Cuba legalized same-sex marriage in September 2022.
• While gay marriage is still banned, Japan is making progress toward the acceptance of same-sex marriage, and gay couples can now register a domestic partnership as of November 2022. 
• Switzerland legalized same-sex marriage on July 1, 2022.
• Singapore, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis decriminalized homosexuality in 2022.
• As of January 31, 2023, same-sex marriage and adoption are fully legal in Slovenia.
• Croatia passed laws expanding the rights of same-sex couples to joint adoption in August 2022.
• In December 2022, the U.S. Virgin Islands increased its discrimination protections for people based on their sexual identity and gender expression.
• New Zealand plans to implement gender self-identification on June 15, 2023. 

Unfortunately, not all news was good for LGBTQ+ rights in the past year. Russia passed stricter laws that prohibit LGBTQ+ “ propaganda .” In 2022, Indonesia banned sexual activity outside of marriage to come into effect in three years, but this will target LGBTQ+ people who are not permitted to marry in the country. According to the ACLU , the 2023 legislative session has already seen over 120 bills aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the United States.

Where are same-sex relationships illegal?

Unfortunately, some countries where it’s illegal to be gay or trans also happen to be popular vacation spots. For instance, it’s illegal to be gay in Jamaica; the “buggery law,” which is leftover from the colonial era, allows for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, including hard labor. Jamaica was called “ the most homophobic place on Earth ” by Time magazine in 2006. That label has clung to Jamaica ever since, and with good reason. In a 2013 survey of 71 LGBTQ+ people conducted by Human Rights Watch, more than half said they had been victims of homophobic violence. Non-violent discrimination is even more pervasive, with bullying and exclusion faced in education, healthcare, and within local communities. Although there is some light at the end of the tunnel for Jamaica since there are signs that it’s moving toward reform.

Those looking for trans- and gay-travel-safe countries should reconsider popular vacation destinations like Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Myanmar, and Egypt as well as some of the more popular beaches in the Caribbean, like Saint Lucia and Barbados.

Please note: All countries marked with an asterisk* in the below list were former British colonies and their anti-LGBTQ+ laws mostly came into effect under British rule.

(CLICK the country names for more details on their anti-LGBTQ+ laws) Jamaica* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -132

Section 76. Whosoever shall be convicted of the abominable crime of buggery, committed either with’ mankind or with any animal, shall be liable to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for a term not exceeding ten years.

LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -75

Sections 132, 133.

• GROSS INDECENCY

(1) A person who commits an act of gross indecency with another person commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 10 years or on summary

conviction to 5 years.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an act of gross indecency committed in private between an adult male person and an adult female person, both of whom consent.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)

(a) an act shall be deemed not to have been committed in private if it is committed in a public place; and

(b) a person shall be deemed not to consent to the commission of such an act if

(i) the consent is extorted by force, threats or fear of bodily harm or is obtained by false and fraudulent representations as to the nature of the act;

(ii) the consent is induced by the application or administration of any drug, matter or thing with intent to intoxicate or stupefy the person; or

(iii) that person is, and the other party to the act knows or has good reason to believe that the person is suffering from a mental disorder.

(4) In this section “gross indecency” is an act other than sexual intercourse (whether natural or unnatural) by a person involving the use of the genital organs for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire.

Laws of Saint Lucia Criminal Code Cap.3.01 95 Revision Date: 31 Dec. 2005

(1) A person who commits buggery commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment

(a) life, if committed with force and without the consent of the other person;

(b) ten years, in any other case.

(2) Any person who attempts to commit buggery, or commits an assault with intent to commit buggery, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.

(3) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anus by a male person with another male person.

Source: Criminal Code, No. 9 of 2004, sections 132, 133.

Article 16. Buggery “(1) A person who commits buggery is guilty of an ofence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for— (a) twenty-fve years, if committed by an adult on a minor; (b) ten years, if committed by an adult on another adult; or (c) fve years, if committed by a minor; and, if the Court thinks it ft, the Court may order that the convicted person be admitted to a psychiatric hospital for treatment. (2) Any person who attempts to commit the ofence of buggery, or is guilty of an assault with the intent to commit the same is guilty of an ofence and liable to imprisonment for four years and, if the Court thinks it ft, the Court may order that the convicted person be admitted to the psychiatric hospital for treatment. (3) In this section “buggery” means sexual intercourse per anum by a male person with a male person or by a male person with a female person.

Source: Sexual Offences Act 1998, article 16. Grenada* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: 33

Article 431. If any two persons are guilty of unnatural connexion, or if any person is guilty of unnatural connexion with any animal, every such person shall be liable to imprisonment for ten years.

Source: Criminal Code of 1987, article 431. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -70

Sections 146, 148.

148. Any person, who in public or private, commits an act of gross indecency with another person of the same sex, or procures or attempts to procure another person of the same sex to commit an act of gross indecency with him or her, is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for five years.

146. Any person who commits buggery with any other person; commits buggery with an animal; or permits any person to commit buggery with him or her; is guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for ten years.

(Click the country names for more details on their anti-LGBTQ+ laws)

Sections 214, 215, 217. 214. Any person who- (1) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (2) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (3) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

215. Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences defined in the last preceding section is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for seven years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

217. Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years. The offender cannot be arrested without warrant.

Source: Criminal Code Act (Chapter 77), 1990, sections 214, 215, 217; Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013. Malawi* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -163

Sections 153, 137A. 153. Unnatural offences Any person who— (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be liable to imprisonment for fourteen years, with or without corporal punishment.

Source: Penal Code of 1930 (amended 2010), sections 153, 137A. Oman LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -145

Articles 33, 233, 266(d).

266. The penalty shall be imprisonment for a period not less than one month, and not more than one year, and a fine of not less than (100) one hundred Omani riyals, and not more than (300) three hundred Omani riyals, or one of these two penalties for each mention: D – appeared publicly in the appearance of women in his clothing or body.

Source: Omani Penal Code No. 7/1974, articles 33, 223 and Oman Penal Code, Article 266(d) Zambia* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -104

Sections 155, 156. 155. Any person who- (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature; commits a felony and liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term not less than fifteen years and may be liable to imprisonment for life: Provided that where a person- (i) has carnal knowledge of a child against the order of nature; (ii) causes a child to have carnal knowledge of an animal; or (iii) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of a male or female child against the order of nature; that person commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for not less than twenty-five years and may be liable to imprisonment for life. (As amended by No. 26 of 1933 and repealed and replaced by Act No. 15 of 2005) Unnatural offences

156. Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in section one hundred and fifty-five commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction of not less than seven years but not exceeding fourteen years. (As amended by No. 26 of 1933 and repealed and replaced by Act No. 15 of 2005)

Source: Penal Code Act (as amended by Act No. 15 of 2005), sections 155, 156. Tanzania* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -120

Sections 138(a), 154. 138 A. Acts of gross indecency between persons and person who, in public or private commits, or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of, any act of gross indecency with another person, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than one year and not exceeding five years or to a fine not less than one hundred thousand and not exceeding three hundred thousand shillings; save that where the offence is committed by a person of eighteen years of age or more in respect of any person under eighteen years of age, a pupil of primary school or a student of secondary school the offender shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years, with corporal punishment, and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of an amount determined by the court to the person in respect of whom the offence was committed for any injuries caused to that person.”

154. Unnatural of offences (1)Any person who- (a)has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (b)has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c)permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature.commits an offence, and is liable to imprisonment for life and in any case to imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years. (2)where the offence under subsection (1) of this section is committed to a child under the age of ten years the offender shall be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Source: Penal Code of 1945 (as amended by the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, 1998), section 138(a), 154. Sudan* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -109

In July 2020, Sudan’s Sovereign Council amended the penal code, removing some crimes from the books and reducing sentences for others, including sodomy. Previously, the death penalty was punishment for individuals accused by committing “homosexual sex” defined by the act of penetration, for the third time. For people found guilty of this offense for the first time, sentences were lashing 100 times or prison up to 5 years. For the second time, the sentence was both punishments combined. Learn more here . Uganda* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -92

Sections 145, 148. 145. Unnatural offences. Any person who— (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; (b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for life.

148. Indecent practices. Any person who, whether in public or in private, commits any act of gross indecency with another person or procures another person to commit any act of gross indecency with him or her or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any person with himself or herself or with another person, whether in public or in private, commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.

Source: Penal Code Act of 1950 (Chapter 120), (as amended), section 145, 148. Egypt* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -96

Article 9(c), Article 1. Article 9: Punishment by imprisonment for a period not less than three months and not exceeding three years and a fine not less than 25 LE and not exceeding 300 LE in the Egyptian administration and not less than 250 Lira and not exceeding 3000 Lira in the Syrian administration or one of these two punishments applies in the following cases: (c) Whoever habitually engages in debauchery or prostitution.

Upon the apprehension of a person in the last category, it is permitted to send him for a medical examination. If it is discovered that he is carrying an infectious venereal disease, it is permitted to detain him in a therapeutic institute until his cure is completed.

It is permitted to determine that the convicted person be placed, upon completion of his sentence, in a special reformatory until the administrative agency orders his release. This judgment is obligatory in cases of recidivism, and the period spent in the reformatory is not allowed to be more than three years. …

Article 1: (a) Whoever incites a person, be they male or female, to engage in debauchery or in prostitution, or assists in this or facilitates it, and similarly whoever employs a person or tempts him or induces him with the intention of engaging in debauchery or prostitution, is to be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not less than one year and not more than three years and a fine between 100 and 300 LE in the Egyptian administration and between 1000 and 3000 Lira in the Syrian administration.

(b) If the person upon whom the crime is perpetrated has not reached the age of twenty-one years, the punishment is imprisonment for a period not less than one year and not more than five years and a fine between 100 and 500 LE in the Egyptian administration and between 1000 and 5000 Lira in the Syrian administration.

Source: Law 10/1961 on the Combating of Prostitution, article 9(c), article 1. Algeria LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -75

Art. 338. – All guilty of an act of homosexuality is punished with imprisonment of two (2) months to two (2) years and a fine of five hundred (500) to two thousand (2,000) DA .

If a sponsor is a minor of eighteen years, the penalty in respect of the major can be elevated up to three (3) years’ imprisonment and ten thousand (10,000) DA fine.

Source: 1966 Penal Code, article 338. Morocco LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -89

Article 489. Is punished by imprisonment from six months to three years and a fine of 200 to 1,000 dirhams, unless the fact constitutes a more serious offense, whoever commits an immodest or unnatural act with an individual of his sex.

(This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Penal Code of 1962, article 489. Tunisia LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -91

Article 230. Sodomy, if it does not enter any of the cases provided for in the preceding articles, is punishable by imprisonment for three years.

Source: Penal Code of 1913 (as modified), article 230. Ethiopia LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -93

Articles 629, 630.

Article 629.- Homosexual and other Indecent Acts. Whoever performs with another person of the same sex a homosexual act, or any other indecent act, is punishable with simple imprisonment.

Article 630.- General Aggravation to the Crime. (1) The punishment shall be simple imprisonment for not less than one year, or, in grave cases, rigorous imprisonment not exceeding ten years, where the criminal: a) takes unfair advantage of the material or mental distress of another or of the authority he exercises over another by virtue of his position, office or capacity as guardian, tutor, protector, teacher, master or employer, or by virtue of any other like relationship, to cause such other person to perform or to submit to such an act; or b) makes a profession of such activities within the meaning of the law (Art. 92). (2) The punishment shall be rigorous imprisonment from three years to fifteen years, where: a) the criminal uses violence, intimidation or coercion, trickery or fraud, or takes unfair advantage of the victim’s inability to offer resistance or to defend himself or of his feeble-mindedness or unconsciousness; or b) the criminal subjects his victim to acts of cruelty or sadism, or transmits to him a venereal disease with which he knows himself to be infected; or c) the victim is driven to suicide by distress, shame or despair.

Source: Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Proclamation No. 414/2004, articles 629 and 630. Kenya* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -87

Sections 162, 165.

162. Unnatural offences Any person who— (a) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (b) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years: Provided that, in the case of an offence under paragraph (a), the offender shall be liable to imprisonment for twenty-one years if— (i) the offence was committed without the consent of the person who was carnally known; or (ii) the offence was committed with that person’s consent but the consent was obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of some kind, or by fear of bodily harm, or by means of false representations as to the nature of the act. [Act No. 42 of 1951, s. 6, Act No. 5 of 2003, s. 30.]

165. Indecent practices between males Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

Source: Penal Code of Kenya, Revised Edition 2012 [2010], section 162, 165. Senegal LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -67

Article 319 (para. 3). Any indecent assault or attempted without violence on the person of a child of one or the other sex under the age of thirteen, shall be punished by imprisonment for two to five years. Will be punished the maximum penalty, the indecent assault committed everywhere ascendant or any person having authority over the minor victim, even over the age of thirteen.(Law No. 66-16 of February 1, 1966)

Notwithstanding the heavier penalties provided for by the previous paragraphs or Articles 320 and 321 of this Code shall be punished by imprisonment for one to five years and a fine of 100,000 to 1,500,000 francs, anyone who commits an indecent act or act against nature with an individual of his sex. If the act was committed with a minor of 21 years, the maximum penalty will always be.

Source: Penal Code of 1965, article 319 (para. 3). Cameroon* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -54

Article 347 bis. – Homosexuality. Is punished with imprisonment of six months to five years and a fine of 20,000 to 200,000 francs anyone who has sex with someone of their sex. (This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Cameroon Penal Code of 1967, article 347 bis. Zimbabwe* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -52

Section 73. (1) Any male person who, with the consent of another male person, knowingly performs with that other person anal sexual intercourse, or any act involving physical contact other than anal sexual intercourse that would be regarded by a reasonable person to be an indecent act, shall be guilty of sodomy and liable to a fine up to or exceeding level fourteen or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or both. (2) Subject to subsection (3), both parties to the performance of an act referred to in subsection (1) may be charged with and convicted of sodomy. (3) For the avoidance of doubt it is declared that the competent charge against a male person who performs anal sexual intercourse with or commits an indecent act upon a young male person— (a) who is below the age of twelve years, shall be aggravated indecent assault or indecent assault, as the case may be; or (b) who is of or above the age of twelve years but below the age of sixteen years and without the consent of such young male person, shall be aggravated indecent assault or indecent assault, as the case may be; or (c) who is of or above the age of twelve years but below the age of sixteen years and with the consent of such young male person, shall be performing an indecent act with a young person.

Source: Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, (Effective 2006), section 73. Ghana* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -49

Section 104. Unnatural Carnal Knowledge. (1) Whoever has unnatural carnal knowledge— (a) of any person of the age of sixteen years or over without his consent shall be guilty of a first degree felony and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than twenty-five years; or (b) of any person of sixteen years or over with his consent is guilty of a misdemeanour; or (c) of any animal is guilty of a misdemeanour. (2) Unnatural carnal knowledge is sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or with an animal.

Source: Criminal Code 1960 (amended 2003), section 104. Eswatini* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -46

Common Law Offense

Same-sex relations are outlawed in Eswatini. Sodomy is criminalized though the sentence is not specified and is regarded as a common law offense.

Source: Common law offense. Togo LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -45

Article 88. Will be punished by imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 francs anyone who has committed a shameless act or against nature with an individual of his sex. (This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Penal Code of 13 August 1980 (amended 2000), article 88. Namibia LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: 48

Common Law Offense. Sodomy and “unnatural sexual offences between men,” are illegal in Namibia, though the sentence is not specified and is considered to be a common law offense.

Source: Common Law Offense. Mauritius* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: 15

Section 250. Sodomy and Bestiality (1) Any person who is guilty of the crime of sodomy or bestiality shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding 5 years.

(2) (a) Notwithstanding sections 151 and 152 of the Criminal Procedure Act, where it is averred that the sodomy is committed on a minor or a physically or mentally handicapped person, the person charged shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 2 years.

(b) Part X of the Criminal Procedure Act and the Probation of Offenders Act shall not apply to a person liable to be sentenced under paragraph (a).

Source: Mauritius Criminal Code of 1838, section 250. Burundi LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -45

Subsection 3: Homosexuality

Article 567: Whoever makes sex with the same sex is punished with imprisonment of three months to two years and a fine of fifty thousand to hundred thousand francs or one of these penalties.

Source: Law No. 1/05 of April 22, 2009, on the Revision of the Criminal Code, article 567. Comoros LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -56

Article 318: Any indecent assault consummated or attempted on the person of a child of one or the other sex under the age of fifteen will be punished by imprisonment for two to five years. Will be punished with the maximum of the sentence, the indecent assault committed by any ascendant or any person having authority over the minor victim over the age of fifteen. Without prejudice to the more serious penalties provided for in the preceding paragraphs or Articles 320 and 321 of this Code shall be punishable by imprisonment for one to five years and fine of 50,000 to 1,000,000 francs, anyone who has committed a shameless act or against nature with an individual of his sex. If the act was committed with a minor, the maximum of penalty will always be pronounced. (This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Penal Code of the Federal Islamic Republic of Comoros, 1995, article 318. Chad LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -58

Article 354: Is punished by imprisonment from three months to two years and a fine of 50,000 to 500,000 FCFA, whoever has sex with the people of his sex. (This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Chad Penal Code 2017 Eritrea LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -75

Articles 310, 311. Art. 310. – Homosexual Conduct. (1) A person who performs with a person of the same sex an act corresponding to the sexual act, or any other indecent sexual act, is guilty of homosexual conduct, a Class 7 serious offence, punishable with a definite term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 7 years.

Art. 311. – Consent to Sexual Conduct. (3) Consent is no defense to an offence under Article 309 (Incest) or Article 310 (Homosexual Conduct).

Source: Penal Code of 2015, article 310, 311. Gambia* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -139

A “person who has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature … or permits any person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature” commits a felony known as an unnatural offense and, on conviction, is punishable by a 14-year prison term. (Criminal Code of 1934, § 144, 3 LAWS OF GAMBIA, Cap. 8:01 (rev. ed. 2009).) Acts that constitute “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” include:

(a) carnal knowledge of the person through the anus or the mouth of the person; (b) inserting any object or thing into the vulva or anus of the person for the purpose of simulating sex; and (c) committing any other homosexual act with the person. (Id. § 144.)

Attempt to commit an unnatural offense, which is also a felony, is subject to a seven-year prison term. (Id. § 145.).

The legislation introduces a new offense involving homosexuality known as “aggravated homosexuality,” which is punishable on conviction by life in prison. (Id.) A person commits this offense if he or she engages in a homosexual act and the:

(a) person against whom the offence is committed is below the age of eighteen; (b) offender is a person living with HIV Aids; (c) offender is a parent or guardian of the person against whom the offence is committed; (d) offender is a person in authority over the person against whom the offence is committed; (e) victim of the offence is a person with disability; (f) offender is a serial offender; or (g) offender applies, administers or causes to be administered by any man or woman, any drug, matter or substance with intent to stupefy or overpower him or her, so as to enable any person to have un-lawful carnal connection with any person of the same sex. (Criminal Code (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2014, § 4, SUPPLEMENT C TO THE GAMBIA GAZETTE No. 15 (Oct. 16, 2014), HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH.)

Source: Gambia Criminal Code (Act No. 25 of 1933), amended 1965; Gambia Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2005; Gambia Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2014. Guinea LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -80

Article 274: Any shameless or unnatural act committed with an individual of his sex or with an animal is punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and a fine of 500,000 to 1,000,000 Guinean francs or one of these only two sentences. When the act was committed with a minor under 18, the maximum penalty is always pronounced. When this act has been consummated or attempted with violence, the culprit is sentenced to 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment. (This has been Google translated from French).

Source: Penal Code of the Republic of Guinea, 2016, article 274. Kuwait* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -180

Article 193 and Article 198.

Article 193 If another man becomes a man who has reached the age of twenty-one and that is with his consent, both of them shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding seven years.

Article 198 Any person who brings a signal or acts of indecent assault in a public place or who is seen or heard by anyone in a public place or resembles the opposite sex in any way shall be punished. Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding one thousand dinars or one of these two penalties.

(This has been Google translated from Arabic).

Source: Kuwait Penal Code (1960), Law No. 16, article 193. And Kuwait Penal Code, No. 16 of 1960, art. 198. Liberia LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -40

Article 14.74 – Voluntary Sodomy. A person who engages in deviate sexual intercourse under circumstance not stated in Section 14.72 or 14.73 has committed a first degree misdemeanor.

Source: Penal Law – Title 26 – Liberian Code of Laws Revised, 1978, article 14.74. Libya* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -150

Articles 407-408.

Article 407 (4) Whoever has intercourse with a person with his consent will be punished with his partner by imprisonment of not more than five years.

Article 408 (4) Whoever commits an indecent act with a person with his consent will be punished with his partner with imprisonment. (ibid., 38)

Source: Libyan Penal Code of 1953, as amended by Law No. 70 (1973), articles 407-408. Mauritania LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -96

Articles 306, 308.

ART. 308. Every major Muslim who commits an immodest act or an unnatural act with an individual of his sex shall be punished with death by public stoning. In the case of two women, they will be punished by the penalty provided for in Article 306 (1).

ART. 306. – Anyone who commits public outrage against Islamic modesty and morals or who has violated sacred places or helped to violate them, if this action is not included in crimes carrying Ghissass or Diya, shall be punishable by a correctional sentence of three months to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 to 60,000 UM. Every Muslim guilty of the crime of apostasy, either by word or by action in an apparent or obvious manner, will be invited to repent within three days. If he does not repent within this time, he is condemned to death as an apostat, and his property will be confiscated for the benefit of the Treasury. If he repents before the execution of this sentence, the public prosecutor will seize the Supreme Court, for the purpose of his rehabilitation in all his rights, without prejudice to a correctional penalty envisaged with the 1st paragraph of this article. Anyone guilty of the crime of apostasy (Zendagha) will, unless he repents beforehand, be punished with the death penalty. Will be punished with imprisonment from one month to two years, anyone who will be guilty of the crime of indecent assault. Any major Muslim who refuses to pray while recognizing the obligation of the prayer will be asked to fulfill it until the time limit for the completion of the obligatory prayer concerned. If he persists in his refusal until the end of this period, he will be punished with the death penalty. If he does not recognize the obligation of prayer, he will be punished with the penalty for apostasy and his property confiscated for the benefit of the Treasury. He will not benefit from the service consecrated by the Muslim rite.

Source: Penal Code of 1983, articles 306, 308. Sierra Leone* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -63

Section 61. Whosoever shall be convicted of the abominable Crime of Sodomy and Buggery, committed either with Mankind or with any Animal, shall Bestiality. be liable, at the Discretion of the Court, to be kept in Penal Servitude for Life or for any Term not less than Ten Years.

Source: Offences against the Person Act 1861, section 61. Somalia* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -150

Articles 409, 410.

Art. 409. (Homosexuality). – Whoever has carnal intercourse with a person of the same sex shall be punished, where the act does not constitute a more serious crime, with imprisonment [96. P.C.] from three months to three years. Where the act committed is an act of lust different from carnal intercourse, the punishment imposed shall be reduced by one third [119 P.C.].

Art. 410. (Security Measures). – A security measure [161 s. P.C.] may be added to a sentence for the crimes referred to in articles 407, 408, and 409.

Source: Penal Code, Legislative Decree No. 5/1962, articles 409, 410. South Sudan* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -126

Section 248, Section 379.

248. Unnatural Offences. (1) Whoever, has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any person and whoever allows any person to have such intercourse with him or her commits an offence, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years and may also be liable to a fine. (2) If the intercourse referred to in subsection (1), above, is committed without consent, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years and may also be liable to a fine; provided that, a consent given by a person below the age of eighteen years to such intercourse shall not be deemed to be a consent within the meaning of this section. Explanation— Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

379. Vagabond. (1) The term “vagabond” means— (a) any person who after being convicted as an idle person, commits any of the offences which would render him or her liable to be convicted as such again; (b) any person who is found to be in possession of breaking implements with the intent to commit house trespass; 187 Act 9 Penal Code Act 2008 (c) any suspected person or reputed thief who by night frequents or loiters about any shop, warehouse, dwelling house, dock or wharf with the intent to commit any offence under Chapter XXI of this Act; (d) any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of a prostitute or in any public place solicits or importunes for immoral purposes; and (e) any male person who dresses or is attired in the fashion of a woman in a public place. (2) Whoever is convicted as a vagabond shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or with a fine or with both.

Middle East

LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -143

There is no codified penal Law in Saudi Arabia. Sentences are derived from interpretations of Sharia law.

Source: There is no codified penal Law in Saudi Arabia. Sentences are derived from interpretations of Sharia law. Qatar* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -137

Articles 296, 298.

Article (296) One is convicted to no less than a year and no more than three years in prison in case of: 1- Leading a female to commit adultery. 2- Instigating, inducing, seducing a female anyhow to commit adultery or frequenting a brothel in order to commit debauchery whether inside or outside the country. 3- Leading, instigating or seducing a male anyhow for sodomy or dissipation. 4- Inducing or seducing a male or a female anyhow to commit illegal or immoral actions. 5- Bringing, exposing or accepting a male or a female in the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Article (298) Anyone who takes adultery or sodomy as a profession or a living is convicted to no more than ten years in prison. The same penalty is imposed on anyone who exploits a person’s debauchery and dissipation.

Source: Penal Code, Law No. (II) of 2004, articles 296, 298. Sharia law also applies to Muslims. United Arab Emirates (UAE)* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -134

Article 359. Any person who denies the dress of a woman and enters a special place for women shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dirhams or by one of these penalties. It is forbidden for non-women to enter at that time.

Source: Federal Law No. 7 of 2016, art. 359. Yemen* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -128

Articles 264, 268.

Article (264): Homosexuality is the contact of one man to another through his posterior; both sodomites whether males or females are punished with whipping of one hundred strokes if not married. It is admissible to reprimand it by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year punishment by stoning to death if married.

Article (268): Lesbianism is intercourse between one female and another. Anyone engaged in this act with another shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years. If the act happens under coercion imprisonment may be expanded to seven years.

Source: Penal Code 1994, articles 264, 268. Iran LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -104

Articles 233-41.

Article 233- Livat is defined as penetration of a man’s sex organ (penis), up to the point of circumcision, into another male person’s anus.

Article 234- The hadd punishment for livat shall be the death penalty for the insertive/active party if he has committed livat by using force, coercion, or in cases where he meets the conditions for ihsan; otherwise, he shall be sentenced to one hundred lashes. The hadd punishment for the receptive/passive party, in any case (whether or not he meets the conditions for ihsan) shall be the death penalty.

Note 1- If the insertive/active party is a non-Muslim and the receptive/passive party is a Muslim, the hadd punishment for the insertive/active party shall be the death penalty.

Note 2- Ihsan is defined as a status that a man is married to a permanent and pubescent wife and whilst he has been sane and pubescent has had a vaginal intercourse with the same wife while she was pubescent, and he can have an intercourse with her in the same way [vaginal] whenever he so wishes.

Article 235- Tafkhiz is defined as putting a man’s sex organ (penis) between the thighs or buttocks of another male person.

Note- A penetration [of a penis into another male person’s anus] that does not reach the point of circumcision shall be regarded as tafkhiz.

Article 236- In the case of tafkhiz, the hadd punishment for the active and passive party shall be one hundred lashes and it shall make no difference whether or not the offender meets the conditions of ihsan [mentioned in note 2 of article 234], or whether or not [the offender] has resorted to coercion.

Note- If the active party is a non-Muslim and the passive party is a Muslim, the hadd punishment for the active party shall be the death penalty.

Article 237- Homosexual acts of a male person in cases other than livat and tafkhiz, such as kissing or touching as a result of lust, shall be punishable by thirty-one to seventy-four lashes of ta’zir punishment of the sixth grade.

Note 1- This article shall be equally applicable in the case of a female person.

Note 2- This article shall not be applicable in the cases punishable by a hadd punishment under Shari’a rules.

Article 238- Musaheqeh is defined as where a female person puts her sex organ on the sex organ of another person of the same sex.

Article 239- The hadd punishment for musaheqeh shall be one hundred lashes.

Article 240- Regarding the hadd punishment for musaheqeh, there is no difference between the active or passive parties or between Muslims and non-Muslims, or between a person that meets the conditions for ihsan and a person who does not, and also whether or not [the offender] has resorted to coercion.

Article 241- In the cases of indecent offenses, in the absence of admissible legal evidence and with denial of the accused, any type of investigation and interrogation in order to discover hidden affairs and things concealed from the public eye shall be prohibited. In cases with the possibility of commission of an offense with force, coercion, assault, abduction, or deception, or cases which are considered as commission [of an offense] with resorting to force, this rule shall not be applicable.

Source: Islamic Penal Code of Iran, 2013, articles 233-41. Pakistan* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -89

Section 377 Unnatural offences: Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years nor more than ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

Source: Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860), section 377 Lebanon LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -70

Article 534.

Penal Code 1943, Article 534 Sexual Intercourse Against Nature Article 534 prohibits “sexual intercourse against nature” with a penalty of up to one year imprisonment. This provision has been applied to intercourse between men and between women.

Penal Code 1943, Article 521 Disguising as a Woman Article 521 criminalises gender expression by making it an offence for a man to “disguise himself as a woman”. The penalty for this offence is up to six years imprisonment.

Source: Criminal Code of 1943, article 534. Uzbekistan LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -70

Article 120 Besoqolbozlik* (Homosexual Intercourse): Besoqolbozlik, that is, voluntary sexual intercourse of two male individuals – shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years.

The following country does not have sufficient data on the LGBTQ+ community, so it has not been included in our LGBTQ+ Danger Index graphic above. However, same-sex relationships are illegal:

Article 520 Three years imprisonment shall be punished by nature violates the mjamah. (This has been Google translated from Arabic).

The following country lacks adequate information on LGBTQ+ issues, so they have not been included in our LGBTQ+ Danger Index graphic above. However, same-sex relationships are illegal:

Section 152(2).

152.— (2) Any person who:— ( a ) has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature; or (6) has carnal knowledge of an animal; or (c) permits a male person to have carnal knowledge of him or her against the order of nature, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for ten years.

Asia/Pacific

Sections 377A, 377B, 377D.

Carnal intercourse against the order of nature 377A. Any person who has sexual connection with another person by the introduction of the penis into the anus or mouth of the other person is said to commit carnal intercourse against the order of nature. Explanation—Penetration is sufficient to constitute the sexual connection necessary to the offence described in this section.

Punishment for committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature 377B. Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be punished with whipping.

Outrages on decency 377D. Any person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of, any act of gross indecency with another person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years.

Source: Malaysia Penal Code, 2006, section 377A, 377B, 377D. State Sharia (Islamic) laws also apply. Myanmar* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -118

Sections 377. Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with transportation for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Source: Penal Code of 1860, section 377. Maldives* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -100

Sections 410, 411, 412.

Section 410 – Unlawful Marriage (a) Unlawful Marriage. A person commits an offense if: (8) two persons of the same sex enter into a marriage;

Section 411 – Unlawful Sexual Intercourse (a) Unlawful Intercourse. A person commits an offense if: (1) he engages in sexual intercourse (2) he engages in sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex. (b) Grading. [(d) Additional Punishment Authorized. In addition to the punishment authorized under Chapter 90, to impose the penalty imposed under Islamic Sharia, an additional punishment of 100 lashes is authorized for the offense.]* (f) Definitions. (2) “Same- sex intercourse means”; (A) Insertion by a man his sexual organ or any object into the anus of another man for sexual gratification. Or the insertion into another mans mouth the penis of a man or (B) Insertion of a woman’s organ or any object into the vagina or anus of another woman for sexual gratification. (3) “Lashes” means the symbolic punishment of striking an offender’s back with a short length of rope in a manner not designed to cause bodily injury. A single person must inflict all of the lashes prescribed as punishment, and he may only drive the rope using his wrists; he may not use any other part of his arm or movement in his shoulders, hips, back, legs or torso for that purpose.]9

Section 412 – Unlawful Sexual Contact (a) Unlawful Intercourse. A person commits an offense if: (b) Offense Defined. A person engaging in sexual contact with a person of the same is committing an offense. (c) Prohibition. “prohibited sexual contact” means indecent acts other than the offenses prescribed under Section 411 (a) of this Code, with a person of same sex, or with a person of the opposite sex other than with a person to whom he is married, or with an animal, for obtaining sexual gratification.

Source: Maldives Penal Code, Section 410, 411, 412. Sri Lanka* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -91

Sections 365, 365A.

Article 365. Unnatural ofences [AGAINST THE ORDER OF NATURE] “Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years […] Explanation – penetration is sufcient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the ofence described in this section.”

Article 365A. Acts of gross indecency between persons [GROSS INDECENCY] “Any person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any person of any act of gross indecency with another person, shall be guilty of an ofence and shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years or with a fne, or with both and where the ofence is committed by a person over eighteen (18) years of age in respect of any person under sixteen (16) years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years and not exceeding 20 years and with a fne and shall also be ordered to pay compensation of amount determined by court to the person in respect of whom the ofence was committed for the injuries caused to such a person.”

Source: Penal Code (as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 1995), articles 365, 365A. Bangladesh* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -9

Section 377: Unnatural offenses. Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation: Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offense described in this section.

Source: Penal Code 1860, section 377. Bhutan LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: 16

Section 213, 214

Unnatural sex 213. A defendant shall be guilty of the offence of unnatural sex, if the defendant engages in sodomy or any other sexual conduct that is against the order of nature.

Grading of unnatural sex 214. The offence of unnatural sex shall be a petty misdemeanour.

Source: Penal Code of Bhutan, 2004, Chapter 14: Sexual Offences, Section 213. Brunei* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -200

Article 377

Unnatural offences. 377. Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. [S 12/97] Explanation — Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section.

Sections 153, 155.

153. Any person who- (a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or (b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years.

Indecent practices between males: 155. Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.

Source: Kiribati Penal Code, Revised Edition 1977, section 153, 155. Papua New Guinea* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -80

Sections 210, 212.

210. 1. UNNATURAL OFFENCES. (1)A person who– (a) sexually penetrates any person against the order of nature; or (b) sexually penetrates an animal; or (c) permits a male person to sexually penetrates him or her against the order of nature, is guilty of a crime. Penalty: Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. (2) A person who attempts to commit an offence against Subsection (1) is guilty of a crime. Penalty: imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.

212. INDECENT PRACTICES BETWEEN MALES. (1) A male person who, whether in public or private– (a) commits an act of gross indecency with another male person; or (b) procures another male person to commit an act of gross indecency with him; or (c) attempts to procure the commission of any such act by a male person with himself or with another male person, is guilty of a misdemeanour. Penalty: Imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

Source: Criminal Code Act 1974, section 210, 212. Samoa* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: 48

Section 67: Sodomy. (1) A person who commits sodomy is liable: (a) where the act of sodomy is committed on a female, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years; or (b) where the act of sodomy is committed on a male, and at the time of the act that male is under the age of 16 years and the offender is of or over the age of 21 years, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years; or (c) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years. (2) Sodomy is complete upon penetration. (3) It is no defence to a charge under this section that the other party consented

Source: Crimes Act 2013, No. 10, section 67. Solomon Islands* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -85

Sections 160, 162.

160. Any person who- (a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or (b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for fourteen years.

162. Any person who, whether in public or private – (a) commits any act of gross indecency with another of the same sex; (b) procures another of the same sex to commit any act of gross indecency; or (c) attempts to procure the commission of any act of gross indecency by persons of the same sex, shall be guilty of a felony and be liable to imprisonment for five years.

Source: Penal Code (Revised Edition 1996), sections 160-162. Tonga* LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -155

Sections 136, 139, 142.

136 Sodomy and bestiality. Whoever shall be convicted of the crime of sodomy with another person or bestiality with any animal shall be liable at the discretion of the Court to be imprisoned for any period not exceeding ten years and such animal shall be killed by a public officer. (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987.)

139 Attempted sodomy, indecent assault upon a male. Whoever shall attempt to commit the said abominable crime of sodomy or shall be guilty of an assault with intent to commit the same or of any indecent assault upon any male person shall be liable at the direction of the Court to imprisonment for any term not exceeding 10 years.

142 Whipping for certain offences. Whenever any male person shall be convicted of any offence against sections 106, 107, 115, 118, 121, 122, 125, 132, 136 and 139 of this Act the Court may, in its discretion in lieu of or in addition to any sentence of imprisonment authorised under this Act order the person so convicted to be whipped in accordance with the provisions of section 31 of this Act. (Substituted by Act 9 of 1987.)

LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index Score: -65

Article 135

(1) Sodomy, that is, sexual intercourse between a man and a man, shall be punishable by imprisonment for up to two years, with or without the obligation to reside in a certain locality for a period of two to five years.

Source: Criminal Code of Turkmenistan

Sections 153, 154, 155

153 Unnatural offences Any person who — (a) commits buggery with another person or with an animal; or (b) permits a male person to commit buggery with him or her, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for14 years.

154 Attempts to commit unnatural offences and indecent assault Any person who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in the last preceeding section, or who is guilty of any assault with intent to commit the same, or any indecent assault upon any male person shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 7 years.

155 Indecent practices between males Any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person, or procures another male person to commit any act of gross indecency with him, or attempts to procure the commission of any such act by any male person with himself or with another male person, whether in public or private, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall be liable to imprisonment for 5 years.

Source: Tuvalu Penal Code

Sections 154, 155.

154. Indecency between males – (1) Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years who, bring a male,- (a) Indecently assaults any other male; or (b) Does any indecent act with or upon any other male; or (c) Induces or permits any other male to do any indecent act with or upon him. (2) No boy under the age of fifteen years shall be charged with committing or being a party to an offence against paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, unless the other male was under the age of twenty-one years. (3) It is not defence to a charge under this section that the other party consented.

155. Sodomy – (1) Every one who commits sodomy is liable- (a) Where the act of sodomy is committed on a female, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years; (b) Where the act of sodomy is committed on a male, and at the time of the act that male is under the age of fifteen years and the offender is of over the age of twenty-one years, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years; (c) In any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years. (2) This offence is complete upon penetration. (3) Where sodomy is committed on any person under the age of fifteen years he shall not be charged with being a party to that offence, but he may be charged with being a party to an offence against section 154 of this Act in say case to which that section is applicable. (4) It is no defence to a charge under this section that the other party consented.

South America

(Click the country name for more details on their anti-LGBTQ+ laws)

Articles 352, 354.

352. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or is a party to the commission, or procures or attempts to procure the commission, by any male person, of any act of gross indecency with any other male person shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and liable to imprisonment for two years.

354. Everyone who commits buggery, either with a human being or with any other living creature, shall be guilty of felony and liable to imprisonment for life.

The homophobic legacy of the British Empire

As noted, an asterisk next to the country names in the above list means that it was a former British colony. A whopping 44 of the 66 countries that have illegal same-sex relationships were once part of the British Empire. That is over 66%! This isn’t a coincidence. In almost all cases, the laws outlawing consensual gay sex were put into place under British rule and were left in place following independence.

India is an example country that has only in 2018 managed to annul Section 377, a British colonial-era law prohibiting “unnatural acts,” in order to legalize consensual gay sex. Ancient Indian literature such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana have many references to LGBTQ+ heroes including transgender warriors and two queens who made love in order for one queen to get pregnant with an heir for their kingdom. Long story short, this points to the fact that it was likely the British influence that largely led to Indian homophobia in the first place.

With this being said, all these countries have the choice and ability to update their laws. And in most cases, these former British colonies have been fully independent for half a century or more and have chosen not to change these antiquated laws. Long story short, the British influence may have brought the “sodomy” laws in the first place but the local attitudes and customs have decided to keep them .

Which are the top 50 LGBTQ+ safe countries for travelers?

• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• Switzerland
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• United States
• Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Czech Republic

One country might surprise you for not ranking higher on our list: the United States. One reason for that is, of course, that there is a great deal of variation in gay rights depending on the state you’re in . There are also no constitutional or broad protections for LGBTQ+ rights under federal law in the U.S. Also, in some states, LGBTQ+ youth do not have access to helpful information, with these so-called “no-promo homo” laws counting in the “propaganda/morality” category. The U.S. might have come far, but it has a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, especially for young transgender people .

How many countries have legalized gay marriage?

As of now, 30 countries (plus Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) have marriage equality, with Switzerland joining in July 2022. 15 countries recognize civil unions or partnerships. 9 countries do not allow marriage equality for their citizens but formally recognize foreign marriages.

Countries with marriage equality laws are often great spots for LGBT+ vacations, but be aware that gay travel to rural or fundamentalist communities can be problematic in almost any country — definitely don’t make assumptions when visiting smaller towns and communities.

Global transgender murder rates

TvT (Transrespect versus Transphobia) Worldwide tracks the instances of transgender people who have been murdered around the world. As of this publishing, over 4,000 trans murders have been tracked during the past 13 years with 1,645 of those crimes taking place in Brazil alone.

Countries with the highest rates of transgender murders (per million residents):

• Honduras – 11.80
• El Salvador – 9.30
• Brazil – 8.25
• Puerto Rico – 5.64
• Belize – 5.12
• Guyana – 5.11
• Mexico – 5.09
• Colombia – 4.63
• Venezuela – 4.59
• Dominican Republic – 4.38
• Uruguay – 4.04
• Guatemala – 3.92
• Ecuador – 3.28
• Argentina – 2.52
• Fiji – 2.25

Why are 14 of these 15 countries with the highest trans murder rates located in Central and South America?

The majority of reported trans murders are currently happening within Central and South America. But why is transgender murder such a frequent occurrence in Latin America? One article from Equal Times posits that a heavily patriarchal society combined with high transgender rates of sex work may be contributing factors. As many transgender individuals are shunned by their families, they turn to sex work to survive, which carries an additional risk to their safety. It is estimated that an extremely high number of transgender individuals are living in poverty , and only an estimated 25% of trans women will complete secondary school in Latin America.

The ostracization of individuals from their families and communities is considered another major factor in the high rates of violence and murder against LGBTQ+ people within Latin America. Additionally, police are often not a source of safety, and governmental protections are not in place to support those most vulnerable.

Learn more about the plight of trans people in Latin America:

• Fighting transfemicide in the Americas
• Brazil continues to be the country with the largest number of trans people killed
• Transgender immigrants who fled Latin America still face uncertainty in the US
• Three lives, one message: Stop killing Mexico’s transgender women

What other countries might be a problem for LGBTQ+ international travelers?

114 of the 203 countries offer at least some form of legal protection for LGBTQ+ people, but 82 of the 202 countries penalize either sexual acts, being trans, or the dissemination of information about LGBTQ+ rights. Many countries have confusing or inconsistent legislation, allowing for protections among some of the LGBTQ+ community while penalizing or harming others. This creates a grey area where it’s not quite safe to be out but not immediately threatening.

One of those countries is Japan . While LGBTQ+ representation in Japanese media has mostly been positive, and the Japanese public has consistently polled in favor of same-sex marriage, there’s a long way to go as far as legislation outside of the major cities.

But the conversation about danger is a little bit different than the question of which countries do not allow gay marriage. Japan is rarely dangerous, with 35% of locals saying Japan is a “good place” for gay people to live, while Russia frequently polls at only 9%. Countries like Armenia (at 4%), Kyrgyzstan (7%), and Mongolia (17%) all may be bad places to go as well, despite not having any formal anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that could harm travelers.

Beyond gay-marriage-illegal countries, here are some real problem places among the list of most-visited countries in the world:

• China — China’s relationship to LGBTQ+ culture is dubious to say the least. Homosexuality is no longer considered a mental disorder as of 2001, and the consensus is that homosexuality is legal and that most locals won’t care so long as you find the right bar to hang out in. At the same time, groups and events have frequently been banned, and censorship laws have frequently been used to ban LGBTQ+ content online in China. LGBTQ+ travel is possible, but only with caution and thorough research into the specific cities you’ll be visiting.
• Russia — Russia has gained increasing international infamy for the way the government treats its LGBTQ+ citizens. Activists have died or gone missing, and individuals who followed Russian gay marriage laws to the letter have been forced to flee the country . That’s ignoring the purges and torture happening in Chechnya . Rights have regressed in recent years, and travel isn’t advised, despite homosexuality being legal on paper.
• Indonesia — LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly considered to be a “moral threat” in Indonesia, with a law against pornography being used for any non-pornographic, pro-LGBTQ+ content. Meanwhile, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has only gotten worse as a result of this persecution. While it’s not illegal in the country, homosexuality could result in public humiliation and arrests nevertheless . This has become more perilous with the 2022 legislation passed that will outlaw all sex outside of marriage.

Iraq , Mozambique , and Bahrain are also examples of countries where same-sex relations are not illegal in the traditional sense but expression of LGBTQ+ sexuality has been suppressed and may still be considered “indecency” with legal consequences, depending on the circumstance.

If the country you want to visit is in one of those grey areas, consider reading more about it, talking to fellow travelers, or doing a bit more research before booking a flight.

If you don’t know whether or not the country you’re visiting will be safe, check the U.S. State Department’s write-ups for LGBTQ+ travelers . The Human Rights Watch’s country profiles are a good place to find information, too.

37 safety tips shared by four LGBTQ+ travel experts

As one can plainly see, LGBTQ+ travel safety varies a great deal, from relative comfort to the real possibility of danger. We looked at the specific legal status of rights abroad as well as polling information to create our LGBTQ+ travel index, but the on-the-street experience can be much more nuanced. Because anti-LGBTQ+ crime and harassment is rarely reported, especially not on an international scale, it’s hard to find data to inform travelers of what walking the streets might be like. Beyond our list, ask other queer people and allies there before you go. Make an online friend, do your research, and take your time.

Want to get tips from our four LGBTQ+ travel experts?

Keep reading!

8 tips from a trans travel expert

Aaron Edwards, an FTM trans travel blogger, shares the following helpful tips on staying safe while traveling.

1. Remember to bring all your documents

2. Research your destination thoroughly

Read up on local laws regarding LGBTQ+ people. Some places are much more restrictive than others and it is better to know your rights and not need them than to be stuck in a jail cell somewhere.

3. Knowing your next bathroom stop is must

Always know where your next bathroom stop will be or have a backup bathroom plan in case you are not comfortable with the situation.

4. Some destinations are best to avoid and travel insurance is worth it

Do your research and know which locations are best to avoid. I also recommend getting a good travel insurance plan no matter what your destination is because you never know when you might need it.

5. Have a letter from your doctor handy at the airport

If you are on HRT (hormone replacement therapy), always try to bring a doctor’s note to keep with your medication in your bag in case you have issues with airport security.

6. You will probably be questioned

Brace yourself to be questioned. A lot of cultures are known for their bluntness. Even people who pass extremely well can get stopped and asked questions based on documents, appearance, etc.

7. If possible, travel with a friend or a group

When in doubt, be with people. There is safety in numbers, especially if they are your friends and people who will stand up for you if it is needed. This applies whether you’re on a camping trip , staying at Airbnbs or at regular hotels.

8. Network via LGBTQ+ Facebook groups

Join transgender or LGBTQ+ related Facebook groups. It is an easy way to find other trans people who LIVE where you are traveling. They can give you their personal experiences, ideas of places to go, or even offer to hang out with you and give you a local tour.

12 travel safety tips from a gay couple

Derek and Mike are an American couple living in Europe and are the authors of Robe Trotting . They have written the following useful tips.

1. Check out Misterbnb

2. Bring copies of your important documents

All travelers should carry backup copies of their passport and other personal information, but there are some extra considerations that LGBTQ+ travelers should consider. It isn’t fun to think about, but Healthcare Power of Attorney and Hospital Visitation Authorization documents are essential. This is because domestic partnership and same-sex marriage laws differ widely around the world. We carry these documents on a flash drive and our attorney has prepared laminated wallet-sized Hospital Visitation Authorizations. This is something we hope to never use, but we feel better having when we travel. A neck wallet can be a great way to carry your most important documents including your passport etc.

3. Know your rights

Transgender and gender non-conforming travelers face higher levels of marginalization than other “LGB” travelers. For trans and gender non-conforming travelers, it’s important to know your rights, especially in airports. There are legal protections in the EU, UK, and USA to protect trans and gender non-conforming air travelers. Do some additional research when traveling outside of America, the UK, and Europe. In this travel zone, here are a few tips and expectations.

4. Select the gender that appears on your Government ID

When booking tickets, indicate the gender that appears on your government-issued identification. Sometimes this is different than the gender you present, but the legal requirement is only for the names on your ID and travel documents to match. You should never be questioned or forced to further prove your gender based on your gender presentation.

5. Pat-downs are based on the gender you present, not your ID

If a security pat-down is required, it must be completed by security personnel of the same sex as the passenger. In a pat-down situation, it will be based on the gender that the passenger presents and not their government-issued ID.

6. Body scanners don’t actually show your body

For trans and non-binary travelers worried about body scanners, the countries mentioned do not display the actual scan of your body to security personnel. In fact, all passenger images are displayed as generic body forms on the screens visible to staff. The screen does identify areas that should be screened more closely, but it uses a generic body form. For example, there would be a highlighted box around the midsection of the form if a traveler forgets to remove their belt. It does not show any details of the body or anatomy.

7. Wearing a prosthetic device or binder can lead to further questioning

Trans and non-binary travelers should be prepared for additional questioning if wearing prosthetic devices or binders. These travelers are not required to show, remove or lift clothing to reveal these devices. Simply answer any questions in a straight-forward manner and speak to a supervisor if any of those described situations should arise.

8. Consider LGBTQ+ tours

We all find safety in numbers, so consider LGBTQ+ tours that will specialize in gay travel. Similarly, consider booking a traditional tour company where you will have a local guide who is familiar with customs, speaks the language, and can advise you on how to stay safe while exploring the world. Many tour companies display their credentials in serving the LGBTQ+ community on their websites. You can also contact their customer service staff with additional concerns or specific questions on travel to certain destinations.

9. Know the local laws in the country you plan to visit

Do some research on the laws that exist in each country you plan to visit. Specifically, look up how often they’re enforced and when the laws were written. For example in Africa, many laws are left-over colonial-era codes that were put in place by other powers and are not enforced or are selectively enforced. For example, Morocco only sporadically enforces its anti-LGBTQ+ law and does not enforce it in resort towns like Marrakech . It’s mostly a law that still exists because of Islamic morality. Morocco even has an LGBTQ+ rights group and is largely viewed as tolerant. Some nations, like Uganda, are actively creating and expanding laws that target the LGBTQ+ community with penalties of death. Make a distinction between countries like Morocco and Uganda when considering your travels.

10. Remember to enjoy the local historic sites and cuisines

Focus on what you can do, and not what you can’t. Many countries will have a less visible LGBTQ+ community and social scene. Sometimes, this can be a blessing in disguise because it frees up your trip for other meaningful activities. Travel should be more than gay bars and nightclubs. Focus on what you can do like touring historic sites, visiting museums and trying new cuisines. It can be tough for a couple to resist public displays of affection, but no laws will be able to keep you from building travel memories, and you can make it up with extra private displays of affection.

11. Be careful with the location feature of dating apps

On gay apps like Grindr and Scruff, turn off the location feature. Even in countries where your rights are protected, gay-bashing can be an issue. In the Ukraine, for example, the “how far away” location feature is disabled nation-wide because of past incidents. Still, there is a thriving gay culture and plenty of gay locals. Always exercise caution and meet strangers in public spaces.

12. Always be culturally aware

Be culturally aware when you’re traveling anywhere. In many nations, public displays of affection from any couple, same or differing sex, are a taboo. Comply with these customs without feeling singled out. It may still be upsetting, but know that different-sex couples are also conforming their behavior to local norms. Similarly, some conservative destinations will have different norms on appearance and dress. It can be triggering to change your appearance, clothing, mannerisms, and behavior if you are LGBTQ+. Previous life experiences like bullying can bring up tough emotions but know that it’s most often local customs and not bigotry that require cultural conformity. I realize that for some individuals that will be easier than for others. My advice comes from a point of privilege as a masculine cis-gendered male, but I truly feel that certain sacrifices are worth it to travel.

9 safety tips from a traveling lesbian couple

Meg Ten Eyck is the creator of EveryQueer.com which is a website dedicated to inspiring and equipping LGBTQ+ travelers to live a life of adventures. She shared the following tips.

1. Cisgender people will most likely have fewer issues

2. Respect local customs

Be aware of local gender expectations. Are women supposed to be covered, wear headscarves or avoid certain activities? Try to respect local customs and blend in as much as possible.

3. Have someone you trust know your itinerary

Be sure to leave your itinerary and contact information with someone you trust. It’s always a good idea to have someone back home who has an idea of what you’re up to and where you plan on heading. It doesn’t have to be a minute-to-minute breakdown, contact information of hotels and flight numbers will work just fine.

4. Find LGBTQ+ friendly businesses before you leave

Consider using the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association as a resource for finding LGBTQ+ owned and affirming businesses in countries where you may have more concerns. Knowing that a business is owned by LGBTQ+ people or specifically seeks out LGBTQ+ accreditation may offer some peace of mind.

5. Be careful with PDA’s in certain countries

Be mindful of public displays of affection, in some locations like Russia or Morocco, mundane actions like holding hands, requesting a double bed at a hotel, casual touching, and kissing can be considered public displays. In some countries these actions are illegal and the consequences can be anything from a fine to imprisonment to being punishable by death. Not to be overly sensationalist here, there are lots of people who have traveled in anti-LGBTQ+ countries and have been just fine. There are also people who have not. It’s a case-by-case situation.

6. Be sure that sex toys are legal

In some countries, traveling with sexually explicit material can be used as evidence of sex work which may result in you being detained while traveling. Transgender and gender-nonconforming people are often unfairly targeted, be aware that in recent years there have been a few instances where people have used sex toys to victimize LGBTQ+ travelers. One couple was the victim of an alleged hate crime by TSA agents and another couple was arrested in Malaysia for being in possession of a sex toy. Keep in mind that traveling with these items into some countries is illegal. Be very cautious and do your homework before crossing borders with anything you think could be questionable.

7. Consider who you disclose your identity to

Consider who you disclose your identity to while you are traveling in countries that are not as LGBTQ-affirming as your home country.

8. Walk with confidence

Appear confident while walking in public areas. The more afraid and buckled over you look, the more of a target you’ll appear to be.

9. Invest in your personal safety

When in doubt invest in personal safety, if taking the more expensive cab ride over the bus ride seems like the safer option for you, do it.

8 tips from a gay travel expert

Andrew Dobson runs Dobbernationloves , an LGBTQ+ travel blog based in Toronto and shares these very helpful tips on international travel safety.

1. Take precautions with dating apps

2. Use the geo search to research your destination prior to leaving home

Use the geo-search feature on dating apps like Scruff and Grindr before you depart for your trip. You can ask locals about what the most popular gay bars and businesses are before you even arrive. Many destinations have suffered from gay bar closures so weekly or monthly LGBTQ+ parties are the norm and locals are always in the know.

3. Connect with the locals before you arrive

Use gay dating apps to connect with locals before you arrive and you’ll find friendly folks keen to show a tourist around. This is particularly helpful if you’re visiting a country like Germany where bartenders may not speak English.

4. Keep spots you discover confidential in sensitive destinations

If you’re visiting places like Egypt or Jordan where the LGBTQ+ community is largely underground for safety reasons, be sure to keep the spots you discover confidential to protect the local LGBTQ+ community. Posting about a popular gay coffee shop hangout in Cairo on TripAdvisor, for example, is a no-no.

5. Negative LGBTQ+ laws may not reflect tourist areas

Remember that just because a country’s government may have negative LGBTQ+ policies, doesn’t mean it isn’t a great gay holiday destination. The Maldives, for example, has laws in place for locals but during our visit to the Four Seasons Maldives, a majority of the guests at the resort were gay couples. Research the hotel and resort brands you’re planning on staying with before you book to ensure they are LGBTQ+ friendly.

6. Certain regions may be very LGBTQ+ friendly within a conservative country

Indonesia is the largest known as a conservative Muslim country but ironically the island of Bali is considered to be one of the best LGBTQ+ destinations in Asia. There can be significant tolerance differences based on each region you visit. Many hotels host luxurious gay honeymoons in Bali

7. Do your research on festival dates

Research the annual LGBTQ+ festivals to determine when the destination is likely to offer the most fun on holiday. In North America, we’re familiar with Pride parades but in Europe, the annual festival is referred to as CSD Celebrations or Christopher Street Day. LGBTQ+ festivals vary based on the culture of a place and its people. North American and Europe are known for flashy parades and all-night parties, where some smaller towns or more reserved countries focus on political protest, poetry readings or events centered around theatre and film.

Contact your hotel ahead of time

If you’re traveling with a same-sex friend or partner we always suggest contacting your hotel in advance to confirm what sort of bedding they offer. In some countries, two men will always be booked into a room with separate beds. In other countries, they’re happy to provide one bed for two men but you’d have to specify that in advance as they’ll automatically assume you’re traveling friends.

Why we wrote this article & did this study

Lyric grew up in Hollywood surrounded by actors, producers, and what she thought was a very open and accepting community for LGBTQ+ individuals. It wasn’t until she was 13 when she overheard her Uncle explaining that he was concerned he would be fired from an acting job if they found out he was gay, that she realized even one of the most liberal US communities was still plagued with homophobia.

Since then, LGBTQ+ rights have been at the forefront of Lyric’s awareness. She wondered how safe the US was for the LGBTQ+ community vs the rest of the world after hearing stories from other travelers. We then decided to dive deep into the subject and what we found was shocking.

So many questions entered our minds. For example, “Is it safe to travel to countries where the death penalty or life imprisonment is still a sentence for being openly gay?”

As travel journalists, we wanted to help the LGBTQ+ community educate themselves on the very complex and layered world of staying safe during international travel. But also, to try to bring more awareness to the often horrific treatment of LGBTQ+ people in many parts of the world. And hopefully, this will bring about change, acceptance, and love for all people regardless of their orientation.

How can you help bring about change?

Are you an ally and upset by this information? Here are two obvious ways you can help:

1. Share this article. Bringing awareness to a problem is the first step to fixing it. Share it on social media, send it to your loved ones and anyone you think should see it.

2. Consider donating to organizations that are making a difference. For example, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association or Human Rights Watch are organizations working to help find and report these issues and to help make the whole world — not just a piece of it — safer for LGBTQ+ people.

• Recognition of same-sex relationships 2020 – Human Rights Watch
• LGBTQ+ Worker Protections 2020 – ILGA
• Anti Discrimination Laws 2020 – ILGA
• Criminalization of Hate-Based Violence 2020 – ILGA
• Adoption Recognition 2020 – ILGA
• Gallup World Poll (2020 Data)
• Transgender Rights – Wikipedia
• Transgender Murder Monitoring – TvT
• Global Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws 2020 – Human Rights Watch
• Equaldex: The Collaborative LGBT Rights Knowledge Base

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Discovering an Omani Paradise

Muscat, the capital, offers opulent culture, but it is the mountains and the sea that bedazzle.

By David Belcher

Reporting from Muscat, Oman

High in the mountains of Oman and along its pounding shoreline, I stumbled onto an unexpected slice of heaven thanks to a friend’s recommendation. I even sprang for a few extra amenities for a mash-up of pauper meets paradise.

I first visited Oman in 2018 after regularly making one- or -two-day stopovers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Qatar to break up long flights between Europe and Asia. And although it is about a one-hour flight from those bustling and scorching cities, Oman can feel almost removed from time, whether you are in the Hajar Mountains that cut a swath across the country’s northern edge or dipping into the roiling waves of the Arabian Sea farther south.

I had read about the country’s wild and often empty coastline that stretches nearly 2,000 miles, but mountain hiking in the Gulf region was a new experience for me. What I discovered was a cinematic, “Dune”-like landscape of deserts, mountains and rugged canyons punctuated by centuries-old terrace farming. The scenery then plunged into the vast wasteland of the Rub’ al-Khali desert (“the empty quarter” in Arabic) and rivaled anything I’d ever seen.

Bordered by Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, this country of nearly 4.7 million was transformed over the decades by Sultan Qaboos bin Said , who died in 2020. He had ousted his father in a bloodless coup, backed by the British, to embrace modernism — and scads of oil and natural gas deposits — in 1970.

The country has a fascinating maritime history — the Omani empire once stretched as far south as Zanzibar in the late 17th century — and a relaxed and accepting vibe rooted in Ibadism , which is often seen as a more moderate branch of Islam.

It has seemingly maintained political neutrality for decades , despite being situated in an at-times-volatile region. The northeastern tip of Oman is about 1,500 miles from Sana, the capital of Yemen. Salalah, nearer to Yemen in the south, is about 900 miles from the mouth of the Red Sea, a body of water in which attacks on cargo ships have been reported. (The U.S. State Department currently advises “increased caution” for travelers and Britain says “ travel advice for Oman could change at short notice .”)

And old-world charm lingers across Oman, especially high on Jabal Akhdar (loosely translated as “green mountain” in Arabic), one of the highest peaks in the Hajar range, 70 miles southwest of the capital, Muscat. Although these mostly limestone mountains are typically barren and beige, lush green farms inspired the name. (Imagine the rice terraces of Bali on the sides of bone-dry rocky canyons.) Snowfall in winter and the mist from clouds captured in the high peaks create precipitation, and the country’s intricate “aflaj” irrigation systems, thought to date to antiquity , maximize the impact of water in this forbidding landscape.

Local growers sell their garden bounty to residents as well as to resorts, including the Alila Jabal Akhdar , which says most of the food on its menu is grown on the property or purchased from terrace farmers.

At the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar , perched atop a plateau at 6,500 feet above sea level, hikes or bike rides in the mountains and valleys are offered on organized tours. At an overlook called Diana’s Point, where Diana, Princess of Wales, once stood to stargaze, you can hear the Muslim call to prayer echoing from two villages several times a day.

Both resorts, with rooms starting around $500 to $600, offer guided walks to 400-year-old abandoned villages with breathtaking views across the emptiness of the rolling canyons.

Although I flew on a commercial airline to Oman, visitors on a bigger budget than mine have the option of paragliding in. The Six Senses Zighy Bay offers the option of a birdlike arrival from a nearby mountaintop on the last leg of a two-hour drive from Dubai International Airport.

Nestled among the canyons flanked by the turquoise waters that define Oman’s narrow, northernmost tip off the Strait of Hormuz, this resort has come to define Omani isolation in the most exclusive way, with rooms starting at about $1,500. (It’s known as a celebrity honeymoon getaway spot, including for Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra in 2018, and Lindsay Lohan spent part of her pregnancy there last year.)

Farther south, the virtually undeveloped Arabian Sea coastline attracts a big European crowd in winter, and in the summer Gulf residents flee the searing heat for the monsoons that drape this coastline in mist. The climate allows for miles of coconut palm trees and banana trees that serve as a sort of tropical backdrop to the never-crowded beaches.

Salalah, the main city on the southeastern tip of Oman, is home to several resorts, but its crown jewel is the Anantara Al Baleed with its sprawling beach and private villas with plunge pools, which will set you back about $650 a night. Regular rooms start at about $350 to $375. (About an hour’s drive east of Salalah, the Alila hotel group, a Hyatt luxury brand, has opened its second property in Oman , on the isolated Hinu Bay).

A visit to the Anantara Al Baleed in December offered a study in tourism meets local color. Four camels frolicked in the surf one day to the delight of a few of us splashing about in the water. Two days later, dozens of fishermen casting handmade nets caught thousands of sardines, hauling them on their backs from the unforgiving waves and onto trucks. The resort is adjacent to the Museum of the Frankincense Land, which offers a fascinating peek into the history of this coveted aromatic resin that was once as prized as gold.

Most trips to Oman, including mine, start in Muscat, which has its charms despite Dubai-like traffic and urban sprawl. My two-day stop included attending a performance at the Royal Opera House Muscat, which was a complete revelation to this lifelong opera fan. Tours of the venue are also available for about $7.50. Built in 2011, its layers of white stone and marble arabesque arches evoke a grand Middle Eastern citadel. In my black jeans, blazer and tie, I felt a bit frumpy rubbing elbows with perfectly coiffed men in traditional dishdashas (the white gownlike formal attire) and massars (the colorful embroidered cloth headdresses).

Even more opulent is the city’s lavish Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque with its 8.5-ton crystal chandelier and expansive carpet said to have taken four years to weave by hand. The mosque opened to all in 2001 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sultan’s reign.

But I wanted to get out of the city and into the nature I had heard so much about. I booked a car and driver (for about $120) to take me three hours into the wild landscape the next day. It was like being transported to mountains on the moon, but in a luxurious four-wheel-drive vehicle on smoothly paved roads. My driver, Saud, navigated the meandering coastal highway past azure shorelines with massive rock formations jutting like islands out of the sea, eventually turning right for the steep road into the rugged Jabal Akhdar.

Saud told me that in his youth, he and his grandfather had traveled on camelback from their terrace gardens to Muscat twice a year to sell fruit, vegetables, garlic and roses. Theirs was a two-day journey, and along the way they snacked on pomegranate seeds. Now, some 50 years later, Saud drives tourists who want to hike across the empty canyons of his youth and enjoy the foods from these gardens in the sky.

That evening at dinner, my salad was sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. In the warmth of the cozy dining room of the Alila Jabal Akhdar, I thought of Saud and our drive to a slice of paradise. I’ll probably never paraglide into Oman, but I did feel like I had arrived on the wings of something fine.

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On a Road Trip Through Oman, Navigating Grief and Parenthood

By Ashlea Halpern

I was three weeks out from a 23-day travel itinerary with my toddler, Julian, when my dad died suddenly. The trip was something I had planned months earlier, determined to prove to all the face-palming naysayers (and myself) that you don’t have to give up traveling after having a baby; you just have to find new ways to move through the world. Due to grief, I considered canceling, but ultimately I decided against it. My father was a textbook agoraphobic who shut himself off from the world and at the end was leaving his house only once or twice a year. But travel was how I learned who I was and who I wanted to be. I’d been to more than 80 countries and spent four years traveling full-time with a 35-liter rucksack and a tiny hatchback. If I could bestow any qualities onto my child, I hoped they’d be my strongest ones: insatiable curiosity, relentless optimism, fiery resilience, and a willingness to bend to my environment rather than expecting my environment to bend to me.

Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the country’s largest house of worship

The author’s son, Julian, on the beach at Jumeirah Muscat Bay

Our journey took us from swish Dubai to the safari camps of Tanzania, but the stretch that most unpacked both my grief and my maternal ambitions was the week we spent in Oman navigating the beach, desert, cities, and mountains by eerily empty highways. On a sweltering afternoon in Muscat, the mellow seaside capital accented with looming minarets, I chased Julian across the glossy marble and stone promenades at the grand mosque of Sultan Qaboos, where fawning congregants greeted him with sweet dates. Children under 10 are not permitted in, but a female guard noticed me steaming in my hijab, sticky toddler glued to my hip, and discreetly ushered us through a side door to cool off under a large air-conditioning unit.

At sunset we strolled along the buzzing Mutrah Corniche and past the rainbow cordilleras of fragrant spices at Mutrah Souq, the city’s oldest bazaar. Julian’s eyes lit up when he sampled the slow-cooked lamb shuwa with spiced rice at Bait Al Luban, a restaurant where the only free seats were on the sun-blasted balcony. I laughed as Julian guided my fork to his mouth and announced, “Num!” Food was one of the few pleasures my dad allowed himself. If he were there, he’d have beamed with pride.

Al Alam, the palace of Sultan Qaboos in Old Musca

A coffee break at a refreshment stand in Musca

From Muscat, we drove through the rugged Al Hajar mountains toward the Gulf of Oman, passing the beige blur of cliffs and canyons to a soundtrack of khaliji music on Omani radio . I glimpsed my son in the rearview, babbling to himself as this new old world streamed by. Would he remember any of it? Did it matter? The point was we were out here doing it. We were living.

With its karst-flanked shoreline and tranquil water, the Jumeirah Muscat Bay beach resort looks like a screensaver. If Julian were older, we could have gone kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, but we settled for splashing in the surf and sipping freshly squeezed watermelon coolers by the pool. (Not that I minded.) The staff bent over backward for the “little sultan,” who in turn flirted shame­lessly with a comely Indonesian waitress. Later, we moved to the citadel-like Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, atop a 6,500-foot massif, where the crisp mountain air felt great after so many 100-degree days. Julian toddled intrepidly along a glass-bottomed observation deck over the Jabal Al Akhdar canyon, gawking at the groundskeepers shaking meaty green olives from the trees.

It says a mother and child stroll through Oman’s Jebal Akhdar

Tea at Wahiba’s Hud Hud camp

Naturally, Oman’s punishing heat spawned some ferocious tantrums. Nowhere was my patience tested more than at Bimmah Sinkhole, a teal saltwater lake formed by the collapse of an underground cavern, which is accessible only via a steep staircase. Julian insisted on climbing back up himself before collapsing halfway in a fit of hot tears, forcing me to scoop up this sweaty 27-pound sack of potatoes and lug him a quarter mile back to the car. As the waterworks continued, a trio of teenage boys approached us with bottles of water, concern etched across their faces.

The hospitality in Oman, like other Islamic countries I’ve visited, was unparalleled. Young men leaped into traffic to help us cross the street. At souks, old men in ankle-grazing dishdasha high-fived Julian and tousled his blonde hair. Restaurant servers distracted him with balloons and goofy dance moves. More than one stranger insisted on buying our snacks at gas stations. The warmth and graciousness of the Omani people reminded me why I decided to this trip in the first place. More than anything, I want my son to believe what I believe: that 99.9 percent of humans are kind and that we’re far more alike than we are different. Karmically speaking, you get out of life what you put in. Good vibes only.

The Wahiba Sands desert in eastern Oman

The trip came full circle at a rustic tent camp in Wahiba Sands, an undulating desert three and a half hours from Muscat. For toddlers, deserts are basically giant sandboxes, and one of my happiest moments was watching Julian coast down the dunes on his tuchus. He squealed in delight at the golden sand streaming through his chubby fingers and cackled hysterically when a camel flashed him a toothy grin.

Sipping tea on our tent’s wraparound terrace, stars winking in a vast Cimmerian sky as Julian dozed against me, I recounted our adventures for my dad. I imagined him up there in the Milky Way, everywhere and nowhere at once, shaking his head the way dads do—thrilled he didn’t have to experience any of it himself but grateful to have raised a daughter who embraces it all with gusto.

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