My son is looking to travel soon and I’m
Nervous about him being gay and his safety . He’s going to Europe and Asia. Any gay people who have travelled a lot who have advice on where it is not safe to go please?

Gord M

Ki Kimmerly

People can tell he's gay by looking at him?

Francis Tuazon why does that matter ?

Francis Tuazon his friend and he are travelling together and yes, there are moments where they are flamboyant . Anyone travelling is at risk, I just want to make extra sure that he is safe because there are horrid people in this world who are not accepting

I think he should plan an itinerary based on what he most wants to see and then look up lgbt travel advice based on each location. Every big city will be safe, but paying attention to travel guidelines in more rural areas should help him know when staying ‘stealth’ will simplify his plans.

Derek thanks Derek, appreciate the feedback

As long as he is not too flamboyant, he will likely be fine anywhere. Both areas have gay people. If you can be more specific about locations, that would help with advice.

Ashley I agree and have told him this as well lol

Ashley i

don't go to RUSSIA...

Melyssa yes Russia is most certainly off the list!

Berlin, Paris, Barcelona....all will welcome him with open arms. Also Prague and Copenhagen.

I was recently in Vienna and my guide mentioned there's a pretty active gay scene there.

Gladys awesome!

Thailand was one of the safest places I've ever felt as a queer person. The only place I got hassled at all was Taiwan.
Just make sure he does research on the "laws" in whichever country he goes. It's still illegal in a few places in Asia and he just needs to be careful.

Andi Scout thank you!! Appreciate the feedback

Agreed! Thailand is incredible. I even went to Kuala Lumpur and felt 100% safe with my partner and felt zero discrimination even if the suburbs of KL.

Contiki!

Has he travelled before? How old is he?

Julie he’s 23, his friend has travelled quite a bit and they’re going together . I’m just always concerned about making sure he’s safe. He’s travelled from South Africa to uk and then Canada, but he was younger

I've done a lot of traveling in my late teens and early twenties as a gay man and I've never had any trouble. As long as he stays away from most African and middle Eastern countries he will be ok

Leroy thanks Leroy!!

You are a good mom to be worried. He should travel with the same caution as any other traveler. No matter where we travel or live in the world there are people who disapprove. Larger cities are great. Where in Asia is he going he should be aware of their laws and respect them and he'll be fine I travelled japan with my partner and it was a non issue

David thanks David, I adore him and his friends. While I am accepting of him being gay, I know there are assholes out there and want to just make sure he’s okay. Thanks for the advice

David good advice for any traveller. Mom, he’s 23, and should at least be familiar of the customs of any place he visits, gay or straight or whatever. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon in some corners of the world, even flamboyant ones! Respect the culture, whatever your orientation.

avoid russia and middle east. prob china too

Poland is a bit iffy. I was there last July and things have gotten worse since for LGBTQ.

Dan thank you! I’ll let him
Know

Um first of all, Angela, this is the cutest post ever. So adorable that you’re looking out for him.
In Australia, we have a website which can be used by anyone called www.smarttraveller.gov.au
Basically you can search by country and it tells you anything dangerous that might be happening in that country, etc.
So I recommend you, he and his friend spend some time looking through that.
I didn’t start travelling until I was 23 either, so his age is fine.
Their flamboyancy should be totally fine in major cities of Europe such as Paris and London and in Norway.
They should feel comfortable to be themselves and have fun, but I think gay or not, it’s smart to dial any kind of behaviour back until you know where you are and the vibe that’s going on in that place.
If it feels conservative, it probably is, and you should act accordingly so that you’re safe.
If you’re safe, then you’re bound to have the best experiences, because you know when and where you can let loose.
They both need to check in with the parentals every day or at least every second day.
Just a quick message, “hey mum, I just checked in here, I’m all good. Love ya.”
Why? Because anything can happen.
I got beaten and mugged by a bunch of dudes in Paris, the city of love! I ended up in hospital and didn’t do my daily check-in with mum, and so she knew something went wrong.
Not saying that to make you paranoid, but if you guys have a routine to keep in touch, then there’s a solid connection should anything planned go down.
Hope this helps!
SMARTRAVELLER.GOV.AU
Smartraveller

Michael thanks Michael! Never thought of the check in , so thank you! And thank you for the advice, I’m sorry to hear of your awful experience and glad to hear your okay now?!

I have been all over the world. Asia is mostly safe, Id avoid regions of Indonesia, Philippines, China. Burma is a no go if visibly gay.
Western Europe is safe. All of it. Eastern Europe is opening up, but it’s taking some time.
I’m from Canada, and have had more hate thrown at me here, than anywhere. I am obviously gay (not flaming, normal but fem), my husband is always seen as straight. Just how it is.
The Netherlands and The Scandinavia are country’s have been safest. Oh, and Spain. Never once worried or thought anything.
Thailand has been wonderful as well both times I’ve been. Hong Kong is great, too many people to really take any notice of anyone. Japan was lovely. Some giggles, but nothing bad.
Feel free the PM me should you need more:)

David your post was awesome but I just wanted to say it made me so sad that you have had more hate here than anywhere else. I wish you nothing but peace, love and happiness with your hubby and I challenge all of us Canadians to do better to be tolerant, inclusive and respectful

I completely disagree. Philippines is totally safe for gays! I’m Canadian-Filipino and I have LOTS of gay friends there who are very open, sometimes even dressing up as women. Philippines also have gay actors who are visibly - and proud to be - gay.
Philippines is very accepting. Not sure what happened to you there, if you have actually been. But I hope you go back and see how nice the people there are.

David thanks for the advice

Thanks for being concerned Angela. Bigger city centers will be a non issue you're a great mom!

Spencer thank you

Regular caution and not being too open in public. Enjoy his travel experience to the fullest for sure.

Tell him to check out the government of Canada’s travel website for info and warnings for each country
https://travel.gc.ca/
Tell him to check under “laws and culture” that’ll let him know if it’s a country they should go to or not. Canada updates the info everyday
TRAVEL.GC.CA
Home - Travel.gc.ca

Gerri oh yes, I never thought of that! Thank you

I recently celebrated pride in Amsterdam, very
friendly. same with Paris, Barcelona. hope he has the best trip. all always be vigilant while on vacation

I have travelled all through Asia and I couldn't be any gayer and I didn't have one moment where I felt worried

Devyn “I couldn’t be any gayer” haha I love how you phrased this

Kayla just the truth! Lol

Devyn lol ... love it too! Glad you had a good time, I’m starting to feel a little better now! Thank you !

If he does research there’s tons of gay friendly places. Just don’t go to far off the beaten path is my only advice, stick to touristy areas. If he’s ever in Mexico tell him to go to puerto vallerta. One of the most gay friendly destinations around.

PV is amazingly colourful

Cory thank you! Yes he’s been there and he loves it ! (I forgot he went there as well lol) except nobody realized he was gay and old ladies were trying to make out with him!

Asia is awesome Thailand he will have no problem

Angela, visit Philippines. There’s gayness everywhere. Your son would have a good time!

Alex Shill.... wanna chime in on this?......

Have your son check out the Nomadic Boys fb page. They have travelled everywhere and have great fun and advice for gay travellers!

Thanks Allison

You are so famous
Sebastien Chaneac !

Having just returned from Paris and the South of France, I don’t think there will be any problems whatsoever

Luxembourg is more than safe!

Thailand....very accepting.....

I hope your son and his friend have a wonderful trip!

As long as your not going to the Middle East you should be fine!

And north korea

even middle east is fine. just don't flaunt yourself. Many people in the middle east are so in denial about homosexuality anyway that they assume you're straight anyway. Middle east and eastern europe and caucuses are some of my favorite spots and all are homophobic!

Don’t go to Brunei.

lonely planet has a LGBT travellers section for most of their destinations.

It would also depend on how open he is with his identity. For example, even though countries may be liberated, society may not approve of public affection among LGBT, and so some LGBT may remain more conservative in public when travelling abroad but attend LGBT specific events.

Vanita Prasad RedStar he won’t be affectionate. He is a smart young man, I just worry as a mom

Thank you everyone for all of your responses and insight!! I feel a lot better now
.

Awesome Mom.... your strength and love and insight , is with your son , every day.. Thank you for posting your loving concerns, so all of us, can be reminded , how to care for each other ..

I appalls me how this is a concern in this day and age. How very sad

Cathy very sad indeed , I am just grateful that my I have a wonderful son who has opened my eyes to love and acceptance

Angela Lee that's wonderful!!!!

omg. anywhere.

My advice: avoid countries where religion is a strong influence on social policy: Western Europe...no problem, hey, our Prime Minister (Ireland) Pakistan,

(Ireland) is gay.

David

Avoid overtly homophobic countries like Pakistan (Pakistani law criminalizes same-sex relationships). Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam are are very open and accepting.

Iceland - very welcoming

Terry thanks Terry, they are planning on goi g to Iceland

Angela Lee that's awesome! They will love it! I was there in 2017 and plan to go again in 2020.

Amsterdam is VERY welcoming, I went when I was 25 and out and it was AMAZING

Taiwan is very gay friendly. First country in Asia to legalize gay marriage.