The following seven countries have one thing in common — they’re all popular travel destinations, for gay and straight tourists alike. One of them even had a winner in the user-decided Best of GayCities 2014 — Tel Aviv nabbed the prize for Best Pride Without Marriage (which we’ll get to later).
We were interested in looking at the legal protections and same-sex marriage rights in the world’s most visited places, and here’s some of what we found.
How important is local legal equality when you plan out your world travels? Does this make you think twice before booking trips to any of these places?
Italy
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
While cities like Rome have their obvious charms, Italy does not recognize any type of same-sex unions. Several regions have formally supported efforts for national law on civil unions and some municipalities have passed laws providing for civil unions. While some of these do provide real benefits they are mostly of symbolic value.
Australia
Anti-discrimination laws protect LGBT people in many areas of employment and service access, and same sex couples enjoy many of the same rights and benefits as non-same sex couples – with the notable exception of marriage. Still, events like Sydney Mardi Gras and Melbourne’s European charm are hard to pass up.
China
No civil rights law exists to address discrimination or harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. China recognizes neither same-sex marriage nor civil unions.
Japan
Tokyo may be a world-class shopping destination, but same-sex couples and households headed by same-sex couples are ineligible for the legal protections available to opposite-sex couples. Although Japanese culture and major religions originated in and imported to Japan do not have a history of hostility towards homosexuality, Japanese citizens are reportedly divided on the issue of accepting homosexuality, with a recent poll indicating that 54 percent agreed that homosexuality should be accepted by society whilst 36 percent disagreed, with a big age gap.
Israel
Although same-sex marriages are not performed in the country, Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. We’ll still consider hitting up Tel Aviv for the gorgeous men and beaches, though.
Morocco
LGBT persons in Morocco face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco. Morocco’s statute and culture towards LGBT issues stands in stark contrast to neighboring Spain.
India
LGBT people in India face the danger of being imprisoned up to a lifetime because of their sexual orientation. Homosexual intercourse is a criminal offense under section 377 of the Indian Penal Code since 1860. Mental, physical, emotional and economic violence against the LGBT community in India prevails.
via Wikipedia
1EqualityUSA
USA could make this list for those who have staycations.
jd2222248
This is an interesting topic……I live in Dubai (I am a U.S. citizen), which I think should have made the list. Dubai is a largely gay city, REALLY GAY! The next questions could be: how do GLBT people who live in these countries make it work? How do GLBT couples in these countries make it work? How/why do GLBT people who relocate to these countries make it work? 🙂
martinbakman
Dubai is REALLY gay? Like you just waved your arm over your head and snapped your finger and yelled gurrrrrrrrrrrl at your friend’s new hijab gay?
NoCagada
@martinbakman: I bet you were wearing your pink burka when you wrote that.
Paul Nadolski
Like any revolution, change takes time. The only reason Italy is behind most of the rest of the progressive countries in the EU is because of their close ties to the Catholic Church. As more young Italians come of age this will hopefully change.
As for China…ask a Tibetan about their rights (which have been brutally disrespected since 1950). While the situation for GLBT Chinese may not be good, at least they haven’t had their culture completely destroyed as the Tibetans and Uighurs have. The odds of change of any kind coming to China for minorities are not very good in the foreseeable future.
Thispurpose
Remember when 1 finger points out 3 point back.
Alabama
In Alabama, state law dictates that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle:
(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include all of the following elements: […]
(8) An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.
This is a reference to Alabama’s “sodomy law” criminalizing gay sex. This law has been unenforceable since the Supreme Court abolished sodomy laws in its 2003 ruling Lawrence v. Texas, but it remains on the books, as does the protocol to teach about it.
Arizona
According to Arizona law, not only is there nothing positive about being gay, there is no safe way to have gay sex:
C. No district shall include in its course of study instruction which:
1. Promotes a homosexual life-style.
2. Portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life-style.
3. Suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.
The law dictates the promotion of abstinence, but ironically also seeks to “dispel myths regarding transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus.” Apparently myths about the risks of gay sex are still acceptable.
Louisiana
Louisiana has a law censoring homosexuality in sex education, but it only applies to “any sexually explicit materials depicting male or female homosexual activity.” Given the law’s emphasis on abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage and the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, non-pictorial discussions of homosexuality could probably be considered violations as well.
Mississippi
Mississippi law also refers back to its unenforceable sodomy law, dismissing the possibility that there is any kind of gay sex that is safe, appropriate, or legal:
(1) Abstinence education shall be the state standard for any sex-related education taught in the public schools. For purposes of this section, abstinence education includes any type of instruction or program which, at an appropriate age: […]
(e) Teaches the current state law related to sexual conduct, including forcible rape, statutory rape, paternity establishment, child support and homosexual activity; and
(f) Teaches that a mutually faithful, monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the only appropriate setting for sexual intercourse.
North Carolina
Like Arizona, North Carolina law implies that gay sex is inherently unhealthy:
e. Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship in the context of marriage is the best lifelong means of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Note: Because this policy does not explicitly prohibit discussion of homosexuality, it is not counted among the “No Promo Homo” laws in GLSEN’s map above.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s law focuses specifically on preventing the transmission of the “AIDS virus” (HIV), claiming that “homosexual activity” is among the causes primarily responsible for contact with it:
D. AIDS prevention education shall specifically teach students that:
1. engaging in homosexual activity, promiscuous sexual activity, intravenous drug use or contact with contaminated blood products is now known to be primarily responsible for contact with the AIDS virus;
2. avoiding the activities specified in paragraph 1 of this subsection is the only method of preventing the spread of the virus;
The distinction between “homosexuality activity” and “promiscuous sexual activity” implies that there is no kind of homosexual activity that is not promiscuous.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, gay people only exist when it comes to explaining sexually transmitted diseases:
(5) The program of instruction provided for in this section may not include a discussion of alternate sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships including, but not limited to, homosexual relationships except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases.
Texas
Even though it was Texas’s sodomy law that the Supreme Court struck down over 10 years ago, that law is still part of the state’s sex education policy:
(b) The materials in the education programs intended for persons younger than 18 years of age must:
(1) emphasize sexual abstinence before marriage and fidelity in marriage as the expected standard in terms of public health and the most effective ways to prevent HIV infection, sexually transmitted diseases, and unwanted pregnancies; and
(2) state that homosexual conduct is not an acceptable lifestyle and is a criminal offense under Section 21.06, Penal Code.
Interestingly, the law also asserts that “sexual activity before marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical consequences,” and given that same-sex marriage is banned in Texas, this implies that all gay sex is harmful in such fashion.
Utah
Utah law prohibits “the advocacy of homosexuality.” In 2012, the Utah legislature passed a bill that would have banned “instruction in, or the advocacy of” homosexuality and also would have made sex education “opt in” instead of “opt out,” but that bill was vetoed by Gov. Gary Herbert (R).
OzJosh
This is a seriously dumb list. First of all, the countries listed are wildly, seismically different, and to group them together under any heading – especially something they’re NOT – is just insane. Secondly, while countries like Australia and Istrael may not yet have passed legislation in support of same-sex marriage, they are both, in most respects, much more progressive than the vast majority of the USA. You certainly don’t find many fundamentalist nuts who will be vehemently and openly opposed to gays in Australia, and routinely promulgate lies about homosexuality. Then to include China and India – both places where it can be seriously dangerous to be gay – on the same list as Israel and Australia… I mean, WTF? They are at the opposite end of the spectrum, and grouping them together sends entirely the wrong message about both. More to the point, how is the lack of equal marriage (as in the case of Australia, for example) a problem for a holiday destination? Overall, Australia is an entirely gay-friendly destination. Which is certainly not the the case for India, China or even Italy. Why doesn’t the article focus on practical ways in which the laws and cultures of these destinations can impact on visitors. What will get you arrested? What will get you beaten up? That’s what travellers need to know.
damon459
Totally misleading, I personally don’t love any of these places nor do I have any desire to visit any of them.
john.k
@OzJosh: I totally agree. The list makes no sense. Morocco??? It’s a North African Muslim country. Despite the former reputation of Tangier as a haven for gays there is no chance of Morocco introducing wide gay rights anytime soon. Culturally Morocco has very little in common with Spain – so, again, the comparison makes no sense.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Damm you China! I am removing sum yun guy from my list of favorite dishes!!
Michael93
@martinbakman: oh god too funny I started to laugh and people walked by in front of my store like what a weirdo cause I’m alone in here hahaha
Michael93
@damon459: Right? I thought it was just me! but the only one I have ever thought of visiting would be Italy and I still am not sure about ever going super Catholic over there so I heard
Michael93
@Thispurpose: your comment was really long haha but it was really informative too
Desert Boy
Italy is a terrible place for gays. Spain and Portugal are much better.
JJinAus
Fatuous article. I can tell you as someone who LIVES in Australia that – while by no means perfect – this is a very gay friendly place. While we do not have gay marriage, civil unions are recognised in most places. Discrimination is against the law here, so you are much better off coming here than anywhere in Africa (except South Africa), most of the middle east and Asia and all Muslim countries except possibly Turkey, but watch out there.
Not to mention Southern US states and the bible belt.
Merv
@OzJosh: Israel is not “in most respects, much more progressive than the vast majority of the USA.” Pew did a survey about attitudes toward homosexuality in countries across the globe. When asked whether homosexuality should be accepted, Spain was highest with 88%. There were a few other countries at or above 80%, such as Canada and Germany. The US was in the second tier at 60%, similar to some Latin American countries. Israel was in the third tier at 40%. Most Muslim countries were in the single digits.
martinbakman
@NoCagada: @Michael93: Gurrrrrrrrrrl! 😉
pjm1
@martinbakman: hahahaha — that was funny.
crowebobby
“Mum” was the word. Morocco and Rome were both gay Meccas for centuries as long as no one made an issue of it. And I’m NOT saying it’s wrong to have made an issue of it, just that as long as people had the option of pretending they didn’t see anything, you could do just about anything with anybody (of any age) anywhere, i.e., local cinemas, parks in broad daylight, prolonged obvious groping on buses; you just couldn’t say the words “I’m gay.” Ah, the good old days.