GLBT Travelers - Does gay related legislation matter for your travel plans ?

There are still many countries hostile towards our community. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:World_homosexuality_laws.svg
Even if tourists appear to escape certain harsh Laws, do you personally feel comfortable visiting such countries?

I am part of a generation who fighted hard in my youth for our rights and many of you may enjoy social acceptance we could not dream about 30 years ago.

This might be the reason why I will not spend my hard earned money for trips to hostile territories even if this is penalizing myself (Egypt, my dream). Also I will not spend money in businesses related to such countries.

Examples: During a trip to South Africa I will not visit Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). I will never fly EK or stay at an Emirates Hotel., etc.....

What is your opinion?

To a point yes. I will not go to countries that persecute gay folks(which means many African and AE countries)and I tend to stay away from cities which have told gays that they are not welcome.

To a point yes. I will not go to countries that persecute gay folks(which means many African and AE countries)and I tend to stay away from cities which have told gays that they are not welcome.

It is a dilemma because in avoiding gay-unfriendly places, you keep the people there ignorant of gays. When people come into daily contact with gays, it's harder to take their civil rights away. At the same time, you don't want to reward anti-gay governments.

I would certainly not deny myself a lifelong "dream" in order to made a statement that matters not a whit to the government involved. I prefer to make my political statements by donating to causes I support rather than withholding it from those I do not.

I try very hard to avoid such places. For instance, I do not visit or ski in Utah. I will not fly Emirates. And I fly SQ only on miles :)

Internationally, it certainly influences my travel plans. I put Singapore on the travel back burner for many years due to the anti-gay legislation there. My husband finally convinced me to go for the food alone, and so I'm taking my first trip there tonight.

In the US, I try not let it influence my behavior at all. If the people of Utah have a problem with their children seeing me and my husband out on a date, that's their problem, and not mine.

As a matter of fact, I find that in places that are anti-gay and happpen to have significant expatriate populations (eg. Dubai), it is a lot easier to "meet up" with guys (if you know where to look).

There tends to be a lot of "underground" gay activity going on in the expatriate communties.

In addition, in these types of situations, you may even find "straight" guys (expatriate) who would not even dare partake in gay activities in their home countries do so.

The short answer is no, this has no influence on my personal travel plans (work travel I have no control over anyway).

My own home country, Ireland, only repealed anti-gay legislation in 1993! Not that long ago if you think about it. We always welcomed visitors coming here. Now we have partnership legislation and a solid anti-discrimination legislative framework. Largely due to greater cooperation with our European neighbours.

Closing off contact with populations that endure oppression is IMHO a sure way to delay progress. Of course I wouldn't put myself in harms way but when I was in countries such as Egypt and Syria, for example, it was eye opening talking to the locals.

There are so many laws, anti-gay or otherwise (and I do care about those too, it is not just about me), which I don't condone in addition to even more virulent attitudes among certain populations, faiths and self appointed leaders which are not on the statute books that make travel choices not easy.

PS: Interesting article in today's UK Observer (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/uganda-gay-lesbian-immigration-asylum) on anti-gay attitudes around the world.

PPS: I thought this is a rather apt summing up of my view: "It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home." Carl T. Rowan

To a point yes. I will not go to countries that persecute gay folks(which means many African and AE countries)and I tend to stay away from cities which have told gays that they are not welcome.

I'm also not going to a place which may officially have no anti-gay policy, but the locals strive to kill gays. Jamaica comes to mind immediately.

Texas, Arizona, and Utah are places I resist even transiting through for various reasons, but someday I'm sure I'll have to. I think it's difficult to put down a blanket ban on a place, but given a choice between, let's say, buying the same thing from Utah or Vermont, I'd choose Vermont.

vacations are supposed to be relaxing, not places where one goes and is afraid for his/her personal safety. That is why I do not go for pleasure to places that are expressly homophobic.

but given a choice between, let's say, buying the same thing from Utah or Vermont, I'd choose Vermont.

I would chose the practices of the company I was going to purchase from over the state. I would rather buy something from a company in Utah where they offer same sex partner benefits over a company in Vermont that isn't very gay friendly.

If I did, I'd probably have to move out of North Carolina! I get a lot of comments about the = sticker I have on my car at my own workplace :(

I would chose the practices of the company I was going to purchase from over the state. I would rather buy something from a company in Utah where they offer same sex partner benefits over a company in Vermont that isn't very gay friendly.

Of course. But all other things being equal, I'd still choose Vermont.

Yes, it does influence my travel decisions. I tend to go to cities and places that welcome gay travelers, rather than somewhere where you can end up in jail. Even when I am somewhere that the men are amazing hot, like Jordan, I certainly don't do anything that could get me in trouble. Remember, your passport ends at your borders. There are many, many Americans who are in jail in other countries. Some for their own fault, others not. Even places where the police are known to be corrupt and will plant things on you, like Mexico, I tend to stay away. There are too many warm, welcoming locations where you can have a wonderful vacation. Why bother with all the hastle?

Most destinations that have extreme anti gay legislation are in general backwards in many other respects. I have no real desire to spend time in those types of locales. That being said, I do find myself in places from time to time that are not exactly as open as Chelsea or West Hollywood in nature. I just act accordingly.

Examples: During a trip to South Africa I will not visit Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).

I would not go to Zimbabwe for a variety of reasons but it is just as easy to see
Victoria Falls from Livingstone is Zaire. We got to visit an island right at the top of falls and had tea there even.

Internationally, it certainly influences my travel plans. I put Singapore on the travel back burner for many years due to the anti-gay legislation there.
I think you would be surprised by the amount of gay life around Singapore and it is not very underground either. Legislation is one thing but the reality of everyday life is quiet different. The odd large party gets blocked but loads of clubs go on every night and some of more exotic clubs would shock many.

Legislation is one thing but the reality of everyday life is quiet different.
This sentence pretty much sums up the entire thread for me.

I would only avoid one of two countries in the world because of their extreme outspokenness of opposition to homosexuality.

What you have to remember is that even in very liberal countries (e.g., the UK, the Netherlands, etc.) there are still pockets of prejudice. Yes, they tend not to last long, but some people are still opposed to homosexuality and have no shame in demonstrating this, despite the fact that the laws may dictate something much more positive.

And the opposite is true as well - even though anti-gay laws might be on the books in some countries, you'll find that many of the locals are much more tolerant and welcoming. For instance, my partner and I have shared a bed in many Middle Eastern countries (and some US states) and have never even got a second glance. Yet we have received funny looks sharing a bed at guest houses in the United Kingdom.

I think you would be surprised by the amount of gay life around Singapore and it is not very underground either. Legislation is one thing but the reality of everyday life is quiet different. The odd large party gets blocked but loads of clubs go on every night and some of more exotic clubs would shock many.

I'm not surprised at all - that sort of thing has gone on for years in many countries with anti-gay legislation, including the US. Truth be told, the existence of anti-gay legislation is pretty far down on the list of reasons I hadn't been to Singapore. I'm now back from my one night there and think it's a lovely place, if not a bit overly sterile (but I don't live there, so who am I to judge?). The mee pok I had in the basement of that mall on Orchard Road is enough on its own to warrant another trip. Amazing food.