LGBT laws

[frankzappa 0]

In some parts of the world LGBT visitors are welcome, but this is not true of most African, Caribbean and Middle Eastern countries where it would be a bad idea, and in some cases dangerous, to express who you are completely. In some countries (particularly where LGBT expression or activity is legally restricted), police do little or nothing to investigate brutal anti-gay violence. Sometimes, they are part of the problem.

Most East Asian countries do not have any laws against homosexuality, though with the notable exception of Taiwan, there are also no anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation. Acceptance of homosexuality tends not to be as good as in Western countries, and homosexual relationships are generally not given legal recognition. Nevertheless, given that the violent crime rate in East Asia is generally low, you are unlikely to get anything more than stares and whispers, and unprovoked anti-homosexual violence is almost unheard of.

Even where homosexuality is legal, there is no guarantee of ready acceptance from locals. Even in the United States and Western Europe where, for the most part, homosexuality is legal, gay-bashing sometimes occurs, though general intolerance of anti-gay acts is – slowly – increasing.

ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) has more specific information and news about LGBT rights around the world. Global Affairs Canada has an in-depth information page for Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirit Canadians abroad, which may be relevant also for other nationalities.

wikivoyage.org