The World’s 10 Safest Countries for LGBTQ Travel

Aug. 30 2023

by Lachlan

Here at misterb&b, it goes without saying that we're addicted to travel. What's more exciting than exploring the gayborhood of a new city, making new connections with a kindred misterb&b host, digging into some local cuisine, or exploring the LGBTQ scene of a new destination? Not much we say! 

While the world has made significant progress in terms of LGBTQ+ rights and the general safety of LGBTQ+ travel, many countries are still safer than others. Sadly, 64 countries still criminalize homosexuality, so it pays to know which countries across the world are best to visit as an LGBTQ+ traveler. 

Using the results from Asher & Lyric's definitive "LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index," which looks at factors including marriage equality, worker protections, anti-discrimination laws, and more, here's a list of the globe's ten safest (and unsafest) countries to visit (and avoid) as LGBTQ+ travelers. There are some interesting revelations! 

 

Canada

Oh, Canada, we love you so much! On July 20, 2005, Canada became the first country outside of Europe to legalize same-sex marriage; now that's something worth celebrating! 

_{©Flickr/Hubert Figuière}

But not just Asher & Lyric's index positions Canada highly. According to Equaldex, Canada ticks all the boxes regarding LGBTQ+ rights and protections. We're talking legal gay marriage, adoption, and gender non-binary recognition, along with anti-discrimination laws in the employment, housing, and military sectors. 

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Sweden

When you first think of Sweden, you probably think of natural fjords, the northern lights, and ABBA. But this Nordic country also proudly sits in position two regarding LGBTQ+ travel safety. Now, there's even more reason to venture up north! 

ILGA Europe's latest Rainbow Map of 2023 scored Sweden 68% regarding its overall LGBTQ+ friendliness. The country performs well in multiple criteria, including marriage equality, joint adoption, and important equality and non-discrimination laws in place. So we'll see you in dreamy Stockholm then?

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Netherlands

In terms of liberal countries across the globe, the Netherlands is a frontrunner. After all, it was the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage way back in 2001, setting a precedent for many others in Europe to follow. 

Although relatively small in size, the Netherlands is larger than life for LGBTQ+ safety. Asher & Lyric's index indicates significant worker protections, recognition and transgender legal identity laws, and criminalization of violence. So whether it's Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, or somewhere in between, it's about time you rolled into the Netherlands.  

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Malta

You might not think it, but Malta is extremely LGBTQ+ friendly, so much so that ILGA Europe ranked it as Europe's most LGBTQ-friendly country in 2023 for the 8th year running. And by a long shot, this rainbow scored a whopping total of 89% for its LGBTQ+ friendliness, with Belgium and Denmark coming in equal position 2 with 76%. Believe us now? While Asher & Lyric's travel index positions it as the world's fourth safest country to visit for LGBTQ travelers, a top 5 ranking is still worth applause. 

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Enjoy the island's historic capital, Valletta, and travel with peace of mind, knowing that Malta takes its LGBTQ+ friendliness and protections to the next level. Think legal gay marriage since 2017, criminalization of LGBTQ+ violence, and a trans murder rate of 0! So, if you're dreaming of an island in the sun where you can feel at total ease, Malta is for you. 

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Norway

Asher & Lyric's index places Norway at 5 (up from its 2022 position of 8) thanks to significant LGBTQ+ protections. Like the countries mentioned above, Norway offers worker protections, gay marriage, and excellent trans protection rights.

_{©Facebook/Imagination at Work}

In ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map of 2023, Norway also performs well, achieving 67% LGBTQ+ friendliness thanks to solid gender recognition laws & zero laws regarding freedom of expression. Its capital, Oslo, offers a lively LGBTQ+ scene and open, welcoming locals, so pack your scarf, and we'll see you up north!  

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Portugal

With cult classics like Lisbon and Porto, what's not to love about Portugal? If the dreamy cuisine, friendly locals, and balmy weather weren't enough to tempt you in their own right, its high ranking for LGBTQ+ safety sure will. ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map scores Portugal 62% for LGBTQ+ rights, with the country performing well in legal gender recognition and family rights, including marriage equality and joint adoption. 

Asher & Lyric's index also places Portugal highly in position six thanks to transgender legal identity laws and overall protections against discrimination. So what do you say? We meet you down south in the Algarve for a summer to remember in one of the world's safest LGBTQ+ countries. Yes, please! 

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Spain

When it comes to gay-friendly countries, Spain is kind of like an OG. Think of a safe place to visit in Europe as an LGBTQ+ traveler, and your first thought is probably Spain. After all, the country is home to many popular gay beaches, great LGBTQ+ cities like Madrid, Sitges, and Barcelona, and, of course, Europe's largest Pride, Madrid Pride. 

But behind these scenes, Spain also has many legal protections for LGBTQ+ travelers. ILGA Europe ranked Spain in position 4, well up from last year's Rainbow Map, which saw it in position 10. This is likely thanks to Spain's overall LGBTQ+ rights, which cover everything from protections in the family laws sphere, such as marriage equality, joint adoption, second-parent adoption, and automatic co-parent recognition—convinced yet? Well, Asher & Lyrics's index ranks Spain highly, with this Mediterranean country at position 7. Either way, we'll meet you on the beach there for summer! 

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Denmark

For 2023, Denmark has entered a coveted top 10 place in Asher & Lyric's Travel Safety Index, knocking France out to position 11. Like all countries in the top 10 index, Denmark enjoys a wealth of LGBTQ+ freedoms, laws, and rights, including adoption recognition, the criminalization of violence, and broad protections against discrimination. 

According to ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map of 2023, Denmark performs even higher, sitting at position 3 in terms of LGBTQ+-friendly countries across the globe. Increased protections thanks to equality, anti-discrimination laws, and family protections make Denmark a wonderful and safe place for LGBTQ+ travelers. 

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Belgium 

While Belgium's popular claims to fame may be beer and waffles, the country is also renowned for being an exceptionally safe destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. LGBTQ+ rights in Belgium are regarded as some of the world's most progressive, with ILGA Europe ranking it in equal position 2 with Denmark in its Rainbow Map 2023, just second to Malta.

_{©Flickr/La Grand Place}

Belgium is an excellent place for LGBTQ+ travelers, and we love the scene in Brussels! Spend your days strolling around the city's gay district, and rest assured you're in a super politically progressive and safe environment. After all, Belgium ticks many boxes according to Asher & Lyric's index, including legalized gay marriage, adoption recognition, worker protections, and a 0 trans murder rate. It's little wonder the index places it at 9. 

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United Kingdom

With iconic gayborhoods like Soho in London and The Village in Manchester, plus some of the world's most significant and festive gay pride events - we're looking at you, Brighton Pride - it makes sense that the UK has a robust queer scene and is safe for LGBTQ+ travelers. 

Gay marriage was legalized in England and Wales in 2013, Scotland in 2014, and Northern Ireland later in 2020. Based on Equaldex data, the United Kingdom enjoys a series of LGBTQ+ rights, including anti-discrimination laws, legal adoption, and legal gender change, to name a few. So lock in a stay in the UK this season, and you'll feel safe and sound! 

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The 10 Unsafest 

As LGBTQ+ travelers, it also pays to know which countries are best to avoid regarding safety. Whether it's due to punishment by death for being gay, no workplace protections, or a general feeling of insecurity while traveling there, Asher & Lyric's index ranks these countries as the ten unsafest for LGBTQ+ travelers. 

1) Brunei

2) Saudi Arabia

3) Nigeria 

4) Kuwait 

5) Malawi

6) Guyana 

7) UAE

8) Malaysia

9) Sudan

10) Libya

So now that you know where to travel this season, it's time to find the perfect LGBTQ+ accommodation with misterb&b. Private rooms, entire homes, fab LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, take your pick from 1 million listings now.