Do what you can to avoid potentially risky situations, just as you would do at home, and remember that alcohol can affect your judgement and your ability to react. Be aware of your environment, remain alert and stay in control. You may attract unwelcome attention or receive unwelcome remarks. Most people find that it is usually best to ignore them
Before you go
- Check out all relevant Travel Advice, and make sure you take out adequate travel insurance, checking that the cover provided is appropriate to you and your circumstances. Be sure to read the small print in the policy and declare any pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer so that you’re fully covered for all eventualities.
- Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about the local culture, laws and customs of the countries you will be visiting. There are, of course, many travel guides on the market that specialise in advice to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers, and many other guidebooks include sections specific to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers. The Internet and gay press can also be a great resource. The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA): www.ilga.org has a good map resource highlighting potentially dangerous regions and countries.
- Check entry requirements, e.g. visas, with the Embassy or High Commission of the country you intend to visit. If you have a communicable medical condition, such as HIV, you may find it more difficult to obtain a visa for entry to certain countries, particularly if you plan on staying for any length of time. The Terrence Higgins Trust website or THT Direct (call 0845 12 21 200 - lines are open from open from 10 am until 10 pm Monday to Friday, and 12noon - 6pm Saturday and Sunday) may be able to provide further information on entry requirements for people living with HIV for the country you wish to visit.
- Leave copies of your itinerary, passport, travel insurance documents and credit cards with someone at home. Take copies of all these documents with you and keep them separate from the originals in case any of them are lost or stolen. We recommend you keep the originals in the hotel/guesthouse safe when you’re not using them.
- Plan to stay healthy while you are away and think about your sexual health before you go. If you are concerned, consult your GP before you travel, and if you are taking prescribed medication, check it is legal in the country you are visiting. If you do take medication with you, pack it in your hand luggage and make sure you take a prescription and a GP's letter with you in case you are stopped by Customs or lose your medicine and need to replace it.
- Be aware that many sexual health products are not as readily available abroad as they are in the UK and quality can differ depending on where you are. For further information on sexual health visit the Terrence Higgins Trust website or call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200. (Lines are open from open from 10 am until 10 pm Monday to Friday, and 12noon - 6pm Saturday and Sunday.) THT Direct provides a confidential service and offers free advice in many languages on sexual health issues and may be able to provide information on sexual health services and products available in the country you wish to visit.
- Take with you a list of British Consular Offices in the countries you plan to visit, these can be found on the UK Embassies Overseas page by country. If you do encounter any difficulties, then get in contact with the Consul. We take our role in helping all British Nationals seriously, and wherever we can, we offer discreet, non-judgemental and professional support to anyone who needs it.
Local Attitudes
- For specific information concerning local law and attitudes to open same-sex relationships, you might want to seek advice from local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups. Contact details can normally be found in travel publications or on the Internet. They are often best placed to advise you of local laws and sentiment. Travel agents and tour operators often have a good idea of the situation on the ground for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers, particularly in the more popular holiday destinations. There are, of course, travel agents and tour operators who specialise in travel arrangements for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers. You may also want to seek advice from the Embassy or High Commission of the country you will be visiting.
- In some cultures, heterosexual friends of the same sex show affection for each other by holding hands where this might not be the norm in the UK. However, an excessive physical show of affection, by both same-sex and heterosexual couples, is often best avoided in public. In some countries this can offend local sensitivities and could cause difficulties.
- The Police in many areas of the world have been known to carry out entrapment campaigns on those involved in what they consider to be lewd or indecent behaviour. This may include patrolling popular meeting areas in plain clothes or communicating online in internet chat rooms. Find out about the local situation; we recommend discretion where you are unsure.
- Be wary of new-found ‘friends’ and be aware that criminals, especially thieves, have been known to exploit the generally open and relaxed nature of gay ‘neighbourhoods’ and beaches. Never leave your belongings unattended and try to avoid carrying large amounts of money around with you.
Travelling Around
- As a rule of thumb, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers are more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas, where open same-sex relationships are often less common, than in urban and resort areas. Be aware that some resorts can be quite segregated: when you’re outside of the distinct gay ‘neighbourhoods’ open expressions of your sexuality might be frowned upon.
- More and more hotels are now actively welcoming same-sex couples; but be aware that some resorts do not accept bookings from couples of the same sex, and guesthouses in rural areas are generally less likely to be accustomed to welcoming same-sex couples than those in cities. Best to check before you go, and make reservations in advance to avoid difficulties when checking in.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I be ‘out’ while travelling abroad?
This is a decision that you need to make for yourself after having carefully examined the local situation. In many parts of the world an element of homophobia and macho-ism is prevalent, and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people often maintain a low profile. Public handholding, kissing and other outward signs of affection are not commonplace in many countries around the world, and excessive physical displays of affection are generally frowned upon for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. While some cities may appear to be gay-friendly destinations with distinct gay ‘neighbourhoods’, outside of these districts, and especially in rural areas, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers may experience open hostility. It is normally best to use caution in situations where you are unsure of the reception you may receive, as you would do in the UK.
Can you advise on the age of consent overseas?
In many countries the age of consent is different for heterosexual and same-sex relationships, and can vary from region to region within a country. Reference desks at public libraries and student support centres at local universities are often good sources of local information for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers. The Embassy or High Commission of the country that you intend to visit may be able to provide you with information on local laws and customs and on the age of consent.
In which parts of the world am I likely to have particular difficulties?
In some countries same-sex relationships are illegal and punishable by imprisonment or even the death penalty. You should check attitudes towards same-sex relationships in the country you plan to visit, and exercise caution where unsure. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers may have particular difficulties in countries where a large percentage of the population have strongly-held religious beliefs which have traditionally been opposed to same-sex relationships.
Why can’t the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide a list of countries where same-sex relationships are illegal?
In many countries same-sex relationships are not specifically mentioned in law, and in others the law is unclear. Even in some countries where same-sex relationships are legal, certain acts may be illegal, and discrimination can exist. Often, local society can be intolerant of open same-sex relationships, although same-sex relationships might not necessarily be against the law. Likewise, in some countries where same-sex relationships are illegal, the particular law is not necessarily strictly enforced. In some countries, a distinction is also drawn in law between men and women. The best advice is to check with a local gay organisation and, as appropriate, Embassy or High Commission of the country you are visiting. Always play safe where unsure.
As a post-operative transgender traveller, can I be issued with a passport using my new identity?
The Identity and Passport Service is responsible for issuing passports in the UK. For further information on obtaining a passport visit their website www.passport.gov.uk or call their national advice line on 0870 521 0410. Overseas you can renew your passport at most British Consulates, but please check with the Consulate beforehand to confirm that they do provide this service. If your passport has been lost or stolen, report the loss to the police and obtain a certificate of loss. Our staff will need to make some identity checks before issuing the new passport.
In most cases it is possible to be issued with a passport using your new identity, but whatever the reason for changing your name from that on your birth certificate, you will need to produce some form of documentary evidence detailing the date and circumstances of that change.
Can a British Consul perform a civil Partnership ceremony overseas?
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 makes provision for two people to be registered as civil partners at a British Consulate in the presence of a officer in Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service. The type of officer is prescribed in the Civil Partnership (Registration Abroad and Certificates) Order 2005 as a British Consular officer. This Order allows registrations to be performed in any country provided all of the following conditions are met:
i) At least one party must be a British national. This means that they must be either:
- a British Citizen
- a British Overseas Territories citizen
- a British Overseas citizen
- a British National (Overseas)
- a British subject or
- a British protected person within the meaning of the British Nationality Act 1981.
iii) The authorities of the country or territory in which they propose to register as civil partners do not object to the registration.
iv) Insufficient facilities exist for them to enter into an overseas relationship under the law of that country or territory. Some countries already have facilities to either register a same sex partnership or same sex marriage which are considered as valid under English law.
What should I do if I run into problems while overseas?
Seek the advice of your tour operator, local police or the nearest British consulate. Our consular staff overseas are there to help all British nationals, and your concerns will be taken seriously. We are committed to assisting all nationals of Britain’s diverse society where we can, and our staff understand their responsibility to treat people fairly. We do not make generalisations or assumptions or pass judgement. Our staff work to strict consular confidentiality guidelines, and are careful to comply with legal requirements regarding the disclosure of personal information to third parties.
Our staff overseas monitor and record incidents brought to their attention by British Nationals about the treatment they have received from host authorities and issues of concern are regularly raised with the relevant body. Let us know if you experience problems, so we can work towards resolving them or improving further the service we offer.
What should I do if I think I have been treated unfairly or I am not satisfied with the service I received?
If you think you have been treated unfairly, or are not satisfied with our consular support or the consular assistance provided at a British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate abroad please let us know. Please contact the Director of Consular Services at the address below:
Consular Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
Whitehall
LONDON SW1A 2PA
Tel: 020 7008 0223
Fax: 020 7008 0152
Your complaint will be taken seriously, and we will deal with it quickly and courteously. We undertake to investigate and give a full reply to your complaint within 10 working days. If we cannot give you a full reply within this time we will tell you when we expect to do so and keep you up-to-date with progress. We will record and examine complaints, and use the information to help make sure we offer the best possible service. We actively welcome suggestions on how we can improve our service to all sections of the British community.
For more information contact:
