UK Foreign Office’s new advice to LGBTIs using dating and hook-up apps abroad

26th December 2016 Mark Ward

You need to read the UK’s Foreign Office’s new advice to LGBTIs using dating and hook-up apps abroad

‘Be wary of new-found “friends” – criminals sometimes exploit the generally open nature of the gay scene’

Same-sex relationships and sex are still illegal in at least 74 countries worldwide

22 December 2016

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated its online information portal for LGBTI travelers.

The page now includes advice on queer travelers using apps abroad. Particularly in countries where it’s illegal to be gay.

The organization says: ‘If you intend to visit cruising areas or use a dating app, find out about the local situation. Take sensible precautions if you meet someone.

‘Some dating apps have safety tips. In countries where attitudes towards LGB&T people are hostile, police have been known to carry out entrapment campaigns.’

Homosexuality is still illegal in at least 74 countries worldwide. This is according to research by the International Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) this year.

Homosexuality is punishable by death in at least 10 countries. These include Iran, the UAE and Somalia.

‘Be wary of new-found “friends,”‘ the Foreign Office also warns. ‘Criminals sometimes exploit the generally open and relaxed nature of the gay scene.’

It also points out: ‘Some hotels, especially in rural areas, won’t accept bookings from same sex couples. Check before you go.’

On the passport identity of trans travelers, it adds: ‘You’ll usually be able to get a passport in your new name if you can provide documentary evidence detailing the date and circumstance of the name change. Contact the Identity and Passport Service for more information.’

To visit the Foreign Office’s page on LGBTI travel, click here (or see below)

For a map showing sexual orientation laws around the world, visit the ILGA website here (or see below)

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/office-foreign-gay-travel-apps/#gs.2BVO2uE

Guidance

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender foreign travel advice

From:

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Part of:

Advice for all countries

First published:

22 March 2013

Last updated:

21 December 2016, see all updates

Advice for LGB&T tourists travelling abroad.

Contents

Overview

Attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) travellers around the world can be very different from those in the UK. However, you’re unlikely to have any problems if you prepare well and research your destination before you go.

Where you can find information

invest in a good guide book – many specialise in advice to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travellers
the internet and the gay press can also be good resources
check out the map on the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s website which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
your travel agent or tour operator might have an idea about the local LGB&T scene, particularly in the more popular holiday destinations
local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups are often best placed to advise you of local laws attitudes
the relevant British Embassy can also offer advice

Advice for LGB&T travellers while overseas

avoid potentially risky situations – don’t do anything that you wouldn’t at home
excessive physical shows of affection, by both same-sex and heterosexual couples, are often best avoided in public
if you intend to visit cruising areas or use a dating app, find out about the local situation and take sensible precautions if you meet someone; some dating apps have safety tips; in countries where attitudes towards LGB&T people are hostile, police have been known to carry out entrapment campaigns
be wary of new-found ‘friends’- criminals sometimes exploit the generally open and relaxed nature of the gay scene
if you receive unwelcome attention or unwelcome remarks it’s usually best to ignore them
you’re more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas so it’s best to exercise discretion
some resorts can be quite segregated – when you are outside the ‘gay neighbourhood’ expressions of sexuality may be frowned upon
some hotels, especially in rural areas, won’t accept bookings from same sex couples – check before you go

What you should do if you have a problem overseas

Our embassy staff will help you if you run into problems overseas, especially if you feel that you can’t approach the local police. We won’t make generalisations, assumptions or pass judgement.

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

Why can’t the Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide a list of countries where same-sex relationships are illegal?

We don’t have a list of countries where same-sex relationships are illegal for a number of reasons:

same-sex relationships aren’t specifically mentioned in law in many countries, and in others the law is unclear
same-sex relationships may be legal, but certain acts may not be legal
a same-sex relationship may be lawful but local society can be intolerant of open same-sex relationships
in some countries same-sex relationships are illegal, but the law is not strictly enforced
a distinction is sometime made in law between men and women

Passport identity of transgender travellers

You’ll usually be able to get a passport in your new name if you can provide documentary evidence detailing the date and circumstance of the name change. Contact the Identity and Passport Service for more information.

Useful links

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – provides information on gay rights around the world
International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association – travel advice for gay and lesbian people
Gay European Tourism Association – travel advice for LGB&T people travelling in Europe

Contents

Document information

Published:22 March 2013

Updated:21 December 2016

+ full page history

From:Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Part of:Advice for all countries

Maps | sexual orientation laws

Every year, along with State Sponsored Homophobia, ILGA publishes also a map of sexual orientation laws in the world. For the first time in 2016, a single overview map has evolved into a unique set of maps to separately chart where criminalisation, protection and recognition laws are enacted.

A useful tool for LGB human rights defenders, these images expose the arbitrariness of persecutory laws, and starkly indicate the absence of positive law in most parts of the world.

Download the 2016 maps

Looking for previous editions (2013, 2014, 2015) of the map? Click here

http://ilga.org/what-we-do/lesbian-gay-rights-maps/

Travel