Planning travel should be fun, not stressful. If you’re part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, though, safety and local laws can change the equation fast. Around the world, dozens of countries still criminalize same-sex intimacy, a smaller group threaten or impose the death penalty, and many more allow harassment with little recourse.
Below is a clear, practical guide to places to avoid or approach with extreme caution, plus smart ways to research and protect yourself before you go.
First things first: how many countries still criminalize LGBTQ+ people?
Depending on the methodology, between about 62 and 64 countries criminalize same-sex intimacy today. Independent trackers like the Human Dignity Trust list 64 jurisdictions that criminalize LGBTQ+ people, while major newsrooms have recently cited 62. The bottom line for travelers is the same, you need to verify the law and the on-the-ground climate before booking.
A subset go further. At least six countries implement the death penalty for consensual same-sex acts. In several others, the death penalty is legally possible even if not known to be carried out. These categories matter for your risk assessment.
“Avoid for now” list, and why
These are countries where laws and enforcement create extreme risk for 2SLGBTQ+ travelers. This is not exhaustive, but it captures the places most commonly identified as highest risk by global trackers and university risk offices.
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Somalia, and parts of Nigeria. These are among the countries that apply the death penalty for same-sex acts. In Northern Nigeria, Sharia courts can impose it. Even outside capital cases, routine policing and social violence are documented.
Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Uganda. Death sentences are possible under the law, or statutes are written broadly enough to allow extreme punishment. Enforcement varies, but the legal exposure is profound. Uganda’s 2023 law has intensified arrests, entrapment, and violence.
Iraq. In April 2024, parliament passed a law criminalizing same-sex relationships with penalties of up to 10 to 15 years in prison. This is a clear step back that turns previous ambiguity into explicit criminalization.
Chechnya (Russia). Russia’s national crackdown on LGBTQ+ expression is severe, and reports from Chechnya describe years of unlawful detention, torture, and killings of suspected gay men. Russia also labels the LGBTQ movement “extremist,” escalating risk for visitors.
Jamaica. Colonial-era “buggery” laws remain on the books and can carry long prison terms, and travelers and locals alike report harassment and violence. Debates continue about boycotts versus supporting vetted local partners, but the legal environment remains hostile.
A wider “extreme danger” set flagged by university risk offices includes Afghanistan, Brunei, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Libya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uganda, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. In these, being LGBTQ+ is illegal, and enforcement or social hostility is widespread.
Tip: Legal status can change in either direction. For example, Iraq criminalized in 2024, Namibia decriminalized in 2024, and Trinidad and Tobago backslid in 2025 for male same-sex acts. Always re-check close to departure.
Should you boycott, go with a specialist, or skip entirely?
There is an active debate. Some travelers avoid any country that criminalizes homosexuality, arguing that tourism dollars legitimize repression. Others choose specialist operators who vet hotels and guides, especially in places where locals quietly welcome visitors but laws lag behind.
Even major outlets have covered this dilemma and the economic pressure angle. If you do go, travel with a provider who knows the local legal landscape and can set up discreet, safe logistics.
How to research risk, fast
Use multiple sources, and look for both law and enforcement:
Law and maps: Start with the Human Dignity Trust criminalization map, then dig into ILGA World’s Laws on Us database for current country pages and trend notes.
What changed lately: Equaldex tracks legal changes with dated entries, useful for spotting recent backslides or reforms.
Government guidance: The U.S. State Department maintains LGBTQ travel advice with practical tips and links to country pages. During Pride 2024, the State also issued a global caution specific to LGBTQ+ travelers. Your own country’s foreign office may publish similar guidance.
University risk lists: Campus risk pages sometimes consolidate “extreme danger” lists with plain-language guidance. They are conservative by design, which is useful when you want a margin of safety.
Practical safety playbook if you must transit or visit
If you decide to transit through or visit a higher-risk country, use a conservative posture.
Keep a low profile. Avoid public displays of affection and do not discuss sexuality or LGBTQ topics with strangers. This is common guidance from university risk offices and is good baseline practice.
Minimize digital traces at borders. Review social bios, photos, and saved chats. Sign out of apps that could be misinterpreted.
Book vetted lodging. Choose international chains or properties recommended by trusted operators who have experience hosting LGBTQ guests discreetly.
Carry redundant ID and embassy contacts. Photograph your passport, and have consular numbers saved offline. The State Department’s LGBTQ travel page lists practical documentation tips that apply broadly.
If a situation escalates, disengage. In many of these jurisdictions, protesters and detainees have limited rights and due process. Police discretion can be wide, and legal burdens often sit with the accused.
Quiet gear that can make you safer on the road
You do not need special “LGBTQ travel gadgets,” but certain low-key items support a safer, lower-profile trip. Adding just a couple to your kit is smart anywhere, and especially wise when discretion matters.
- Compact RFID passport wallet to keep documents and emergency cards together. If you use affiliate links, you could sprinkle a tasteful mention like this: try a slim RFID passport holder you can tuck under a shirt.
- Physical door-stop alarm for hotel rooms with weak latches. It is inexpensive and draws attention if someone forces the door. Consider a travel door stop alarm with a built-in siren.
- Pocket power bank so you can skip public charging ports altogether; pick a 10,000–20,000 mAh model with 20–30 W USB-C PD output, airline-compliant under 100 Wh, and a built-in cable for discreet top-ups.
Safer alternatives when you still want a great trip
If you want to avoid the red-flag list without sacrificing culture, food, or scenery, consider destinations broadly regarded as safer for LGBTQ travelers, with caveats for local customs. Examples often cited include Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, and much of Western Europe.
As always, laws are only one piece of the puzzle, but these countries generally combine welcoming attitudes with established tourism infrastructure. Cross-check any destination in ILGA’s database and on your government’s travel site before booking.
Bottom line
If a country criminalizes who you are, think carefully about sending your money or putting yourself at risk. When in doubt, skip it or book with a specialist who can protect your privacy and steer you to vetted partners. Laws evolve, sometimes fast.
Do a last-minute check on Human Dignity Trust or ILGA, look for fresh entries on Equaldex, and skim your foreign office’s country page before you hit “purchase.” Your trip should be about joy and discovery, not constantly looking over your shoulder.