Gay Friendly Honeymoon Destinations & Those to Avoid


File:Plane icon.svgYou might remember that we recently launched our Pink Paradise Travel Club because what's the next best thing after the wedding day?

 The honeymoon, of course. 

 And when you're in a same-sex relationship it's important to be aware of the different cultural attitudes towards homosexuality.

 Air travel may have made the world smaller, but in some places the attitudes are very different to those that we've come to expect in the UK.

  So, if you're looking for a honeymoon destination, it's worth doing a bit of background research.

In May 2014, The Guardian reported that more than 2.7 billion people live in countries where homosexuality is a crime. This means that a considerable portion of the planet is either unavailable, inadvisable or potentially problematic for same-sex couples. It isn't all bad news however...

Back in March of this year, ABTA announced a list of the top-ten gay friendly destinations:

Brighton, UKPuerto Vallarta, Mexico
Cape Town, South AfricaSan Francisco, USA
Greek Islands (Mykonos and Lesbos), GreeceSitges, Spain
Miami and the Florida Keys, USASydney, Australia
Phuket, ThailandTel Aviv, Israel
No real surprises there, but where else?

You might consider:

  • Canada
  • Iceland
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Australia
  • Argentina
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brazil
  • France
  • New Zealand
  • Portugal
  • Greece
  • Puerto Rico
  • Aruba
  • Malta
  • Bahamas
  • Bermuda

Again, nowhere unexpected, but what about countries where travel isn't advised? Here, you might be surprised you...

Jamaica for example, was named as one of the worst places on earth for LGBT couples. There has been a number of high-profile murders in recent years which were motivated by homophobia. The United Arab Emirates should also be excluded from any must-see lists. It may be an up-and-coming destination for many travelers but homosexuality is illegal and couples openly displaying their sexuality will face deportation or a prison sentence. Barbados, too. This Caribbean island might paint a fantasy of golden sands, blue skies and blazing sunshine, but homosexuality or "buggery" (as it's so charmingly put) is punishable by a prison sentence. Ghana has seen an increase in violence in recent years with organised lynch mobs pursuing and punishing homosexuals (reports of rape and murder shouldn't be underestimated). Fancy a city break for a honeymoon? Maybe a trip to St Petersburg or Moscow? Yeah, probably best to avoid Russia, too. New laws introduced recently mean that even foreign tourists can find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The Gambia may rely heavily on foreign tourism, but it's fast becoming the last place on earth you'd want to be caught being gay.

In 2013, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, said:

"Homosexuality is anti-god, anti-human, and anti-civilization. Homosexuals are not welcome in the Gambia. If we catch you, you will regret why you are born."
Charming.

 In 2014, The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, or ILGA,listed 81 countries with anti-homosexual laws. Most aren't surprising at all, but it's worth having a read through as the list is updated year-on-year. You can find the full list here, but we've picked out the destinations that are most likely to be on a honeymooners' wish list:

 Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morroco, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga.

 And whilst we're on the subject, you're also probably going to want to wipe off Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. 

 Of course, some of these might be contentious additions. Perhaps, you've been to a destination and experienced no difficulties? Maybe you visited a European destination and were a victim of homophobia? This is merely a guide - again, the importance is to research thoroughly.  We're lucky in the UK that the gay rights agenda has achieved so much, but it shouldn't be assumed that everywhere is as forward thinking.

Where did you have your honeymoon? We'd love you to get in touch.






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