There are still countries where being gay is illegal. Unfortunately, yes.
While you might be able to find gay cities in countries and places around the world, there are still 71 countries that criminalize being queer. In eleven of those countries, officials can execute people for being LGBTQ+. If you’re planning to travel this summer, you need to know which countries are unsafe for LGBTQ+ travelers.
In some countries, it’s illegal to be gay, while in others, it’s illegal to have same-sex sex. Either way, being part of the LGBTQ+ community can be very dangerous. There are parts of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Iran where those who are gay are put to death.
Related | New App Makes Travel Safer for LGBTs Around the World
Countries Where Being Gay Is Illegal
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Brunei
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Comoros
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guinea
- Guyana
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- Saint Kitts And Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
However, things are changing. There are 30 countries where gay marriage is legal, and the list is growing. Chile legalized gay marriage just last month, and come July, Switzerland will recognize same-sex marriages.
