Tips for LGBTI people travelling overseas
All travellers face risks abroad. Risks can be more significant for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in some countries.
You have to find the facts first and take action to lower your risks. Before going, read all travel advisories. Contact the embassy or consulate for all your destinations.
You are subject to all local laws and penalties on your destination. Behaviour that is legal in Australia could be prohibited in more conservative nations.
Bear in mind that police may enforce local laws inconsistently.
Local laws tend to be silent on relationships between transgender or intersex people. Regulations regarding same-sex associations may generally cover these relationships.
Some countries or areas have laws targeting individuals who dress or ‘pose’ as a person of another gender.
You might have difficulties travelling to a passport showing an ‘X’ in the sex area, especially when crossing international borders.
If people at your destination consider your behaviour offensive, you could end up in trouble. You could be detained or jailed.
In a few countries, you might be given the death penalty.
The Australian Government is limited in how and when it can be helpful if you are detained or imprisoned overseas.
How to Decrease the risks
Find out more about the laws, habits and attitudes of where you are going. Follow regional laws:
- Understand what the law states you can and can not do when you are there
- Know precisely what the legal protections are for LGBTI people at your destinations.
- Consider whether you’re comfortable visiting a destination at which you might be discriminated against
- Learn about the safest areas for social activities, such as partying. Speak to other LGBTI travellers before going.
Be careful of new friendships, especially those you make on the internet or through dating programs. Criminals may target you because you are LGBTI. They may attempt to exploit or harm you.
