Earlier this week Chicago Tribune journalist, Josh Noel, wrote, LGBT travelers face some of the biggest challenges, I think the article is worth reading so I wanted to share it, comment on it and get your thoughts.
The crux of the article is the fact that the LGBT community in the US travels both domestically and internationally more than the general population, but despite that fact there are many parts of the world that are so dangerous that many in our community would not visit out of concerns for personal safety. Noel points out that 78 countries (more than one third of all countries) consider “homosexual acts” illegal and is even punishable by death in seven of those countries. Now in fairness, I assume that many of those countries are probably unsafe for anyone (and especially Americans) but his point is noted.
Both abroad and in parts of the United States, Sergio and I have had to think carefully about our personal safety. We have also (at least for the time being) ruled out travel to different destinations because of either personal concern or the reputation those country’s governments have treating their gay population. Places of interest that I’d like to visit but have taken off the list for now include Jamaica, Russia (I would love to see the Hermitage some day) and Egypt to name a few.
Noel’s article got me to thinking. Have you ever felt unsafe because you are openly gay when traveling either here in the US or abroad? Have you ever taken a destination off your list of places to visit because of travel safety concerns or your frustration with their local laws making homosexuality tantamount to a crime?
Back2Basics Tea Dance, in association with MASSBEARZ presents a St. Patrick’s Day weekend Bearz Tea Dance at Club Cafe tomorrow, Sunday, March 15th starting at 5 pm. Have fun with friends while DJ Harrison spins a mix of disco classics and retro favorites. Deatails about Sunday’s Bearz Tea Dance here.
BosGuy 