I’m a big believer of traveling to nearly every country to gain new perspectives and new understanding about the world. The only time I will not travel to a country is if there is a high risk of getting into trouble for being gay. So it’s no surprise that when I look at want to travel next, gay friendly countries are at the top of my list and are always considered.
In this post I want to look at gay friendly countries and where they stack among others in term of traveling. This is a personal ranking and shouldn’t be taken as exact but rather my opinion. In the next post I’m going to focus on gay friendly countries that I’ve yet to travel to and some up and coming gay friendly countries.
Rating of Gay Friendly Countries
The countries are chosen because these are the only countries I’ve personally visited. There are other gay friendly countries and those are ranked in part 2. This ranking isn’t based on how gay friendly these countries are but also what kind of sights and travel opportunities each country has to offer. I’m looking at this ranking from a travel perspective and is based from my own personal knowledge of each country.
1. Canada
Oh Canada, our friendly neighbor to the north, who has already accepted gay marriage and has become one of the leading gay friendly countries in the world. Compared to the US, Canada is 20% more accepting towards gays. It’s one of the reasons I want to live in Canada so much, the other being that I’m half Canadian. There is culture, beautiful landscapes and so much unspoiled land. Canada should be on the top of your list to visit.
What to expect?
Like the United States, Canada is huge and most of it unspoiled with most of the population and major cities living within 100 miles of the US border. For me one of the best cities in the world is Vancouver, the largest Canadian city on the West Coast, surrounded by pristine mountains, ocean, beaches, and some of the most polite people I’ve ever met. To the immediate east there is the Canadian Rockies and the little mountain city of Banff, one of the best resorts I’ve ever skied at.
On the far eastern part of Canada there is Ontario and Québec with the big cities of Toronto and Montréal both major cultural hubs of Canada. Québec City, just east of Montréal, is one of the most snowy places in North America and the closest to being a French city you can get without being in France. Canada is cold, unspoiled, vast and needs to be traveled.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 5
2. United States
United States falls behind countries in Europe and Canada in terms of social acceptance towards gay but it is so much better than it use to be. Now United States is more accepting of gays thanks to the media and a better understanding of what it means to be gay. I love this country and feel that finally we are heading in the right direction in terms of social progress. So could fellow gay travelers come to the United States and be ok, absolutely!
What to Expect?
United States is vast and it could take you several trips to even scratch the surface. I’ve traveled to many parts of the south and some in the north and some of my favorite regions would include Texas, Colorado, big cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, California, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska and Florida.
My advice is to start in one of the bigger cities or regions and slowly discover the less talked about areas. My country is vast and has so much to offer that if I weren’t from the United States and wanted to travel, I would be overwhelmed planning. So really you have to ask yourself what do you like to do? Once you’ve picked an activity I would then focus on a part of the United States that excels at that particular activity. One of the best ideas you can do is to take a road trip across the United States, permitted if you have time.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great and getting better everyday
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 5
3. Switzerland
Switzerland’s policy has always been pro individual and rights for privacy are very high in Switzerland. Therefore it is almost unheard of to have violence or discrimination towards gays making Switzerland one of the best gay friendly countries. Although the population basically agrees that gays shouldn’t be discriminated against, Switzerland is behind with equal rights for gays as straights. Right now many rights are pending for gays including gay marriage.
What to Expect
Switzerland is an incredible country and the true charm is definitely its beautiful mountains and landscape. Zürich and Geneva offer the nightlight and the cosmopolitan feel as they are the economic and cultural centers of the country. They also have a vibrant gay scene. Beyond these two cities, Switzerland is known for pristine mountains with adorable mountain cities. I would come to Switzerland and escape away from the cities to ski, hike or enjoy the fresh air.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great / Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 5
4. France
France has usually been one of the most gay friendly countries and repealed all sodomy laws back in 1791. The country during that time, and even up to the 1960’s, was pretty religious so many people still found gay acts sinful. However today nearly 80% of the population approve of same-sex marriage and granting the same rights for gays. In 2013, France became the 13th country to give same-sex marriage to gays, even with opposition, and is the leading country to declassify transsexualism as an illness.
What to Expect?
I have a special place in my heart for France and it’s one of my favorite countries in the world. France has the beauty and variety of any great country and so it’s no surprise that France has become the première tourists destinations. My favorites places would be Paris, enough said, the French Alps, Provence because of pure beauty, and French food. I’ve yet to have a terrible meal in France. And wine of course. Simply put, you can’t go to Europe without going to France and France will have a special impact on you for life.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 5
5. Finland
Finland is one of those glamour stories where a country comes out of nowhere to become one of the best in the world. It shouldn’t be surprising that when a country becomes advanced so does its policy. Today Finns enjoy a great standard of living and they are one of the more gay friendly countries in Europe and the world. The only rights that gay Finns don’t enjoy compared to some other European countries is the right to marry however now 65% percent of Finns feel that gays should.
What to Expect?
With only 5 million people for a population and most of that living near the Helsinki area, much of Finland is left unspoiled. One thing that every tourist must do is take a Finnish sauna and the dip into a cold pool or lake. Outside of Helsinki lies the vast wilderness of Finland with thousands of lakes, wildlife and the northern Finnish territory of Lapland. It may be cold but Finland really is known for its winter beauty, northern lights and of course where Santa Claus or Joulupukki resides. But whether you decide to come in winter or summer, Finland is a great gay friendly country to visit.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great/Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 5
6. Sweden
Sweden was one of the first gay friendly countries in the world to socially accept gays and give them rights. Even today almost everybody in Sweden supports gay rights and they still remain the leading progressive country in Europe. Today gays have full rights when it comes to adoption and are now allowed to marry. They remain one of the few countries in the world that give all rights they give to straights to gays. A country worth visiting I would say!
What to Expect?
If you like people who have great attitudes and are good-looking, Sweden is the country to visit. Like its neighbor Finland, Sweden’s northern territory is the perfect place to see the northern lights and to stay in Sweden’s Ice Hotel. In the middle of the country lies Sweden’s capital and most famous city, Stockholm. I traveled to Stockholm and fell in love with the Swedish architecture, the food and the attractive streets that make up the city. And the people! Stockholm has some of the most attractive, nice, and well dressed people I’ve ever met.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 10
7. Spain
Today Spain is one of the most gay friendly countries in the world but it wasn’t always this way. In fact Spain use to have a bad reputation for gays because it went against everything that Spanish Christians believed in and was viewed as sinful. Today Spain is one of the most accepting countries towards gays where nearly 90% view it as acceptable. Also Spain’s laws have dramatically changed since those days where being gay is almost visible in every part of society making attitudes shift positively for gays.
What to Expect?
One of the best countries I’ve ever visited. Spain is so lively and it has such great landscape, people and culture that it always leaves you wanting more. Barcelona is one of the première cities in Europe and has everything you could ask for from a beach, lively nightlife, fantastic food and culture. Madrid, the heart of Spain, is known for its food and surrounding dramatic landscape. Down south in cities like Málaga and Granada tourist should see the stunning Alhambra and the famous white cities that dot southern Spain.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 10
8. Italy
Italy is one of those weird countries where you see so many gays on the street and is known as a gay friendly countries but their laws don’t match with that attitude. Surprisingly the approval rating for same-sex marriage, which Italy doesn’t have, is lower than most other European countries and even behind the United States. Religion still stands in the way of a lot of issues but Italy is growing in favor of full gay rights thanks to the younger generation.
What to Expect?
Like France, Italy has a good thing going for them and is worldly known for its food, culture and architecture. Having traveled to Italy I can confirm that Italy is everything you want it to be and more; and is a must for at least once in your life. My advice is to go to Rome, Venice, Naples, Florence and Sicily. All of these regions have different food and unique culture which makes traveling around Italy exciting. Go into Italy not expecting anything and to understand that their culture is way different from yours, then you’ll have a good time.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great and getting better
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 10
9. Netherlands
The Netherlands became the 1st nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 while being gay has been socially acceptable for a long time. Netherlands gives nearly every right to the gay community except for donating blood for men who have sex with men. The Netherlands do own Caribbean islands that do not support same-sex causes dragging the Netherlands approval rating down slightly but the physical country of the Netherlands has a near 90% positive view of gay couples.
What to Expect?
The low country is full of charm that you wouldn’t expect when first coming. The capital, Amsterdam is both new and old architecture and the canals are what really make the city so distinct. Outside of Amsterdam, the Netherlands is known for its open fields, tulips and windmills and it’s possible to see all three on your visit if you come at the right time. Overall I really enjoy the Netherlands and love the liberal atmosphere where sex is on display both for gay and straight, and people are hardly judgmental.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 10
10. México
México may be surprising to some of y’all for being on this list but over time México has become one of the more gay friendly countries in the world. This is due to many aspects including social media and educating people about gays which in term has changed attitudes. Like the United States not every state in México enjoys equal rights and it’s really the major cities that have taken the big steps towards equality. Much of the country still is firmly against gays for religious reasons and machoism.
What to Expect?
Unfortunately, in recent years, México has become surprisingly dangerous in some areas and remains virtually unchanged in others. I’ve traveled a lot to México and have seen only the “safe” areas like Cozumel, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta. For now I wouldn’t venture to any of the border cities like Tijuana because of the consistent violent events. You can have a great time in México if you only travel in the relatively “safe areas.” One of the highlights for me was Puerto Vallarta, the most Mexican city of them all.
Gay Friendly Rating: Average / Great
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 10
11. UK
The UK has come a long way since the 16th century when homosexuality was punishable by death. Today the UK is one of the most gay friendly countries in Europe and gives almost all rights to gays as they would to heterosexuals. Kind of like the United States, United Kingdom has different nations inside the country that have different laws. As a whole, gays can marry one another in the entire country but other laws like hate speech vary between the nations. Overall the UK is an excellent nation to be gay in.
What to Expect?
The UK is charming and offers a lot of great history. Because the UK had such a vast empire at one point, most of the world is influenced by this little nation, including us. I’ve only been to London but there is more to the UK than just the capital. The UK offers rolling hills and picturesque countryside escape as well as other cities like Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Bristol. My advice is to get acquainted with British culture by exploring museums, and to understand how this little nation became one of the most influential of all time.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 15
12. Belgium
Belgium became the 2nd nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage back in 2003, behind its northerly neighbor, the Netherlands. Like other northern Europeans Belgium is socially progressive accepting gays with only a few socially conservative people making an outcry. The only thing that Belgium does not let gays or, specifically men who have sex with men, is to give blood but otherwise Belgium is an equal society. There are even openly gay members in the public eye, Prime Minister and the Former Flemish Minister of Education.
What to Expect?
Belgium is one of those countries that I didn’t know anything about before arriving but fell in love quickly. First off Flemish architecture should be enough of a reason to go. In little cities like Bruges, the architecture still lives on and is really the unique to this region of Europe. Also the beer! Belgium beer really is some of the best beer you’ll ever drink in the world, especially Duvel. Oh and Belgium chocolate. This country is practical and most of all very accessible. As one of the best gay friendly countries, Belgium should be near the top of your European travels.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 15
13. Germany
Germany has risen to become one of the most forward thinking and liberal countries in the world. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it has also become one of the most gay friendly countries, with laws just as progressive as its neighboring Nordic countries. Also like Scandinavia, Germany is less religious than other European countries, letting people decide whether gays should have equal rights. Most Germans feel that gays should have equal rights as straights and now same-sex marriage is pending review.
What to Expect?
I’ve traveled to Germany twice and both were for a short time only. What I’ve come to learn is that Germany is a beautiful country with so many adorable cities just waiting for you to discover. In southern Germany near the Alps, the German that most Americans know about, means beautiful German homes in tiny villages. In Konstanz, in southern Germany, has a great Christmas atmosphere, with beautiful architecture, lovely German food as well as overlooks the beautiful Lake Konstanz. Germany is definitely a country with beautiful lands, and accepting people.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 15
14. Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, gays are generally treated with acceptance and tolerance. They became one of the first countries in the world to have an openly gay president and they one of the newest countries for same-sex marriage. Today gays have every right that straights do except for men who have sex with men can’t give blood. Slowly but steadily this tiny nation between Germany and France has become one of the more gay friendly countries and now shares positive views towards gays.
What to Expect?
It’s the little charms that make Luxembourg a country that people should travel to. Luxembourg City over looks the Petrusse Valley, a deep valley with stunning views from above and below. This little city has so many charming, tiny streets and so much beauty for such a tiny city. Also the country is very rich, one of the richest in Europe so bring your wallet. And for such a small country the country has variety with mountains, hills and green pastures.
Gay Friendly Rating: Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 15
15. Austria
Austria lies somewhere between the very liberal and the somewhat conservative state. Is Austria one of the gay friendly countries? Yes but to some extent it is surprisingly conservative. In a recent poll, Austrians favored gay marriage on the same level as United States. In Austria gays can’t get married yet although there will be a debate sometime in the Fall of 2014. However just this year a transgender singer won Eurovision for Austria so perhaps they are more liberal after all.
What to Expect?
With towering mountains and some of the best ski resorts, you come to Austria if you love the outdoors and if you love to ski. One of the best places to do this is Innsbruck, a lovely ski town in the middle of the Austrian Alps. To the far east lies the capital, Vienna, which has repeatedly been ranked one of the best cities to visit in Europe. Austria has musical and cultural history which is reason enough to go but it’s also known for its spectacular pastries.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great / Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 15
16. Liechtenstein
Like neighboring Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein has generally positive views of homosexuality but they do lack laws for equal rights for gays including same-sex marriages. Liechtenstein guarantees recognition of same-sex couples and has equal age of consent. Because Liechtenstein is a tiny nation there really isn’t a gay nightlife scene, so many people go to neighboring Switzerland or Germany.
What to Expect?
Liechtenstein is a beautiful mountain country that is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria. Although beautiful it lacks with things to do probably because the country is so tiny. In the summer there is hiking and exploring the tiny capital of Vaduz. In the winter the country has a few ski resorts. My suggestion is to drop by a day or two if you’re around the area, see Vaduz and perhaps drive up to Triesenberg to get a view of the Swiss Alps.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great / Excellent
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 20
17. Monaco
Monaco eliminated criminal penalties towards gays in 1793 under French law and has more or less had the same story on same-sex rights as France has. However Monaco is not part of the EU therefore they don’t have to have protection of rights for gays and they are not among the highest gay friendly countries due to their laws. But because they have close ties to France with their customs, general acceptance towards gays is high. There is a current review to give gays the right to marry.
What to Expect?
Monaco is a tiny nation that is enclosed by France on 3 sides. The Country can be walked with in an hour or so! However Monaco is known as a playground for the rich and famous and people love to go to the famous Monte-Carlo Casino. I loved Monaco however there isn’t that much to do. It;s more of a place to experience and look at. Make sure you bring plenty of money as well. Also there really isn’t a gay scene in Monaco, rather you have to go to Nice or Marseille, France.
Gay Friendly Rating: Great and getting better
My Personal Travel Rating: Top 20
I’ve been to 17 countries that are rated to have a great record of being gay friendly. Remember this list is not just about how gay friendly the country is but also what kind of traveling experience in these countries! This is my own personal opinion.
If you’re planning a trip and want to know more about a country listed, check my Travel Guide page or feel free to contact me! In the next part of this post I’m going to look at countries that are gay friendly as well but I haven’t visited and up and coming gay friendly countries.
