Gay holiday: make sure you know the LGBT laws of these countries!

More and more countries in the world adopt legislation to protect the equal rights of gay and transgender people alongside heterose*ual citizens. Still, it's good to be aware that not all holiday destinations are as liberal as you may expect. Here's an overview of laws you should take into account.

Jamaica still maintains a British colonial-era law criminalizing se* between men. The sentence is 10 years in prison and hard labor. Cases have been reported of foreign visitors being harassed or detained due to their orientation.

While homose*uality isn't nationally illegal in Indonesia, strict Sharia laws in the Aceh province do criminalize it. In 2022, the country passed a law making intercourse outside marriage illegal and punishable by up to one year in jail. It's unlikely foreigners will be persecuted, but it de facto makes LBGTQ relationships in Indonesia illegal because gay marriage isn't legal.

While homose*uality is legal in Poland, a third of the country declared itself as an "LGBT-free zone" in 2019. This doesn't mean they enact new laws, but it shows the population's hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals. There have been reports of tourists facing discrimination in these areas.

While homose*uality isn't technically illegal in Egypt, related charges like "debauchery" or "public shame" are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2023, Gr1ndr sent out warning messages to users after it emerged that Egyptian police were using the app to conduct sting operations.

Morocco criminalizes "lewd or unnatural acts" with individuals of the same gender. In 2014, two French women were arrested for kissing in public and subsequently deported.

Along with the "Don’t Say Gay" bill, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also signed legislation that could affect transgender travelers. Under Bill 1521, transgender people are forbidden from using restrooms or changing rooms that are for the 'opposite' gender (at birth).

The Maldives is a true holiday paradise, but the country criminalizes homose*uality under Sharia-based laws. Penalties include imprisonment, whippings, or deportation. While the tourist resorts often say they are gay-friendly, LGBTQ+ travelers should be cautious, especially outside the resort.

Kenya's penal code forbids "carnal knowledge... against the order of nature", which is often interpreted as homose*uality. Violation can result in up to 14 years in prison. Cases of harassment towards LGBTQ+ tourists have been reported.

Under this island's law, anyone who commits acts of "gross indecency" with another person of the same gender can be punished with up to five years behind bars. Anyone who commits "b u g g e r y" can be imprisoned for ten years.

Belarus law punishes the "promotion of homose*uality" among minors. Foreigners may face fines or deportation if found guilty of this crime.

Grenada's laws criminalize homose*uality through a "gross indecency" statute, which punishes same-se* acts by up to 10 years in prison. While these laws are not typically enforced against tourists, they do contribute to a generally conservative societal attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community.

Generally, Russia has not been considered a great holiday destination in the past two years. But even before then, the Russian 'gay propaganda' law, enacted in 2013, made it illegal to promote non-traditional relationships to minors. Foreigners found guilty can face fines, deportation, or up to 15 days in jail. The law is so vague that claiming to be gay, wearing a pro-gay T-shirt, or carrying a rainbow flag could already be seen as violations.

In Brunei, Sharia law criminalizes homose*uality with penalties as severe as death by stoning. In 2019, they even tightened this law, causing Brunei to get ranked as one of the most dangerous countries for gay travelers by the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index.

In Malaysia, "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" is punishable by fines, imprisonment, and even corporal punishment. Several cases have been recorded where tourists were arrested for "immoral acts."

Originally dubbed the 'Kill the Gays Bill' in Uganda, this legislation criminalizes homose*uality with life imprisonment. It was passed in 2014 but later struck down for inciting hate crimes. However, the country still has some severe punishments for people engaging in relations with others from the same gender.

Same-se* activity is illegal in Iran and can potentially result in the death penalty. Travelers are urged to exercise extreme caution. A German tourist was detained for this crime in 2018 but released after diplomatic negotiations.

The country's penal code forbids "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", attempts to commit "carnal knowledge against the order of nature", and acts of "gross indecency." While LGBT discrimination remains pervasive, local activists managed to hold the country's first-ever pride parade in 2021.

Nigeria's law not only bans same-se* marriages but also criminalizes joining or supporting gay clubs, societies, and organizations. These activities are punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Tourists have faced legal challenges under this act.

Saudi Arabia has one of the world's strictest laws against non-heteros, with punishments ranging from fines and imprisonment to corporal punishment and execution. Flogging can also occur for cross-dressing. The law poses a significant risk for LGBTQ+ travelers.

In Turkmenistan, homose*uality is punishable by up to two years in prison. Instances of LGBTQ+ travelers facing discrimination, harassment, and legal consequences are known, which makes Turkmenistan a challenging destination for gay people.

Under the UAE federal law, homose*uality is illegal and can result in lengthy prison sentences or deportations. In November 2021, the UAE introduced legal amendments. The new penal code says that anyone over 18 who has non-hetero relations is punished with no less than six months behind bars. Men dressing as women is also illegal, and you could get up to one year behind bars for that.

In Tonga, the male homose*ual act is outlawed, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison or whipping. Males impersonating women "whilst soliciting for an immoral purpose" is also punishable by a $100 fine and/or up to a year in prison.

In Tanzania, homose*uality can lead to life imprisonment. The government has been known to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights advocates, and in 2017, three South Africans were deported for alleged promotion of homose*uality.

Section 377 of Myanmar's penal code, a legacy of British colonial law, criminalizes homose*uality. The law creates a challenging environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, with societal acceptance varying widely across the country.

Photo: Florian Gerus / Unsplash

In 2007, Kuwait passed a law criminalizing "imitating the opposite se*," but in 2022 the law was deemed unconstitutional. However, the country still outlaws gay relations between men, punishable with prison. In 2017, 76 men were deported during a "moral" crackdown on LGBTQ relations.

As the only country in South America where homose*uality is still illegal, Guyana's law penalizes "acts of gross indecency" between men. While enforcement against tourists is rare, the presence of this law signals a conservative climate.

The world’s newest country is anything but progressive on homose*uality. Non-hetero conduct is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and men dressing as women can be jailed for one year under the 2008 penal code.

Bangladesh upholds a colonial-era law under Section 377 of its penal code that criminalizes homose*uality. There's a potential life imprisonment for any violation. The law contributes to an environment where LGBTQ+ individuals may face discrimination and prejudice.

In Yemen, homose*uality is outlawed and can result in severe penalties under the country's interpretation of Islamic law, including capital punishment. The risk is very high for LGBTQ+ travelers.

In Saint Lucia, laws against "gross indecency" and "b u g g er y" are still in place. They can be used to criminalize gay relationships. Punishments range from 10 to 25 years of imprisonment. While these laws are not commonly enforced, especially not against tourists, they still contribute to a climate where discrimination can occur.

In Lebanon, relations that "contradict the laws of nature" are illegal, and this has been used to criminalize homose*uality with up to one year in prison. Further, men "disguising themselves" as women also riskh up to six years in jail.

In Somalia, gay relations are punishable by law, with severe penalties ranging up to capital punishment in certain regions (like the autonomous region of Jubaland). The potential risk for LGBTQ+ travelers is high.

Follow Showbizz Daily to stay informed and see the best photo galleries every day