Read on for the list of the 20 most dangerous places in the LGBTQ+ Danger Index and commentary from Fergusson, the coauthor of the study. Following this is the list of the five safest places for LGBTQ+. “Our hope is that by making this research widely known we might be able to catalyze change within some of these governments that rely heavily on tourism.” “The whole research process was very eye-opening, emotional and frustrating,” says Fergusson. In addition to the 150 most touristed countries on the LGBTQ+ Danger Index, the report calls out five other Caribbean countries where same-sex relationships are illegal: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. “These laws are not widely known amongst Western travelers, and we hope others-no matter their orientation-are shocked as well,” says Fergusson, who was also surprised by the laws and attitudes still present in many popular Caribbean vacation spots such as Jamaica. In working on the report, Fergusson says they were surprised that there are still many countries that have the death penalty, lashings or imprisonment for same-sex relationships. might have come far, but it has a long way to go in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, especially for young transgender people.” “There are also no constitutional or broad protections for LGBTQ+ rights under federal law in the U.S. “One reason for that is that there is a great deal of variation in gay rights depending on the state you’re in,” says Fergusson. On the other hand, the United States did not do as well in the survey-coming in 24th out of 150 countries. comes to providing a safe atmosphere for LGBTQ travelers. The United States came in it 24 out of 150 countries, but it still has a long way to go when it. has made great progress with legalized same-sex marriage, worker protections and criminalization of homophobic violence.” “We found this to be a bit ironic as the reason for many of the harsh homophobic laws in countries throughout the world is largely leftover from laws created during British rule,” says Fergusson. Surprisingly, given this history, the United Kingdom is the sixth safest country in the world for LGBTQ+ travelers. “Long story short, this points to the fact that it was likely the British influence that largely led to Indian homophobia in the first place,” she says.
“In 2018, India managed to annul Section 377, a British colonial-era law prohibiting ‘unnatural acts,’ in order to legalize consensual gay sex,” says Fergusson, who points out that ancient Indian literature such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana have many references to LGBTQ+ heroes including transgender warriors and two queens who made love in order for one queen to get pregnant with an heir for their kingdom. India is an example of a country that has taken many years to make some strides. countries with laws against same-sex relationships were once part of the British Empire. The United Kingdom is the sixth safest country in the world for LGBTQ+ travelers, however, many.