gay travel to maldives

LGBT Rights In Maldives: Everything You Should Know Before You Visit! 🇲🇻

LGBT rights in the Maldives present a challenging landscape for both residents and tourists alike. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals face legal obstacles not …

Gay Maldives: Essential Knowledge, Safety Tips, and Destination Insight for LGBTQ+ Travelers!

Draped in a shimmering blue blanket of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives presents an idyllic setting of 26 sun-kissed atolls crowned with white sandy beaches, …

Gay Male, Maldives | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!

In this article we will cover…Attractions in Gay Male, MaldivesGay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in Male, MaldivesGay Nightlife in Male, MaldivesGay-Friendly Bars, Clubs, and Nightlife Spots …

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

• About IGLTA
• Privacy Policy

Is Maldives an LGBTQ+ Paradise?

Maldives is a Muslim country so how suitable is it for the LGBTQ+ traveller? Yes, the country has anti-gay laws but any guest who has been travelling to the Maldives for years will be able to recall seeing many LGBTQ+ couples. I remember working at Niyama Private Islands in 2016 and on one seaplane transfer we had three separate gay couples flying home. I travelled with my partner last November and I was surprised how many other gay couples we saw in many of the resorts and at LUX* South I spotted four! When chatting with Maldives resorts about catering to the LGBTQ+ market, I have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm.

The real challenge now is selecting the best resorts for your LGBTQ+ clients. Maldives is unrecognisable from 10 years ago. In 2011 there were only a handful of resorts, aimed mostly at the luxury traveller. The concept of a Hard Rock Resort or nearly all the global mid-market hotel brands having a Maldives footprint with resorts that have hundreds of rooms was unthinkable back then.

Now, you’ll find a vast range of resorts, from island guesthouses to superior luxury resorts, each promising the postcard version of paradise. With many resorts looking and sounding the same, can guests still expect a remote experience, with powder-white sands, a rainbow of blue ocean hues and impeccable service? Will your resort offer a Robinson Crusoe experience with nothing but hundreds of miles of Indian Ocean to look at or will you see other islands from your villa and aircraft flying overhead? The media is awash with biased destination and hotel reviews paid in part by the supplier, so it takes an expert to help guide your clients in the right direction.

In reality, each of the identical sounding and looking resorts offer very different stays, from the castaway-chic experience at Soneva Fushi or Gili Lankanfushi to the superior luxury feel of Joali or One and Only Reethi Rah. I had the pleasure of spending the month of November 2020 looking at Maldivian resorts. The quality of some of the islands was often disappointing due to budget cuts or Mother Nature taking her revenge for mankind damaging a pristine natural habitat. Maintaining paradise is an expensive business, and it also was very reassuring to see that even with a huge drop in revenue many resorts had increased spending on maintenance and improvements last year to the point that the current resort images did not do the resort justice.

For many guests, a holiday to the Maldives is the ultimate bucket list destination or special occasion destination of choice, and it’s currently one of the safest destinations to travel to in 2021 and beyond. It’s also one of the world’s most expensive destinations, and could easily be the most expensive booking you ever make. Always ask your Maldives expert how often they have been to the Maldives, how many resorts they have personally visited, and how long it’s been since they were there. Selling this piece of paradise can be easy, if you do your homework.

Shane Collier is the Founder of  Connoisseur Travel Collection , the LGBTQ+ Indian Ocean Travel Connoisseurs, and an  IGLTA member . He has been selling Maldives since moving there in 2015.

Photo credit: JOALI Maldives

Auston Matta

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Being Gay Is Illegal in Many Countries. L.G.B.T.Q. Travelers Are Going Anyway.

Tropical reefs, safaris, the pyramids: L.G.B.T.Q. travel companies deliver dream vacations, even to places where being out and proud could land you in prison.

By Ainara Tiefenthäler

A romantic island getaway in the Maldives. A safari in Kenya. A visit to the pyramids in Egypt.

Apart from being popular on bucket lists, these vacations have one thing in common: Their destinations have strict anti-L.G.B.T.Q. legislation. In the Maldives, gay sex may be punished with lashes and up to eight years in prison. In Kenya, it can bring a sentence of up to 14 years. And in Egypt, the authorities are known to throw people in jail for simply waving a rainbow flag .

Paradoxically, these trips are also all offered by travel companies founded by and catering to members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community. In interviews, the founders of four of these companies, which take a combined total of 3,000 tourists — most of them American — abroad each year, said they were providing a safe way to meet a growing demand for trips to countries that criminalize L.B.G.T.Q. people.

“I’m gay and I want to visit these places,” said Darren Burn, the founder of Out of Office , an inclusive luxury travel company. “And if I want to visit these places, then there are other gay people who do, too. So if we can enable them to do it in a fun, exciting and safe way, then that’s exactly what we’re here for.”

A world that isn’t always friendly

By some metrics, certain L.G.B.T.Q. Americans have it easier when it comes to planning their next trip. Same-sex couples tend to have more disposable income because they are less likely to have children and more likely to both be employed , according to census data. Married gay men have the most spending power , with a median household income that is more than $25,000 higher than their straight and lesbian counterparts. Even so, being out and getting out can be at odds in a world where many places are hostile — and sometimes outright dangerous.

“There is no place on earth where you can be 100 percent safe while being L.G.B.T.Q., at least while expressing it,” said Lucas Ramón Mendos, a lawyer and the research coordinator at ILGA World, an L.G.B.T.Q. human rights group. “What we can say for certain is that where there is a legal framework that strictly, explicitly criminalizes certain expressions, the likelihood of getting into trouble is a lot higher.”

According to ILGA World maps that track the world’s sexual orientation laws, there are still more than 60 countries that criminalize consensual same-sex relations. Punishments range from incarceration to the death penalty. Uganda notably just enacted a law calling for life in prison for anyone convicted of having gay sex, and in some cases even death.

Scratching those countries off the list of possible destinations shrinks the globe dramatically: parts of Asia, more than half of African countries, and practically the entire Middle East — with the exceptions of Israel and Jordan — become off-limits. (And that’s not even taking into account countries like China and Russia that target L.G.B.T.Q. people indirectly, by censoring speech, for example.)

Yet L.G.B.T.Q. travel companies frequently visit such places.

“I’ve never had an issue. I haven’t heard of anyone having issues,” said Bryan Herb, co-founder of Zoom Vacations , which operates small tours in countries such as Kenya, the Maldives, and Morocco, all places where gay sex can bring prison terms. “There’s no there there.”

Safer for some than for others

While U.S. diplomatic missions help Americans who get in trouble abroad, Angela Kerwin, a senior official at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, said they do not collect data in a way that would allow them to track cases involving L.G.B.T.Q. travelers specifically.

“The laws that criminalize L.G.B.T.Q. status or conduct around the world are more often than not used to target and punish people from the country in question,” said Jessica Stern, the U.S. special envoy to advance the human rights of L.G.B.T.Q.I.+ persons. “That’s not to say that L.G.B.T.Q. Americans and their families aren’t at risk when they travel, but we are not the primary targets of those laws.” (For Americans who also carry a passport from the country they’re visiting, this guidance might not be as straightforward, Ms. Kerwin said. They might be treated as citizens by the local authorities.)

None of the four travel company founders reported any clients who’d had legal run-ins, though some mentioned minor brushes with locals. Their clientele tends to be older and male, with transgender travelers a rarity.

Safety concerns can be especially daunting for transgender people headed abroad. They already face hurdles to updating travel documents and are more likely to live in poverty than other L.G.B.T.Q. people.

“I have recently had a flight canceled and they were rerouting me through a very hostile country for L.G.B.T.Q. folks, and I was going to be laid over there for nine hours,” said Jay Brown, a senior executive for the Human Rights Campaign, who is transgender. He asked not to name the country for fear it could hurt working relationships with advocates in the region. “If I had a health care emergency in that country, I don’t know what would happen to me,” he said.

Mr. Brown ended up taking three trains and three flights in 26 hours to avoid the layover. “I ran from gate to gate at every airport, and ran from train to train,” he said. “My bag, of course, was not at my destination.”

Most countries that criminalize same-sex relations lack a legal and regulatory framework when it comes to gender transition.

“I wouldn’t say that because these laws target only homosexual acts, that transgender people are safe,” said Mr. Mendos. “It’s exactly the opposite, actually.”

Pink money in a gray zone

Many countries may just depend on the influx of tourist dollars so much that they’re willing to give tourists — whether straight or gay — special treatment.

The tourism industry is a top contributor to Kenya’s gross domestic product and accounts for more than half a million jobs in Morocco. Hospitality also drives the economy in the Maldives, where three local men recently received prison sentences for having homosexual relations , while dozens more have been investigated.

“In every country on earth, the law doesn’t necessarily match the reality,” said Mr. Burn, whose company offers package deals for symbolic same-sex marriages and honeymoons in the Maldives, which start at around $5,000 per person. “You know, it’s illegal to drink alcohol in the Maldives, but you go to every resort and you can drink alcohol.”

It’s in that gray zone that L.G.B.T.Q. travel companies operate. Yet when they’re lining up suppliers and hiring local workers, they are anything but ambiguous.

Robert Driscoll, who has run the small-tour operator Venture Out since 1998, said that to avoid unpleasant surprises, it was important to be “clear with suppliers about what the nature of the group is and making sure that they’re OK with it.”

He said that years ago, when he first started taking gay Americans abroad, it wasn’t uncommon for his inquiries to suppliers to go unanswered. Now, he receives emails daily courting his business, some from unexpected places.

“We would love the opportunity to work with your organization to create tailored itineraries for your LGBTQ+ travelers in Tanzania,” read a recent email he received from a small safari operator.

Under a colonial-era law, Tanzania punishes consensual gay sex with up to life in prison, and in April, the government shut down thousands of websites and social media accounts linked to gay groups and people. Neighboring Kenya, also a popular safari destination, has recently experienced a rise in anti-L.G.B.T.Q. violence .

Safaris are among the most expensive trips L.G.B.T.Q. travel companies offer, with prices running into the five digits. Mr. Driscoll, who has led many groups to watch wildlife in Africa, said he recently had a same-sex couple cancel their trip to Tanzania after reading a travel advisory on the State Department website warning travelers about “targeting of L.G.B.T.I. persons.”

The Tanzania Tourist Board , as well as the tourism agencies of the other countries discussed in this article, did not reply to requests for comment.

Weighing the risks and ethics

Ms. Kerwin of the Bureau of Consular Affairs said prospective travelers should go beyond the State Department travel advisories and read the agency’s yearly human rights report , which includes detailed information on the situation of L.G.B.T.Q. rights for each country.

“Never can you cover every eventuality,” she said. “But if you’re informed, then you can make a decision as to whether or not you actually want to travel to that country.” “Any legal and safety information we provide to clients before they pay us a deposit,” said Robert Sharp, a co-founder of Out Adventures , a small-tour operator based in Canada that serves a largely American clientele. “It is our moral and legal obligation to allow them to decide if it is right for them.”

All travel companies surveyed for this article strongly recommend that clients take out travel insurance, and some even require it. Out of Office and Out Adventures also offer 24-hour hotlines to respond to clients’ questions and emergencies.

Yet travel companies are not legal firms, and they say that the best they can do is give travelers enough information to make an informed decision. Out Adventures clearly states the laws and limitations of each destination on its website. When traveling to Tanzania, for example, clients are advised to practice discretion since “even heterosexual PDAs are frowned upon,” referring to public displays of affection.

The page for Out Adventures’ tour to Egypt, including a Nile River cruise and snorkeling in the Red Sea starting at $5,495 per traveler, explains that “gay dating apps should be avoided” and discourages clients from trying to participate in the “underground gay scene” of the larger cities.

The Egyptian authorities have been reported to harass and entrap members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community on social media and torture those in custody .

“Not only do we want to protect the group,” Mr. Sharp said, “but we don’t want to put anyone in the local queer community in a situation where they could be at risk because they’re seen with this group of obvious homosexuals.”

Gurchaten Sandhu, ILGA World’s director of programs, warned of the dangers of “advocacy tourism,” where travelers get involved in activism at their destination, possibly jeopardizing not only themselves but also those they leave behind when their vacation is over.

Calling for travelers to boycott a country could also have unexpected adverse outcomes, Mr. Mendos of ILGA World and others cautioned.

While the impulse often stems a desire to help, Ms. Stern said, pushing for this kind of action without making sure L.G.B.T.Q. rights groups in the country stand behind it could lead to a backlash against local L.G.B.T.Q. people and “do more harm than good.”

Choosing to visit, on the other hand — even if you can’t be as out as you might want to be — may still have a positive impact on L.B.G.T.Q. people’s lives, at least indirectly.

“The travel industry in country after country is often one of the places where L.G.B.T.Q. people seek out jobs and find employment because there is heightened tolerance,” Ms. Stern said.

Quietly promoting change

There is no shortage of companies to pick from when planning a vacation to countries like Kenya, Egypt or the Maldives, but L.G.B.T.Q. travel providers say what sets them apart from mainstream options is not only that they make their clients feel welcome and safe, but also that they direct their resources to handpicked, queer-friendly businesses.

“We are putting money in the pockets of more progressive-thinking people and organizations that in the long run can contribute to progress by our definition,” said Mr. Sharp. Additionally, he said, Out Adventures has donated “quietly, behind the scenes” to local L.G.B.T.Q. organizations in countries where being gay is illegal, and is currently giving $50 per traveler to Rainbow Railroad , a nonprofit organization that helps L.G.B.T.Q. people escape state-sponsored violence. Out of Office has a similar program, Mr. Burn said, though he wouldn’t go into detail, citing concerns about the safety of those receiving the donations.

Ultimately, Mr. Driscoll of Venture Out said, the decision about whether to avoid travel to certain destinations based on principle was a deeply personal one that travelers had to make for themselves.

“It’s easy to feel outraged,” said Mr. Mendos of ILGA World. “I think that that’s a sound reaction. But people should be aware that change doesn’t happen overnight.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

Ainara Tiefenthäler is a video journalist with the Visual Investigations team. She was among the recipients of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for The Times's coverage of the vast civilian toll of U.S.-led airstrikes. More about Ainara Tiefenthäler

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Lima, Peru : The city, with its decade-long dining boom , now holds three places on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, as many chefs embrace Indigenous Andean and Amazonian ingredients in the seafood.

Kyoto, Japan :  The Japanese city is famous for its temples and gardens, but it is laced with waterways  that can offer a different, and no less enchanting, view.

Marseille, France :  Get the full flavor of France’s second-largest city through its favorite street food — pizza  — whether it’s topped with raw garlic, sweet Corsican sausage, Emmental cheese or anchovies.

Rafting in Montana :  On a family trip in Montana, a father shares a tradition with his two sons  even as climate change threatens the certainty of the rivers he grew up running.

13 things to know before going to the Maldives

Feb 8, 2024 • 5 min read

Be ready for your visit to the Maldives with this guide to planning and etiquette © Jannoon028 / Getty Images

Paradise personified. Heaven on earth. Screensaver goals. The Maldives has earned a lot of monikers since it opened to tourists in the 1970s.

Over the past 50 years, it’s become known as a honeymoon hot spot, a family-friendly getaway and one of the world’s most coveted vacation destinations.

And while it may seem like a lot of hype for one small, spread-out island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives really does live up to it. From coconut-fringed islands and colorful reefs to warm smiles and even warmer curries, it’s often a once-in-a-lifetime getaway for travelers. Whether you’re heading off to a ritzy private island resort or a more affordable local island, there’s a handful of things to know before departure. Here are our top tips and best advice ahead of a trip to the Maldives.

1. Plan for at least 5 nights in the Maldives

For all travelers, it takes a plane ride or three to land in this far-flung slice of paradise. So, while a weekend to the Maldives may work for travelers based in Asia, five nights will suffice if you’re crunched for time and budget. And if neither is an issue, plan for at least a week to fully unwind and embrace island life.

2. You can get around via seaplane or speedboat

When choosing your island resort, pay attention to whether it’s reachable by seaplane or speedboat. Although seaplane transfers give picture-worthy views of the pearl-shaped atolls, they often cost much more. And be aware there’s a 25kg (55lbs) total luggage per person allowance on seaplanes. So, if you’re looking to save money, pick a resort closer to Male that you can transfer to via speedboat. You can also take a domestic flight to another atoll in the Maldives and a speedboat to the resort.

3. Island-hopping is doable (and encouraged)

Many travelers spend weeks poring over which private island resort is the best for them, but you don’t have to choose one. Beach bums can split their time between resorts. You’ll need to travel back to Male airport, where a representative from your next resort will meet you and transfer you there via seaplane or speedboat. If the resorts are close together, you can charter a speedboat from one resort to another.

4. Aim to land in Male in the morning

If you’re staying at a resort accessible by seaplane transfer, arriving in the morning is crucial. Once the sun sets, seaplanes stop flying, so you’d need to stay overnight in Male or Hulhumale to wait for the next seaplane. If your resort is accessible via a speedboat or water taxi, arriving at night is less of an issue, but the Maldives scenery is so stunning you’ll want to be able to see it.

5. Understand “island time”

These tiny private islands operate by their own rules, including their own time zones. Some resorts will ask guests to set their clocks to “island time,” an hour forward to give them an extra hour of sunlight for snorkeling or swimming .

6. Stock up well (there are no grocery stores for tourists)

There are no grocery stores or Walmarts on these tiny private islands. So, triple-check that you’ve got everything you need, including reef-safe sunscreen to help protect one of the Maldives’ most precious natural habitats. Every resort has a boutique store where you can pick up necessities you may have forgotten, but prices are often insanely expensive.

7. Familiarize yourself with the prohibited items list

The Maldives is a devout Muslim country with strict rules. So travelers entering cannot bring alcohol, pornographic materials, pork products or idols of worship  among other things . If anything prohibited is found, it will be taken away on arrival.

8. Local islands are a bargain but come with caveats

The local islands are a great and safe option for travelers on a budget and those not willing to shell out thousands for an island getaway. Small Maldivian-run guesthouses offer a much more intimate look at daily life, but there are a few things to know first. Alcohol is illegal on local islands, so don’t expect to enjoy a beer by the beach. Travelers must also dress conservatively on local islands by covering their shoulders and knees. Women don’t need to cover their heads, but wearing a bathing suit outside of designated “bikini beaches” is not allowed and could land you with a fine.

9. There’s no standard tipping etiquette

Tipping on top of your restaurant bill at the resort is not expected because a 10% tip is already included. However, if you want to leave something for your favorite server at the end of your stay that is more than OK. Guests can also write a review calling out their favorite team members; management often rewards staff for stellar service. Leaving a tip ranging from US$2 to US$10 per day for housekeeping is also customary. And if you have a butler, tipping 10% of the cost of your stay is a good rule.

10. You can pay in USD

The local currency is the Maldivian rufiya, but US dollars are also accepted. You can get some local currency from the ATM at the airport on arrival. If you want to exchange money for rufiya, you can do so in the airport at the Bank of Maldives Foreign Exchange. Keep your receipt with you so you can change anything extra back into your local currency when you leave.

11. Resort doctors can help with health concerns

The vast majority of travelers will go straight from the plane to a private island resort. Should you have any health issues during your stay, the on-island doctor will be able to assist you.

12. There is a “green tax” for tourists

Every tourist is charged a government tax to stay in a hotel, liveaboard or guesthouse. The tax is US$6 per day unless you’re staying in a guesthouse on a local island with 50 or fewer registered rooms, then the tax is US$3 per day. The charge will be included in your overall bill.

13. Sustainability initiatives are everywhere 

As the world’s lowest-lying country, the Maldives is under serious threat from climate change. Nearly every resort has sustainability initiatives, which might include coral regeneration, onsite gardens, turtle rehabilitation and/or unique mosquito trapping methods instead of chemical spraying. A few of the more sustainable resorts to choose from are Soneva , Six Senses , Four Seasons , Kudadoo and Gili Lankanfushi . Beware of greenwashing , where organizations claim sustainability credentials that aren't as impactful as they suggest.

Explore related stories

Art and Culture

Mar 4, 2024 • 4 min read

Ramadan Mubarak! Here's everything travelers need to know about visiting Muslim-majority places during Ramadan.

Feb 27, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Feb 7, 2024 • 6 min read

Jan 17, 2024 • 8 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 7 min read

Dec 15, 2023 • 7 min read

Oct 15, 2023 • 3 min read

Aug 31, 2023 • 10 min read

Oct 10, 2022 • 5 min read

Explore Gay Maldives .

Local Gay Venues .

LUX* South Ari Atoll – Maldives

6 beach resorts looking for influencers this september.

Gay Maldives Interview for First Timer’s Guide

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa

Soneva Fushi

Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort

The ultimate gay travel guide.

The Gay Passport is your complete Gay Travel Guide. Looking to Drink, Play or Sleep we have reviews to help. Award-winning & Updated 2024.

Hottest Destinations

Best beaches.

Gran Canaria

• Privacy Policy
• Branded Content Policy
• Become an Ambassador

The Gay Passport Copyright 2013 - 2024

Destinations.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phangan

Thailand Country Guide

Ho Chi Minh

Greece Country Guide

Torremolinos

Spain Country Guide

Stay Logged In

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. For example, they allow us to connect to social networks, display personalised content, as well as analyse and improve our site's operation – read our policy .

By continuing you agree to our T&Cs. We use your data to offer you a personalized experience. Find out more.

By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use .

The 15 safest countries for LGBTQ+ travelers this fall revealed

Shutterstock/Wallophoto; Bill Perry; SCStock; Pajor Pawel

A recent study has ranked 203 countries based on their safety for LGBTQ + travelers. Luckily, their list features some of our all-time favorite ‘bucket list’ destinations .

The study looked at five key factors: the criminalization of LGBTQ+ relations; the criminalization of anti-LGBTQ+ violence; Gallup World Poll data measuring public attitudes; LGBTQ+ worker protections; and marriage equality.

Countries were rewarded or penalized for certain criteria. For example, countries with laws criminalizing same-sex sexual relations faced significant scoring penalties, while countries that criminalized hate-based acts of violence received a 50-point bonus.

The study was developed by MouseNotifier , a Disney dining alert software system.

Keep scrolling to find the top 15 safest countries for LGBTQ+ travel.

15. Luxembourg

Luxembourg City’s old town overlooking the Alzette River at twilight

ecstk22/Shutterstock

Luxembourg had a total score of 290.

14. Ireland

Marchers celebrate Ireland Pride 2022 in Dublin, Ireland

Yaroslav Astakhov/Shutterstock

Ireland had a total score of 293.

The Eiffel Tower and River Seine at sunset in Paris, France

Catarina Belova/Shutterstock

France had a total score of 301.

12. Iceland

The rainbow-colored Skolavordustigur street leading to the Hallgrimskirkja Lutheran church in Reykjavík, Iceland

Bill-Perry/Shutterstock

11. Switzerland

The Gornergrat tourist train crosses a bridge and a waterfall in Zermatt, Switzerland, with the Matterhorn towering in the distance

SCStock/Shutterstock

Switzerland had a total score of 311.

10. Belgium

Tulips in front of the Grand-Bigard castle in Dilbeek, Belgium

Wallophoto/Shutterstock

Belgium had a total score of 315.

The lights of Tivoli Gardens at night in Copenhagen, Denmark

Mike Squires/Shutterstock

Denmark had a total score of 316.

8. Portugal

Rua Nova do Carvalho or Pink Street in the Cais do Sodre neighborhood of Lisbon, Portugal

Pajor-Pawel/Shutterstock

Portugal had a total score of 320.

Gaudi’s famed Park Guell at sunset in Barcelona, Spain

TTstudio/Shutterstock

Spain had a total score of 329.

6. United Kingdom

Big Ben and Westminster Palace at twilight in London, United Kingdom

Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock

The United Kingdom had a total score of 330.

Family celebrating Malta Pride Week 2022 in Valletta, Malta

Chmaraa/Shutterstock

Malta had a total score of 331.

Northern lights fill the night skies above the village of Reine in Norway’s Lofoten Islands

Yevhenii Chulovskyi/Shutterstock

Norway had a total score of 343.

3. The Netherlands

The picturesque canals of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Kavalenkau/Shutterstock

The Netherlands had a total score of 346.

Moraine Lake in the stunning Valley of the Ten Peaks in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Zhukova Valentyna/Shutterstock

Canada had a total score of 350.

A bustling street in the Gamla Stan, or old town, of Stockholm, Sweden

Arcady/Shutterstock

Sweden had a total score of 356.

Latest Stories

55+ photos of hidden gems at Gay Wine Weekend

15 sensual male portraits from luke austin, sun, surf, culture: discover san diego, explore these solo-friendly resorts and destinations, oahu's first adults-only hotel, thirsty pics from urge miami 2023, discover alpine bliss in the swiss alps, american airlines bans lesbian for alleged in-flight sex with a man, copenhagen: your gay guide, luke evans: sexy swimwear king, washington, d.c. readies for worldpride 2025, 35+ pics from la lgbt center's senior prom, meet munich's hot men in elska, 25 electrifying photos: team usa in paris 2024, out traveler's updated guide to essential gear for travel pros, these are the guest judges on 'rupaul's drag race global all stars', dive into pandora boxx's debut album, out and about with… mo welch, provincetown bear week 2024: 55+ thirst-quenching pics, 65+ dragcon la 2024 pics: oh the kiki, trending stories.

Latinx health: Tackling 5 common concerns (in English & espanol)

Here are the 20 hottest men alive, according to straight guys

Plane Jane went to the VMAs dressed as Chappell Roan: 'I wanted to redeem myself'

With a new case in Sweden, what is the new mpox outbreak and should you be concerned?

Eureka is taking a break from competing on 'Drag Race' following 'CVTW' elimination

Hulu's 'How to Die Alone' lets chaotic women & their gay BFFs get messy

These are the notable celebrities who have endorsed Kamala Harris for president (so far)

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

C*ck Destroyer Rebecca More reflects on Sophie Anderson's death and the new season of 'Slag Wars'

Introducing 'Health PLUS Wellness': The Latinx Issue!

76th Primetime Emmys: These are the LGBTQ+ celebs who walked the red carpet

Stigma around those living with HIV is declining, but maybe not for the reasons you'd think: report

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Little Gay Pub in D.C. vandalized over support for Kamala Harris for president

Adam Lambert reveals his spiciest hookup stories in new Grindr interview with Katya

Anti-LGBTQ+ insults don't just hurt queer kids — Straight boys react worse to homophobia in sports

An ode to Kevin Bacon's short shorts in 'Friday the 13th'

Breaking: Donald Trump safe after apparent assassination attempt in Florida

JD Vance now says Haitian immigrants are spreading HIV after bizarre pet-eating claim flops

Taylor Swift breaks silence with full endorsement of Kamala Harris

Paris Olympics will give out 300,000 condoms to athletes, continuing long-held tradition

40 modern queer horror films & where to stream them

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

Most recent.

'Drag Race' star Genie opens up on a spicy bar experience in Thailand that'll leave you INTRIGUED

La ciencia detrás de U=U ha estado liberando a las personas con VIH durante años

'Baby Reindeer' won BIG at the 76th Primetime Emmys

'Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd wins Emmy for Lead Actor in a Limited Series

Greg Berlanti looks back on iconic 'Dawson's Creek' gay kiss in Emmy speech

Jodie Foster just won her first ever Emmy!

Election season got you down? This crisis line is soothing LGBTQ+ mental health

Joe Biden launches ‘Out for Biden-Harris’ campaign initiative to engage & woo LGBTQ+ voters (exclusive)

'Drag Race' lost to 'The Traitors' at the the 76th Primetime Emmys

18 queer celebs who prove suits aren't just for men & who make us TINGLE

Appeals court denies attempt to block Colorado’s conversion therapy ban

Two series from The Advocate Channel launch on Hulu

Federal judge grants Casa Ruby founder Ruby Corado pre-trial release from D.C. jail

El Departamento de Justicia planea reclasificar la marihuana como una droga de menor riesgo

Pete Buttigieg explains Donald Trump and JD Vance's racist, false pet-eating claims

PRIDE NEWSLETTER - 9/13/24

Tratamiento y prevención del VIH por inyección: Todo lo que necesita saber

Serving history: 'Drag Race's Soa de Muse channels the original Queen of Drag

Sr. Gay World quiere asegurarse de que estés bien

Killer of Minnesota trans woman Savannah Williams sentenced to 30 years

The menthol diaries: Taking back pride from tobacco

Major companies are ending DEI programs. Here's how an LGBTQ+ group is taking them to task

Meta has guidelines to protect against anti-trans content. GLAAD says the company is ignoring them

Creator and host Karl Schmid fights HIV stigma with knowledge

8 times LGBTQ+ Republicans were SHOCKED to discover the GOP hates them, duh Mary

Recommended stories for you, donald padgett.

Managing Editor at OutTraveler. Also write for Out, The Advocate, and Plus magazines.