REVEALED: The Worst & Safest Destinations for LGBTQ+ Travelers in 2022

The latest LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index has revealed the worst and safest destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers this year.

The index, first created by Asher & Lyric Fergusson back in 2019, are based on a range of criteria including LGBTQ+ rights, Gallup findings on local attitudes and as of this year, trans murder rates. Of 203 countries analyzed for 2022, they reveal the worst and safest countries for LGBTQ+ travelers.

Canada was named the safest country for LGBTQ+ travelers in the world for 2022, followed by Sweden, Netherlands, Malta and Portugal. Brunei was dubbed the most dangerous country for LGTBQ+ travel with homosexual acts punishable by death by stoning, according to the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index. Nigeria was named second most dangerous for LGBTQ+ travelers this year, followed by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. According to the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index, homosexual acts can be punished by the death sentence, 100 whips, or one year banishment, and cross-dressing can lead to flogging in Saudi Arabia.

“There are some places on the planet where it’s perfectly ordinary to kiss or hold hands with a same-sex partner in public, but in other places, that action could result in fines, imprisonment, hard labor, whipping, or, in some cases, death,” noted Asher and Lyric. “The most homophobic countries (where homosexuality is illegal) are also often severe human rights violators, usually penalizing male/male sexuality and/or trans women most harshly."

Unfortunately, some countries where it’s illegal to be gay or trans also happen to be popular vacation spots. “So those looking for trans- and gay-travel-safe countries, should reconsider popular vacation destinations like Jamaica, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Myanmar, and Egypt as well as some of the more popular beaches in the Caribbean, like Saint Lucia and Barbados,” according to Asher and Lyric.

Here are the top 25 LGBTQ-friendly countries travelers should consider instead:

1. Canada

2. Sweden

3. Netherlands

4. Malta

5. Portugal

6. United Kingdom

7. Belgium

8. Norway

9. Spain

10. France

11. Iceland

12. Switzerland

13. Chile

14. Australia

15. Denmark

16. Uruguay

17. Austria

18. Finland

19. New Zealand

20. Ireland

21. South Africa

22. Guam

23. Luxembourg

24. United States

25. Virgin Islands

Check out the full report here.