Gay Travel in Europe


As racist, bigoted, and right-wing movements are on the rise on both sides of the Atlantic these days, I’d love to host a sharing of experiences that gay travelers are having in Europe. Where do you feel comfortable? Where don’t you? What are good sources of information? With hate crimes on the rise in the USA, do you sense any changes to the vibe in Europe lately?

Be sure to check out the conversation on my Facebook page as well.

 

Comments

4 Replies to “Gay Travel in Europe”

  1. My husband and I were born in the south in the 50s. He in Virginia and I in Alabama. We grew up in racist environments and I, especially, grew up in a racist family. We married in San Diego in 2008 and have traveled to Europe before and after that almost every year. We were in Italy, Turkey, Israel, Greece, and Malta. We felt safe everywhere we went. The least uncomfortable we felt was in Israel but that was due to some difficulty with security checkpoints are automatic rifles being pointed toward us as we we waiting to be cleared. No one we encountered other than security personnel made us uncomfortable or to feel like we were not welcomed. In fact, the opposite, we felt our presence was very much appreciated on many occasions, especially in Turkey.
    We have a trip planned next month to go to Norway, Sweden, St Petersburg Russia, and a few days in Paris before flying to New York. We decided to book a tour for the three days we are in St Petersburg as we don’t feel like wandering around there without being in a group with a guide. We’ll travel on our own using public transit in all the other places we visit except for there.
    Two years ago we retired and moved to Mexico and always feel safe here. We feel more uncomfortable in the U.S. than we do in Mexico or Europe.
    Thank you for asking the question.

  2. We are a straight couple who travels to Europe every year with a gay couple. They don’t advertise their gayness nor do they expect to be treated differently. I don’t ask what goes on in their bedroom and don’t care. We are good traveling companions and enjoy each others company. Why would anyone have to know you are gay or straight and why would need to even need to be told? Totally confused why you would ask that question.

  3. To Chuck Perkins:

    I too am a heterosexual man. Unlike you, I don’t “center” and feel the need make a question for a specific demographic…all about myself.

    Apologies to any LGBTQ travelers who may feel intimidated or unwelcomed by Chuck’s intrusion. And I apologize for my own impulse as well. Please feel free to take on Mr. Steves question with as much candor and honesty as you so choose.

    This is your space.

  4. My partner of 18 years and I have traveled all over Italy. We’ve both felt a bit awkward with the way 2-star hotels typically have single beds unless you request “matrimonial,” where the beds are typically connected together. The awkwardness was our own, not caused by hoteliers, who just noted our request and arranged things. That’s been true even in smaller towns. No problems with restaurants or exploring either.

    We’ve also felt very welcomed in Catalonia. In a small town in the mountains we passed a bakery with a wedding cake in the window that featured two grooms!

    On the other hand, as much as I’d love to travel to Russia, we won’t do it. We like to wander around off the beaten path, and there have been far too many stories of anti-gay violence spurred on by government and religious officials to take that risk.

    Rick, thanks for your sensitivity to the needs of LGBT folks.

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