Sweden and Canada lead the way in the top 5 countries for LGBTQ+ holidays, a study finds. Following on their heels are the Netherlands, Norway, and Malta. These ranks as the top 5 countries for safe travels for the LGBTQ+ community.
Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and Belgium are next.
The study may seem a bit narrow in scope … It was conducted by a software system that monitors dining table availability at Disney restaurants and theme parks. Nonetheless, the results echo other studies that have put Sweden at the top of the list. Not only for LGBTQ+ travelers, but digital nomads and expats. Similar studies have given the top spot to the Netherlands – and second place to the UK.
A 2023 study, the “LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index”, also put Canada, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Malta at the top. A total of 150 countries were ranked both for safety and danger.
Sweden No Surprise for Progressive LGBTQ+ Performance
“It has more than 100 LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, saunas, shops and even hotels, making it one of the biggest gay scenes in Europe,” it says. All that makes for a fun, safe, and more relaxed holiday in an accepting, inclusive environment.
Positives weighed up in awarding points for safety for LGBTQ+ people in this study included:
- +50 points awarded based on the legal recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions.
- +50 points for countries with legal protections against workplace discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals
- +50 points given for a country with legal measures preventing anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes and speech
- +100 points scored in the Gallup World Poll for countries with positive public attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people
- Up to -100 points docked for countries that punish LGBTQ+ relationships or acts
Perhaps the study could have included a couple more negative factors.
“This index reflects both legal and social conditions LGBTQ+ individuals may face globally,” it concludes.
So, here is the list of the 15 countries polled in 2024:
Top 5 countries for LGBTQ+ holidays – plus 10
| Rank | Country | Same-Sex Marriage | Gay Worker Protections | Criminalization of Hate-Based Violence | Gallup World Poll | Illegal LGBTQ+ Acts | Total Score | |
| 1 | Sweden | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 356 | |
| 2 | Canada | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 350 | |
| 3 | Netherlands | Legal | Yes | Incitement | 76-100% | No | 346 | |
| 4 | Norway | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 343 | |
| 5 | Malta | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 331 | |
| 6 | United Kingdom | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 330 | |
| 7 | Spain | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 329 | |
| 8 | Portugal | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 51-75% | No | 320 | |
| 9 | Denmark | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 316 | |
| 10 | Belgium | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 315 | |
| 11 | Switzerland | Legal | Yes | Incitement | 76-100% | No | 311 | |
| 12 | Iceland | Legal | Yes | Incitement | 76-100% | No | 303 | |
| 13 | France | Legal | Yes | Hate Crimes | 76-100% | No | 301 | |
| 14 | Ireland | Legal | Yes | Incitement | 76-100% | No | 293 | |
| 15 | Luxembourg | Legal | Yes | Incitement | 76-100% | No | 290 |
The study is even more vital as general incivility rises in the streets (… As in almost 150 people being attacked with syringes in Paris at a major street music festival last weekend. Good grief).
I’d love to hear from you about your personal experiences and whether these findings ring true … or not.
Below you can find the top of the class – and the LGBTQ+ dunces of the class – in the 2023 study by travel safety duo, AsherLyric.
Top of the Class
Bottom of the Class
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