LGBTQIA+ Travel Accessibility

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country.

Up until the 1960s, most homosexual acts were still largely illegal in most of the United States. The freedom to explore other lifestyles is a relatively new phenomenon in the history of our nation. While it may be common to see Pride parades every June nowadays, it took a riot at the Stonewall Inn to inspire the first Pride parades in 1970. A nationally recognized right to marriage in the United States has only been signed in recent years.

Before you choose your program, please recognize that many nations — including the United States —are still addressing discriminatory policies. It’s important to be mindful of your choices when presenting yourself to others. Our Self Assessment page offers questions to consider and evaluate. You are also welcome to take some advice from recent study abroad alums who took the brave jump to express themselves in their host countries.

Celebrating Pride Abroad - Haley

Celebrating Pride Abroad - Christian

Celebrating Pride Abroad - Jesse

It’s helpful to make the right connections as you plan your study abroad and take the safest path for creating a more inclusive world. If you’re focused on going abroad, below are some additional links to make your study abroad journey affordable, accessible, and well-informed.

Talk to an Enrollment Specialist to help you choose the right program for you. We have several scholarships dedicated to making study abroad possible for students from underrepresented communities.

Additional Resources

Resource	Details and Information
Diversity Abroad	Diversity Abroad, a leader in increasing access in international education, provides resources for students from underrepresented identity groups WATCH: "Identity Abroad Series LGBTQI+ and Abroad" student panel"
Education Abroad	LGBTQ+ student guide for education abroad.
GlobalGayz	GlobalGayz is a travel and culture website focused on LGBT-Gay life worldwide
Identities Abroad	A guide for LGBTQ students and their advisors to use throughout the study abroad process.
International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA)	International LGBTQ+ organizations and resources Map of Sexual Orientation Laws in the World Europe Rainbow Index 2022. Reflecting the legal and policy human rights situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LGBTI) people in Europe. Podcast: Making Rainbow Waves. Telling the stories and raising the voices of LGBTI human rights defenders worldwide.
OutRight Action International	Dedicated to human rights advocacy on behalf of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Rainbow Sig	Resources for students studying abroad who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+).
U.S. Department of State	Travel tips for LGBTQ+ travelers
USAC	Travel abroad with pride: Travel tips from an LGBTQIA+ lens You're Divine: Ami King, a USAC alum, discovered the world — and himself — while pursuing an international education.