LGBTQ+ Students
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LGBTQ+ Students Abroad
Attitudes, perceptions, and laws regarding gender and sexual identity vary widely around the world. As you plan for your study abroad, use the questions and resources below to research the attitudes, laws, and protections of the LGBTQ+ community in your intended destination abroad.
Questions to Consider
- What are the general social attitudes towards being LGBTQ+ in your host country?
- Are you planning to explore aspects of your sexuality for the first time while abroad?
- Are there local laws pertaining to gender identity and/or sexual orientation? If not in the law, are there strong cultural attitudes to be aware of?
- Are gender identity and sexual orientation openly discussed?
- What safety measures should you know about expressing your gender identity and/or sexual orientation openly in your host community?
- Have you considered how you will access sexual health resouces abroad?
- Are there local LGBTQ+ groups you can join? Is there a visible LGBTQ+ community in your destination city?
- Does your program offer LGBTQ+ friendly housing?
- Does the gender marker on your travel documents match your gender?
- If you will be taking courses in the language of your host country, you may want to understand in advance how gender functions in the language. In some languages, words are assigned a gender that does not change. Some languages also alter words based on the person who is speaking or to whom the speaker is referring. Your gender identity could influence how your instructor assesses your practice of the language. Do you need to consider grammatical gender usage in your language study?
Resources
- Yale's Office of LGBTQ Resources
- Rainbow SIG: Resources for LGBTQ+ Study Abroad Students
- Diversity Abroad: LQBTQ+ Students Abroad
- Go Abroad: LGBTQ Traveler’s Perspectives
- National Center for Transgender Equality: Travel Resources
- Outright International
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
- IES Abroad: LGBTQ+ & Ally Resources
- U.S. State Department: LGBTI Travelers
- U.S. Passport: Selecting Your Gender Marker
- TSA: Travel Information for Transgender Passengers
- Watch: College Student Finds His Queer Voice Studying Abroad in Rome
Question: Do you have additional resources to share? If so, we'd love to hear from you.