Acceptance of LGBTQ lifestyles and same-sex marriage does not extend to all countries of the world; in some countries identifying as such can lead to harassment or even arrest. Yet, from visa applications to at-the-border immigration forms, members of same-sex couples are repeatedly asked: Are you married? Security-aware LGBTQ travelers are left wondering what the safest answer is.
Risks Associated with Immigration Forms
As same-sex couples gain increased benefits in more locations around the world, the complications when traveling abroad to countries without the same recognitions only increase, as well. Married same-sex travelers report that answering marital status questions on visa and immigration forms has not led to complications, but concerns remain. On the one hand, a "yes" could potentially increase a travelers exposure as a member of the LGBTQ community, which may lead to complications. On the other hand, identifying as "no" will mean lying on an official form.
A Google or Facebook search could reveal to a foreign government that a traveler had misrepresented themselves, and some visa forms ask for a travelers spouse's name, which could reveal a same-sex marriage. Same-sex married travelers report that they continue to measure each situation with an eye on the local laws and cultures; not identifying as married if they think it may attract official or public attention to their sexuality, and identifying if they feel safe.
Global Acceptance of Same-Sex Marriages Varies Widely
Depending on the measure of acceptance for LGBTQ behavior and same-sex marriages, countries fall into one of four categories:
- Countries that have laws granting same-sex couples civil unions or legally recognized marriages
- Countries that do not recognize marriages or unions but generally accept LGBTQ people
- Countries where homosexuality is not officially criminalized but is not culturally accepted
- Countries where homosexuality is illegal and not culturally tolerated
Same-sex Unions or Marriages are Legally Recognized or LGBTQ People Generally Accepted
Same-sex travelers in countries of the first two categories have been unaffected when identifying as married publicly, even when the host country does not recognize the marriage. In extreme situations, married couples in countries that do not legally acknowledge the relationship may not be able to access the same level of assistance or benefits afforded to heterosexual couples. Even in these cases, the visa or immigration form is unlikely to affect the situation.
Homosexuality Is Not Illegal but Not Culturally Accepted
In the third category, travelers who identify as married could draw additional attention to themselves if they are traveling with a same-sex spouse, but it is unlikely to lead to legal trouble. Once through the legal traveling process, travelers publicly identifying as married and LGBTQ could draw ire from the public, and security forces may not be sympathetic.
Members of same-sex marriages report that they have chosen not to identify as married to avoid attention, though there have been no official reports suggesting that the government is attempting to identify same-sex couples via their visa applications.
Anti-LGBTQ Legal and Social Attitudes
Countries of the fourth category are a serious threat to the security of LGBTQ travelers. In these countries, the acute anti-LGBTQ legal and social attitudes pose a continuous and multifaceted security threat, and locals identify LGBTQ people through a range of identifiers, including types of drinks (Cameroon) and their specific clothing (Uganda). While there is no evidence suggesting that government officials are actively seeking out members of the LGBTQ community through visa or traveler applications, the potential effects of being exposed as homosexual are heightened.
Looking Ahead at Immigration Requirements for LGBTQ Individuals
As same-sex marriages become more common in some countries, those with staunch anti-LGBTQ policies may look increasingly at visa and immigration forms in order to pursue anti-LGBTQ agendas. Recognizing the importance of the LGBTQ traveler community, it is more likely that governments may not change their process.
Crisis24's LGBTQ Periodic Risk Intelligence and Security Monitor (PRISM) covers global attitudes, events, and issues that have the potential to affect the safety of LGBTQ persons. Learn more about the PRISM subscription and access a sample report.
