Travelling the world is one of the true joys of life. Discovering new cultures and having new experiences are some of life’s happiest moments for all those fascinated by the unknown. This is why at Axel Hotels we wish to advocate for the safest tourism, especially for the LGBTIQ+ community, as we unfortunately still have […]
Travelling the world is one of the true joys of life. Discovering new cultures and having new experiences are some of life’s happiest moments for all those fascinated by the unknown.
This is why at Axel Hotels we wish to advocate for the safest tourism, especially for the LGBTIQ+ community, as we unfortunately still have to fight for our rights in a great many countries.
We have collected the necessary information on the 5 most LGBT-friendly countries so that you can always have it to hand when planning your holidays.
- Canada – Certainly one of the safest countries in the world for the LGBT community. 2005 saw the approval of same-sex marriage and protection of the rights of immigrants and refugees fleeing from other countries, for example, Arab countries where they are penalised for homosexuality.
Justin Trudeau was the Canadian Prime Minister who attended an LGBTIQ+ parade in the country in 2016, since then leading the Toronto Gay Pride parade each year.
- Argentina – Along with Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay and Mexico, this country is making great progress in equal rights. In 2010, Argentina was the first country in Latin America to approve same-sex marriage, and in 2012, the Gender Identity Law was passed, allowing people to change their name and gender without needing to undergo a surgical operation.
Buenos Aires is considered the most LGBT-friendly city in South America and is the favourite of the community in this part of America.
- The Netherlands – In 2001 it made history, being the first country in the world to allow same-sex marriage, with over 90% of the population also supporting the rights of the community.
Amsterdam, the capital of love and happiness, seeks to allow all people to express their sexuality without stereotypes, fear or prejudice, encouraging young people to come out of the closet.
In the city, one of the most curious and interesting Pride parades in the world is held: the “Canal Parade”, where there is a parade of boats decorated as floats on the canals of the city.
- Belgium – In 2003, this country was the second to approve same-sex marriage, and decriminalised homosexuality in 1795. It has the most advanced LGBT legislation in the world, and in 2020 made history when Petra De Sutter became the first trans Prime Minister of the country and of a government at a global level.
The most famous gay pride event in Belgium is that of the city of Brussels.
- Spain – Following the dictatorship, when it was penalised with a prison sentence, it has been the country which has made most progress in favour of homosexual rights, despite being a conservative Catholic country.
In 2005 it was the third country to approve same-sex marriage, and along with Sweden, Norway and Finland leads the way in homosexual rights.
In 2003 Axel Hotel Barcelona was opened, the first hotel in the world aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community; a free, diverse space which is respectful towards everyone. This was the start of our story as a hotel chain, which we are continuing to expand today.
In Madrid, Euro Pride was held in 2007, and World Pride in 2017, with over 3 million visitors, making it one of the events with greatest attendance, along with those of San Francisco, London and New York.
In Europe, we also highlight the German capital, Berlin, which has a museum and memorial dedicated to the homosexual community, as well as various attractions aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community.
Schöneberg, the heart of gay culture in Berlin, is home to Axel Hotel Berlin, and just minutes away we also find TWO Hotel Berlin by Axel, the ideal places for accommodation on your holiday, in the safest, freest way.
We wish that this type of guide was not necessary, but unfortunately there is still a long way to go in the fight for our rights.
Axel Hotels contributes to safe tourism so that travellers who visit us wherever we are feel at home, creating a safe space where everyone can be themselves.