In our research, we found many expats had successfully moved out of the U.S. and were thriving in their new homes. We also didnt research any countries in Africa because of the anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment/laws and the travel difficulties. Portugal offers certain perks that make it more accessible to entrepreneurial people rather than its more bureaucratic neighbors, and its gay rights record and gay life in major cities like Lisbon and Porto is likewise vibrant. What was once a small village on Mexico's Pacific Coast is now a major international resort, with an urban area that runs for nearly 30 miles along the shore of Banderas Bay. As the only African country to legalize same-sex marriage, the Rainbow Nation is an inspiration. Among this openness is one of the most thriving gay communities on the continent and a great gay life in the capital city of Brussels, as well as a generally pro-business and pro-foreigner environment. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been outlawed since 2003, the year Belgium legalized same-sex marriage. New Orleans, Louisiana. The LGBTQ Rights and Opinion. Homosexuality is still a criminal act in many countries, and there are a number of places where LGBTQIA+ rights are eroding. Iceland, which legalized same-sex marriage back in 2010, was recently ranked as the happiest country for gay men. Here are ten countries where LGBT rights are most threatened. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Christophe Morin / Bloomberg via Getty Images. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Setting an example to the world, former Prime Minister Jhanna Sigurardttir married novelist and playwright Jnna Lesdttir on the same day the law came into effect. However, 24% of South Africans believe that people in same-sex relationships are criminals. Now, workers and Antigua and Barbuda is one of the best destinations in the Caribbean Sea. Afghanistan . While Buenos Aires tops the list of gay-friendly cities, Uruguay has been ranked as the most gay-friendly country in South America several years in a row by Americas Quarterly. It is one of the hottest travel destinations in the world, with everything from beaches to volcanos to wildlife and other adventures. Here are the top 10 cities for LGBT people to retire. Prior to this weeks stunning presidential election results, a number of LGBTQ advocates and celebrities threatened to leave the U.S. should Donald Trump be elected. Canadian citizens have been permitted to change their gender prior to any gender reassignment surgery. Same-sex couples have the joint right to adopt children. Attitudes and laws pertaining to LGBTQ+ lives may also evolve. 74% of the population has a positive attitude towards homosexuality and bisexuality. Since 2006, same-sex couples in Finland have had access to IVF and artificial insemination. Malta has been called the gold standard of LGBT reform by the United Nations, which is highly promising even compared to European neighbors. Often cited as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, Iceland takes pride in having liberal LGBT rights. French Polynesia. It ranked #4 on Gallups 2015 list of Top Places for Gay People to Live," #23 on HSBCs ranking of best countries for expats and is known for its delicious cuisine. Civil servants may refuse to solemnize civil unions if they object on grounds of conscience, religion, or belief. The island nation, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, is also known for its beautiful cities and landscape. Youll need to speak (or learn) Spanish to get around easily in Ecuador. The Netherlands. 10. The government in Spain allows lesbian couples and single women to opt for IVF treatment. Are you someone who belongs to the LGBT community and are planning to relocate? Oslo, the capital of Norway, has various gay bars and venues and organizes a host of pride events. 3. Unfortunately, Taiwan does not offer retirement visas and the cost of living is like the U.S. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Some of the most well-known bars to check out are G-Bar and Oscar. People from the LGBTQ+ community are allowed to serve openly in the Danish armed forces. Oftentimes, countries in Southeast Asia have an interesting relationship with the issue of homosexuality: While certain aspects of the culture are quite traditional and familial, there is often more room for differences of sexuality as well as gender, which have always been seen as sort of matter of fact. Sue Reddel & Diana Laskaris 1. Sometimes, all you need Have options so that no one government controls you or your wealth. Expats can marry in Belgium if one partner has been living there for at least three months. Unmarried couples of any gender may adopt children jointly. Getty Images. Las Palmas, Canary Islands. There are tons of historical and cultural attractions to keep you busy. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005 (although the worlds first gay marriages took place in Toronto in 2001). The UK came in at number . Scandinavia is the most liberal region in the world - by far. Gay-friendly areas in Lisbon. While the rest of the country is a bit more conservative, few incidents have been reported, and the warmth of the countrys Latin culture makes public affection widely acceptable. Single individuals and couples, regardless of sexual orientation, enjoy adoption rights, and lesbians may access in vitro fertilization treatment. Alternatively, you may be entitled to stay in Ecuador as a real estate investor spending as little as $25,000. Malta is a small archipelago with only five islands located in the Mediterranean off the southern coast of Italy. A place that was LGBTQ-friendly, relatively inexpensive, politically stable, with good medical care, and that offered retirement visas? Public attitudes to the LGBTQIA+ community have changed radically over the past decade. As one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries to live in, Canada has multiple bars, venues, and events for the LGBTQ community to explore. After upholding the countrys first transgender marriage in 2013 albeit of a couple who had both had gender-reaffirming surgery the country appointed its first transgender minister, Audrey Tang, in 2016. In May 2019, a local pastor also moved the High Court, arguing that the ban hinders his congregations freedom to worship. Brooke Sopelsa is the editorial director of NBC Out, NBC News' LGBTQ digital destination. One of the world's most popular expat destinations, Canada is the ideal place for gay expats. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Portugal is known as one of the most LGBT-friendly countries in the world. 1. The country is staunchly Catholic, and believes in heterosexual relationships, just like the language has male and female. They love Street Art, LGBTQ+ travel, Asia (especially Singapore), local food, and the search for local travel experiences around the world. Get The Big To-Do Heres what we found: We love Portugal and were happy to see it pop up on the list. Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 24, 2016. Expats report that contrary to expectations, local residents warmly accept LGBTQIA+ people; social attitudes vary, however. No. Finally, in 1999, the first gay pride march took place in Lisbon. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Skip to table start. On the other hand, many Caribbean islands still have anti-gay laws on paper, yet thousands if not millions of gay travelers enjoy that region every year without any issue. Apart from married couples and civil partners, single individuals (including single LGBT people) also have the right to adopt children. Not only was Argentina the first South American country to legalize gay marriage, theyve long had a law allowing civil unions. Art, culture, food, history France has everything. The country is largely Roman Catholic. More than 544,000 expats of 196 different . Public health care is ranked fifth in the world by WHO, and if desired, private health insurance is very economical. The Netherlands decriminalized homosexuality in 1811; the first gay bar opened in Amsterdam in 1927; and in 1987, Amsterdam unveiled the Homomonument, a memorial for gays and lesbians killed by the Nazis. This prompted our search for the best LGBTQ+ places to retire internationally. Belgium has implemented penalty enhancements for hate crimes committed due to sexual orientation. Taiwan was placed first out of 59 countries for the third year in a row and has consistently ranked in the top five over the years. Trans adults can self-identify without a doctors statement. France: the good life, for families and retirees. For gay nomads visiting Argentina, the capital city of Buenos Aires has a bustling gay scene with plenty of friendly bars and hotels. After three years, you can apply for permanent residency. The concern is real, and in parts of the world even not as extreme as the middle of Afghanistansuch as former USSR countries, Central Asia, parts of Southeast Asia, and so on, the issue will be swept under the rug or entirely silencedand most gay nomads will not find anything in the way of a gay scene with bars or clubs. The Auckland, New Zealand skyline on May 28, 2015, Aerial view of Johannesburg, South Africa, Jose Fuste Raga / JTB Photo/UIG via Getty Images. Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019. Since we were interested in being somewhere between Singapore and the East Coast of the U.S., we first began looking at European locations. The LGBT movement in the country was sparked by the Carnation Revolution in 1974 which produced a number of major social, demographic, and economic changes. Very recently, the ILGA-Europe listed Belgium as the number two leading country for the protection of LGBT rights in the European Union, right after Malta. Berlin, Germany. Singapore does not recognize dual citizenship, so Reggie has permanent residency which allows her to stay in the U.S. At the same time, the mood in the U.S. around immigrants and the Asian community has been less than welcoming. Moreover, the attractive tax policy of Malta adds to the impact that Malta can offer for LGBT Nomad Capitalists. Sharing borders with Italy, Croatia, Austria, and Hungary, Slovenia is a beautiful country with many castles and caves. Besides the usual decisions such as career impact or healthcare quality, gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, and transgender individuals often have to consider more severe consequences. John Powell, once a purchasing agent in New York, moved to Hanoi in 2014. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The gay scene extends well beyond Amsterdam, however, with bars, saunas, and cinemas in several Dutch cities, including Rotterdam, The Hague (Den Haag), Amersfoort, Enschede, and Groningen. We did. New Zealands constitution is LGBTQIA+ friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. Americas northern neighbor legalized same-sex marriage back in 2005, and the countrys new prime minister is openly LGBTQ-friendly. LGBTQIA+ people have been able to serve openly in the military since 2002. All of this got us thinking. Be prepared to learn to speak French if you dont already. The law allows same-sex couples to adopt, and lesbian couples have equal access to in vitro fertilization treatment. All taxpayers are covered by the countrys mandatory health insurance scheme, though you may choose to purchase private insurance to see your own physician and pay for prescriptions. In numbers, the survey shows that 74% of expatriates answered are generally satisfied with their jobs and 71% of them are content about their work-life balance in Vietnam. Spain ranked 11th in Europe for same-sex rights in 2019, with full equality at about 60%.