In 2018, 27-year old LGBTQIA+ activist Angela Ponce became the firsttransgenderwoman tocompete in the Miss Universe contest, where she received a standing ovation. 74% of the population has a positive attitude towards homosexuality and bisexuality. Sweden comes in at #8 on both Gallup's list of "Top Places for Gay People to Live" and HSBC's list of best countries for expats. Vietnam. 74% are happy with their work-life . Lesbian couples in the country have the right to opt for IVF treatment. Despite being heavily Catholic, Argentina was one of the earliest adopters of legalized same-sex marriage. Opposite sides of the world. This list isnt exhaustive, but it does examine the unique challenges facing LGBTQIA+ individuals considering a stint abroad. Argentina had the most positive attitudes of all Latin American countries in Pew Research Centers 2013 Global Attitudes Survey, with 74%of those surveyed saying homosexuality should be accepted. Montreal, like Toronto, hosts a very active gay . Sometimes, all you need Have options so that no one government controls you or your wealth. Transgender people may not change legal documents to reflect their identities without gender-confirmation surgery, according to a February 2019 ruling. Lisbon is without a doubt the best city for an LGBTQ+ person to live in. It is important to be oneself but also to remember to stay aware of all the goings-on in whatever country your nomadic lifestyle brings you to, and aim to look for the positive wherever one goes. Nearly 90% of the population accepting of homosexuality, according to the last Pew Research poll. 4. The Nordic island nation was also the first country in the world with an openly gay head of government -- Jhanna Sigurardttir, who served as prime minister from 2009-2013. Public attitudes to the LGBTQIA+ community have changed radically over the past decade. 10 Best Countries for Expats - Insider Monkey The Netherlands. 57% are positive about transgender people and gender diversity, according to a 2017 study by the Netherlands Institute for Social Research. The city is home to an annual pride parade. New Zealand's constitution is LGBT friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Its also the home to more than 30 national parks, the beautiful city of Buenos Aires and tango. The law allows same-sex couples to adopt, and lesbian couples have equal access to in vitro fertilization treatment. Dubai: a glamorous train station. Its also possible for non-EU/EEA nationals who are authorized to stay in Belgium to sponsor their partners on a Belgian family reunification visa. Taiwan is increasingly LGBTQIA+ friendly; however, same-sex couples cannot adopt. Is Portugal a good place to live for LGBT expats? Taiwan. Bahrain: laidback lifestyle, best for wage growth. New Orleans, known for its historic French Quarter, is a "haven" for the LBGT community due to its "abundance . New Zealands constitution is LGBTQIA+ friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. Bruges (Brugge), Ghent (Gent), Lige, and Ostend (Oostende) all have an active gay nightlife. Canada. Yet, not everyone here is LGBTQIA+ friendly. Other possibilities in South America include Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Arnaldur Halldorsson / Bloomberg via Getty Images. Canada was also listed as number three of the top 10 most gay-friendly countries worldwide in a 2014 Gallup survey. Unfortunately, many countries in Asia have anti-LGBTQ+ laws or other political issues that knocked them out of consideration. Where is the best country to move as a single person? Same-sex couples can adopt or use surrogacy services. This expat guide is all about pros and cons of living in Belize. Paris. Like Portugal, Spain has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters throughout most of the country. Spain ranked 11th in Europe for same-sex rights in 2019, with full equality at about 60%. Argentina's thriving LGBT scene attracts over 445,000 LGBT tourists every year and the Queer Tango Festival is a highlight for many. In 2015, Bettel became the first European Union leader to wed a same-sex partner. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 10 Best Places to Live as an Expat | WorldRemit Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In May 2019, a local pastor also moved the High Court, arguing that the ban hinders his congregations freedom to worship. Discrimination of sexual orientation in employment and housing is illegal. Taiwan was the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019. Being the very first country in the world to legalize same-sex unions through registered partnerships back in 1989, Denmark truly has evolved into being a progressive and LGBTQ-friendly nation. The most LGBTQIA+ friendly countries for expats | Expatica The Other Foundation reported that 51% of respondents in a survey on attitudes and gender non-conformity felt gay people should have the same human rights; 72% thought same-sex activity was morally wrong. 10 countries where expats are most satisfied with work and life - CNBC It's true that Poland is not among the best countries for expats who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Trumps is the best-known LGBT club in Portugal. Brazil has had gay marriage since 2013 and hosts some of the worlds foremost gay pride parades, in addition to offering other opportunities of interest to nomads who are doing business in Latin America or want to work towards Brazilian residency and citizenship. Costa Rica has affordable private healthcare, and the cost of living is much lower than in the U.S. and most of Europe. However, ILGA recommends that more work be done in terms of intersex people; Belgium has yet to ban unnecessary medical interventions such as carrying out sexual determination surgeries on babies. Expats report that contrary to expectations, local residents warmly accept LGBTQIA+ people; social attitudes vary, however. Among these individuals are many LGBT lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender travelers whose sexual orientation or gender identity is often not accepted by the society around them. 75% are happy with their job. Photo by Diego Gennaro on Unsplash. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Malta is a small island nation that is also part of the European Union and is still off the map for most nomads but has an increasingly vibrant expat community, including a gay scene. Although it does not have a highly sophisticated legal framework, the country markets itself as a welcoming destination for both Western foreigners and Asian travelers alike. Alternatively, you may be entitled to stay in Ecuador as a real estate investor spending as little as $25,000. Uruguay legalized gay marriage in 2013 and has also focused on transgender rights. As a result, their sexual orientation or gender identity might open them up to harassment or persecution. New Zealand's constitution is LGBTQIA+ friendly, offering several protections based on sexual orientation. One can focus their efforts on where they are treated best and be aware in their travels when a country or culture is not always welcoming. So if you are from the LGBTQ community and are planning to relocate to Norway, these cities should definitely be on your short-list. Madrid has seen the third-highest attendance in history for a pride festival after New York and So Paulo, with 3,500,000 visitors attending in 2017. This statistic says a lot about the general sentiment of the Belgian public. Costa Rica is an excellent place for LGBTQ+ retirees. Top 10 most LGBT-friendly places to retire in America - CNBC Dublin, Ireland. Expats find everything they need in close proximity in Portugal. Since 2006, same-sex couples in Finland have had access to IVF and artificial insemination. Art, culture, food, history France has everything. Thanks to the 2012 Gender Identity Law, people may change their gender without facing medical interventions. This could change following the Hong Kong High Courts January 2019 agreement to hear two separate challenges to the territorys ban on same-sex marriage. The country legalized same-sex sexual activity in 1969. Single individuals and couples, regardless of sexual orientation, enjoy adoption rights, and lesbians may access in vitro fertilization treatment. The government in Iceland has included sexual orientation in the nations anti-discrimination laws. Top Choices For Gay Retirement Overseas - Live And Invest Overseas For gay nomads visiting Argentina, the capital city of Buenos Aires has a bustling gay scene with plenty of friendly bars and hotels. The island nation, located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, is also known for its beautiful cities and landscape. Did you know that Lonely Planet an Australian travel guide and book publisher included Iceland in its rank of the Top Ten Gay Wedding Destinations? No wonder the country is placed on lists of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. However, the scene extends to Rosario, Crdoba, Mar del Plata, and Mendoza in the center of the Argentine wine country. Same-sex marriage was legalized in France in 2013. Anti-discrimination laws are also fairly weak. The Most Liberal Countries You Should Move to in 2023 But making the decision can be a greater challenge for LGBTQIA+ expats than it is for heterosexuals. fastest places in the world to become a citizen, residency in Malta with the Global Resident Programme, top most livable cities in Southeast Asia, The Best Nomadic Lifestyle Jobs (and How to Land Them), Digital Nomad Lifestyle: All Pros and Cons to Keep in Mind, St Kitts Travel Guide for Families and Couples, 44 Digital Nomad Visas to Get: The Ultimate Digital Nomad Visa List, Traveling to Antigua: Our Favorite Luxury Hotels. The Netherlands is considered the most gay-friendly country in the world, according to Gallup, and it was also the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000. Now for Madridthe beating heart of gay Spain and arguably one of the world's most gay-friendly cities. Now that the real estate mogul and reality TV star is Americas president-elect, NBC OUT has compiled a handy list of LGBTQ-friendly countries for U.S. expatriates. This article is just to get you thinking and imagining.