Traveling abroad as an LGBTQI+ individual can come with unique challenges due to varying laws and attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender identity in different countries. Before traveling, it's important to research your destination, update your passport to reflect your gender identity if needed, pack important documents including legal and health documents, consider travel insurance, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Plan Your Trip With a AAA Travel Advisor
Before you Travel
Research your Destination
Check the Country Report of Humans Rights for the most up to date information regarding your destination’s laws & climate surrounding LGBTQI+ rights.
Update your Passport
Some LGBTQI+ travelers have reported difficulties entering a country on a passport bearing a name and photo that no longer corresponds to their gender identity. Visit your nearest AAA branch to change your name, gender, and photo. Learn more about our passport services here. If you are unable to update your passport before you travel, carry a note from your primary care provider explaining why your appearance has changed.
Note that you must book your flight with the same name, gender, and birthdate as the ID you plan to travel with.
As of April 11, 2022, U.S. citizens can select an X as their gender marker on US. Passport application. Choosing a nonbinary gender may not guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. Before you travel, check with your travel advisor or the foreign embassy for more information.
Pack Important Documents:
All travelers should make copies of important documents prior to traveling. This is especially important for LGBTQI+ travelers where legal rights differ from those in the U.S.
Couples traveling with minors should take special care to pack copies of parentage and/or custody documents, especially if your children do not share your last name. If you do not share a last name, bring a notarized copy of the child’s birth certificate. It’s recommended to also include an affidavit authorizing travel outside the United States sign by the birth mother, county agency, or private adoption agency.
Traveling with Needles
If you plan to travel with needles, syringes or hormones, you must have a prescription and bring the original box with the professional pharmaceutical label. You should inform the TSA that you are carrying prescribed medication and syringes. Keep all your medical supplies in one bag for easy screening. If your hormones need to be refrigerated, ask your flight crew if they can store your hormones in a refrigerator. If not, bring a thermos to keep them at a safe temperature. Never freeze hormone vials. Keep pills in a safe and dry place. It's crucial to check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation regarding prescription drugs before you travel.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program:
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service offered by the government that allows U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. to enroll their trip with their nearest U.S. Embassy. We encourage all travelers to enroll in STEP regardless of their gender identity. Once enrolled, this program will allow you to receive important information from the embassy in your destination about safety conditions, weather natural disasters, or civil unrest, helping you to make informed decisions about your travel plans. This program also allows your family and friends to stay in touch in the event of an emergency.
TSA Notification Card
The TSA offers a preprinted notification card to quietly communicate with TSA personnel particular personal items, medical conditions or other information. TSA agents are trained to recognize this card, and to take action to provide the appropriate screening procedures. You can download the notification card template from the TSA website here.
During your Travels
Keep these tips in mind
It’s important to remember that each country has its own laws that you must abide by. In many countries, consensual same-sex sexual activity, public gathering, or dissemination of pro-LGBTQI+ material- among other things relating to sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics-may be illegal.
Be vigilant of entrapment campaigns. Police in some countries monitor websites, mobile apps, or meeting places. Be careful when connecting with the local community.
In some countries, criminals may target or attempt to extort or harm LGBTQI+ foreigners. Be wary of new-found friends.
Some resorts or cruise port-cities can be segregated. It is strongly recommended not to leave the resort grounds. While the resort itself may be accepting, the surrounding area can be much less accepting.
If you need help or you are in danger
The nearest U.S. embassy may be able to assist you if you face problems overseas. Contacting your nearest embassy should especially be considered if you feel you cannot approach local police or have faced difficulties already. Consular officers will not make generalizations, assumptions, or pass judgment.
If you are arrested, immediately ask the police to notify the U.S. Embassy.
Other Useful links:
TSA Transgender/Non Binary/ Gender Nonconforming Passengers
International Gay/Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA)
National Center for Transgender Equality travel page
OurRight Action International
