Is morocco a gay friendly country

Morocco is a beautiful and culturally rich country, but its legal stance on homosexuality can pose challenges for members of the LGBT community. Homosexual acts are illegal in Morocco, punishable by up to three years in prison – and while this law tends to be more strictly enforced for locals, tourists are not exempt from these restrictions.

While Morocco has strict laws against same-sex relationships, careful planning can lead to safe experiences, especially in tourist-friendly cities like Marrakech and Agadir. Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are illegal in Morocco. Gay and lesbian Moroccans face many hardships in the country, as they have limited legal rights.

Moroccan police disproportionately target perceived LGBTQ people, and attitudes towards the wider LGBTQ community remain mostly negative throughout the nation. [2]. Is Morocco safe for gay travelers? Here’s everything we learned from our trip—from accommodations to cultural norms, plus essential safety tips for visiting as a gay traveler or couple.

Is Morocco LGBT friendly?

Gay Morocco | LGBTQ+ Travel Guide, Morocco Gay Rights & Safety Tips

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco, with both male and female forms being punished with imprisonment and a fine of 1, dirhams. The Moroccan government uses the law to police members of the LGBT+ community, with their names publicized before a trial. I am a UK taxpayer. A visit to a hammam will introduce you to the ancient Middle Eastern bathing ritual.

In March and April, a transgender Moroccan activist in Turkey started a campaign encouraging the outing of closeted gay people in Morocco, which resulted in numerous reported cases of harassment and death threats against LGBT people. Most viewed. Alcohol can be consumed by tourists discreetly, indoors and out of sight. Swells are best from September through April. In addition, extreme Islamism is very rare in Morocco.

You may want to plan your visit to Morocco around one of its many cultural festivals. Get to know the local people and their views some places are much more religious than others. It must have been a horrific and frightening experience.

Morocco gay bars

Overall, it is relatively safe and inexpensive. Image credit: peruvian. However, the law is not imposed frequently. Here you can find world-class breaks for surfers of all levels. A report from Human Rights Watch stated that in July, a Moroccan appeals court upheld the convictions of six men charged with homosexual acts in April. Ryan continues to explore the globe and his home country.

Algeria criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. Ryan is a world traveler, happy-hour seeker and digital marketer based in Chicago. Tunisia criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. It suggests that LGBT people hide their identities to avoid being threatened with violence. In November, two teenage girls, year-old Sanaa and year-old Hajar, went to trial on homosexuality charges after they were caught kissing and reported to police in Marrakesh.

Many famous writers, many of them gay including Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, and Tennessee Williams descended on the city looking for some fun and inspiration. It is a traditional public steam bath that not only served the purpose of cleansing and exfoliating one's body, but also acted as a social meeting place long before private baths were typical in homes.

Email Confirm Email. Continue your tour of ancient Fez at the Bou Inania and the Al Attarine, both 14th-century religious schools with stunning Marinid architecture. Special occasions call for whole roasted lambs, and eating the head is especially popular. Due to the highly religious and conservative environment, public displays of affection between couples — gay or straight — are highly frowned upon.

FEZ Located in the northeastern part of the country, Fez is often considered the cultural capital since it has the best maintained traditions and old-world charm. The National Human Rights Council, for example, only had knowledge of four to five cases being heard at the court of first instance in , and a lawyer interviewed for the report was aware of ten cases heard in , and twenty in Famous from the film, Casablanca is the economic capital of the country and located on the Atlantic Ocean.

The center of it all is the Fes El Bali, the walled medina, with its narrow, pedestrian streets that house artisan workshops, mosques and an 11th-century tannery still using ancient methods of tanning and dying leather.