Countries I would be imprisoned or killed in...

Now, the title for this post may be a bit shocking but the reality of it is true. I've always known there are places in the world I would never be able to go due to the fact that I identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community but when I actually began to research this I was shocked. I am shocked.

I consider myself a traveller, I even have a 'wanderlust' tattoo! I want to see the world and all of it's cultures but I am faced with the truth that this will never happen. Hopefully one day but maybe not. It's not because of my lack of money or commitment to my home country or limited time. No no. It is because if I go to several countries I will be imprisoned or in some cases killed!

But why...? BECAUSE I'M GAY! WHICH IS F*CKED UP!

So which countries you ask, let's see...

Overall, in 72 countries around the world being in a same-sex relationship or taking part in same-sex sexual activities will result in imprisonment under the notion of unnatural offences and gross indecency. Of those 72 countries, if I were to go to 12 specific ones I would be faced with the death penalty. In 12 countries I would be killed, this could even be by stoning and hanging.

Don't you think it's crazy I would get the same sentencing as a serial killer?

In 15 of those 72 countries it is also illegal to be transgender under the notion of impersonation and disguise laws. Again, possibly leading to death.

Of course, the numbers above are only the countries that officially admit to such acts. In more countries, almost all of them, there is no protection for LGBTQ+ indidvuals.

Here is a list of the countries in case the number wasn't a big enough shock for you:

Afghanistan

Algeria

Antigua and Barbuda

Bangladesh

Barbados

Bhutan

Brunei

Burundi

Cameroon

Chad

Comoros

Cook Islands

Dominica

Egypt

Eritrea

Eswatini

Ethiopia

Gabon

Ghana

Grenada

Guinea

Guyana

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Jamaica

Kenya

Kiribati

Kuwait

Lebanon

Liberia

Libya

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritania

Mauritius

Morocco

Myanmar

Namibia

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Palestine

Papua New Guinea

Qatar

Saint Kitts And Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent And The Grenadines

Samoa

Saudi Arabia

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Somalia

South Sudan

Sri Lanka

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

The Gambia

Togo

Tonga

Tunisia

Turkmenistan

Tuvalu

Uganda

United Arab Emirates

Uzbekistan

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Why was I so shocked? Are you sitting there saying "well I haven't heard of half of those anyway"? That's not really the point. There are 72 countries that I will never set foot in purely because of my sexual orientation and who I choose to love.

Egypt. I will never see the pyramids.

Jamaica. I have always wanted to go.

Maldives. I will never be able to stay in one of those cool beach huts like the Kardashians.

Basically the whole of Africa. Almost a whole continent.

However, I am extremely lucky that I do not live in one of those countries. Think about the people that do. The people that flee and seek refuge that are then are told to "go back home", only to be faced with 12 years imprisonment and 100 lashes (literally in Indonesia). That fear. That internal fight.

Why do we need Pride? Simple. Because someone, somewhere needs reminding that it is okay to be who they are.

Why don't we need a straight pride? Simple. Because in no country is it illegal to be straight and in no country will you die because of your heterosexuality or cisgender identity.

The world is a scary place, it really is, but there are people and there are places that do accept LGBTQ+ people so don't get too upset by what you've read. Nonetheless, be careful where you choose to go if you are LGBTQ+ and if you aren't LGBTQ+ don't take your freedom to travel and live for granted.

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Rainbow Talk

Contact me if you need help or advice

HannahJCostello@hotmail.com

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