LGBTQ+ travel in Britain

What the law says

In Great Britain it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation or gender reassignment. That protection covers you as a customer, when you use public services and as a guest of a private club, as well as at work. ^[1] It comes from the Equality Act 2010. ^[1]

Northern Ireland has its own equality law. The Equality Act 2010 is part of the law of England, Wales and Scotland, but almost none of it extends to Northern Ireland. ^[2] Northern Ireland's protections come from separate legislation, so if you need to rely on them, check with an official Northern Ireland body rather than a guide written for Great Britain.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England, Scotland and Wales since 2014, according to the community travel guide Wikivoyage. ^[3] In Northern Ireland it became legal on 13 January 2020, and the first ceremony took place on 11 February 2020. ^[4]

This page explains, it does not advise. If you face discrimination or a crime, use the official routes in the section on getting help below.

LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods we cover

These are areas with a long-established LGBTQ+ scene. Our area pages show what else is nearby, how to get there and where to eat.

Wikivoyage also names Glasgow, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Birmingham and Edinburgh among the cities with prominent LGBTQ+ communities and large Pride festivals. ^[3] See our Glasgow, Liverpool and Edinburgh guides for the areas themselves.

Pride dates

We list a date only once the organiser has published it. Hotels near the big Pride events fill early, so book as soon as you know your dates.

For other summer events by month see what's on.

Feeling safe day to day

Wikivoyage describes the UK as tolerant and generally safe for lesbian and gay visitors, and says same-sex couples showing affection rarely cause any upset, though it advises being aware of your surroundings. ^[3] It notes that in Northern Ireland, where many people hold conservative values, same-sex couples showing affection are rarely seen outside Belfast. ^[3]

The same guide says trans rights are often argued over in the media, but that most people, especially younger people, live and let live, and that outright hostility is unlikely. ^[3] This is background from a community-written guide, not an official assessment.

General advice for nights out, transport at night and scams is in our health and safety guide, scams to avoid and the guide for women travelling alone.

Getting help and reporting hate crime

• Emergency: call 999 if a crime is happening or someone is in danger. For anything else, call the police on 101. Calls to both are free. ^[9]
• Report online: True Vision, the hate crime reporting site run by the National Police Chiefs' Council, links to the police reporting form and has sections for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. ^[10] GOV.UK lists separate online reporting for Scotland and Northern Ireland. ^[9]
• On trains, the Tube and trams: you can text British Transport Police on 61016. ^[3]
• Support: Galop, the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, runs a national helpline for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence on 0800 999 5428. ^[11]
• Northern Ireland: the Police Service of Northern Ireland has a hate crime page; it refused automated access when we checked, so open it directly: PSNI hate crime (opens in new tab). ^[12]

Quick answers