LGBTQIA Students

While all Global Education participants need to plan their experience in advance, LGBTQIA students may wish to consider some additional issues before and during their Global Education experience.

• Research the LGBTQIA climate of your host country. Explore different resources such as the Special Considerations tab of all program brochures, LGBTQIA-friendly travel guides, and vlogs to gain a better understanding of what the social perception is.
• Talk with other LGBTQIA peers about their experiences in specific countries or regions.
• Understand the context, customs, laws and attitudes in your host country. Similar expressions or behaviors may have vastly different meanings in different places. In some locations open expressions of your sexual orientation might be criticized. What could it mean to be fully out, or closet certain aspects of your identity?
• Keep in mind that once outside the United States you are no longer protected by U.S. laws. If same-sex acts are illegal in your host country and you are caught engaging in them, or presumed to have engaged in them, you could be arrested and imprisoned in that country.
• Consider that the Global Education Office may be required, in some instances, to issue documentation that matches the name and sex as listed on your passport (or in ASU’s data systems). If you have any questions, your International Coordinator is eager to discuss how we can support you.

 Questions you may want to consider, research, and ask about

• Does your right to be LGBTQIA in the United States conflict with your host country’s religious or cultural values and traditions?
• What are gender relations like in the host country? What role do transgender individuals play in the host culture?
• Are there safety considerations you should be aware of?
• Are there “public decency” laws? Or “public indecency” laws?
• What is the age of consent? Does it differ for heterosexual versus same-sex couples?
• What is the police attitude towards the local LGBTQIA community?
• Will laws and attitudes be the same for different social classes or geographic areas?
• What resources are available in my host country for LGBTQIA individuals? 
• Are there any LGBTQIA -friendly establishments/neighborhoods/events nearby? How can I find them? 

 Reflections for You

• How open will I be about my sexual orientation with my teachers, peers, friends, host family and others? 
• How important is it to me to find other LGBTQIA students and friends while abroad? How will I make connections with other LGBTQIA students, local residents, or community organizations? 
• What are my safety needs and perceptions, and how can they best be met? Is the program able to make special accommodations for students who request single rooms, private bathrooms/showers, or certain roommates? 

 Tips to keep in mind

• If you experience difficulties, don’t be afraid to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. They are available 24/7 at every embassy who provide emergency assistance to Americans. 
• Be alert and try to avoid potentially unsafe environments, in general, and especially if the country climate actively marginalizes the LGBTQIA Community. Look out for yourself and your friends, especially late at night.
• Use discretion. As an American, you may already stand out. Public displays of affection may draw even more attention.

 Resources

• LGBTQIA Travel Information - information provided by the U.S. State Department
• Rainbow Coalition - Promoting an inclusive and affirming academic and campus environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, questioning students and their allies.
• Fund for Education Abroad - information about the Rainbow Scholarship (for LGBTQIA study abroad students)
• ILGA World - country-specific information related to legal rights and social climate
• LGBTQIA Rights Around the World - an interactive map from EQUALDEX of the legal rights of people in the LGBTQIA community
• Scholarships for LGBTQIA Students - a list of study abroad scholarship opportunities specifically for members of the LGBTQIA community