Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Students

LGBT students will find some countries more accepting and others less accepting than the U.S., but all countries will have some internal variation. LGBT study abroad students should research attitudes toward LGBT persons in a host culture as well as laws regarding homosexuality in the host country.

Countries may have LGBT support groups in cities and on university campuses, in addition to large, or not so large, LGBT communities. In some counties, LGBT communities may be largely underground, while in others LGBT communities may be a vibrant and visual part of the host society and culture.

Attitudes of a host culture can also vary between gay men and lesbian women and between bisexual and transgender individuals. Again, advance research is important to fully understand LGBT community and attitude dynamics of a country, region, and culture. It will ultimately be a personal decision whether or not to disclose your identity in a host culture, country, and/or university.

Hormone therapies may not be readily available or accessible in a host country and should be brought from the U.S. Research the regulations for bringing medications into a country, as well as mailing medications, well in advance of traveling.