Best countries for gay american expats

Discover the most LGBT-friendly countries to relocate to, because being able to express who you are should be a normal right. Working overseas brings many rewards, from the chance to experience new cultures to career advances. Besides the usual decisions such as career impact or healthcare quality, queer people often have to consider more severe consequences.

Though they may work for an LGBT-friendly organization, national laws can force expats to stay in or return to the closet. As a result, their sexual orientation or gender identity might open them up to harassment or persecution. The country decriminalized homosexuality in ; opened its first gay bar in Amsterdam in ; and unveiled the Homomonument — a memorial for gays and lesbians killed by the Nazis — in Amsterdam in To do this, they must prove they have an exclusive relationship, sufficient income, and pass the integration exam.

Additionally, transgender individuals are also supported by Dutch legislation. This includes but is not limited to the following:. Medically unnecessary surgeries are also still performed on intersex children. Many cities hold their own Pride events, the biggest of which are in Utrecht and Rotterdam.

Of course, LGBT-friendly events are held throughout the year all over the country, with plenty of bars, meet-ups, and cultural happenings to keep you busy. Same-sex sexual activity was made legal way back in and same-sex marriage was legalized in Non-heterosexual couples enjoy the same rights as opposite-sex couples in the country, including the right to adopt and anti-discrimination in all spheres.

Transgender rights are highly advanced in Belgium, where individuals can change their legal gender without surgery and receive gender-affirming health care. However, there is still more work to be done. Belgium has a large and well-developed LGBT-friendly scene that caters to a diverse range of orientations and preferences.

May is generally Pride Month across the country, with Brussels Pride being the biggest parade of them all. Same-sex marriage in the country has been legal since and Spanish literature, music, and cinema frequently explore themes of gender identity and expression.

Same-sex expat couples living in Spain have several legal rights when they register their partnership. These include:. As best countries for gay american expatsanyone over 16 years of age can change their official gender ; while those between 12 and 16 can do so with permission from a judge or guardian.

Furthermore, unnecessary surgery on intersex children is banned. Madrid Pride is the largest LGBT-friendly event in the Spanish calendar, consisting of a week of celebrations, street parties, and cultural events every July. Transgender and intersex rights are amongst the strongest in the world in Malta, allowing people to legally change their gender without surgery.

Single individuals and couples, regardless of sexual orientation, can also enjoy adoption rights and donate blood. Malta holds its Pride Parade every September in Valletta, often with local politicians in attendance. Most notably, the same-sex marriage bill was only approved inmaking it the first Southeast Asian country to do so.

This enables gay couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples, including:. Despite this, there is much left to be done to improve Thai LGBT rights, particularly for transgender individuals. Among the issues are the following:.

10 Most LGBTQ Friendly Countries: 2025 Guide

Here, you can find out about daily events across the country, from club nights to easygoing meet-ups. Pride is celebrated in different months in Thailand, depending on where in the country you are. When it comes to the biggest celebrations, Bangkok and Chiang Mai are held in early June, while Phuket takes place in April.

To close off the year with a bang, check out White Party Bangkok.