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Avoiding Hate Crimes
Safety is a concern for all travelers, but gay and lesbian travelers should be especially careful on the road as they are sometimes subject to unique dangers. The following tips should help you avoid violence and discrimination while traveling. - Keep in mind that if you're traveling abroad, cultural differences can create confusing situations. For instance, in China, it is very common for adults of the same sex to walk down the street holding hands. But in almost every instance, it simply means the pair are friends. Public displays of affection between lovers of any orientation are rare, and openly gay culture virtually unheard of. When traveling in this or any other unfamiliar culture, be sure you understand what's going on before creating a scene that could get you in trouble.
- If you're lucky enough to live in a place where people feel comfortable leading openly gay lives, remember that some parts of the United States are slow to catch up. For example, Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, and Oklahoma still have laws on the books against homosexual relations. These laws are ambiguous, and often interpreted to include just about any act between any two people, regardless of gender. So if you find yourself in a hostile situation in these states, be careful: Not only are you unlikely to get much help from the local authorities (although there are progressive people everywhere), you could even find yourself charged with a crime.
- If you're planning on heading to any gay bars or clubs on your trip, it's a good idea to scope out their locations during the day. This is helpful for two reasons: For one thing, you'll be sure the establishment still exists. You'll also be more familiar with the area and less prone to getting lost at night, when an assault is more likely to occur.
- It's probably not a good idea to bring a stranger home with you. If you must, make your friend register at the hotel. While meeting new people is one of the joys of travel, remember that a pick-up could turn into a set-up for a gay bashing, or a sting by local police.
- If you experience any problems while on vacation, report it to the local gay or anti-violence hotline. In the United States, you should be able to find listings in the Yellow Pages. If you can't, try contacting the Lambda Legal Defense Fund at 212-809-8585. (Ask for the "intake" department.) The Lambda Legal Defense Fund is a nationwide advocacy group fighting for the rights of gays and lesbians. While the organization may not be able to handle your case directly, it should be able to refer you to a local organization that can help. Abroad, try contacting the International Gay/Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) at 415-255-8680. Based in San Francisco, IGLHRC stands up for gay and lesbian rights on a global scale.
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