Can you go to egypt if your gay
Is it safe for queer travelers to visit Egypt? What are the risks involved and how can these be minimized?
Read about our trip to Egypt as well as our practical safety tips for LGBTQ travelers.
For years we've both wanted to visit the pyramids of Giza and immerse ourselves in the remnants of what was once an incredible Kingdom.
For Seby in particular, visiting Eygpt has always been a lifelong ambition. Since he was a little male child he's been obsessed with Ancient Egypt, carrying an Ankh (the hieroglyphic symbol for ‘life') in his wallet to watch over him. He's even decorated his entire left arm and torso with attractive intricate tattoos of Ancient Egyptian symbols.
However, Egypt is not the most welcoming destination for gay travelers by a long shot. Whilst they don't possess an explicit anti-gay statute in place, the government and local police locate other ways to goal and harass the local LGBTQ community even using Grindr to target/arrest queer guys…yes really!
Following our trial traveling as a queer couple in Egypt, we can confidently say it's actually fine…BUT!
And that's one big fat ‘BUT‘ in bold cap italics…
In this
According to contemporary Egyptian law, homosexuality itself has not been criminalized, but queer couples can still be persecuted. Discretion is recommended for gay travellers in Egypt.
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Is it Guarded for Gay Couples to Travel to Egypt?
Egypt is a Muslim country, and as such, also quite a conservative country. It certainly isn’t as conservative as other Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia. However, it is still a conservative land, and especially when it comes to things like alike sex relationships.
With its incredible ancient history and its abundant natural beauty, Egypt is an astounding country to see, but visitors should respect Egyptian customs. So, is it safe for male lover couples to commute to Egypt?
Let’s accept a look:
Public Displays of Affection
Public displays of affection among Egyptians are something you will almost never see. This is not only the case in Egypt, but also in many other countries that are not even Muslim countries.
Sure, when it comes to the younger generation, you may see boys and girls holding hands in universal, but you are not likely to see anything more than that. If displays of warmth in public among heterosexua
Last Updated on June 13, 2025
A while back while traveling Central America, we wrote this piece about how it feels as a lesbian couple to jump back into the closet while traveling and this one on how we live a bit of a half-in, half-out lifestyle. In this guest post by our friend Aaron of Aaron’s Worldwide Adventures, he tells a story of his time in Egypt, highlighting what he perceived as a possibly dangerous situation and his mixed feelings about so quickly jumping right back in to the safety of the travel closet. Read on for one glimpse of what gay tour in Egypt is like.
Did you realize that people are commonly arrested for being gay in Egypt?
As an out gay man, I’m used to living a very unwrap life. I never thought there would be a daytime where I’d hesitate to tell someone my sexuality. But what if you knew that there could potentially be a fairly aggressive reaction to such a revelation? Would you still be so “out and proud?” That was the thought going through my top one warm afternoon in January in Luxor, Egypt, recognizable for being the site of the Valley of the Kings.
It all started when I was wandering along the west bank of the Nile River. I’
Egypt
Approximately one million British people travel to Egypt each year. Most visits are trouble-free. This guide also has guard advice for regions of Egypt.
Terrorism
There is a upper threat of terrorist ambush globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and suggestions on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out more about the global threat from terrorism.
Terrorism in Egypt
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.
Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Be vigilant in crowds and large gatherings.
Targets might include:
- Egyptian security forces
- religious sites
- large public gatherings
- places visited by foreign nationals
The authorities in Egypt have a significant security presence across the country. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites.
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Last updated: 17 December 2024
Types of criminalisation
- Criminalises LGBT people
- Criminalises sexual activity between males
Summary
Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Penal Code 1937 and Law 10/1961, which criminalises acts of ‘indecency’, ‘scandalous acts’, and ‘debauchery’. These provisions transport a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine. The local advocacy group Bedayaa reports that, in reality, some are convicted to up to six years in prison. Only men are criminalised under this law.
These laws execute not explicitly criminalise lgbtq+ sexual activity but contain been enforced, to varying degrees, against the LGBT community in recent decades. The provisions are of colonial origin, and their vagueness has allowed them to be applied to same-sex sexual activity over time.
There is substantial evidence of the law creature enforced in recent years, with LGBT people organism frequently subject to arrest, especially since 2013 monitoring an incident in w