LGBTQ+ Safety Notice — HIGH RISK

Criminalised in all seven emirates; the death penalty is a legal possibility — discretion essential

Local law: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised across all seven emirates under federal law and, in some, Sharia — penalties include imprisonment and deportation, with the death penalty a legal possibility. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cosmopolitan but the law is unforgiving.

Safety guidance for visitors →

Do not disclose your orientation to hotel staff, drivers, or guides.
Avoid public displays of affection of any kind.
Do not use LGBTQ+ dating apps — police entrapment via apps is documented. If you must, install a VPN before arrival.
Avoid carrying LGBTQ+ identifiers (flags, books, screenshots) in luggage.
Phone searches at airports can include checks for LGBTQ+ content — delete sensitive chats/photos before crossing borders.
If travelling with a same-sex partner, present yourselves as "friends" or "colleagues"; book separate hotel rooms for safety.
Use Signal or Wire for sensitive messaging — not WhatsApp.
Keep emergency cash (USD/EUR) and two separate payment cards.
Stay at international-chain hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt) — they rarely interrogate guest arrangements.
Register with your embassy on arrival — consular help may be limited.
Share a daily check-in with someone trusted abroad.
Listings on this page are provided for harm reduction and informed travel decisions — not a recommendation to visit.

🆘 Who to contact if in trouble →

Global emergency resources (always available):

Rainbow Railroad — emergency relocation for LGBTQ+ people facing persecution. Confidential intake form.
OutRight International — global LGBTQ+ human rights advocacy and emergency referrals.
ILGA World — global legal-status map and regional contacts.
UNHCR — refugee status if you are persecuted; LGBTQ+ is a recognised ground for protection.

Local / regional contacts:

Rainbow Railroad (relocation help): rainbowrailroad.org/request-help
ILGA World: ilga.org

Embassy emergency lines:

🇺🇸 US: travel.state.gov — find your embassy and the 24/7 line
🇬🇧 UK: gov.uk/world
🇨🇦 Canada: travel.gc.ca — Emergency Watch and Response Centre +1 613 996 8885
🇪🇺 EU: europa.eu — any EU embassy can help EU citizens
🇮🇱 Israel: gov.il/foreign-affairs — Citizen Assistance Centre +972 2 530 3155

If detained: do not sign any document you do not understand. Request your embassy and a lawyer immediately. Do not consent to phone searches without legal advice.