5 of the Most LGBTQ-Friendly Places to Study Abroad

Denmark's openness to the LGBTQ community dates back to 1948, when it became the first country to establish the National Association for Gays and Lesbians. In 1989, the country established the world’s first legislation for registered partnerships for couples of the same sex. In 2012 Denmark legalised same-sex marriage. 

There are several LGBTQ establishments safeguarding rights in Denmark, and it has been a popular destination for students belonging to this community. There are many LGBTQ students’ organisations, such as BLUS (in and around Copenhagen) and ANSO (which also has member organisations in Norway, Lithuania, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Poland and Estonia). 

The Danish capital, Copenhagen, was rated number one on Lonely Planet’s list of “the most gay-friendly places on the planet” and the city has a wide variety of LGBTQ+ cafés, bars and nightclubs. Copenhagen is consistently rated one of the happiest places in the world and offers excellent opportunities for those who want to settle down and start their professional life. 

Canada is famed for its high levels of acceptance and liberalism and is considered one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly locations in the world. Canada has been prominently politically liberal since the late 18th century and has since made huge strides in support of LGBTQ+ rights.  

Canada legalised same-sex marriage in a series of court decisions starting in 2003, leading to full national legislation in 2005. There are also various laws that protect the interests and rights of the LGBTQ community. For example, Canada outlawed conversion therapy in 2020. This legislation makes Canada a safer place for LGBTQ+ students, and students can choose from a variety of reputable universities 

One of these universities, the University of Western Ontario is home to the country’s first official university-based queer resource centre. Founded in 1997, the Pride Library now houses more than 6,000 items – including books, videos and DVDs, posters, paintings, periodicals and magazines. Most Canadian universities offer LGBTQ+ student societies, such as LGBTOUT at the University of Toronto. Additionally, a few Canadian organisations offer scholarships for students belonging to the LGBTQ+ community. 

With good weather, delicious food, great universities and diverse communities, Spain is the perfect LGBTQ-friendly study destination. Spain has been a consistent high-performer in lists of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in recent years. 

Since the fall of the Fascist dictator, Franco, Spain has shed its conservative nature and moved towards a more liberal and tolerant culture. Same-sex marriage was legalised in 2005, and capital Madrid will host the next WorldPride event in 2017. 

Many of the big cities in Spain have LGBTQ-friendly neighbourhoods and two of Spain’s major cities, Madrid and Barcelona, have a reputation as two of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the world, boasting many LGBTQ+ bars and clubs. 

Spain is home to several LGBTQ organisations, including the campaign group Federación Estatal de Lesbianas, Gays, Transexuales y Bisexuales (FELGTB), which was granted consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. 

Other LGBTQ-friendly places to study abroad in Latin America include Brazil and Argentina, but Uruguay deserves a special mention due to its growing progressive attitude towards the LGBTQ community. It has been consistently at the forefront of LGBTQ acceptance and decriminalised homosexuality as early as 1934. In 2013, it became the second country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. 

Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, is especially known for being particularly LGBTQ-friendly and has a number of gay, lesbian and transgender bars and clubs.  

With many cities and towns which are friendly and accepting, Uruguay is a great place for students looking for an LGBTQ-friendly destination. It is also one of the most affordable options among the list of LGBTQ-friendly places to study abroad. 

There are of course lots of other places to study abroad which are LGBTQ-friendly, such as the UK, Germany, Australia, Iceland and many more. Many countries are moving towards being more inclusive, and in the future there will be even more great places to study abroad for LGBTQ students. 

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