Travelling in Asia as a TG.

[warlockmaker]

Travelling to Asia by Europeans and Americans is increasing. The culture, religion and mystique of the East attracts more visitors each year. However, if you are TG then you must be aware of the laws and acceptance by each country.

In general Asians are less physically agressive thus the risk of bodily harm is limited. This however does not reflect the attitudes of the people and the enforcement of law in each country. Below is a brief summary of laws and local attitudes by country.

Hong Kong.

Great laws to protect the LGBT. However, TGs pre op cannot use public toilets without a legal female ID.
The locals are divided on LGBT with the younger generation being very supportive.

China

Similar to HK. But more discrimination on equality.

Singapore

The less said the better. An authortarian state with crazy laws for LGBT. Even being a gay male is illegal, lesbians are legal. The laws are rigidly enforced and sadly many of the younger generation have the same issues with TGs as the older generation.

Phillipines

Great people. A Catholic country. Laws are trying to be changed with the first TG mtf legistator. Laws not enforced rigidly. It is against the law to use female toilets pre op, but no one really cares in Manila. Very latino attitude of free spirit.

Indonesia, Malaysia. Moslem countries with Sharia laws. Not advisible to visit unless you are post op and can reasonable pass.

Korea. The younger generation are gender fluid, especially in Seoul. Conservative christianity is the main religion. Statistics say 30 pct but its higher as many Koreans christians still worship ancesters and as such by definition are not recorded as christians. Laws similar to HK.

Japan. Laws similar to Korea, HK, China. Live and let live attitude. The younger generation are gender fluid. Safe country, just public toilets are an issue if pre op and do not pass.

India. A unique culture and diversity of attitudes. Stay off public transports and you would not want to use public toilets.Its not safe in certain areas of big cities especially if you are female and more so tg. Definately not a tg friendly country, especially if you dont pass or are preop.

Thailand. Laws and acceptence conflict. But a live and let live attitude. Public toilet laws on gender specific use but not enforced. Safe on all transports and most area. 20 pct of bangkok residents are LGBT. A very high percentage of Tomboys and TGs.A truly gender fluid population but laws have not changed.

Generally, if you are pre op and dont pass check the laws again carefully. In Asia its how you look and behave and no one will question you. I dont know about the USA as I travel there on female passport and postop and never had an issue so I cannot compare. I assume different cities have different attitudes and laws.

[fleurgirl]

Thanks for the heads up! One of my closest friends is from Thailand and she is 100% supportive of me. I absolutely adore her.

[The Flying Lemur]

Thanks for this.  My family likes to travel, but I've never been abroad since I started transitioning.  I don't pass well, which is kind of safe where I live, but I realize I can't expect the same everywhere.  No trips to countries with Sharia laws in my future, I guess. 

As for traveling to the US as a transgender person, I think it depends a lot on where you go and how you present.  People who pass as 100% male or 100% female are safer.  Non-binary folks and those who struggle to pass run into more problems.  Personally, I'd be cautious going anywhere alone at night if you're female, cis or trans.  A lot of American women take self-defense classes for a reason.

[SonadoraXVX]

I get the impression a lot more acceptance in Southeast Asia for TG's(except muslim countries), then Latin America(Latin America, especially Mexico is pretty atrocious). Love the acceptance of TG's in Bangkok though, gives me one more reason to learn the Thai language though.

[Gertrude]

Travelling to Asia by Europeans and Americans is increasing. The culture, religion and mystique of the East attracts more visitors each year. However, if you are TG then you must be aware of the laws and acceptance by each country.

In general Asians are less physically agressive thus the risk of bodily harm is limited. This however does not reflect the attitudes of the people and the enforcement of law in each country. Below is a brief summary of laws and local attitudes by country.

Hong Kong.

Great laws to protect the LGBT. However, TGs pre op cannot use public toilets without a legal female ID.
The locals are divided on LGBT with the younger generation being very supportive.

China

Similar to HK. But more discrimination on equality.

Singapore

The less said the better. An authortarian state with crazy laws for LGBT. Even being a gay male is illegal, lesbians are legal. The laws are rigidly enforced and sadly many of the younger generation have the same issues with TGs as the older generation.

Phillipines

Great people. A Catholic country. Laws are trying to be changed with the first TG mtf legistator. Laws not enforced rigidly. It is against the law to use female toilets pre op, but no one really cares in Manila. Very latino attitude of free spirit.

Indonesia, Malaysia. Moslem countries with Sharia laws. Not advisible to visit unless you are post op and can reasonable pass.

Korea. The younger generation are gender fluid, especially in Seoul. Conservative christianity is the main religion. Statistics say 30 pct but its higher as many Koreans christians still worship ancesters and as such by definition are not recorded as christians. Laws similar to HK.

Japan. Laws similar to Korea, HK, China. Live and let live attitude. The younger generation are gender fluid. Safe country, just public toilets are an issue if pre op and do not pass.

India. A unique culture and diversity of attitudes. Stay off public transports and you would not want to use public toilets.Its not safe in certain areas of big cities especially if you are female and more so tg. Definately not a tg friendly country, especially if you dont pass or are preop.

Thailand. Laws and acceptence conflict. But a live and let live attitude. Public toilet laws on gender specific use but not enforced. Safe on all transports and most area. 20 pct of bangkok residents are LGBT. A very high percentage of Tomboys and TGs.A truly gender fluid population but laws have not changed.

Generally, if you are pre op and dont pass check the laws again carefully. In Asia its how you look and behave and no one will question you. I dont know about the USA as I travel there on female passport and postop and never had an issue so I cannot compare. I assume different cities have different attitudes and laws.

Can you expand on India? They have a huge Hijra population and I thought they were making inroads. Further, Indians aren't monolithic. Sikhs have no prohibition of lgbt that I know of, but it's a minority religion there. Thanks.


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[warlockmaker]

India.

We had an office in Mumbai for many years. We closed it after the terrorist attacks as we could not find a family member to live and work there. So I have not been in India for 7 years. It is an amazing country with wonderful friendly people. Food poisoning is very common amongst tourist, thats where Deli belly came from. The locals are immune to certain bacteria.

Backpack tourism is very dangerous for females, and TGs. Poverty is beyond what westerners can even imagine and the caste system is still in place. Thus there is great discrimination. Life is cheap and rapes are common events.

However, if you travel on a quality tour and stay in good hotels and avoid late night adventures it relativly safe. It may be strange to hear this but many of the conservative anti lgbt attitudes were brought by the English colonist. India of old was liberal and gender neutral before the Brit occupied them and brought in conservative christian laws. Strangly, these values are maintained.

Again as in all Asian countries, except Thailand, if you dont pass or not post op, dont dress as a female. Its way safer to dress the male mode.Men have a superior standing and safety. You are travelling to experience the amazing country not to wave the tg flag.