Which countries are "Safe" for (trans) women?

[Tills]

Well I was due to be in Ireland again this week but I've postponed it.

I don't feel it's the right time for me to be making big life-changing decisions about where to settle and live. I am still incredibly raw from my brother's sudden death six months ago and I haven't begun processing the trauma of that yet.

So I'm having a low-key week in bonnie Scotland, which I know well, instead. And then next month a holiday in Thailand, Singapore, and Australia. Possibly Bali too.

I've postponed major decisions on residency until next year.

xx

[Athena]

I found this hopefully it helps people with travel choices.


https😕/www.equaldex.com/issue/hate-crime-protections

[Lori Dee]

I've postponed major decisions on residency until next year.

Tills, I am sorry for your loss. I think that waiting for a while to make such a big decision may be a wise move. It is always a good idea to make decisions when you are certain that you are thinking clearly.

[Tills]

I found this hopefully it helps people with travel choices.


https😕/www.equaldex.com/issue/hate-crime-protections

Thanks so much Athena. I hadn't seen this one before and it's very helpful.

xx

[Tills]

Tills, I am sorry for your loss. I think that waiting for a while to make such a big decision may be a wise move. It is always a good idea to make decisions when you are certain that you are thinking clearly.

Thanks Lori Dee: this is so true! Great words.

xx

[Tills]

Well I did go to the north-west of Ireland, after all, and back to Dublin.

It was an interesting experience. I like the Irish people a lot and there's no doubt that it's trans friendly and supportive. In terms of scenery, Scotland it is not. And as a delightful Dublin taxi driver said to me, 'yeah but would you really want to live in County Mayo?'

That's the thing: you're getting a cheaper property but buying into isolation and a pretty run down area. If you opt for something with more pizzazz, you'll pay higher prices accordingly.

[Tills]

As for Thailand, the BBC have just broadcast a 3-part series called 'Thailand: The Dark Side of Paradise'.

It's a very good programme, bringing to the surface a lot of the hidden ambiguities about Thailand as well as a lot of the seedy and dark underbelly: much of which is induced by tourists. I'd recommend watching it. The only thing I will add is that it is from a western perspective: so it's how westerners interact with Thailand. There's a whole dimension to Thailand which is Thai ! You don't need to go to the Khao San Road. You don't have to go to yoga retreats run exclusively by westerners. And you certainly don't need to go to sex bars. 

To engage with Thai culture requires a lot more effort, to step away from the tourist bubbles. For example I have never really got why so many backpackers fill up their own coaches to head to the islands or famous cities. The same thing happens in Vietnam where tourists charter their own train carriages. Why not travel like the locals, or with the locals? Maybe the hardest part is to learn Thai culture and language.

Anyway, I'm defending the country but there's no doubt that the BBC series does expose a lot that is very dark. Here it is:

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002jwhg/thailand-the-dark-side-of-paradise

(If you're outside the UK you will need to use a good VPN.)

xx