GLBT Students and Study Abroad Resources
NAFSA Rainbow SIG
The Rainbow Special Interest Group (SIG) is comprised of diverse members of NAFSA whose goals are to counsel international students and study abroad students who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. This webpage includes links to travel guides and other resrouces.
Amnesty International Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Page
Amnesty International is dedicated to advocating for the rights of peoples of all orientations and identities. This page describes thier international initiatives on these issues.
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's mission is to protect and advance the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. The link above contains country-specific information on these issues.
The International Lesbian and Gay Association
The International Lesbian and Gay Association is a world-wide federation of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people everywhere.
GLBT Students and Study Abroad
All students, regardless of their sexual orientation, should consider making study abroad a part of their degree program and most importantly, as a tool for the development of their identity and self-acceptance. However, it is important to realize that in many of the countries where students study, issues related to sexual orientation may be different from those in the United States. While some countries are very accepting of GLBT issues, others are intolerant. Seek out information about the attitudes towards differnt sexual orientations and gender identities in the country where you are planning to study. Being knowledgeable these issues and how they will affect interactions with persons from the host country will allow you to have a rewarding and safe international experience.