7 Resources for LGBTQ+ Folks Ready to Move Abroad (2025 Edition)
So you want to move abroad… now what?
Most exciting time for a future expat: the moment you realize that moving abroad is actually possible. More than nine million Americans are already living abroad as expats and immigrants.
Most terrifying time for a future expat: the very next moment, when you think… ok, so… now what? How do I figure out where to go? How to get there? When? And most importantly… where do I even start?
If you’re queer or trans, there’s an extra layer of complexity around safety, legality, social acceptance, and building community that cis-het expats rarely have to think about. And there still aren’t enough queer-specific resources to make this easy. A lot of the work is still grassroots: piecing together information from scattered corners of the internet.
The three first steps to planning your move
The biggest mistake most people make when they start planning a move abroad is focusing too much on where they want to go, and not enough on how they’re going to get there.
Here’s what you actually need to do first:
Step 1: Shortlist countries
Start by narrowing down a few countries that interest you. This part can be based on language, geography, culture, career opportunities, or anything else that matters to you.
Step 2: Research visa pathways
Once you have a shortlist, your next move is to figure out whether those countries offer visas you actually qualify for. Whether it’s a work visa, digital nomad visa, student visa, or something else, this step is critical. If there’s no legal pathway for you to move, the rest doesn’t matter.
Step 3: Understand LGBTQ+ safety and society
Only after you’ve identified real visa options should you dig into how welcoming, affirming, and safe each place is for LGBTQ+ people. That’s where the following resources become essential. They’ll help you get a clear picture of queer life on the ground, so you can make a decision based on more than just wishful thinking.
1. Asher + Lyric’s LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index
This detailed index is the result of more than 350 hours of research by allies Asher and Lyric Fergusson. It ranks countries based on a wide range of LGBTQ+ rights criteria and includes a dedicated Global Trans Rights Index.
How to use it: Don’t obsess over whether a country is ranked 4th or 35th. Instead, focus on which rights are present or missing and imagine how those gaps might affect your daily life.
2. Equaldex
Equaldex is a collaborative, crowd-sourced knowledge base tracking LGBTQ+ laws and rights worldwide. It’s especially strong in visualizing data clearly so you can see how protections vary across regions.
How to use it: Filter by topic — from same-sex marriage to discrimination laws to intersex surgeries — and explore how different issues are handled in your countries of interest.
3. Everywhere Is Queer (Map + App)
Created by activist Charlie Sprinkman, Everywhere Is Queer maps more than 13,000 queer-owned and queer-friendly businesses around the world.
How to use it: The density of listings can hint at how socially welcoming a place is. It’s also a great way to find community, safe spaces, and affirming businesses once you arrive.
4. IGLTA – International LGBTQ+ Travel Association
Founded in 1983, IGLTA is a global network of LGBTQ+-welcoming tourism businesses. It offers free resources and can help you identify safe, inclusive travel destinations, which is useful for scouting places before you commit to a move.
How to use it: Keep in mind that tourist-friendly doesn’t always mean locally LGBTQ+-friendly, but it’s still a helpful lens when planning your first visit or short-term stay.
5. UCLA Global Acceptance Index
Published by the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute, this report measures the social acceptance of LGBTQ+ people across 175 countries.
How to use it: Use it to cross-reference other resources and better understand how a country’s cultural attitudes might impact both locals and expats.
6. Quinn – The Queer International Network (powered by Rainbow Relocation Strategies)
Quinn is our private, paid online community built specifically for queer and trans people planning moves abroad. It’s designed and run by the Rainbow Relocation Strategies team to take you far beyond free online research. Inside, you’ll find country-specific spaces, expert Q&As, visa breakdowns, expat logistics guides, curated resources, and a global network of LGBTQ+ expats and families.
How to use it: Join when you’re ready to move from scattered information to an actionable plan — and to surround yourself with people who understand the journey you’re on.
7. Queer Expats Worldwide Facebook Group
Run by our team at Rainbow Relocation Strategies, this free Facebook group connects thousands of current and future LGBTQ+ expats. It’s a supportive space to share stories, ask questions, and learn from others’ real-world experiences.
How Rainbow Relocation Strategies can help:
We offer one-on-one consulting, custom relocation strategies, and both free and paid communities to support your journey abroad.
Explore all our services here: RainbowRelocation.com/services
