Navigating the World as a Queer Digital Nomad
When Deniz invited a friend back to his hotel room during a trip to Egypt, he expected a relaxed evening. Instead, he was met with a knock on the door from the hotel manager and a security guard who hurled homophobic abuse at them and forced his guest to leave. “They threatened to film us and tell the police,” he said. It was a hard realization: this was not a place where he could be himself safely.
These are the kinds of situations that queer travelers can face when exploring the world. For Deniz, a digital nomad who travels full-time, these experiences hit even harder. Despite having the immense privilege of choosing where to spend their time, meeting people, and experiencing different cultures, LGBTQ+ nomads also deal with the sobering reality that much of the globe still harbors varying degrees of hostility toward queer people.
The Unspoken Challenges of Being Queer in the Nomad Community
The conversation about the challenges faced by queer individuals in the digital nomad community is often overlooked, even though they make up a significant portion of the community. According to a study by nomads.com, 13 percent of digital nomads identify as bisexual, gay, or lesbian. Yet, their specific experiences are often left out of the broader discussion.
Julian, a digital nomad who has been traveling for almost a decade, shared how being queer affects his experience. “There are so many simple things that straight people take for granted,” he said. “Like being able to book a hotel room together, or just hold hands when you walk down the street.” Playing it safe in new countries often brings back painful memories of having to hide his identity during his teenage years in Spain. “I spent so many years living in shame. And sometimes, traveling makes me feel like I’m back in the closet. It’s a very painful feeling.”
The Mental Toll of Constant Vigilance
For queer nomads, the biggest challenge isn’t visas, time zones, or even fighting with dodgy Wi-Fi before an important call. It’s the mental toll of constantly assessing how visible they can safely be and staying alert to the risk of homophobic violence.
Back home, one of the best ways to face these issues is to find a queer community—a group of people and space where you can be fully yourself without fear. Creating that kind of safe space is more challenging on the road, but far from impossible. Around the world, queer nomads are finding ways to piece together long-distance, multicultural chosen families.
Building Connections Across Borders
“Moving around so much has made me realize that queer people are everywhere,” says Sophie Bellamy, a writer who has spent the past eight years as a digital nomad. She has met other queers on walking tours, at digital nomad meetups, in coworking spaces, at Pride events, and even on dating apps. Some of those connections have led to solid friendships over the years.
She even met her business partner, Holly Close, while traveling. Together, they founded Good Egg, a web and copywriting studio for women and non-binary business owners. “A proper queer digital nomad business,” Sophie says.
Online Communities and Real-World Destinations
Some encounters happen by chance—like a Pride sticker on a hostel door or a conversation during a language exchange. Other times, it takes more effort, such as asking travel friends for introductions or reaching out in queer nomad Facebook groups. In true digital nomad style, online spaces have become an essential part of the community.
Facebook groups like Queer Women Digital Nomads and LGBTQ+ Digital Nomads and Freelancers are great places to share advice or commiserate about unpleasant experiences. You can find travel buddies and swap stories. For those looking for romance, Nomad Soulmates is an LGBTQ+-friendly dating app that also runs real-life meetups and online events.
There are also real-world destinations known for being safe and welcoming to queer people. Lisbon, with its beaches, coworking hubs, and vibrant nightlife, is a popular option. Another is Guadalajara, Mexico—affectionately nicknamed “GAYdalajara”—which has a thriving queer community and growing nomad scene.
Tips for Starting the Journey
For those just starting out, Sophie recommends choosing a destination like these. “Somewhere with strong LGBTQ+ rights and an active digital nomad scene,” she adds. Before arriving, she suggests joining local Facebook groups or booking into a coliving space—accommodation designed for remote workers—which can offer “a soft landing if you’re nervous about meeting people.”
“Mostly, I’d say just go for it. It can be scary to start this journey, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” says Sophie. “The more queers out there in the world, the better.”
