Is morocco gay friendly
Inclusive Morocco is a queer-friendly travel company in Morocco
Inclusive Morocco is the first queer-founded and led luxury travel company in the country, with a 100 per cent Moroccan team. However, being gay is still illegal. Jenny Southan reports
Set up in 2020 by two passionate advocates for sustainability and inclusivity, Bilal El Hammoumy and Rania Chentouf, Inclusive Morocco itineraries are "meticulously constructed to celebrate the affluent tapestry of Moroccan identity, with the local environment top of mind".
The team champions excellent hospitality and inclusiveness, "ensuring every traveller leaves Morocco with a unique and profound connection to the country’s abundant spirit".
What they are not doing is openly and deliberately is promoting themselves as an LGBTQ+ commute company or setting out to attract queer travellers. It's a shame but understandable given the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the land. (You can be imprisoned for being gay.)
It does say on its website that Inclusive Morocco was created to "ensure an inclusive Morocco for minorities and undermined communities with a commitment to strengthen women and the LGBTQ community".
Through active engagement with the
Guide for gay people visiting Morocco
I can only feel caring and solidarity with Ray Cole and his partner (Report, 17 October). It must have been a horrific and frightening experience. But as an openly gay man who has travelled more than 20 times to Morocco in the last decade (often with my partner), it seems useful to produce some things transparent to other sapphic and gay travellers. 1) Male homosexuality is, theoretically, illegal in Morocco. However, the law is not imposed frequently. 2) Homosexuality is an accepted part of Moroccan tradition and has been for centuries. Most ordinary people are not hostile if you respect local customs (discretion, not pursuing underage boys etc). In addition, extreme Islamism is very rare in Morocco. 3) The whole state apparatus in Morocco has problems with corruption. This means that officials, including police, can act for personal motives – of power, funds or religion – without much regard for legal niceties. I have mostly found warm and open acceptance from ordinary Moroccan people as a homosexual man. Indeed, sometimes I have been pleasantly surprised: such as when the Moroccan-owned riad where we stay upgraded us to the best suite of rooms for free,
Gay Friendly Guide • MOROCCO | Itineraries, Tips and What to See | Practical Complete LGBT Friendly
- World Mappers
- Nov 21, 2022
- 19 min read
Updated: Apr 3, 2024
Travel solutions with itineraries to discover all the wonders of this destination, places not to be missed, advice on where to slumber and what to eat, and above all special ideas to make the most of your trip!
Welcome to Morocco, among deserts, medinas, spices,
enchanting colors and scents that
make it a dream destination.
In Morocco, male and female homosexuality is considered a crime punishable by a fine and up to three years in prison. When visiting countries appreciate Morocco, Discretion is the watchword. In reality, anyone, both straight and queer, should avoid widespread displays of warmth. In fact, in these countries, kisses and effusions in public are behaviors not accepted by anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. In Muslim countries it often happens to see men hand in hand, but we must be careful not to misunderstand this gesture as a autograph of homosexual connection. Indeed, here it is considered as a gesture of friendship. Two Muslim men hand in hand do not arouse an
LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Morocco
Interesting Cities to Visit in Morocco
MARRAKECH
At the foot of the Atlas Mountains lies Morocco’s most famous town, Marrakech, best known for its vibrant, bustling square and market called Jemaa el-Fnaa. Day and night, this is where you’ll find desert musicians, snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats and more ready to entertain and profit from tourists passing by, as adv as countless food stalls and artisans selling local crafts. Evade the hustle and bustle and step inside the tranquil Menara Gardens, complete with a 19th-century palace, reflecting pool and olive groves backdropped by the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. Must-see sights also include the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech, and the Bahia Palace, an architectural masterpiece.
FEZ
Located in the northeastern part of the land, Fez is often considered the cultural capital since it has the best maintained traditions and old-world charm. The center of it all is the Fes El Bali, the walled medina, with its narrow, pedestrian streets that house artisan workshops, mosques and an 11th-century tannery still using ancient methods of tanning and dying leathe