Gay Travel Tips for Morocco

[Howie Holben]

Morocco is a country steeped in myths and legend and offers travelers the opportunity to experience a rich history and culture that continues to strongly influence daily life. Morocco offers visitors the chance to cross the desert atop a camel, sleep in a hotel made of sand and haggle with aggressive spice and rug traders in marketplaces that look and feel like they are from another time in history. In many towns and cities former homes have been transformed into guest lodgings, called riads, that often offer a more welcoming atmosphere for gay travel and provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and daily life of Morocco. While there is no visible scene in this conservative Muslim country, there are still abundant reasons for Morocco to be part of your gay travel plans, including ancient ruins and architecture, exceptional beaches, desert landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see and open air souks (markets) that wind through village streets offering exotic wares.

With splendid Muslim mosques, Roman ruins, street performers and snake charmers, gay vacations to Morocco is a once in a lifetime experience full of sights, smells, colors and sounds. Travel to Morocco would simply not be complete without standing in awe of the distinct art deco architecture in Casablanca, climbing atop an ancient white wall in Tangier to take in the expansive ocean views and breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, visiting the Dar Si Said Museum in Marrakech and exploring the diverse corridors of the Fes medina.

American and European socialites, writers and composers involved in the jet set scene once flocked to Morocco as a preferred vacation destination; however, while Morocco was once known as a liberal playground welcoming gay men and lesbians from around the world for vacations, a push by recent Muslim leadership to move the country back towards the strict moral code of Islam has caused this welcoming atmosphere to change. Although the law is not commonly enforced, homosexuality was deemed a criminal offence in 1962 and remains so today. Same-sex conduct is punishable by fines and between six months to three years in prison. The government released a statement in early 2009 stating that homosexuality would not be tolerated and that increased efforts to repress same-sex conduct would be established. This may mean increased enforcement of this 1962 law.

This type of intolerance and laws against same-sex conduct are not uncommon in African nations or conservative Muslim countries and does not mean that Morocco must be avoided during your gay travel. It simply means that discretion and awareness are advised while taking a vacation in Morocco. Travelers may want to consider visiting Morocco in an organized travel tour group or planning your vacation to Morocco through a travel agency that has particular knowledge regarding the most welcoming lodgings and locations for vacations.