LGBT: Tangier

Traveling to any foreign country as a gay man or woman can be a dicey proposition. Europe is relatively safe all over, but if you try and head south to Africa it’s a different story. Tangier, in particular, is a bit of an enigma.

Make no mistake; homosexuality is still illegal in Morocco. In Tangier, however, it’s rare the law is ever enforced. Homosexuality isn’t something spoken openly about often, but locals seem to be fine with it for the most part. That doesn’t mean you should make a point to engage in same-sex PDA along the sidewalks.

Finding a gay bar or restaurant is next to impossible, though you might stumble across a few that cater to both gay and straight crowds here and there. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to pinpoint to gay-specific nightlife in the city because any business that advertises as catering to gay men or women is technically committing a crime.

Instead, you should focus on enjoying the sights and sounds of Tangier rather than having an all-encompassing “gay” experience. Chat up the locals and don’t be afraid to be honest about orientation, but don’t engage in anything in public that might get you in trouble. You’re bound to meet lots of open and accepting, and likely gay, men and women throughout the city who will be happy to sit down with you for a drink.