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Gay Travel in Morocco . Centers in Morocco like Tangier and Marrakesh were seen as safe havens at the time that the LGBTQ+ groups were being persecuted in Europe. They are not only fantastic travel locations in and of themselves, but the locals also exhibit a sort of accepting, “been there, done that” mentality. This is still true in many ways today.
Morocco is a beautiful location with sand dunes, beaches, bustling marketplaces, resort towns, and jaw-dropping mountains, located less than 15 kilometers south of mainland Europe over the Strait of Gibraltar. Morocco is a stunning nation that has a way of appealing to all of your senses, making it a destination that is unquestionably worthwhile. Although Morocco has a reputation for being a fantastic travel destination for many different types of tourists, it is less widely recognized for being particularly gay-friendly. That does not, however, imply that there is no LGBTQ+ travel at all.
Contrary to its neighbor Spain, which is only a short boat ride to the north, same-sex marriage is prohibited in Morocco and is subject to a three-year prison sentence. Fair enough, this is rarely enforced, and the severity of the penalty varies across the nation. Non-Moroccan same-sex partners who travel or lodge together are exempt from this rule. Although you and your partner are exempt from the law since you are travelers, you should be aware that in Morocco, your LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters are required to live a life that is more subdued.
It is advisable to follow local customs and exercise discretion in public when traveling as a homosexual man in Morocco. In fact, both gay and straight couples should normally refrain from making public displays of affection (and you can learn more about the essentials of Moroccan tourism here). The majority-Muslim population of the nation is conservative when it comes to PDA of any kind. In light of the fact that this holds true for both the gay and straight communities, the LGBTQ+ community should not take offense at this reality because it is merely an expression of cultural respect.
Any traveler, gay or straight, visiting a foreign nation should take tradition and custom into consideration – and not just for safety! It can also be seen as a chance to immerse oneself in the culture and learn about living in another nation. There are two entirely distinct perspectives on a way of life that may be gained from looking at something from the outside versus experiencing it from the inside.
LGBTQ+ People and Culture in Morocco
Although Moroccans may not be allowed to engage in same-sex relationships, this does not mean that there is no homosexual culture in Morocco. Whether or not the government accepts LGBTQ+ travelers, Morocco has been and remains a popular vacation spot. Although not many tourists select Casablanca as a vacation destination, it is the center of the local LGBT culture and may be the most metropolitan city in the country.
Morocco has long offered a safe haven for people looking to avoid attention despite its laws and social mores. The fact that Morocco is now a place known for its social tolerance may be attributed in large part to this history as well as the frequently eccentric and imaginative people who have woven Morocco into their tales.
Paul and Jane Bowles were without a doubt Tangier’s strange pair for many years. The musician and author Paul Bowles was famously persuaded to move to Tangier by Gertrude Stein while she was in Paris. It is well known that Paul Bowles was gay and Jane was lesbian even though they were never openly LGBT. Their 1938 wedding was a very logical choice given the times. They discovered the ideal place to be themselves in Tangier. They ruled the Tangier art scene for years, receiving visits from Tennessee Williams, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, and Truman Capote. They were the dominant figures in Tangier’s International Zone’s LGBTQ+ community.
David Herbert, a British socialite and author who lived in Morocco for nearly fifty years, competed with the Bowleses for the top spot on the Tangier social scene. The Honourable David Reginald Herbert, who was known as “the Queen of Tangier” by author Ian Fleming, is buried in Tangier’s St. Andrews Church cemetery next to the medina, and his gravestone is simply inscribed with the words “he loved Morocco.”
The Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh was spared from destruction by Yves Saint-Laurent (yes, that YSL). Yves and Pierre were one of Morocco’s real power couples in the latter half of the 20th century. Even the royal palace appreciated them, in addition to the people of Marrakesh. The street in front of the Jardin Majorelle’s entrance was renamed the Rue Yves Saint Laurent in 2010 as a little tribute to his accomplishments. Princess Lalla Salma, Her Royal Highness, attended the unveiling of the new street sign.
On a more modern note, Abdellah Taa, a writer, director, and actor, is arguably the most well-known and visible homosexual male in Morocco. For those who want to delve deeper into Moroccan culture while traveling, he has written several works that are worthwhile to read. His book An Arab Melancholia is a coming-of-age story about a young man who fights to define his sexuality in the face of a homophobic country.
Another Moroccan novelist who explores the connection between sexuality and Islam in his writing is Rachid O. In France, a Moroccan guy is investigating his sexual identity in his work Chocolat Chaud. The fact that Rachid O and Abdellah Taia have decided to make France their home is perhaps notable.
Gay Travel in Morocco: Destinations
With the French rediscovering this Mediterranean gem and so much effort being put into initiatives across the city to restore it to its jet-set, Barbara Hutton-era grandeur, Tangier continues to be more of a “up and coming” destination. There is a little homosexual expat community here, but it seems like you’re either a little late (or perhaps a little early) to the party.
Marrakesh, on the other hand, is unquestionably the hub of all LBGTQ+ expat activities in Morocco. Of course, Marrakesh has a long history of being the residence of notable individuals like Yves Saint-Laurent. Simply said, Marrakesh is a dynamic, multicultural city with tourism as its lifeblood. As a result, you might encounter a mixed clientele at several bars and clubs.
The beaches and sunshine in coastal cities like Agadir and Essaouira nevertheless draw a sizable European homosexual population, despite the absence of a gay culture per se. Communities become increasingly conservative as you move from more metropolitan regions into the mountains and the desert, while they are still, overall, accepting.
LGBTQ+ Morocco: Acceptance
Although there are many LGBTQ+ people in Morocco, Moroccans still want men and women to get married and start families. It would be odd if you didn’t. One of the difficulties homosexual visitors could have when connecting with natives is this. However, same-sex couples staying in large hotel chains or foreign-owned riads in cities like Marrakech shouldn’t have any problems because these establishments are used to and accepting of many different kinds of tourists.
Hand holding between males is prevalent in many non-Western cultures, although this is only a sign of male camaraderie and nothing more. Don’t jump to conclusions, then, if you see this happen. Additionally, it’s possible that you won’t encounter this as frequently in cities. Numerous Moroccans are aware that two men holding hands in the west frequently implies that they are a couple, and Moroccans would prefer to avoid this notion.
The podcast AfroQueer explores what it means to be queer and African in a series of talks that take you on a tour around the continent. It offers an excellent “slice of life” insight into Queer Morocco with all its complexities. Listen to One Night in Marrakech, Season 3, Episode 1.
Outlook of LGBTQ+ Rights in Morocco
The prospects for LGBTQ+ equality in Morocco are still dim. Before the Maghreb reaches western levels of LGBTQ+ acceptability, it will probably take a long time due to traditional standards and a conservative religious culture. Currently, Morocco has no laws against discrimination or harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kif-Kif, which is an Amazigh word that meaning “same,” is one LGBTQ+ rights group in Morocco that is noteworthy. The Association of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals, and Bisexuals of Morocco, popularly known as Kif-Kif, promotes LGBT rights in both Morocco and Spain. For legal reasons, Kif-Kif is registered in Spain and is administered from there. Another Moroccan organization, M.A.L.I., is situated in Rabat and, while it does place a heavy emphasis on women’s rights and sexual discrimination, it also has a broad agenda for combating discrimination in general and the rights of LGBTQ+ people in particular.
Morocco laws and culture may not yet be in line with that of the adjacent Western world due to the country’s strong familial and religious traditions. Nevertheless, as a wonderful and unique location, Morocco continues to tempt the gay community. While LGBTQ+ visitors to Morocco should use caution, they may rest easy knowing that it’s a great place with loads to see and do.
