Gay Tourist Victimisation

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of gay tourist victimisation, from the viewpoint of gay tourists. A review of literature suggests that the victimisation of gay men as tourists has received little attention. This is despite the fact that both tourists in general and gay men are highly likely to suffer criminal victimisation. The paper questions whether taking these findings together suggests that gay tourists suffer particularly higher levels of victimisation. A qualitative survey of a sample of gay tourists is undertaken with two rounds of interviews. The findings suggest that gay tourists do suffer high levels of victimisation on holiday, though measurement difficulties prevent generalisations. In common with other research, it is also found that: incidents are not reported (for fear of further victimisation in some cases); the types of crime are similar to those suffered by other tourists with additional homophobic related crimes; the lifestyle choices of gay men influence victimisation; offenders of homophobic crimes are more likely to be other tourists; and gay men are often discriminated against by the tourism industry. The paper concludes by arguing that, although a complex issue, experience and fear of victimisation influence the holiday decision-making processes of gay men.

The female tourist experience in Egypt as an Islamic destination

“…It must be acknowledged that, though outside the remit of the current study, women are not the only group that is prone to feelings of vulnerability and subject to the gaze of the other. Brunt and Brophy (2006) highlight the prevalence of the victimisation of gay tourists, whilst Poria and Taylor (2001) point to the reassuring anonymity of the internet for gay tourists booking holidays. Meanwhile, Poria (2006b) notes in his study of gay and lesbian hotel guests that personal safety and equal treatment from hotel staff and guests are highly important factors in the hotel experience.…”

Gay and Lesbian Tourism

“…About 40% of the sample had experienced some form of hostility at one of these events and many participants employed a range of individual and group strategies to avoid hostility. The men in this study itemized physical assault, verbal abuse, threatening behavior, theft, and discrimination (Brunt and Brophy, 2006). Likewise, the work of Brunt and Brophy (2006) found that victimization based on sexual identity was experienced either directly or indirectly by all the men in their sample of 20.…”

“…In their study of safety and hostility at a number of Australian gay and lesbian public events in the early 2000s, Tomen and Markwell (2009: p. ix) found what they called an "undercurrent of hostility, abuse and unreported violent attacks at these events, particularly in the aftermath of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade." Likewise, the work of Brunt and Brophy (2006) found that victimization based on sexual identity was experienced either directly or indirectly by all the men in their sample of 20. These strategies included being careful about when and where to show overt signs of affection to their partner or friends, remaining within their friendship group traveling, concealing their appearance, or 'acting straight' on the way to and from the event (Tomen and Markwell, 2009).…”

‘Gay’ tourists and host community attitudes

“…Adverse reactions towards gay tourists have been reported in, for instance, Egypt and Caribbean countries and have been attributed to a supposed threat to the heteropatriarchal national identities of these countries (Waitt and Markwell, 2006). Gay tourists identify certain societies and countries as unwelcoming, and nearly all gay men reported some adverse occurrence while on holiday such as verbal abuse, intolerance and physical attack, which was related to their sexuality (Hughes, 2002); homosexual tourists were at greater risk than others of such behaviour (Brunt and Brophy, 2006).…”