Is morocco gay friendly

I can only touch sympathy 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 make some things unmistakable to other lesbian 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 culture 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 perform for personal motives – of power, money or religion – without much regard for legal niceties. I have mostly launch warm and open acceptance from ordinary Moroccan people as a gay male. Indeed, sometimes I include been pleasantly surprised: such as when the Moroccan-owned riad where we keep upgraded us to the best suite of rooms for free,

LGBTQ+ Travel Guide to Morocco

Interesting Cities to Visit in Morocco

MARRAKECH

At the foot of the Atlas Mountains lies Morocco’s most famous urban area, Marrakech, best known for its vibrant, bustling square and market called Jemaa el-Fnaa. Day and late hours, this is where you’ll find desert musicians, snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats and more ready to entertain and profit from tourists passing by, as successfully as countless food stalls and artisans selling local crafts. Escape 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 country, 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

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 engineered 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+ journey company or setting out to attract queer travellers. It's a shame but understandable given the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the region. (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 enable women and the LGBTQ community".

Through active engagement with the

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