Is Dubai Safe for Gay Couples? What It’s Really Like.
Dubai is one of the most searched destinations by gay couples, and also one of the most confusing. On paper, the laws are clear. In real life, the experience is nuanced. We’ve actually been to Dubai twice now, and our feelings about the city couldn’t have been more different each time. So instead of fear-mongering or sugarcoating, we want to share what it’s really like visiting Dubai as a gay couple.
Is Homosexuality Legal in Dubai?
Let’s rip the band-aid off, as of today, homosexuality is illegal under UAE law, and same-sex relationships are criminalized. However, enforcement is inconsistent, especially for tourists. The vast majority of issues arise from:
Public displays of affection
Public complaints
Social media exposure
Being overtly confrontational about local norms
This doesn’t make the laws okay, and we don’t ignore the fact that locals still have to hide in ways visitors don’t. We come and go. They don’t, and that matters. But this is where visiting as gay couple gets muddy.
Our First Trip to Dubai as a Gay Couple
About eight months into dating, in 2022, Davey came to me and said he had to travel to Dubai for work. I (Omie) didn’t know what to say but equally, I’d always wanted to see the Burj Khalifa firsthand (such a tourist, I know) and was also curious why everyone and their mom was going to Dubai, so I decided to join. We didn’t look into the LGBTQ+ laws until after we booked our trip, which looking back now was careless because once I saw homosexuality was illegal in Dubai, my soul literally left my body. Like any sane person, I was like ‘I will not be going, thank you.’ Since Davey had been multiple times before, he talked me off the ledge and insisted it would be okay. So I decided we’d go together, but not as a gay couple. We’d go as ‘friends’ for our safety. Davey chuckled, but me and my anxiety were serious.
Arriving in Dubai: The Fear and The Reality
Landing in Dubai was… a lot. A mix of nerves, intrusive thoughts, sweating, you name it. Not because it was scary - it was uneventful, actually - but because of everything I’d built up in my head. I was on the verge of you-know-what in my pants while waiting to meet the immigration agent. Davey and I went separately, just to be extra safe, but the agent barely acknowledged my presence, like the hundreds before me and the hundreds still to come. Before we knew it, we were in a taxi on our way to our hotel as the majestic Burj Khalifa crept into view.
The best way we can describe Dubai is to think of Las Vegas, but metropolitan like Chicago and set in the Middle East. Though some say it lacks personality, Dubai is stunning. We instantly felt at ease the moment we got to our hotel, where we requested separate beds (also to be extra safe), and were welcomed by the kindest smiles. From a straight man, too. He didn’t seem bothered by us, so nor were we.
Navigating Dubai as a Gay Couple: What We Did & How We Felt
Exploring Dubai: Like any first time tourist, we did all the classic things (poor Davey was dragged to all of it). We walked endless luxury malls, like they honestly never end; explored Old Town and the Marina; swam in the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool (which was very cool); and just soaked up the Middle Eastern sun. Getting around was easy and we not once had any issues, though as we said, we were mostly ‘friends’ than we were a gay couple. We did find other ways to embrace each other, and certainly did behind closed doors in the comfort of our own hotel room 😘, but we didn’t show any PDA. A few times we did forget and went to hug or hold onto each other, but it was quick enough no one noticed.
How We Felt: As most gay couples know, those of us who have traveled to not-so-gay-friendly destinations know that it doesn’t feel great to essentially ‘go back in the closet.’ Not touching or simply acting as friends with your partner can be… weird. But as Davey and I say all the time, we’re friends already and it’s only for a few days. Outside of those natural feelings, we felt totally fine being in Dubai. We felt safe enough to be there as tourists and enjoy what the city had to offer.
Our Second [Eye-Opening] Time in Dubai
Okay, so fast forward to 2025, Davey and I were discussing our New Year’s plans. We wanted to escape the gloomy weather in the U.S. and UK, so we decided to head to the Middle East (we’ll be sharing more on this, so follow us for more! But we did post about Qatar, and Oman is soon to come) and because we’d be in that side of the world, we decided to head to Dubai again to ring in the new year.
What a few years can do because this time I wasn’t nervous and, in fact, was able to enjoy Dubai for what it was. And the funniest part of it, is that we met a private flight attendant… a gay private flight attendant 👀 who visits Dubai a lot for work and he gave us the tea, so we know feel knowledged enough to speak on this matter. So he shared personal stories of his time in Dubai, wandering around and meeting people via some certain apps. He told us there are a lot of fish in the sea (if you know what we mean). That there’s an underground scene that all gay locals are aware of, but protective of as well, understandably so. Safe to say, even if the laws and sentiment aren’t there with other more visible countries, the reality is that gay people do live and party in Dubai. With enough caution, as our new friend said, it is entirely possible to both enjoy the city and meet other gays, either locals or also visiting.
Oh and spending New Year’s there was cute! Lots of fireworks, and even more people. We couldn’t get access to Burj fireworks because it was too expensive, so we did the Marina and it was lovely. If you’ve been wanting to go for New Year’s, message us. x
Our Top Safety Tips for Gay Couples Visiting Dubai
If you take anything from this article is this: NO. PDA. That is customary in most of the Middle East, it’s cultural really, for all types of relationships. Be mindful of this if and when you go because it’s seen as disrespectful, and locals do not stand for it. A friend told us that her friends, a straight couple, went to Abu Dhabi (which we’ve also been, but that’s a story for another day) and the guy forgot where he was, so he grabbed his partner by the shoulder and a few minutes later, a guard was asking him to delete the photo. I think this was inside a mosque, so that could very well be the reason, but just no touching out in public. Your hotel room is a different story. But also, be mindful of sounds and of keeping your door locked. I’m extra paranoid, so that’s where my mind goes first, but it doesn’t hurt to be extra careful.
Other safety tips that will help keep you safe:
If you’re questioning at immigration, say you’re friends traveling together.
Pick a reputable hotel, which shouldn’t be a problem. There are plenty! (If you want to know where we stayed, once close to the Burj and the other in the Marina, DM us.)
Dress modestly, though we did see some straight gym bros in tiny-tiny shorts and no one said a thing. But when it comes to flamboyant clothing, where it says OF COURSE I’M GAY, we recommend leaving that at home.
Now, this last one, which we didn’t think about but will safe you from an uncomfortable moment. Lube… if you bring it, put it in an unassuming container. You probably won’t be stopped at security, we didn’t the first time we traveled in and realized upon getting to the hotel, we had brought it with us lol oops. But the second time we went, we knew not to risk it.
Final Thoughts: Would We Recommend Dubai for Gay Couples?
We know we rambled for a bit, well, I did lol Davey would’ve just said, ‘You’ll be fine. Go.’ But I wanted to provide detailed context. It’s normal to feel anxious about visiting Dubai. It’s illegal for us to exist there, and we don’t overlook the fact that locals there still hide. Still have to hide. While we get to come and go, they can’t. But based on what our new friend said, it’s very possible to live a good enough life there, as a gay man or as a gay couple. Of course, discreetly.
When it comes to deciding whether or not to visit Dubai, we will leave you with this:
If you respect local customs and are comfortable with being discreet/toning things down for a few days, then visiting Dubai is possible, and you will be fine.
If you aren’t comfortable with ‘going back in the closet,’ then Dubai is not for you.
Dubai might not be a place where you feel fully free, but it doesn’t feel unsafe either. As we say to our friends, just like we ask guests to take their shoes off in our home, we see visiting another country the same way. You’re ultimately visiting someone else’s home, whether we like their customs or not.
If Dubai is somewhere you’ve always wanted to see, we hope this helps you feel more at ease. We always love hearing from you, wherever in the world you are! Feel free to DM or email us with questions and as always, safe travels, friends!
Davey & Omie
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yes, for tourists, Dubai is safe as long as you are discreet and respectful of local customs.
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Yes, many gay couples visit Dubai without issue. The key is understanding the laws and adjusting behavior accordingly.
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Our experience comes from the point of view of two cisgender gay men, so we cannot speak to other people in our community, so please do your own research. But being that we’ve been twice now, we can say that there could be issues for those in our community that can’t ‘hide’ as easily. Happy to answer any other questions, if we can!
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While it might get a little chilly, it is always hot in Dubai, so keep that in mind. Bring shorts (and pants, you’ll need those for certain places), shirts and a light jacket for when it does get chilly.
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Aside of the above safety tips, always have service. Dubai has good wifi, but you never want to be stuck depending on it, especially as a gay traveler. Get an e-SIM, they are fast and easy. We’ve used Airalo and have loved them!
