A new survey has drawn attention to the discrimination that LGBT+ couples face while travelling abroad.
Virgin Holidays surveyed 1,000 straight couples and 1,000 same-sex couples, and the results have highlighted the vastly different experiences that people have, depending on their sexual orientation.
LGBT+ couples reported that the types of discrimination they faced included being stared at (58 per cent) laughed at (35 per cent) and verbally abused (29 per cent). Just five per cent of those surveyed said they felt comfortable showing affection to their partner while on vacation.
One in ten couples said they had been threatened with physical violence and nearly two-thirds said they were afraid to take part in activities such as applying sunscreen to their partner.
The Virgin Holidays Managing Director Joe Thompson said: “Holidays should be relaxing, fun and full of adventure. Unfortunately for LGBT people this still isn’t always the case.”
“We want everyone to take on the world and that’s why we’re working with one of the biggest issues driven publishers to continue to raise awareness of the issues faced by LGBT+ travellers on holiday, and to work with our partners abroad, to give customers the best experience possible.”
Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson added that he believes everyone, "regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has the right to be whoever they are."
"That’s why it is shocking that in today’s society some of us can’t even enjoy a simple holiday without fear of discrimination," said Branson.
In response to the survey results, Virgin has teamed up with media company attn: to create a video that asks: 'What if we treated straight couples like we treat gay couples on holiday?' to point out the casual and not-so-casual homophobia that travellers face.
