What We Want to Know
When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Panama is!
LGBTQ+ Laws
Some big changes to LGBTQ+ rights in Panama are currently pending, and we will hopefully see some positive transformation in the coming years. The current LGBTQ+ laws in Panama are moderately progressive, but there is certainly room for improvement. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 2008, making Panama the last Spanish speaking country to legalize it. They also declassified homosexuality as a mental illness at that time. Same-sex marriage is not currently legal in Panama, but since 2016 there has been a push to legalize it following several lawsuits. In 2018, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that all Latin American countries (including Panama) must recognize same-sex marriages, and the Panamanian Government has “welcomed the decision”. The ruling should mean that same-sex marriage and hopefully adoption by same-sex couples will become legal in Panama soon! Artificial insemination and IVF is already legally available to lesbian couples. The next step in Panama will hopefully be anti-discrimination laws, as there are currently no legal protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community. An anti-discrimination bill was proposed in 2015 but has yet to advance. Panama seems to currently be in a transition period, and hopefully we will be seeing some big advancements in the near future.
Social Climate
Historically, it seems that homosexuality was accepted among the indigenous Panamanians. The Guna tribe even recognized a third gender. After Spain colonized the country, sexuality was suppressed and anti-sodomy laws were introduced, shaping the social climate for LGBTQ+ people in Panama. In recent years, LGBTQ+ issues have been discussed and debated in the country, with the biggest opposition to LGBTQ+ rights being from the Roman Catholic Church. There are several advocacy groups in Panama that are petitioning for equal rights and helping to shift the conversation. More recently there has been open support from the government, such as when the First Lady opted to participate in the Pride Parade in Panama City in 2017. Panama ranks 55th on the Gay Happiness Index, and public opinion polls still show fairly low levels of support for issues such as same-sex marriage. Hopefully changes in the laws will help to shift the country toward a more accepting and inclusive society. All of this considered, Panama can still be considered a fairly safe destination for LGBTQ+ travellers, but it’s always important to keep your personal safety and comfort level in mind.
Gaybourhoods
The most prominent LGBTQ+ scene in Panama can definitely be found in Panama City, but because the country is more conservative, the gay scene isn’t very out in the open. There is no designated gay neighbourhood or area in Panama City, and many of the LGBTQ+ establishments move and/or close down quite regularly. The places they do have are geared more toward men, and most of the spots are in the Casco Viejo area (the old town). The community definitely seems to be growing as the culture in Panama changes. There has been a Pride Parade annually since 2005, and a growing support for LGBTQ+ people and travellers. If you’re interested in connecting with the local community, there is a company that offers LGBTQ+ tours and experiences all over the country called Eco Circuitos Panama. They also have a lot of other useful information on their website! For a Central American country, overall Panama can be considered quite welcoming. Of course, be sure to consider your comfort level and stay safe while visiting this destination and enjoying everything it has to offer.
Our Experience
We visited Panama together on a trip to Central America in the Fall of 2019! Panama was our third country in Central America after travelling to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in 2017, and we were completely blown away by it’s unique beauty. We based ourselves in Panama City and took day trips up to the Gamboa Rainforest Reserve, as well as the beautiful San Blas Islands off the Caribbean Coast. It always feels a bit hard to arrive in a country that doesn’t legally recognize our marriage, but we knew that Panama is in a transition period and we were interested to experience it. While we certainly put our safety first, we were also open when we felt it was safe to do so. We held hands in public, showed affection to one another, and didn’t lie about our relationship. We were never met with any hostility, and found the locals in Panama to be quite kind and welcoming. We did have one conversation with a Panamanian man, who upon learning we were married, let us know that he was fine with same-sex couples, but many people in Panama do still have a problem with it. He also suggested that two women together are more easily accepted when they are more feminine like us, which is similar to what we were told in Costa Rica. We could tell that it will still take some time for same-sex couples to be normalized in Panama and for all members of the LGBTQ+ community to be accepted, but we personally never felt unsafe during our visit. We enjoyed exploring the city, and had an incredible time up in the Rainforest. The Gamboa Reserve is an absolute must-do if you visit Panama! Our visit to San Blas was also one of the most unforgettable experiences we’ve ever had on our travels. The islands are the most remote and secluded destination we’ve ever visited, and we were so grateful to be able to include a visit on this trip. Panama is a lovely country, and we’re so glad we chose to experience it. We would love to return one day and explore the entire country more extensively. We would recommend Panama as a mostly lesbian friendly travel destination for women and couples, but as always we encourage you to do your own research. It’s important that you feel safe and comfortable during your visit.
If you’re interested in travelling to Panama, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Panama City!
Have you been to Panama? Share your experience in the comments below!
View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!
