Studying abroad as an LGBTQ+ or non-binary student brings with it unique experiences, questions, and options that heterosexual peers will not encounter. Is the city LGBTQ+-friendly? Where are the best queer, lesbian or gay bars and cafés? How can I meet local Trans folx? Where can I learn about gender inclusive language in Spanish? Are my weekend trip destinations safe for me? It’s also really common during college years for students to not have a fully clear grasp on their gender identity. And that is okay. Study abroad is a particularly unique experience where many students explore and sometimes discover their true gender identity and sexual orientation. Both Barcelona and London are pretty inclusive cities and compared to home, they may be much more open and welcoming of gender diversity and expression. This context might provide just the environment to explore this part of your identity. However it is that you do identify, know that we are here to celebrate and support you! Browse our collection of resources below specific to the LGBTQ+ student experience.

GENERAL RESOURCES

Blogs, Guides & Podcasts

• Discovering My Sexual Identity Abroad, IFSA-Butler student blog
• Podcast episode: Packing Pride, Identity & Diversity in Your Study Abroad Suitcase is about LGBTQ+ folx and their experiences studying abroad, out and not.
• A Roadmap For The Queer Study Abroad Experience, Diversity Abroad student blog
• LGBTQ+ Students Abroad, Diversity Abroad article
• Once Upon a Journey is a Lesbian travel & lifestyle blog written by Roxanne and Maartje, a Dutch couple based in Amsterdam.
• Packing Pride: Exploring Study Abroad through an LGBTQ+ Lens, USAC
• Studying Abroad as an LGBTQ+ Male Student - Alumni Q&A, USAC
• Tips For Studying Abroad As An LGBTQ+ Student, USAC
• A guide to how gender-neutral language is developing around the world, Washington Post 
• The Dos and Don’ts of Being an LGBTQ+ Ally During Study Abroad, USAC
• elgeeBE is the LGBTQ Travel Community around the globe! 
• GlobalGayz
• Meaningful Travel Tips and Tales: LGBT Traveler’s Experiences, GoAbroad
• IGLA Sexual Orientation Laws will inform you on how LGBTQ+ friendly the country is that you are thinking about visiting while you’re abroad.
• The Queer Allyship Lexicon, We Create Space.

BARCELONA RESOURCES

Blogs & Guides

• A Simple Guide To Using & Understanding Lenguaje Inclusivo (VIDEO)
• My Take on Being LGBTQ+ in Spain, Diversity Abroad student blog
• How to reduce gender bias in Spanish Language is an article with some quick tips about gender-neutral language in Spanish.
• Ni él, ni ella: Being Nonbinary in Spain, IES student blog.
• Gender-neutral language in Spanish, NonbinaryWiki.
• Gay Barcelona: the best gay hotels, bars, clubs & more, Two Bad Tourists.
• IGLA-Europe, Spain Human Rights Review of LGBTQ+ People
• Non-binary Catalan Language Guide - the first of its kind!!

Cultural & Social

• Flamenco Queer is a show you won’t wanna miss!
• Barcelona LGBTQ+ Center is Barelona’s space of reference for LGBTQ+ persons. 
• Inusual Project - multidisciplinary cultural center offering different types of shows: comedy, theater, improv, music, etc.
• Casal Lambda is a grassroots org where you can socialize and get informed.
• Joves Casal Lambda brings together LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 18 and 35 to hang out and build community together. 
• La Bonne, Centre Cultural de Dones Francesca Bonnemaison is an intersectional, feminist organization that organizes different types of creative events.
• Under The Rainbow with ESN is the Erasmus Student Network LGBTQ+ group.
• Queer Meetup groups in Barcelona
• Keshet Sefarad is a Facebook group for LGBTQ+ Jews in Spain.
• Barcelona International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
• Ella International Lesbian Festival is the annual Lesbian festival in Mallorca; their website also provides other resources for Lesbian travellers to the island.
• We Create Space is a Queer-led community network and learning platform that hosts events in person in Barcelona, in other locations, and online.
• BCN Queer Squad is an grassroots, Barcelona-local queer community.

Sports

• Panteres Grogues is the biggest LGBTQ+ & Friends sports club in the city.
• Fit Lovas offers indoor and outdoor training groups with an inclusive, feminist perspective, centering empowerment, self-care, body acceptance and love.
• Elliot Theodor is a non-binary transgender physiotherapist offering sports physical therapy, personal training and rehabilitation. Elliot coaches at Primal Moves BCN

Bars, Cafés, Nightclubs

• Candy Darling is an underground club for fun and queer freedom just next to Plaça Universitat 
• La Raposa is a Feminist & LGBTQ+ bookstore and café in Poblesec.
• Carita Bonita is a dance bar in Gaixample with different floors.
• La Casa de la Pradera is a queer bar, great for dancing, and located in the Raval. 
• Furia Queer organizes queer parties at Sidecar in Plaza Reial.
• Aire Chicas is one of the most well-known/historic women-only nightclubs in BCN!

Influencers, Magazines, Radio

• Drag Race España is a Spanish take on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
• Roy Galán writes on gender, sexuality, feminism, and always challenges the status quo. 
• Moderna del Pueblo draws and writes about hot topics from a queer-feminist lens.
• Pikara Magazine provides journalism from a queer-feminist perspective.
• Orgull Ràdio is a Catalan radio station, reporting on LGBT news, culture, health, and entertainment.
• Pride Barcelona
• Time Out's section on LGBT in Barcelona has an extensive list of places and parties!
• Lesbian Mallorca is your guide to Lesbian lifestyle in Mallorca.
• Gay Sitges Link gives you insider tips on one of Spain’s friendliest LGBTQ+ towns.

Therapy & Care

• Boost LGBT Barcelona runs Interactive, affirming & empowering wellbeing workshops for Barcelona's LGBTQ+ communities facilitated by psychotherapist. @anthonyevolvetherapy
• Indàgora Feminist and LGBTQIA+ Psychotherapy.
• Therapy in Barcelona has a team of English-speaking therapists of which some specialize in the health and mental well-being of LGBTQ+ community. Their team of therapists with diverse identities offers a range in specializations, of which include anxiety, depression, living abroad, LGBTQ+, ADHD, physical disabilities, health, identity and more.
• Barcelona LGBTQ+ Center also offers counseling services for Queer & Trans folx.
• Office for Non-Discrimination run by the city hall offers free services to anyone living in or visiting the city to file a grievance and receive support in English, whether psychosocial, emotional or legal. 

LONDON RESOURCES

Blogs and Guides

• Strengthening My Queer Identities in London, IFSA student blog.
• A Queer-Life Guide to London, United Kingdom, Here magazine.
• Gal-dem is an online and print magazine committed to telling the stories of people of color from marginalized genders through essays, opinion, news, arts, music, politics and lifestyle content.
• Queeries by gal-dem is a place where Fagony Aunt Aisha Mirza answers your queries about QTIBPOC health, love and life.

Cultural & Social

• Gay’s The Word is London’s oldest LGBT+ bookshop.
• Gay Hostels in London is a review by Once Upon a Journey.
• The Bush Theatre is a world-famous home for new plays that discovers, nurtures and produces the best new playwrights from the widest range of backgrounds. 
• Pride in London is the UK’s biggest, most diverse Pride.
• Queen Mary University of London LGBT+ Society is a student-led group that aims to create a safe space for all members and runs a range of events and activities!
• The Feminist Library, archiving our herstories since 1975 is an intersectional and trans-inclusive library and bookshop in Peckham, London.

Sports

• Out For Sport London is a grassroots, all volunteer organization run by London’s sports clubs to increase participation in LGBT+ sport in and around London. 
• Pride Sports aim is to challenge homophobia in sport and improve access to sport for LGBT+ people.

Bars, Cafés, Nightclubs

• Exploring London’s Neighbourhoods: The LGBT Friendly
• Queer London: 10 of the best LGBTQ+ nightlife spaces to visit
• Dalston Superstore is East London’s premiere queer pleasure place functioning as a queer club, cabaret spot, cafe, gallery and community space.
• Royal Vauxhall Tavern is UK’s most famous LGBTQ+ entertainment venue providing cabaret shows, live music, panto, dance, stand-up comedy, club nights and more!

Therapy & Care

• Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. They work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence.
• London Friend delivers services to improve the health and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community in London, including online support, counseling, drug & alcohol support, social support groups, sexual health and helplines.
• Stonewall UK imagines a world where all lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people are free to be themselves.