Baku - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, you will not be able to show affection publicly with your partner or spouse, it is not socially acceptable. That said, there are LGBT people serving here. - Sep 2023
If you’re LGBTQI+ then definitely stay as far away from this post as you possibly can. Its not acceptable in Azerbaijan and you can be arrested for showing any PDA. They seem to openly hate the LGBT community. - Aug 2023
No, not a good choice for LGBT folks. It is not acceptable in Azerbaijan. - Aug 2023
Azerbaijan is the least accepting country in Europe in terms of LGBTQI+ freedoms. It is not a topic for discussion with most locals and toxic masculinity is very prevalent here, which also affects women. There are no designated meeting spots or organizations out in the open that support this community and as members of the LGBTQI+ community you never really feel like you belong or that you can be yourself. It's recommended not to show any kind of same-sex affection in public either. Some locals who know are fine with it as long as you keep it discreet and not amplify. - Jun 2023
I don't think it's a good city for people to be openly LGBT. There have been government crackdowns on the community. Even though it is "Muslim Light" here, it definitely isn't a liberal place. There have been LGBT members of the Embassy that have done fine here, but just remember that it isn't Western Europe. - Jun 2021
It's not a thing here, according to locals. No one is gay. However, the local societal norms have male friends linking arms and occasionally giving kisses. The same goes for females who walk linked arms, so some things blend. - Jan 2019
Yes and no. I think culturally, it is not really accepted, but it’s not as bad as in some other countries. I think people who are LGBT expats just don’t show in public, but I can see that you can probably find other people in the community. - Jul 2018
Many Azerbaijanis are not accepting of LGBT people. I even had someone express surprise that I would be friends with a gay person, since he felt that was unacceptable. I think most gay people in Azerbaijan remain in the closet and it would be hard to be out in Azerbaijan. - May 2018
Not horrible, but not widely accepted outside the expat community. - Mar 2017
Not so much. - Jul 2015
I haven't heard either way, but as it is 98% (secular) Muslim, I wouldn't imagine there would be much in the open. - Jan 2013
Absolutely not -- this is a Muslim country! - Dec 2011
I don't see why not. - Oct 2009
No. - Nov 2008
Unsure. - Sep 2008
No one is openly gay in Azerbaijan, but there does seem to be a small underground scene with at least one or two clubs around town on certain nights. - Sep 2008
