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Virgin Holidays video highlights discrimination of LGBT couples on holiday

The discrimination many LGBT+ couples face on holiday has been highlighted in a new film by Virgin Holidays.

The clip shows a straight couple being told to stop kissing by a waiter, being openly discriminated against by other holidaymakers in the hotel and being mistaken for work colleagues.

Around 40% of LGBT+ couples surveyed said they received discrimination around the world from other tourists, with one in four saying they had been discriminated by British holidaymakers.

A total of 84% of straight couples are comfortable with public displays of affection on their holiday, but this is in stark contrast to LGBT+ travellers, with only 5% happy to kiss and cuddle openly on their vacation.

The research shows one in three LGBT+ travellers have experienced discrimination abroad – including being stared at, laughed at and even being verbally abused.

Two thirds of LGBT+ travellers claim to feel uncomfortable carrying out everyday activities such as applying sun cream to their partner’s back.

As a result of this discrimination, eight out of 10 couples refuse to hold hands on holiday at all.

LGBT+ is used to represent all different identities which cover the different ways people define their gender and sexuality.

Joe Thompson, managing director at Virgin Holidays, 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.”

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