Flip the script

WATCH: What if straight couples were treated like gay couples on holiday?

A new video by Virgin Holidays has flipped the script on straight vacationers by subjecting them to the same treatment LGBTQ people often deal with when traveling.

The video is in response to new research that finds an alarming number of LGBTQ people “go back into the closet” while on vacation out of fear of discrimination.

According to Virgin Holidays, one in three LGBTQ travelers have experienced some form of discrimination while traveling.

The research, conducted by Virgin Holidays with Attitude magazine, asked 1,000 LGBTQ people and 1,000 straight people about their travel experiences.

While 84% of straight couples said they’ve never had issues with showing affection to a partner abroad, only one in 20 LGBTQ travelers reported the same. Moreover, 58% of LGBTQ people said they’ve been stared at, 35% said they’ve been laughed at, and a third (29%) said they’ve been verbally abused.

Most alarming: One in 10 said they’ve been threatened with physical violence.

“Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has the right to be whoever they are, wherever they are,” Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said in a statement.

Check out the video…

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