GAY HONEYMOONERS are being warned to avoid open displays of affection when travelling to homophobic hotspots after same-sex “marriages” become legal later this month.

The Foreign Office has issued guidelines urging gays and lesbians not to kiss or hold hands in public in regions such as the Middle East, where homosexuality is still illegal.

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) has also warned them to be cautious in areas where anti-gay prejudice persists such as Russia, Jamaica and the American Bible Belt.

Hundreds of gay couples have registered to tie the knot after the new regulations come into force in Scotland on December 20 and a day later south of the border. Among the 140 Scots couples set to wed are celebrity designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan.

One of the most high-profile weddings will be that of Michael Cashman, the MEP and former EastEnders actor, and his boyfriend Paul Cottingham in the new year.

The prime minister has been invited, Cherie Blair has accepted. Lord and Lady Kinnock will be there along with Margaret Beckett, the environment secretary, and Lord Whitty, the former general secretary of the Labour party.

They will be rubbing shoulders with June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton in EastEnders, and cast members from Coronation Street and The Bill.

The travel industry is bracing itself for a boom in gay honeymoons, which are expected to become a new multi-million pound business.

The Foreign Office is advising that honeymooners should liaise with gay organisations or the embassy of the country they plan to visit before making travel arrangements.

“We would advise same-sex couples heading on honeymoons overseas to be aware of local laws, customs and attitudes before they travel,” said a spokeswoman. “Same-sex couples should take care in countries where homosexuality is either illegal or where discrimination can exist, particularly in Islamic countries.

“People have to be sensible and, in some nations, it many not be advisable for same-sex couples to kiss in public.As long as people are subtle about their sexuality they should not encounter problems.”

The Foreign Office website has a dedicated section for gay travellers and offers country-by-country advice on attitudes towards homosexuality.

Its guide to Turkey warns: “Homosexuality is not illegal, but is not widely tolerated. Public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences.”

A similar warning is given about Russia, while Romania and Bulgaria are often “not broadminded”.

Stephen Coote, the British spokesman for the IGLTA, said: “In many parts of the world things are changing positively for gay travellers, but in other areas things can still be uncomfortable or even downright dangerous.

“Jamaica is a real problem because of the really nasty homophobia that is rife there.Last year Brian Williamson, Jamaica’s best known gay activist, was murdered while there is a strong culture of gangster rap with violently anti-gay lyrics.

“Eastern Europe also seems to be particularly problematic at the moment. In Poland in particular, the gay community is encountering hostility because some mayors and politicians are very homophobic.

“Moscow recently banned a gay parade, so people should also be wary about travelling to Russia. There have also been problems with skinheads targeting gay people there.

“By contrast, Prague and the Czech republic have become popular and welcoming destinations for gay travellers.”

Coote said some parts of America were also unwelcoming to same-sex couples.

“Places like New York and San Francisco are ideal for gay couples, but gay people have to be careful in the Bible Belt of the south. Alabama and Arkansas are not the most enlightened or welcoming of places.”

The IGLTA does not advise people to boycott homophobic places.

“We would tell people to be extremely careful but, unless gay people go to these places, then things will never change,” said Coote.

He predicted Hawaii, New Zealand, Canada and Spain would be the most popular destinations for gay honeymooners because of their liberal positions on gay rights.

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