Atlanta is the epicenter of the gay South, and members of the LGBTQ community have flocked there from more conservative towns and states for decades. Mardi Gras is, of course, the biggest annual event in New Orleans. Unsurprisingly then youll find a range of LGBTQ+ friendly bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels in San Diego, with the majority concentrated in the Hillcrest neighbourhood. Brookings, South Dakota (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Covington, Kentucky Covington is situated on the south bank of the Ohio River and has the Licking River on The MEI examines how inclusive a citys municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ people who live there. South Tampa is a With 14% LGBT population, this walkable suburb with a small-town atmosphere is dubbed the countrys Second Gayest City (second only to Provincetown). San Francisco also boasts a vibrant street art scene, fantastic cuisine, and many unique LGBTQ bars, clubs and annual events, including the famous Pride parade that takes place during June and dates back more than 50 years. Key West is colorful and Miami is flashy but Sarasota is sophisticated and artsy, and has developed a loyal gay following, thanks to it being Floridas cultural capital. Sarasota Countys ever-growing arts and cultural scene, along with its international mix of residents and visitors, fosters that kind of open, diverse atmosphere. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute by WorldFoto / Alamy Stock Photo Pendleton Here's a list of up-and-coming queer communities in the South.. Being active, outdoorsy and openly queer is not unusual when living here. While big cities like San Francisco and New York have been long-renowned for their thriving gay scenes, theyre also notoriously expensive places to buy a home. Advocate named Tampa the 19th gayest city in the US in 2017, Business Insider ranked it the 3rd gayest city for queer singles, and Tampas cost of living is 3% below the national average, and Tampas purchasing power is 22.7% higher than in NYC, making it an affordable and fun city. Wilton Manors, Florida. For a more affordable option, a single-family home near downtown is currently listed at $349,900. Its a place that seems to have something for everyone. East Nashville Green Hills 12 South West End The Nations Hillsboro Village Memphis Memphis is a haven for There arent LGBTQ+ bars or clubs in this Midwestern town, but its welcoming vibe, historical sites, lush countryside, and inviting LGBTQ-owned inns, such as theInn at Irish HollowandAldrich Guest House, make Galena a real charmer. The city has a mix of musician/artsy folks, Southern belles, yogis, and snow birds who flock to the ocean. QORDS hosts workshops on social justice, consent, and gender, and offers fun outings like dance and plant identification hikes. Sunny Tampa is close to the popular beach towns of St. Petersburg, Gulfport and Dunedin. An organization called Gear, Gender Education Advocacy Resources, that sponsors a Transgender Helpline. 9 LGBT Friendly Places To Live In Tennessee - Felix Homes Voted Americas #1 Gayest City back in 2012 by Out Magazine, the city is a hotspot for LGBTQ+ travellers looking for a relaxing or adventure-filled long weekend break. And if all that wasnt enough, youll also find several queer-owned businesses and annual LGBTQ+ events here. Speaking of the theme parks, what started as a small group of gays and lesbians dressing in red and spending the day at Walt Disney World in 1991 has grown into one of the largest gay pride events in the world, attracting over 150,000 gay and lesbian travelers to Orlando on the first Saturday of every June. Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh has built a reputation as a gay-friendly community since The city's laws offer some anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. With a youthful community supported by the University of Montana a progressive liberal arts school an array of gay-friendly bars and restaurants can easily be found. 22 small LGBTQ-friendly cities in the U.S. - Queer Forty And it borders the most beautiful lakes in the state. Big cities have long been the go-to places to live for members of the LGBTQ community looking for an enjoyable and inclusive place to call home. Atlanta offers welcoming spots for LGBTQ+ folks across the city. If youve either done or ruled out the other cities on this list, then Albuquerque may well be the wildcard youve been looking for. This natural phenomenon can affect the. MEI score: 100, Population: 122,000. Then sing your heart out at theFront Porchpiano bar and hit upMaine Streetfor drinking and dancing. This is the citys gay neighbourhood and, as such, is home to several incredible gay bars and clubs. With 4.1% of the population identifying as LGBTQ, Orlando has a well-established gay community and several popular gentrified neighborhoods such as Winter Park, Lake Eola Heights and Colonialtown. This event began in 1972, and what started as a bon voyage party has transformed into a six-day event. Just a bit farther south, youll find yourself in Coral Gables, another lush, old-money neighborhood with an understated gay presence. However, if youre looking for an extended break in the city, then we recommend visiting during the International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place annually during the first two weeks of October. This quaint town in Lake County is a rainbow diamond in the rough. In 1988 the city elected Broward Countys first openly gay official and the current City Commission has a gay majority. Tennessee Known for its great shopping and dining on Fifth Avenue, world-class golf courses, with more than a hint of cosmopolitanism, Naples is not necessarily known for being a gay hotspot. It would be wise to use a local gay REALTOR to help you find your next home in just the right area! 24 Celebrities With OnlyFans Accounts to Thirst Over, 21 Reasons Being a Bottom Is Tougher Than Being A Top, 21 All-Time Greatest Lesbian Sex Scenes in Movies, 9 Best Male Butt Moments From The White Lotus Season 2, Will Sharpe Got Naked on White Lotus & Gay Twitter Was Set on Fire, 22 Sexy Soccer Players at the 2022 World Cup & Where to Follow Them, 20 Sexy Pics of Alexander Lincoln To Celebrate His Coming Out, Robin Fierce Makes History With Drag Queen Story Hour At Yale, Lil Nas X Shows Bulge In New Thirst Trap That Has Fans Ravenous, Elliot Page Gets Steamy With Julia Garner And A$AP Rocky In New Gucci Ad, Watch Demi Lovato Defeat Ghostface In 'Still Alive' Music Video, Kali Uchis Drops Hypnotizing New Album 'Red Moon In Venus', Hayley Kiyoko Drops New Music Video Collab With Steve Aoki And Galantis, Here's What We Know About Kristen Stewart's Bisexual Bodybuilder Movie, Tan France On How Next In Fashion Tells Queer Stories & Opens Hearts, Yellowjackets Cast And Writers Tease What's In Store For Season 2, 20 Sexy Pics of Javier Calvo to Prepare For Drag Race Spain Season 3, Watch The Trailer For The Blackening, A Hilarious Queer Slasher Film, Drag Race's Mistress Calls Out Homophobic 'Old Ass Balding White Men', UPDATED:49 LGBTQ+ Movies We Cant Wait To See In 2023, The Drama Surrounding HBO's The Idol, Explained, Javicia Leslie Spills The Tea On Playing Red Death On The Flash, Aly & AJ Talk New Record 'With Love From' & Upcoming Tour, Miya Ocego Star Of Wreck On Her Hilarious & Killer New Series, This Is What Your Grindr 'About Me' Actually Says About You, Trixie Mattel & Katya's UNHhhh Season 8 To Celebrate 200 Episodes, Rene Rapp Recalls Being 'Laughed At' Every Time She Tried To Come Out. However, Lake Worth is a city has the highest percentage (1.9 percent) of same-sex couples in the county. Just outside of Downtown, and north of Colonial Drive, the gays were some of the first to move to the once-rundown area to spruce it up. Sample delicious vino and support equal treatment for all at. Bonus: For those looking for more exciting nightlife, Boston is just 15 miles northeast. So with such a widely diverse population, what isnt there to love? Mount Dora is artsy, beautiful and surprisingly super gay! Is Discrimination To Blame. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Famously considered the gay capital of Florida, Fort Lauderdale has one of the highest concentrations of same-sex couples in the country, along with its lower-profile neighbor Wilton Manors, our No. Asheville While theres no designated gayborhood in Virginia Beach, the ViBe Creative District is an artsy cultural hub. Lets take a look: The gay community in Pittsburgh offers an intertwined hometown feel, which is why it was chosen as the setting for Queer as Folk, the groundbreaking Showtime series of the early aughts. For more information, visit rainbowfamilyvillagesfl.com. Although Durham is small, it's part of the triangle area (Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham), and it's vibrant population's optimism makes it shine. Most college towns tend to be more progressive, open and tolerant, and the small college town of Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, is no exception. Aside from New Orleans, Atlanta is an LGBT hot spot; people travel from all over the South to attend Atlanta Pride. In Dallas, Youth First Texas, a non-profit organization, is committed to providing social services, education, and activities for LGBT youth. There is no shortage of events for members of the queer community to attend. Atlanta's population of queer people of color makes it unique from other cities. Iconic sights here include the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz Island, and Chinatown. Again, Tallahassee is a lone island of blue in a sea of red, so please do beware that 15 minutes in any direction outside of the city, attitudes about the LGBT community can change dramatically. Missoula, Montana. They are presented Aside from mosquitoes and those pesky hurricanes, who wouldnt want to be surrounded by water and sun the majority of the year. Homes there are not cheap, though, with a newly built, two-bed, 2.5-bath condo listed at $1.9 million. Dont leave town without catching a glimpse of the seven-story Christ of the Ozarks statue, hunting for ghosts at the, This LGBTQ+ oasis offers easy access to Sonoma Countys world-renowned wineries plus plenty of in-town treats. Columbus, Ohio, probably wasnt on your radar when looking for an LGBTQ+ getaway, right? LGBTQ+ events occur regularly in the city, the most notable being the Orlando Come Out With Pride festival in October, attracting more than 185,000 people annually. Palm Springs is a great place to relax, rejuvenate, and reflect. With antique shops, wineries, a rich arts scene, and rustic charm, this small town along the Delaware River is a popular weekend escape from New York and Philadelphia. Located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, this Victorian spa town has a long history of promoting tolerance. Gulfport is also home to the nationally accredited LGBTQ Resource Center, located in the Gulfport Library. It was recently recognized by Thrillist as the most gay-friendly city While most of the Florida Panhandle is pretty conservative, Tallahassee is solid blue. When choosing accommodation, consider LGBTQ-owned inns like, A popular escape from Washington D.C., Lost River welcomes you with rolling hills, forested retreats, and several LGBTQ-owned businesses such as the, , a visitor favorite since 1982. WebSaugatuck is one of Michigan's most LGBTQ+-friendly small towns, with more than 100 businesses either owned by or catering to the LGBTQ+ crowd. In fact, about half of Leon Countys residents possess at least a college degree, and has the most highly educated population in all of Florida. Birmingham NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA One of the country's largest gay events is Southern Decadence, which is hosted annually by the great city of New Orleans. Penn Hills is more family-friendly with a good school system and plenty of historic homes. WebThis puts the Blue Ridge-area in the top 2 percent of counties in Georgia and in the top 10 percent in the nation. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. For younger LGBTs, QORDS, a queer summer camp for youth, welcomes people from around the nation to gather. Not only is this city incredibly progressive and welcoming to the LBGTQ+ community, but its also home to some of the most incredible food (seriously, the BBQ restaurants here are to die for!) Situated in the desert outside of Los Angeles, this city is perfect for LGBTQ+ travellers with more than 30 gay bars and an extensive range of gay-friendly or gay-owned accommodation options. During the festival, the cost of visiting Austin can be 2x to 5x, with many accommodation options selling out months in advance. Stay at the gay-owned. Its proximity to national forests, rivers and lakes makes this small, inclusive town the perfect place for individuals looking for easy access to ample outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding and more. Diversity celebrations take place throughout the year with a multitude of festivals, parades, drag shows and dance parties. Until just recently, only 23 states, Washington, DC, and certain cities legally protected gay couples seeking housing. San Francisco is one of the most quintessential gay cities in the United States, packed full of great things to see and do. The upscale riverfront community of San Marco is slightly less gay-centric than Riverside or Avondale, but its got plenty of quaint shops and some of the best restaurants in the entire city. For many, Florida is the retirement dream. Many overlook tropical freshwater lakes and preserves. This is the best but also the busiest time to visit the city. It also has a growing LGBTQ community. She previously worked for CBS News, Bloomberg TV, and NY1. The city is also home to the only LGBTQ+ museum in America and is steeped in significant LGBTQ+ history, from the Stonewall Riots to the historic Chesapeake Bank at 14th and U Street. We scoped out five small cities across the country that are earning a reputation for being LGBTQ-friendly with their growing queer populations and wide range of inclusive events, businesses and social environments. Relax in the onsite pool, jacuzzi, and saunas, then check out the gay-ownedLost River Trading Post, which has an eclectic collection of antiques, clothing, and locally-made goods, followed by cocktails and dinner at the LGBTQ-friendlyLost River Grill. All 50 Sex Scenes on 'Orange Is the New Black' Ranked! Combined, the two cities have more than 200 gay-owned hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops, according to the states tourism bureau, and more than 1 million LGBTQ travelers visit every year. The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque, has become increasingly popular with LGBTQ+ tourists over the past couple of years. Explore, connect, and party in the sunshine state using our gay Florida travel guides. This Is Why LGBTQ+ Americans Are Less Likely To Own Homes, How President Biden Plans To End LGBTQ Housing Discrimination. In April, Jane Castor was elected Tampas first openly gay mayor. It was named the continent leader for LGBT friendly travel and the romantic city of Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast, also won South Americas best honeymoon destination. This progressive and liberal haven in the heart of Texas sees cowboys, politicians, gays, hipsters, artists, and musicians all live, work and play here in harmony. While the city of Rochester is LGBTQ+ friendly, we recommend staying in the Park Avenue region of downtown during your trip. And CAVO Lounge hosts a monthly drag brunch that is popular among both LGBTQ people and allies. Thats a good thing too, because its pretty much out in the middle of rural Central Florida. ***Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. Fort Lauderdale is a featured destination in our Gay Florida Road Trip Guides. Web12 Small Towns Known for Being LGBTQ-Friendly. Prepare accordingly by bringing an umbrella or two. St. Pete also is home to one of the West Coasts premiere gay beaches, Sunset Beach. Pompano/Pompano Beach is more affordable area close to Wilton Manors. With the growing LGBTQ community, we added a Naples and Marco Island travel guide to road trip experiences. To come up with this list, the Realtor.com data team found states that had at least 2.5 married or co-habitating same-sex couples per 1,000 residents using U.S. Census Bureau data. Saugatuck and Douglas, two small beach towns, are popular destinations for gay and lesbian travelers, and frequently lauded as some of the most gay-friendly small towns in the country. Thats why the Realtor.com data team sought out the nations most affordable gay meccas. The city has a strong LGBTQ+ community well represented in politics and an incredible pride festival in June which was recently ranked among the top ten pride festivals in the country by USA Today, attracting more than 350,000 people annually. Several LGBTQ+ friendly bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and events can also be found in Washington DC, making it easy to meet other LGBTQ+ people and support local LGBTQ+ businesses during your trip. It is on Bayou Texar and is surrounded by parks. WebThese Gay-Friendly Cities Have Lots to Offer LGBTQ BuyersIncluding Affordable Homes. This area is connected to the business district via Market street, and once youre there, youll never be more than a few steps away from your next cocktail, a slice of pizza or cute outfit. Do a quick search online for "gay-friendly travel," and you'll find the usual suspects New York City, Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Sin City is home to dozens of gay bars and nightclubs, including Peppermint Club, inside FireSky Resort & Spa and Vista Lounge at AQUA by Westgate Las Vegas. After the obligatory beach time, visit the, for drinking and dancing. And unlike New York and Los Angeles, the city of Philadelphia is also relatively affordable, making it perfect for a budget long weekend away. LGBTQ folks want an equitable experience, says Ryan Weyandt, CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance. So where are the hottest gayborhoods? This three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home there is listed for $239,900. With a score of 85 out of 100, Anchorage deserves a closer look. This tiny city has a vibrant LGBT community space called Compass, which aims to educate the public on LGBT issues.. Brookings, Members of the LGBTQ community can work and live comfortably in every neighborhood of this city as there is no gay neighborhood instead, the entire town is considered inclusive and safe for all residents. Many people consider gay life in Tally boring. Stroll along the southern end of St. Pete Beach through the Pass-a-Grille area that stretches 22 blocks where the gay community hangs out. Alaskamay not be the first place that comes to mind when looking for a queer-friendly city to call home, butAnchoragescores well on theHuman Rights Campaign 2017 Municipal Equality Index(MEI). Denver has an incredibly vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a range of diverse nightlife scattered throughout the city. Not only is it the biggest metropolis in the United States, but it has a substantial history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and community. Take your pick of LGBTQ-owned accommodations like, and saunter down Commercial Street for hip art galleries, terrific seafood restaurants, and popular hangouts like the. If you want to live downtown Fort Lauderdale, then Victoria Park is the neighborhood for you! Ocean Beach is, in our opinion, the most popular with the LGBTQ+ community and is located along the Great Highway. It also has a rich theater and music community, an LGBTQ community center, and the groundbreaking Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. Big cities like San Francisco are known for being LGBTQ-friendly, but if you're looking for a change of pace, these unexpected small cities and towns deserve a second look. Charming and quaint, Dunedin is a historic, small town with a big-city mindset just north of Clearwater. With a perfect score of 100 on the HRC Municipal Equality Index (MEI), Brookings is an excellent example of a small gay-friendly city worthy of your tourist dollars. Photo: kolderal/Getty Images. With antique shops, wineries, a rich arts scene, and rustic charm, this small town along the Delaware River is a popular weekend escape from New York and Philadelphia. Throughout the year, Gulfport celebrates diversity in all of its colors, shapes and sizes, so it is no surprise that it is home to the most LGBTQ-welcoming residents. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We're Cora & Helen, the founders of Inside Our Suitcase. Through proprietary research studies, engaging articles and original photography and video, we examine topics related to community amenities, education, sustainability, transportation, housing and the economy. Stay at the gay-ownedPineapple Inn Bed and BreakfastorWishing Well B&B, and dont miss a show at the renownedBucks County Playhouse, which has staged original plays and musicals (including world premieres from Terrence McNally and Neil Simon), revivals, and concerts since 1939. Luckily, the United States has an abundance to choose from, with the list getting longer each and every day. And having visited the city several times and choosing to get married here, we can very much see why. Median gross rent: $1,227. Over the last several decades, the uber-queer Five Pointsforms the hub of what is, without question, the most gay-friendly area of Jacksonville. The Miami neighborhood of Little Havana is the spiritual and cultural core of Miamis Hispanic community, hosting Gay8 Festival, the largest Hispanic LGBT Festival in the United States attended by over 60,000 people. You dont [want] to walk out your door and go into a world thats abrasive and wants to judge you.. The city has a long-standing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, with the residents here being one of the first in America to elect an openly gay mayor and a pride parade that dates back to the 1970s. And as a result, many LGBTQ+ people from nearby regions are moving here due to its increasing LGBTQ+ population and the wider support from the cities community.