Thats a larger percentage than those cities that probably did come to mind when you began your research, such as New York City and Washington D.C. One of our favourite things to do during our recent trip to Portland was the free walking tour. If youre looking to escape the big city, these awesome (and unexpected) places are ready to welcome you. MEI fair law enforcement score: 22 out of 22 points. Ocean Beach is, in our opinion, the most popular with the LGBTQ+ community and is located along the Great Highway. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Because of its proximity to the ocean, real estate here can get a bit pricey. The gay-friendliest beach is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign. There are drag queen brunches on the Dora Queen, LGBTQ meetup groups, lesbian realtors, gay-owned shops and more. Recently, Larson has worked with transplants from Los Angeles and other people who can work from anywhere. Pinellas Arts Village 4th Saturday Block pARTy! Poinsettia Heights is centrally located, walkable, close to Wilton Drive, the beaches, and a little something for everyone, larger, more spacious, million-dollar homes, pool homes, both waterfront and non-waterfront. You dont [want] to walk out your door and go into a world thats abrasive and wants to judge you.. A ruby slipper in a red state, Eureka Springs inclusive spirit, and dozens of LGBTQ-owned businesses make it the gay capital of the Ozarks. Samplefamous mineral waters, swoon at gorgeous Victorian buildings, and get lost in charmingly crooked streets. Noted for its extensive gay, lesbian and transgender annual events, nightlife, clubs and bars, Boston is a fantastic place to travel to as an LGBTQ+ person. That changed only in mid-February of this year when President Joe Biden directed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand the interpretation of fair housing laws to cover sexual orientation and gender identity. This library holds more than 12,000 books, 140 magazine titles and over 100 archival collections that celebrate the lives of countless people. Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh has built a reputation as a gay-friendly community since Once ranked by The Advocate as one of the Top 5 Emerging Cities of Gay and Lesbians, Jacksonville boasts a healthy LGBT community and is one of the largest cities in Florida. Long Beach Pride has been held every June since the 1980s and includes a weeklong celebration of the diverse LGBTQ community here. While it's true that the South has discrimination, some cities, towns, and counties are progressing. 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. Gulfport is also home to the nationally accredited LGBTQ Resource Center, located in the Gulfport Library. 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. Its a place that seems to have something for everyone. Take your pick of LGBTQ-owned accommodations likeSomerset House InnandLands End Innand saunter down Commercial Street for hip art galleries, terrific seafood restaurants, and popular hangouts like theBoat Slip, where seemingly everyone in town gathers for its iconic tea dance. Disclaimer: Most gay-friendly cities in Florida are quite diverse, and neighborhoods can change dramatically in just a few short blocks. The city has a booming queer and trans population and is home to the southern Comfort Conference. This vibrant foodie and shopping town isnt a gayborhood by any stretch, but you can still find drag queens and a gay bar in Delray Beach, which places it on our list of LGBTQ-friendly towns. Unlike some larger cities, there isnt one primarily gay neighborhoodbut that means theres more room to spread out. Same-sex couples can be seen walking down the street holding hands without fear in this unique Southern town that dares to take a stand against prejudices that still exist in the surrounding region. 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. And should you miss both of those, then youll still be able to find a wide range of LGBTQ+ friendly bars and clubs (the majority of which are located in either East Colfax Avenue or South Broadway) throughout the city open seven nights a week. 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. There is no shortage of events for members of the queer community to attend. Some of our favourite neighbourhoods to either visit or stay in during our trips to NYC include Chelsea, where youll find one of the best LGBTQ+ bars in the world, The Cubbyhole and Brooklyn, home to the lush Metropolitan Bar. WebThese Gay-Friendly Cities Have Lots to Offer LGBTQ BuyersIncluding Affordable Homes. This event began in 1972, and what started as a bon voyage party has transformed into a six-day event. 1. For a magical experience, visit during December forNight Of The Luminaria, when the entire town is illuminated by candlelight. Then sing your heart out at theFront Porchpiano bar and hit upMaine Streetfor drinking and dancing. It is rumored that the population of Gulfport is over 50% LGBTQ. You may have noticed that Tallahassee has a reputation for being particularly lesbian-friendly, and that may stem from the fact that between 1905-1947 FSU was a women-only institution, and was one of the largest women-only universities in the country! A turnkey Colonial built in 1930 and located right near Salem State University runs about $480,000. The cost of living, housing prices and tax rates are particularly low in Orlando. A single-family home overlooking Lake Travis is listed closer to the citys median list price, at $639,000. Mardi Gras is, of course, the biggest annual event in New Orleans. , where seemingly everyone in town gathers for its iconic tea dance. A modern industrial condo there is currently listed below $350,000, while a single-family home steps from Piedmont Park (where the annual pride festival is held) is on the market for $799,900. Many people consider gay life in Tally boring. This natural phenomenon can affect the. The main street is the Drive (aka Wilton Drive), where shops and restaurants alike proudly display their rainbow flags. Over the last several decades, the uber-queer Five Pointsforms the hub of what is, without question, the most gay-friendly area of Jacksonville. However, a recent poll found that 4.3% of the citys population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Pride festivities arent the only gay-friendly events throughout the year either. Their well-known gay neighborhoods are South End, Savin Hill, and Melville Park. Median gross rent: $1,227. 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. This three-bedroom, 3.5-bath condo is currently on the market for $430,000. , when the entire town is illuminated by candlelight. QORDS hosts workshops on social justice, consent, and gender, and offers fun outings like dance and plant identification hikes. She previously worked for CBS News, Bloomberg TV, and NY1. Riverside also has Jacksonvilles highest concentration of gay bars. If you like to be social, then check out the Triangle Connection, the towns LGBT Social group. Bloomington, home to Indiana University, offers another LGBTQ-friendly oasis in the Midwest. Nashvilles annual pride event takes place in June and features some of the best live entertainment from the entire United States pride scene with previous headliners including; Lizzo, Betty Who and Salt N Pepa. And, if you like yoga, Jessamyn Stanley, a black, queer, femme, and fat identified yoga instructor. And while youre at it, maybe you can even find a new place to live. Members of the LGBTQ community are still less likely to own a home. In other words, if youre looking for tolerance, culture and diversity, youre no longer limited to major metropolises. A ruby slipper in a red state, Eureka Springs inclusive spirit, and dozens of LGBTQ-owned businesses make it the gay capital of the Ozarks. Sample, , swoon at gorgeous Victorian buildings, and get lost in charmingly crooked streets. Things in this historic town have become considerably more tolerant since the days of the Salem witch trials. For a more affordable option, a single-family home near downtown is currently listed at $349,900. 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. 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!) During this time, youll go through Portlands artsy and quirky neighbourhoods, as well as the trendy Alberta Street, where youll explore queer businesses and murals, all while learning more about local culture. 42. Assisted living costs are low compared to national figures, and home healthcare costs are average, while the overall cost of living is low compared to national averages. Mount Dora offers a small town vibe where everyone knows your name. The GaYBOR District is a coalition of gay and gay-friendly businesses that began on the west end of Tampas historic Ybor City neighborhood is now a 10-year-old presence in this former cigar-rolling, Latin immigrant enclave. With over 6% of its population being LGBT, Tampa has a perfect score on HRCs Municipal Equality. Theres also an active theater scene, with the annual Pride Theater Festival held in summer and the Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in the fall. With 14% LGBT population, this walkable suburb with a small-town atmosphere is dubbed the countrys Second Gayest City (second only to Provincetown). Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Iconic sights here include the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Alcatraz Island, and Chinatown. Bars serving the LGBTQ community are located downtown, though there are more to choose from throughout the city. If you are planning a visit to the beautiful beaches of Florida, you may have heard of Red Tide. As long as you live on campus (or nearby) you should be okay, just beware that 15 minutes in any direction, attitudes about the LGBT community can change dramatically. While relaxing is often at the top of most travellers lists on a visit to Palm Springs, theres still plenty to see, do and explore. 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. 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. After the obligatory beach time, visit theOgunquit Museum of American Art, see a show at theOgunquit Playhouseand enjoy Maines famous lobster atBarnacle Billys. Floridas population includes an estimated one million LGBTQ community members (This estimate doesnt account for tourists and may not fully account for snowbirds). Naples also a pet-friendly destination. Because of this, some LGBTQ people are looking for other places to call home, says Amin Ghaziani, a professor of sociology and Canada Research Chair in Urban Sexualities at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 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. And while lesbians tend to earn more than heterosexual women, most still earn less than either gay or heterosexual men. Dubbed the Gay Riviera, Miami Beach is a city on a barrier island, separated from Miami proper by Biscayne Bay. Aside from delicious food and beautiful beaches, Charleston, South Carolina is a slick city rich in tradition and history with an increasingly visible LGBT population. Senior Advice ranked Tampa the #10 best city for LGBT people to retire in 2019. This charming and fun-filled city is ideal for those looking for a hometown where they can really beoutwhen they are out and about. Senior Advice, a website that focuses on senior living, recently ranked Fort Lauderdale the #7 best city for LGBT people to retire in 2019. There are several other LGBTQ-owned businesses in Lake Worth, although owners may not be as out and proud as they are in Wilton Manors. The charming island is also known for its white sand, pink shells, humble attitude, and beautiful waterfront homes. When it comes to gay-friendly places for the senior set, a new national ranking shows what most South Floridians may already know. In 1988 the city elected Broward Countys They are finding places like Pittsburgh where they can actually have quite a lavish lifestyle as far as homes go compared to other markets like San Francisco, Larson says. Historic Old Northeast was the first developed in St. Petersburg. The town even has a touch of LGBTQ nightlife at Bambusa Bar and Grill. The final Midwestern city on this list, Minneapolis, is an excellent choice for LGBTQ+ travellers looking for a long weekend getaway filled with history and culture. New York City is one of the most iconic cities for a reason. Sample delicious vino and support equal treatment for all atEquality Vines, dine at LGBTQIA-owned restaurants likeBig Bottom Market,Brotandboon eat + drinkand stay at the super welcomingR3 HotelorHighlands Resort. There are a few bars that have gay nights, but thats it so if having a big gay scene is important to you then Tallahassee will probably be a disappointing place to call home. WebAvondale Estates is a small, tight knit community that spans across 1.1 square miles with approximately 3,000 residents. 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. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destinationso wecan make updates to our recommendations. Theres no central gay neighborhood here, but many of the gay bars are clustered downtown, in the Warehouse District. And unlike New York and Los Angeles, the city of Philadelphia is also relatively affordable, making it perfect for a budget long weekend away. Boston, Massachusettss diverse and inclusive culture, makes it one the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the United States. Quaint and charming, cultured and European, St. Augustines history is quite alluring to LGBT travelers. 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. However, if you miss Pridefest, dont worry as there is another fantastic 4-day LGBTQ+ festival, Denver OutFest, held in October. Denver has an incredibly vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a range of diverse nightlife scattered throughout the city. 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. Error, group does not exist! So with such a widely diverse population, what isnt there to love? It may be more transitional than others, but its convenient location and great prices makes up for it. WebThis gay-friendly, hilly town of cobblestone streets lies about 180 miles north of Mexico City. The fun-loving southernmost city is selected repeatedly as Best Gay Resort Town by readers of Out Traveler magazine. The island is only 4 miles long by 1 mile wide, so its pretty easy to find a gay-friendly neighborhood! And while Austin isnt the cheapest city to visit in the USA, its not expensive either, provided that youre not travelling during the peak season, which for Austin specifically is going to be during the South by Southwest festival. The city has received a perfect 100-point score on the Human Rights Commissions Municipal Equality Index for the past six years. 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. For more information, visit rainbowfamilyvillagesfl.com. Its officially Pride Month, and after more than a year in lockdown, its time to celebrate! WebHere are 24 large, small and medium-sized cities that offer an excellent combination of affordability, culture, community and LGBTQ friendliness. This longtime LGBTQ+ hotspot offers scenic bike rides, inclusive bars and restaurants such as the, , and picture-perfect beaches. West Hollywood is the home of the LGBTQ community, as well as a plethora of clubs and bars. Many overlook tropical freshwater lakes and preserves. One such business is the The Paradise Island Convention and Visitors Bureau has been making strides in their marketing efforts to make the Naples/Marco Island region more welcoming to LGBTQ people. The annual Hampton Roads PrideFest, which includes a boat parade, has been moved to September this year, but there are still plenty of things to do during Pride Month. It's a different world when juxtaposed to the rest of South Carolina; it challenges the state's reputation for intolerance (i.e.., Ted Cruz's upcoming Death to Gay's Rally). Until just recently, only 23 states, Washington, DC, and certain cities legally protected gay couples seeking housing. And having visited the city several times and choosing to get married here, we can very much see why.