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. Diversity celebrations take place throughout the year with a multitude of festivals, parades, drag shows and dance parties. Median home list price: $449,000*. Its secluded think dunes and sea oats and 22-acre north Lido Park looms like a forest above. It also has a growing LGBTQ community. 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. Tamastslikt Cultural Institute by WorldFoto / Alamy Stock Photo Pendleton The gayborhood of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, lies just south of neighboring LGBTQ-friendly town West Palm Beach. With over 6% of its population being LGBT, Tampa has a perfect score on HRCs Municipal Equality. 3. 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. However, ask most people whove been to Austin during the South by Southwest festival, and theyll very much tell you the experience is well worth the price tag. And if all that wasnt enough, youll also find several queer-owned businesses and annual LGBTQ+ events here. Therefore, accommodation availability and costs increase dramatically. Stroll Main Street for over 125 locally-owned restaurants and stores housed in lovely 19th-century buildings. (ID: 42), Island City Stage Presents I Wanna F#%*ing Tear You Apart by Morgan Gould, History Fort Lauderdales Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change Broward County presented by UKG Photo Exhibit, Meet Author John Bailey at History Fort Lauderdales Florida Scribes & Stories, onePULSE Topgolf Celebrating Common Ground. The city is incredibly welcoming to LGBTQ+ tourists with one of the highest concentrations of same-sex couples across the U.S. according to the 2010 census, with more than 15% of the cities residents being LGBTQ+. However, the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and the fight for equality far surpasses the borders of Boston as the state of Massachusetts as a whole was the first in the United States to legalise same-sex marriages and the first to elect an openly gay representative back in 1974. A college town at heart, Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a state school with more than 30,000 students. The highly educated and progressive city is one of the gay-friendliest in the Midwest. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. The best LGBTQ-friendly small-towns in the USA offer the freedom to explore small-town America while feeling comfortable traveling as you are. 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. The citys rep as the Hollywood of the South has helped bring in a more glamorous and artsy vibe as of late, and theres plenty of gay-friendly businesses to choose from. But the beauty about Austin is people dont need to live in just one neighborhood to enjoy the queer culture. The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Best Place to Live, What a Budget of $300,000 or Less Will Get You in 10 Cities Across the Country, 6 Affordable Islands You Can Actually Live On, 10 Best Cities for Antique & Flea Market Lovers, 10 People On What Its Really Like to Leave NYC for a Smaller City, Bloomington / Photo Courtesy of Visit Bloomington, Copyright 2010-2023 Livability - Journal Communications, Inc, 5 Surprisingly LGBTQ-Friendly Small Cities, Human Rights Campaign 2017 Municipal Equality Index, The Western Montana LGBT Community Center. In other words, if youre looking for tolerance, culture and diversity, youre no longer limited to major metropolises. Only about half are homeowners compared with about 65% of the general population, according to the report. However, a recent poll found that 4.3% of the citys population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. While the city of Rochester is LGBTQ+ friendly, we recommend staying in the Park Avenue region of downtown during your trip. Livability explores what makes small-to-medium sized cities great places to live. Huntington, West Virginia. >. In North Fort Myers, the Resort on Carefree Boulevard is a place where new friends are waiting to share your favorite pastimes, where neighbors look out for each other, where you can thrive in a tropical paradise. Wilton Manorshas many city ordinances in place that extend equal benefits to the LGBTQ community along with protections against discrimination in both employment and family-oriented affairs. Located on the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale is the queer-friendliest small town on the Florida mainland: Wilton Manors. One of our favourite things to do during our recent trip to Portland was the free walking tour. With the growing LGBTQ community, we added a Naples and Marco Island travel guide to road trip experiences. 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. Home toAlaskas Pride organizationandIdentity Alaska,the states primary LGBTQ support group, Anchorage creates an atmosphere of acceptance for its queer residents with a parade that boasts an attendance of over 10,000. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Mardi Gras is, of course, the biggest annual event in New Orleans. The town is also famous for its festivals and has the most beautiful Christmas decorations in all of Florida right up there with St Augustine. Your email address will not be published. From longtime LGBTQ+ escapes like Provincetown to the charmingly crooked streets of Eureka Springs, these places combine big-city perks like chic restaurants and acclaimed museums and theaters with small-town charm and inclusive communities. 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 MEI examines how inclusive a citys municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ people who live there. North Beach is poised to become one of the hottest gay neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. From an ever-increasing sports scene to a historic hot roasted nuts shoppe no, seriously. One such business is the Given the left-leaning slant of the city, its surprising that Tallahassee doesnt have a more visible gay population. 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. The historic neighborhoods of Riverside and Avondale are filled with gorgeous tree-lined streets, adorable Craftsman-style bungalows, riverfront mansions and numerous distinctive shopping districts. San Diego is a great place to be gay. Tropical Shores is a hidden gem of a neighborhood just off Old Southeast and is truly a treasure. There are unique neighborhood vibes to suit your preferences. While not specifically noted as a gay community, there is a gay community within the community called Rainbow Family and Friends. Five Points has become known for its edgy, colorful character as well as many independent shops, restaurants and businesses. 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. With an annual events calendar that most significant cities envy, youll find no end of things to see and do in the city regardless of when you visit. A two-story condo there is currently on the market for $329,900. And while youre at it, maybe you can even find a new place to live. It may be more transitional than others, but its convenient location and great prices makes up for it. And having visited the city several times and choosing to get married here, we can very much see why. 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. While the city as a whole has remained politically and socially conservative, gay-friendly locals work to keep the vibrant city life alive and eclectic. Atlanta, Georgia Aside from New Orleans, Atlanta is an LGBT hot spot; people travel from all over the South to Web On the count of three, about 50 gay couples kissed their partners in the public square of a small town in the Ozark Mountains. WebThe 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Towns and Cities in the U.S. Lauderdale Lakes features gated condo communities and is a must-see neighborhood if you want to be close to the action, but are on a budget. However, youre also perfectly positioned to be within walking distance to the citys major sights and attractions, including museums, galleries and theatres. It is rumored that the population of Gulfport is over 50% LGBTQ. Members of the LGBTQ community are still less likely to own a home. This three-bedroom, 2.5-bath home there is listed for $239,900. Median gross rent: $1,227. Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh has built a reputation as a gay-friendly community since Wilton Manors, Florida. 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. Historic Old Northeast was the first developed in St. Petersburg. She previously worked for CBS News, Bloomberg TV, and NY1. Pinellas Arts Village 4th Saturday Block pARTy! Long Beach isnt what most people would quite call affordable. The beach itself is a huge draw, especially the gay beach at 12th Street and Ocean Drive. Lake Worth is home to the Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center for Palm Beach County. 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. Virginia Beach, a coastal city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, is one of Virginias prime resort towns, with much of its economy based on the tourism industry. 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. Disclaimer: Most gay-friendly cities in Florida are quite diverse, and neighborhoods can change dramatically in just a few short blocks. While theres no designated gayborhood in Virginia Beach, the ViBe Creative District is an artsy cultural hub. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. This city is perfect for those seeking a place that offers plenty of acceptance and fun, along with the outdoor adventures Alaska is known for. Enter your email to be added to our mailing list. During the festival, the cost of visiting Austin can be 2x to 5x, with many accommodation options selling out months in advance. Theres no denying that Florida is one of the most beautiful places to live. Home of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville is another fantastic place for LGBTQ+ travellers to visit. But Pensacola Beach has long been a refuge for land-locked gay Southerners looking for a beach getaway especially during the Gay Memorial Day holiday weekend. Head over to the Tin Roof on Sundays to cheer on your favorite drag queen during the Battle of the Divas. This city is known for the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, affectionately referred to as the LGBTQ+ communitys Smithsonian. 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). Philadelphia is an increasingly queer-friendly city and an unlikely candidate on this list. Yet many small towns across the USA are just as welcoming. The famously gay beach Sebastian Street Beach is located in Fort Lauderdale Beach, and is part of the pedestrian-friendly strip on a barrier island home to many hotels, shops and restaurants. 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. All of them have good housing stock, plenty of things to do, and prices that are still (relatively) within reach. The city is also home to the only National Park Service site dedicated to LGBTQ+ history, the Quatrefoil Library and Archives. We then leverage that expertise to develop city rankings for a range of topics including small towns, college towns and our annual Top 100 Best Places to Live. Just a bit farther south, youll find yourself in Coral Gables, another lush, old-money neighborhood with an understated gay presence. You dont [want] to walk out your door and go into a world thats abrasive and wants to judge you.. Aside from mosquitoes and those pesky hurricanes, who wouldnt want to be surrounded by water and sun the majority of the year. Another hot, up & coming, yet affordable LGBT-friendly neighborhood is North Andrews Gardens. 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. LGBTQ Americans Are Less Likely To Be Homeowners. It is on Bayou Texar and is surrounded by parks. If you are more interested in new construction in the suburban areas of Tampa Bay, you may want to try Wesley Chapel in Pasco County or the more affordable of area of Riverview. Atlanta's population of queer people of color makes it unique from other cities. The Florida Keys, in general, are gay-friendly, however gay transplants have been relocating and vacationing in the island paradise of Key West since the early 1970s. Tuxedos have long been a classic wardrobe staple for men, but in recent years, women and nonbinary people have been breaking gender norms by rocking, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Healthcare Center, Alewife Craft Beer Bottle Shop & Tasting Room, Arcade Monsters Lido Beach St Armands Circle, Berkshire Hathaway Florida Properties Group, Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale, Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Fernandina Beach Pride Parade &Festival at Central Park, Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar, Greater Ft. Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Center, Historic Haile Homestead at Kanapaha Plantation, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Naples Downtown, Holiday Inn Melbourne-Viera Conference Ctr, an IHG Hotel, Hotel Melby Downtown Melbourne, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Windermere Ballroom 9801 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819, ICE HOUSE Chalk Festival '3D Illusion Museum', Lake Park Black Box Center for the Arts @ The Kelsey Theater, Lee County, FL Library (Fort Myers Regional Downtown), LGBTQ Resource Center Gulfport Public Library: Catherine Hickman Theater, Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa (MCC Tampa), Museum of Discovery and Science Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University Orlando Campus, Online Facebook Event @ DTSP:Saved by Streaming, Orange County Convention Center North Hall B, pin Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection, pin The Barrel Room at Twisted Vine Bistro, Playalinda Beach/Holiday Inn Titusville-Kennedy Space, Rainbow Room at the Nauti Parrot Dock Bar, Renningers Mount Dora Flea Market and Antique Center, Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal/Il Lugano, Richardson Historic Park & Nature Preserve, Rosen Event Center on the Rosen JCC Campus, SpringHill Suites By Marriott Amelia Island, St. Matthew's Tavern at the Orlando Beer Garden, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Sunset Green Event Lawn at The Keys Collection, Sunshine Cathedral Center for the Performing Arts, Thanksgiving Art & Crafts Festival Tarpon Springs, The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, The Out-of-Door Academy Middle & Upper School Lakewood Ranch, The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, The ZOO Studios & Event Space-Us Artists Group,LLC, Treasure Bay Golf, Tennis & Recreation Center, University of Miami Shalala Student Center, 01marAll Day07Miami Winter Party Festival, 02marAll Day12Florida Strawberry Festival, 02marAll Day02aprIsland City Stage Presents I Wanna F#%*ing Tear You Apart by Morgan Gould, 03marAll Day05Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, 05mar2:00 pm5:00 pmDrag Queen Brunch Sunday, 05mar5:00 pm9:00 pmPride Music and Art Festival, 08mar6:00 pm10:00 pmPride Night at The Central Florida Fair, 10marAll Day31History Fort Lauderdales Women Trailblazers: Champions of Change Broward County presented by UKG Photo Exhibit, 11mar12:00 pm5:00 pmManatee Pride Festival, 12mar12:00 pm6:30 pmGulfport Pride, Peace & Love Festival, 18mar1:00 pm3:00 pmMeet Author John Bailey at History Fort Lauderdales Florida Scribes & Stories, 18mar(mar 18)7:00 pm19(mar 19)12:00 amMasquerade: The Sevens, 24mar6:00 pm10:00 pmonePULSE Topgolf Celebrating Common Ground, 25mar10:45 am4:00 pmTampa Pride Street Festival, 25mar4:00 pm6:00 pmTampa Pride Diversity Parade. So, whether youre looking for a same-sex getaway or a solo vacation in the United States, these are our top picks when it comes to LGBTQ+ friendly cities. About 15 miles south on the main road to Mt. 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. QORDS hosts workshops on social justice, consent, and gender, and offers fun outings like dance and plant identification hikes. Over the last several decades, the uber-queer Five Pointsforms the hub of what is, without question, the most gay-friendly area of Jacksonville. Senior Advice, a website that focuses on senior living, recently ranked Fort Lauderdale the #7 best city for LGBT people to retire in 2019. 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. Gulfport is Tampa Bays Gay Margaritaville. Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City Beach are among the places seen as up-and-coming gay-friendly, family-friendly destinations, especially for LGBT families with children. This natural phenomenon can affect the. The Visit Bloomington website offers anLGBTQ Visitors Guideas a tip-of-the-hat to the LGBTQ community which has helped shape the citys culture. Dubbed the LGBTA Main Street for The West Coast of Florida, the 12-block area offers a fun mix of shops, bars and restaurants. With its high end shopping, five-star restaurants, the beach, all while still living in a residential neighborhood that is a tightly-knit and well-organized gay community. 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. Wilton Manors, FL. The charming island is also known for its white sand, pink shells, humble attitude, and beautiful waterfront homes. This Is Why LGBTQ+ Americans Are Less Likely To Own Homes, How President Biden Plans To End LGBTQ Housing Discrimination. West Hollywood is the home of the LGBTQ community, as well as a plethora of clubs and bars. Downtown Tampa features swanky high-rise condos in Channelside, Harbor Island and upcoming Water Street. Madison is so gay friendly that finding out where a gay neighbourhood starts and ends is somewhat impossible, while the number of gay bars to choose from is so extensive that you may just have to extend your trip to visit them all! Here youll find countless incredible items from LGBTQ+ histories, such as an original printing of Dr Aldred Kinseys research and donations from prominent LGBTQ+ celebrities. Atlanta offers welcoming spots for LGBTQ+ folks across the city. This longtime LGBTQ+ hotspot offers scenic bike rides, inclusive bars and restaurants such as theShipwreck LoungeandBubalas on the Bay,amazing whale watching, and picture-perfect beaches. The city has a booming queer and trans population and is home to the southern Comfort Conference.