If you like to be social, then check out the Triangle Connection, the towns LGBT Social group. Why this Georgia mountain town has become a gay-friendly hot Since then, our pride festivals have grown year over year into something that has really kind of been a destination.. Bonus: For those looking for more exciting nightlife, Boston is just 15 miles northeast. Palm Springs is a great place to relax, rejuvenate, and reflect. Wilton Manors, Florida. The Precinct DTLA is one of the most well-known gay hangouts in Los Angeles. MEI score: 100, Population: 122,000. Dubbed the Gay Riviera, Miami Beach is a city on a barrier island, separated from Miami proper by Biscayne Bay. 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. Stay at the gay-owned. Fort Lauderdale has long been known as Floridas Gay Capital and supports the LGBTQ+ community with consistently progressive politics and an incredibly supportive community. 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. At the end of the month, a Pride Kiki is planned at Ocean Breeze Waterpark. 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. Photo: kolderal/Getty Images. Affordable Gay Vacation Towns - TripSavvy North Beach is poised to become one of the hottest gay neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Most of Key Wests gay and lesbian nightlife takes place on Duval Street, in an area called the Pink Triangle. To make sure these cities are really LGBTQ meccas, each place had to have its own Pride celebration festival. 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. MEI nondiscrimination score: 30 out of 30 points. 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. It may be more transitional than others, but its convenient location and great prices makes up for it. Located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, this Victorian spa town has a long history of promoting tolerance. If youve either done or ruled out the other cities on this list, then Albuquerque may well be the wildcard youve been looking for. There are no gay bars. Therefore, accommodation availability and costs increase dramatically. WebThese Gay-Friendly Cities Have Lots to Offer LGBTQ BuyersIncluding Affordable Homes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We're Cora & Helen, the founders of Inside Our Suitcase. 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. Check your syntax! The main street is the Drive (aka Wilton Drive), where shops and restaurants alike proudly display their rainbow flags. 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. Not only that, but Palm Springs is pretty close to both Coachella and Joshua Tree National Park, giving something for both the outdoorsy types and festivalists who might make Palm Springs their vacation destination. Another LGBTQ-friendly enclave in the South, Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in America, far transcending its funky college town roots. Festivities started Saturday at MJs Tavern, a gay watering hole in nearby Norfolk. West Palm Beach has more than 40 miles of beaches, plenty of shopping, and while relatively small, there is still some gay nightlife. 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. In 2019, Fort Lauderdale passed a law that protects the citys LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. , the largest LGBTQ+ resort in the Midwest, and make some new friends by the pool. Explore, connect, and party in the sunshine state using our gay Florida travel guides. 1. Its officially Pride Month, and after more than a year in lockdown, its time to celebrate! LGBTQ-Friendly Places to Live in Florida | OutCoast.com 20 Most Gay Friendly Cities in the US - Yahoo! Portland is another fantastic LGBTQ+ friendly city worth visiting either as a solo traveller, couple or family. In fact, Atlanta has such a large, active LGBTQ community that it hosts two major pride events, Atlanta Pride and Atlanta Black Pride. And for those who already call this state home, its the perfect place to reside. Denver has an incredibly vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a range of diverse nightlife scattered throughout the city. Theres no central gay neighborhood here, but many of the gay bars are clustered downtown, in the Warehouse District. What we found were mostly smaller cities with thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer cultures, and college towns that have strong anti-discriminatory laws. The burb of Gulfport is a bohemian village of pastel bungalows, artists, eclectic shops and outdoor cafes on the Boca Ciega Bay. The Big Easy of New Orleans, Louisiana, is an incredible queer-friendly city filled with history, fantastic culture and an increasingly popular LGBTQ+ scene. Yet many small towns across the USA are just as welcoming. She previously worked for CBS News, Bloomberg TV, and NY1. Located on the southern tip of St. Petes Treasure Island, among the string of barrier islands that extends along the Gulf of Mexico to the west of St. Petersburg, Sunset Beach is famous for its strip with beachfront bars and its Sunday beach parties. WebThe Heights ( Seminole Heights, Riverside Heights and Tampa Heights) are all gay-friendly hipster hoods in Tampa with historic bungalows, both large and small. Historic Old Northeast was the first developed in St. Petersburg. The town even has a touch of LGBTQ nightlife at Bambusa Bar and Grill. 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. Its also one of the few dog-friendly condos in the area. East Nashville Green Hills 12 South West End The Nations Hillsboro Village Memphis Memphis is a haven for A popular escape from Washington D.C., Lost River welcomes you with rolling hills, forested retreats, and several LGBTQ-owned businesses such as theGuesthouse Lost River, a visitor favorite since 1982. 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. 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. 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. Charming and quaint, Dunedin is a historic, small town with a big-city mindset just north of Clearwater. With eye-popping dunes, stunning beaches, 19th-century homes, and art galleries galore, the Art Coast of Lake Michigan doesnt disappoint. A four-bedroom, two-bath midcentury home here costs about $400,000. Mardi Gras is, of course, the biggest annual event in New Orleans. WebHere are 24 large, small and medium-sized cities that offer an excellent combination of affordability, culture, community and LGBTQ friendliness. Be sure to contact us if you have a question or for more information. And some of the small cities that are emerging as LGBTQ centers might come as a big surprise. With over 6% of its population being LGBT, Tampa has a perfect score on HRCs Municipal Equality. Queer as Folk kind of put Pittsburgh on the gay map, says Brian Larson, a sales specialist with Coldwell Banker Real Estate in Pittsburgh. Wynwood, the citys artistic hub, has more of a gay-friendly hipster vibe, overflowing with vibrant restaurants, artwork, clothing stores, breweries, and club and dance venues, among a variety of other retail options. Required fields are marked *. This is the best but also the busiest time to visit the city. small Web21. Founded in 1998,The Western Montana LGBT Community Centeris located in Missoula and runs an array of support groups and events where LGBTQ residents are welcomed and can find support and connect with others. 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. Do a quick search online for "gay-friendly travel," and you'll find the usual suspects New York City, 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. Lake Worth is home to the Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center for Palm Beach County. 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. For a magical experience, visit during December for. 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. This natural phenomenon can affect the. South WebWith 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. Members of the LGBTQ community are still less likely to own a home. South Mount Dora is artsy, beautiful and surprisingly super gay! Their well-known gay neighborhoods are South End, Savin Hill, and Melville Park. 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. Atlanta's population of queer people of color makes it unique from other cities. WebThis gay-friendly, hilly town of cobblestone streets lies about 180 miles north of Mexico City. Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh has built a reputation as a gay-friendly community since 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. When it comes to gay-friendly places for the senior set, a new national ranking shows what most South Floridians may already know. Although there isnt a specific street or community that is home to a plethora of LGBTQ residents, if youre looking for a laid back, mature community, and living in an LGBTQ hot spot isnt a top priority, were confident youll feel at home in Naples/Marco Island. Published on September 5, 2020. Thats a good thing too, because its pretty much out in the middle of rural Central Florida. 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. 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. 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. One of our favourite things to do during our recent trip to Portland was the free walking tour. Best LGBTQ+-friendly small towns in the USA - Time Out United