When you think of LGBTQ+ friendly cities, there are the obvious answers that come to mind. Places like San Francisco, New York City, Portland, Philadelphia, Palm Springs and Chicago often top the list. But there are cities all around the country that are stepping up and out for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors. These five cities […]
Category: Travel
Posted inTop Stories
Queer-friendly destinations to visit this fall and winter
Cooler weather doesn’t have to mean staying home. In fact, fall and winter are the perfect times for a getaway. LGBTQ+ travelers can choose from destinations that pair beautiful settings, from sunny beaches to snowy mountains, with a strong sense of community. Whether you’re looking for a warm-weather break, a wine country weekend, or a […]
Posted inTop Stories
Travel tips for LGBTQ+ people: Staying informed under new federal policies
Clear answers are hard to come by for LGBTQ+ travelers fearful about going through airports under the second Trump administration. There have been reports of trans people’s passports being changed and federal agents disqualifying people from entry to the United States due to anti-Trump memes. Perhaps the biggest threat facing trans and nonbinary people is […]
Posted inTop Stories
Your LGBTQ+ travel guide to Breck Pride in Colorado
Oh, how I love to get high in Colorado. And yes, I’m referring to both legal marijuana gummies and the soaring altitude of its walkable mountain towns. Last June, I was invited to the quaint historic village of Breckenridge with a group of gay journalists to experience Breck Pride — also briefly known as 10 […]
Posted inTop Stories
Palm Springs remains a haven for LGBTQ+ visitors
For the uninitiated, Palm Springs, California is the gayest city in the country, and maybe even the world. At least a third of the city’s population of 45,000 identifies as gay or lesbian. The desert city is about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles in good traffic and a little over an hour’s flight from […]
Posted inTop Stories
From Coast to Coast: LGBTQ-friendly places to visit this summer
It’s nearly summer, which means vacation time for many LGBTQ+ Americans. But where are LGBTQ+ vacationers heading? From beach towns to big cities, here are some of the top LGBTQ+-friendly destinations this summer. Provincetown, MA. Photo: Photo by Tyler Butler Provincetown, MA Often considered the ultimate gay beach town, Provincetown’s population grows from around 3,500 […]
Posted inTop Stories
Explore LGBTQ+ history, culture and nightlife in Portland, Oregon
To say that Portland supports the LGBTQ+ community may be an understatement. Oregon’s largest city, with a population of 630,000, goes out of its way to honor the community. Portland became the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Sam Adams, in 2008, narrowly beating out Houston by a year for that […]
Posted inTop Stories
Beyond the highway: How LGBTQ+ truck drivers are paving the way for change
Before embarking on his weekly 2,000-mile trip as a truck driver, Derric Schmid sets up his smart TV and preps meals in bulk like ham and potatoes. To some, long hours on the road away from family and friends sounds grueling. But for Schmid, it’s his way of life. “I love the freedom,” Schmid said. […]
Posted inTravel
Discover the allure of South Lake Tahoe: A year-round haven for LGBTQ+ travelers
Bordering California and Nevada is the iconic town of South Lake Tahoe. The destination seamlessly blends natural splendor with vibrant urban life. Surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada, this charming city is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those looking for a retreat into nature’s embrace. Lake Tahoe enjoys a prime location […]
Posted inTravel
Where do LGBTQ+ adults live? The results may surprise you
According to a new study done by Williams Institute, the leading research center on sexual orientation and public policy, there are nearly 14 million LGBTQ+ adults living in the United States. The institute used data from the 2020 and 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System report to estimate the […]
Posted inTravel
8 LGBTQ+ welcoming small and mid-sized cities you need to know about
While cities on both coasts like New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles boast the largest LGBTQ+ populations in the country, many smaller cities still provide a welcome refuge for the community. While it differs based on state parameters, smaller cities are typically classified by a population of less than 100,000, while mid-size cities […]
Posted inTravel
Philly Pride unleashed: Your ultimate LGBTQ+ travel escape to Philadelphia
In 2003, Visit Philadelphia created a groundbreaking tourism campaign that integrated the city’s deep U.S. historical roots with embracing the LGBTQ+ community. The award-winning “Get your history straight and your nightlife gay” campaign was the first of its kind by a major U.S. city to court LGBTQ+ travelers. 20 years later, its impact is still […]
Posted inTravel
What we know about the Canadian LGBTQ+ travel advisory
The Canadian government released its latest travel advice and a notable update is a caution to queer and transgender Canadians planning to travel to the United States. According to the updated advisory issued Aug. 29 and posted in full on travel.gc.ca, travelers were issued the caution that “some states have enacted laws and policies that […]
Posted inTop Stories
Creating your ultimate queer bucket list: 50 unforgettable experiences to seek in a lifetime
Life is an adventure and a bucket list can be your guide. What experiences do you want to have before you “kick the bucket?” The term “bucket list” has been around since the early aughts and was made famous by the film of the same name, starring Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman. Since then, it […]
Posted inTop Stories
10 lesbian bars where you can celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week
The week of April 24-30 is Lesbian Visibility Week. It’s a time when lesbians, who comprise about 14% of the LGBTQ+ community, are celebrated. What better way to celebrate than by heading out to support one of the remaining two dozen lesbian bars in the country? Not within driving distance of these bars? For more […]
Posted inTravel
Byron Bay, Australia: A queer-welcoming coastal vacation oasis
While driving from the Ballina airport to Byron Bay, New South Wales, I came across two things I’d never seen before. The first was a “Watch Out: Koalas Spotted” sign. The second was a police station covered with rainbow banners and flying a Progress flag. While in Sydney for WorldPride, I, a few fellow journalists […]
Posted inArts and Entertainment
News is Good: Outfest Fusion kicks off, Utah bans conversion therapy and more
Welcome to our weekly column, News is Good, where we feature positive news about the LGBTQ+ community. Too much of what we see in mainstream media coverage focuses on the challenges we face and not the celebrations. Here are a few things we’re excited about this week. Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff publishes new book […]