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Jay Wilks, the events organizer, told the crowd to do It offers a mix of urban amenities with a suburban feel. 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. 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. 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. 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. The charming island is also known for its white sand, pink shells, humble attitude, and beautiful waterfront homes. The town even has a touch of LGBTQ nightlife at Bambusa Bar and Grill. When it comes to gay-friendly places for the senior set, a new national ranking shows what most South Floridians may already know. 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. 2. 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. Mount Dora even has a Christmas shop with an entire section dedicated to the LGBTQ community. The Stonewall Inn is where the 1969 Stonewall Riots occurred, catalysts for the gay liberation movement. Theres no denying that Florida is one of the most beautiful places to live. Located in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, this Victorian spa town has a long history of promoting tolerance. 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. A single-family home overlooking Lake Travis is listed closer to the citys median list price, at $639,000. Bonus: For those looking for more exciting nightlife, Boston is just 15 miles northeast. 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. However, if you cant visit during the pride festival, dont worry, as the queer love lives on in the city throughout the year in the host of incredible gay bars and clubs. 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. 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. With just over 2000 residents,Eurekais small but mighty enough to be referred to as the gay capital of the Ozarks a title it earned partially through its many attempts to pass city ordinances prohibiting discrimination. While Tallahassee is open and friendly, many of the gay couples tend to live in the northern part of the city. 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. A Republican stronghold, Naples still manages to attract a healthy dose of affluent gay and lesbian travelers every beach season. The gay-friendliest beach is on County Road 399, two miles past the Gulf Islands National Seashore sign. While not specifically noted as a gay community, there is a gay community within the community called Rainbow Family and Friends. WebAvondale Estates is a small, tight knit community that spans across 1.1 square miles with approximately 3,000 residents. This LGBTQ+ oasis offers easy access to Sonoma Countys world-renowned wineries plus plenty of in-town treats. Browse over 140 LGBTQ-owned businesses (also found in neighboring Douglas), swim and kayak atOval Beach(widely hailed as one of the countrys best), and climb to the top ofMount Baldheadfor sweeping views. 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. Gay Florida Road Trip Guide to Delray Beach, Red Tide in Florida: What You Need to Know, Tampa EDITION, The Newest Luxury Hotel Near Amalie Arena, Suit Up with Style: The Perfect Tuxedos for Women and Nonbinary Individuals, SpringHill Suites Orlando Altamonte Springs/Maitland, Quench Your Thirst On The CoolCraft Beverage Trail, The Best Events in Miami During Rainbow Spring, The Most Popular LGBTQ-Friendly Resorts in Fort Lauderdale, Must-Visit Miami Michelin Star Restaurants, Your Guide To The Best Gay Bars In Tampa Bay & Surrounding Areas. Is Discrimination To Blame. If you want to live downtown Fort Lauderdale, then Victoria Park is the neighborhood for you! Dubbed the Gay Riviera, Miami Beach is a city on a barrier island, separated from Miami proper by Biscayne Bay. While most of the Florida Panhandle is pretty conservative, Tallahassee is solid blue. We sold everything we had to travel the world in 2017, got married in Orlando, FL in 2019 and discovered family travel in 2021. The Visit Bloomington website offers anLGBTQ Visitors Guideas a tip-of-the-hat to the LGBTQ community which has helped shape the citys culture. With amazing beaches, incredible restaurants and close connections with the nearby Los Angeles, its hard to find someone without this city on their bucket list. Relax in the onsite pool, jacuzzi, and saunas, then check out the gay-owned, , which has an eclectic collection of antiques, clothing, and locally-made goods, followed by cocktails and dinner at the LGBTQ-friendly, With eye-popping dunes, stunning beaches, 19th-century homes, and art galleries galore, the Art Coast of Lake Michigan doesnt disappoint. 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. The heart of the gay community, where all the best bars are located, is in midtown, around the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street. 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. North Beach is poised to become one of the hottest gay neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. All of them have good housing stock, plenty of things to do, and prices that are still (relatively) within reach. Browse over 140 LGBTQ-owned businesses (also found in neighboring Douglas), swim and kayak at, (widely hailed as one of the countrys best), and climb to the top of. There are unique neighborhood vibes to suit your preferences. A turnkey Colonial built in 1930 and located right near Salem State University runs about $480,000. Yet many small towns across the USA are just as welcoming. Miamis oldest neighborhood, Coconut Grove, is also its greenest, still full of the lush hammocks that cover the Groves sleepy streets. 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. Charming and quaint, Dunedin is a historic, small town with a big-city mindset just north of Clearwater. Stroll Main Street for over 125 locally-owned restaurants and stores housed in lovely 19th-century buildings. 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+. Diversity celebrations take place throughout the year with a multitude of festivals, parades, drag shows and dance parties. OutCoast.com Explore LGBTQ Florida is a digital magazine and Florida travel blog that highlights Floridas LGBTQ-inclusive destinations and businesses. 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. Palm Springs, California. 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. And having visited the city several times and choosing to get married here, we can very much see why. West Palm Beach has more than 40 miles of beaches, plenty of shopping, and while relatively small, there is still some gay nightlife. Located on the cusp of New Yorks Finger Lake region, the city is the perfect stop on an East Coast road trip or as a stand-alone long weekend destination. Washington DC is another LGBTQ+ friendly city well worth visiting for a long weekend. 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. Hood, and close to many orchards and U-pick farm stands, the intimate and beautifully appointed Old Parkdale Inn is a lovely, gay-friendly B&B thats ideal if youd prefer a quieter, more countrified setting. Downtown Tampa features swanky high-rise condos in Channelside, Harbor Island and upcoming Water Street. South Beach takes up its southernmost two miles and is glittered with eye-catching Art Deco gems and boutique hotel. Being active, outdoorsy and openly queer is not unusual when living here. It has no shortage of historic sites, three military bases, and tons of restaurants and bars. Error, group does not exist! 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. 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. You can expect to get around five inches of it during June, July, and August. Penn Hills is more family-friendly with a good school system and plenty of historic homes. The adjacent gayborhood is Kenwood, with its streets lined with Craftsmen-style cottages from the 1920s. Some decided to stay and build a laid-back life in Vilano Beach, Matanzas Bay, or the San Savinoneighborhood of St. Augustine Shores. 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 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. 1. 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. LGBTQ folks want an equitable experience, says Ryan Weyandt, CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.