USA Gay and Lesbian Travel

You might have noticed that people get a little testy in American media when it comes to certain GLBT issues (have you heard about the gay marriage debate?). Truth be told, there are certain parts of the country where it would be wise to hide your rainbow pin, but the USA has plenty of destinations that are more than receptive to GLBT travelers. Since 2003, sex acts between individuals of the same sex have been legal nationwide. Five states (Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, plus the District of Columbia) have legalized gay marriage, with more offering civil unions or some equivalent. Hate crime legislation has been expanded to include crimes against homosexuals, and GLBT individuals hold public office across the country. From New York to San Francisco and from Provincetown to Key West, you will find no shortage of queer-friendly bars, hotels, and cultural events. Pride parades take place in almost every major US city from April through October, and they’re simply fabulous. Travelers can find vibrant GLBT communities in places like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, as well as less ostentatiously glitzy cities like Atlanta or Austin. For information on local GLBT resources as you plan, Let’s Go recommends checking out websites like www.pflag.org and www.glbtnearme.org.

New York City What you’ve heard is true – NYC is about as fierce and queer friendly as US cities come. Don’t believe us? Check out Greenwich Village; in addition to being home to middle-class white people (read: NYU students), the Village is also where you’ll find the Stonewall Inn, often credited with being the birthplace of the GLBT rights movement.

San Francisco Living in San Francisco is like playing “Where’s Waldo?” with gay people. Except it’s really easy to find Waldo (hint: he’s at the gay bar). Travelers to San Fran can expect to find a healthy amount of sunshine and an absurd number of Birkenstock sandals.

Boston Boston has to contend with its reputation as a Puritan city, but don’t forget that Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. In Boston the GLBT community, like the city itself, is pretty small—but size isn’t everything! The city hosts a pride festival every summer, and is a stone’s throw away from P-Town.

Los Angeles Los Angeles benefits from great weather all year round, but the GLBT community gets together in Hollywood a few times a year to party it up. Pride week falls in early to mid-June, but the real fun is at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval. It’s not an event for the modest, but if having scantily clad men in your grill is okay by you, come on down October 31.

Miami You might forget that you’re not in Rio when you’re walking along South Beach. There’s certainly a lot to be said for the muy caliente Latino population in Miami, but there is also a thriving network of gay- and lesbian-owned restaurants and hotels along South Beach that make it worth checking out, even just for a day or two.