Gay places to visit

Plus, it's a great base for outdoor adventures, and there are several iconic ski resorts (such as Brighton, Solitude, Alta, Snowbird, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain) all within an hour's drive of downtown. Pines Party is a weekend in July or August featuring DJs, pool parties and beach parties. Minneapolis, Minnesota

My hometown, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has always felt like a safe haven to be yourself.

Ogunquit, Maine

We love Maine's charming coastal towns. Home to a thriving LGBTQIA+ community and numerous queer-owned businesses, including some of the top-rated B&Bs in America, cultural cuisine from across the world, and welcoming establishments of all kinds, the welcoming vibe of this Midwestern town is unmatched.

One of our favorite businesses is the queer-owned Galena Bakehouse, which serves scrumptious baked goods in a historic building.

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There is also lots of shopping for clothing, décor, souvenirs and more. The national seashore also has plenty of trails, and Art's Dune Tours offers several guided tour options to venture out onto the sand dunes.

The town is pedestrian-friendly, so those who would rather bike than drive can rent bicycles from shops like Ptown Bikes, which offers “pay as you go” rentals to explore the area at leisure.

Many people trace the gay history of Rehoboth to an art league made up of women in the 1940s. In fact, Leo Varadkar, who served as the country's taoiseach (prime minister) until 2024, is openly gay.

Dublin offers plenty of ways for LGBTQIA+ visitors to enjoy themselves, from hobnobbing in the friendly gay cafes and pubs of the Temple Bar district to catching a play at one of the many acclaimed theaters.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii – and the entire island of Oahu – is a true melting pot; not only are the people who live here diverse, but the people who visit are as well. Today, you can find several art schools and galleries flourishing, inspiring its Art Coast nickname. Over 29 days, more than 4,000 same-sex couples were married before being stopped by the courts due to the order defying California state's then ban on same-sex marriage.

The Castro District, a gay neighborhood, has a thriving nightlife including Twin Peaks Tavern and Midnight Sun both open since the 1970s.

The city prides itself on its tradition of inclusion, which goes beyond celebrating Pride; Minneapolis supports and includes people from all backgrounds and all lifestyles all year round.

This Midwestern city is home to countless LGBTQIA+-friendly spaces, from gay-owned coffee shops and breweries to the iconic nightclub, The Gay 90s, and the first sports bar in the Twin Cities that exclusively shows women's sports on their televisions, A Bar Of Their Own.

Minneapolis is also incredibly artistic, with countless theaters and art museums, including my personal favorite, Theater Latté Da.

3. In addition to its popular Pride weekend – which takes place October 12 to 13, 2024 – Atlanta also plays host to Black Pride Weekend, the largest of its kind in the United States, which takes place over Labor Day weekend every year.

LGBTQIA+ Friendly Towns

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There are hiking and biking trails, bird-watching opportunities and an observation tower. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Rehoboth Beach in Delaware is a popular spot in the summer for Washington, D.C., residents ranging from families to politicians and staffers as well as LGBTQ+ travelers. In addition to the Greater Palm Springs Pride, which takes place in November each year, there are a variety of LGBTQIA+ events throughout the year, from film festivals to drag shows and so much more.

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The organization Art Project of Cherry Grove, founded in the 1940s, ran a theater and played a big role in the community's culture contributing to Fire Island being known as “America's First Gay and Lesbian Town.”

Today, much of the island is a mix of gay and straight people, but The Pines is mostly gay men while Cherry Grove is a mix of queer women and gay men.

Fire Island, New York

Fire Island is a gay haven that's a short 20-minute ferry ride from Long Island by Sayville Ferry Service. It's also the same season as the indie-spirited Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, which always screens some queer-focused movies.

Where to stay

The chic and contemporary W Taipei (rates start at $373 or 115,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) is a favorite spot for LGBTQIA+ parties during Taiwan Pride and a fantastic place to stay anytime.

To get there, you have to hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve or La Jolla Shores.