10 LGBTQ+ friendly travel destinations

I’d always heard whispers about the infamous Venice of the North. Couples lounging at cannabis shops. The vibrant De Wallen (Red Light) District, home to promiscuity and passion. Thriving queer communities like Regulierswarstraat. But it wasn’t until I visited a few years ago that I understood. This is a city without expectations. A place of abundant tolerance where beauty is found in the simplicity of togetherness.

Often considered the LGBTQ+ capital of the U.S., San Francisco is a city rooted in activism and community. There is an ease here. A California slowness yet excitement follows you under the fluttering rainbow flags in the Castro District. Or while visiting Oasis and El Rio, vibrant queer spaces that all locals enjoy. There is no separation here, just a true sense of acceptance.

Berlin’s soul screams with authenticity. You can see it in the fashion; feel it in the food. Its residents have no status quo. Queer travelers will not just feel safe here but understood. Explore the city’s long history of LGBTQ+ activism in neighborhoods like Schöneberg, Kreuzberg and Neukölln. And please, experience Berlin’s famous nightlife, dancing with strangers from everywhere until morning light floods the sky.

When the world speaks of Canadian niceties, there really is some truth. Even during my first visit, the French-kissed capital felt familiar. The Village is a sprawling gayborhood alive with shops, restaurants, bars and hotels. In summer, the Rue Sainte-Catherine is pedestrian-only, where those who pass by take a moment to smile back and sweet melodies fill the street.

Desert heat, stylish hotels, manicured golf courses and sparkling spas; Palm Springs is opulence in the Sonoran Desert and a hot spot for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a hideaway reclaimed by the queer community, where establishments, like The Trixie Motel by world-famous drag performer Trixie Mattel, thrive. Here, there is no standing out because everyone truly is fabulously unique.

Taiwan is an unexpected enclave of inclusion and Asia’s leader in progressive legislation and public opinion. Walking the vibrant streets of Taipei is like entering a room where all your loved ones wait. Queer culture is visible and celebrated. It’s a place that holds a true air of tolerance and diversity.

Mexico City hums with life. In Zona Rosa, rainbow crosswalks welcome you like old friends, while the streets of Roma Norte bloom with raw artistry and pride. It’s a city that wraps you in warmth, reminding you that community, creativity and authenticity belong at the center of it all.

Seattle feels like a place where you can truly breathe. In Capitol Hill, the heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, the streets are alive with creativity and a sense of belonging. It’s a place you want to explore and feel seen. A place where your new favorite cafe is waiting just around the corner.

Queer culture is a part of Austin’s soul, woven into its rhythm and history. From the vibrant drag shows in East Austin to the electric nights in the Red River district, every block feels like an open invitation to be bold and free. Here, self-expression isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated.

After three years living in Chicago, tolerance is too little a word for how the city treats its queer community. There is a radiant pride here. I’ve experienced it all. Intimate dates. Kisses goodbye on a crowded street. Exploring hand in hand. Maybe it’s because this is my home, but fear has never found me along the shores of Lake Michigan.