Vibrant LGBTQ-Friendly Cities for Travel Assignments
A Human Rights Campaign Foundation report found that nearly 20 million Americans are part of the LGBTQ+ community—and that number is only increasing. Pride Month is celebrated every June, with numerous Pride celebrations happening during the month and beyond. Pride Month is all about acceptance, equality, and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.
Numerous cities in the United States have made a name for themselves as LGBTQ community safe-havens. Some are famous, some are popular, and others are hidden gems that every healthcare traveler will love to visit.
Check out some of the best LGBTQ-friendly cities to explore on your next travel assignment!
Best LGBTQ-Friendly U.S. Cities
San Francisco, California
One of the highest LGBTQ+ populations in the country is found in San Francisco.
San Francisco hosts the most memorable celebrations in the country, welcoming in over 50,000 people every summer for their Pride events.
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Additionally, the city has many LGBTQ-owned businesses, including cafes, bakeries, restaurants, nurseries, yoga studios, home decor shops, and much more.
With rainbow-painted crosswalks and gay-friendly districts, San Francisco is the city that goes above and beyond to make sure members of the community feel seen, safe, and celebrated.
California was recently ranked the most LGBTQ-friendly state. Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego are a few other cities in California known for a thriving LGBTQ community.
Hartford, Connecticut
Connecticut has long been at the forefront of the gay rights movement, but Hartford is especially known for being a welcoming space for the LGBTQ community. It hosts two Pride celebrations: one during National Pride Month and again in September with the Hartford Pride event.
Hartford is also home to PFLAG Hartford, founded in 1981. This organization offers vital resources and advocacy, reflecting PFLAG National’s strong commitment to LGBTQ rights and family support.
Whether traveling between assignments or on assignments, healthcare travelers will find Hartford’s inclusive environment a warm and welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals and allies.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Boasting all the nightlife, shows, and entertainment it’s best known for, Las Vegas is another must-visit city with a thriving LGBTQ community.
If you’re in the Vegas area for your healthcare travel assignment, don’t miss the amazing events and celebrations that take place during Las Vegas Pride, including a Pride OUTside hike, skate party, and tons of other Vegas-worthy events
Beyond the amazing celebrations, many hotels and resorts on the strip are renowned for supporting and advocating for the LGBTQ community. The Luxor not only throws a fabulous weekly LGBTQ-centric pool party every summer but also contributes to local Pride events like Las Vegas Pride, Vegas Gay Days, and Pride 48. The ever-glamorous Cosmopolitan was rated Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign for six years, proving they support their employees as much as their customers.
Portland, Oregon
The city of Portland has a rich history of LGBTQ activism, dating back to 1970 when the Portland Gay Liberation Front (PGLF) was first formed.
Portland is home to dozens of businesses and organizations owned by members of the LGBTQ community, all of which can be found on the Gay Portland Directory or the Oregon Pride in Business website.
When visiting Portland, you can rest assured you are in an LGBTQ safe space.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Home to the most prominent LGBTQ celebration in the south, New Orleans is loud and proud during Labor Day weekend.
Southern Decadence, an event that began in 1972 as a going-away party, has now been stretched into a multi-day festival. The most recent event brought in over 275,000 participants. The festival includes lively parades, celebrity performances, and drag shows.
New Orleans also hosts several other Pride events, such as New Orleans Pride Run & Walk and Gay Easter Parade.
The city also has a vast stretch of LGBTQ-friendly businesses open year-round in the French Quarter.
New York City, New York
With gay-rights protests beginning in 1969, New York was one of the earliest cities to support the LGBTQ community in the U.S. New York City also has the largest trans population (over 50,000 people) in the country.
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Fifth Avenue is filled with grand floats, performers, sponsors, and supporters for the Pride March in June.
The city hosts several parades supporting the LGBTQ+ community, including the Youth Pride Parade, New York City Drag March, PrideFest, and the Queens Pride Parade. The events are produced by a non-profit organization called Heritage of Pride, which aims to work toward a discrimination-free future where everyone is equally protected under the law.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando’s LGBTQ community is one of the largest in the nation. The city attracts tourists from all over to attend its Come Out With Pride parade and Gay Days events, which are hosted at a local theme park.
Come Out with Pride is a parade hosted in Downtown Orlando that can stretch up to a mile long. The parade is held in honor of the 49 people who lost their lives during the 2016 tragedy at a well-loved gay nightclub called Pulse.
Gay Days events occur at Disney’s world-famous Magic Kingdom. Attendees dress in red to support the LGBTQ+ community and the celebration lasts a week.
Your TNAA Community
These are just a few U.S. cities that go above and beyond to ensure that they’re an LGBTQ-safe space and a great place to celebrate who you are – and you can explore them further on your healthcare travel assignments. Check out our available jobs and get started today!
Here’s to the LGBTQ community and all the wonderful people, past and present, who have done so much for the movement. Happy Pride!
