Go to any major metropolitan area in the United States and you're likely to find a "gayborhood" — an enclave of LGBTQ+ residents and businesses that group together for both safety and support. Most of these neighborhoods have been around as long as the cities they reside in, and play a pivotal role in their history and culture.
Like all communities, many gayborhoods took a hit in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now face an increasing cost of living crisis that keeps residents and small businesses away. But they're not letting anyone drive them out — instead, they're waiting with open arms for their next visitor or their new neighbor.
Queer people have always found each other, so if you're looking to connect with your community on your next vacation, here are some thriving, historic gayborhoods you should consider visiting.
Greenwich Village, New York
The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, NYC
Little Vignettes Photo/Shutterstock
Greenwich Village, also known as the West Village or by its popular Christopher Street, is home to historic queer bars such as the Duplex and the Stonewall Inn, as well as the first National Park monument to acknowledge the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.
The neighborhood was the site of the 1969 Stonewall Riots — protests in response to police raids of gay bars — which are widely credited as sparking the modern-day LGBTQ+ rights movement. The National Park Service under Donald Trump has since removed the "T" from the "LGBTQ+" acronym, as well as any references to trans people from the official Stonewall National Monument website.
Greenwich Village is still a community that refuses to go quietly, from protesting the Trump administration to hosting New York City's annual Pride celebration in June, and its annual Halloween parade in October.
Northalsted (formerly Boystown), Chicago
Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood, aka Boystown
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Northalsted, formerly know as Boystown, is not only the most popular gayborhood in Chicago, but is also one of the most famous in the U.S. The North Halsted area is home to many bars and other businesses serving the LGBTQ+ community, as well as nonprofits including the Center on Halsted, Chicago's LGBTQ+ community center. The center hosts a popular street festival, Northalsted Market Days, and is on the city's annual Pride parade route.
The area had been informally known as Boystown since the 1970s, but was officially named as such in 1997 when Richard M. Daley, then Chicago's mayor, issued a proclamation. The Northalsted Business Alliance, the chamber of commerce for the neighborhood, announced the new name in 2020 after conducting a survey that found many felt the old gendered name was exclusionary.
Hillcrest, San Diego
San Diego Pride Parade
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Hillcrest in San Diego, California is home to numerous LGBTQ+ bars and is the site of the city's annual Pride parade. University Avenue is known for its diverse selection of restaurants and cafes, and Fifth Avenue for its second-hand and vintage clothing stores.
Hillcrest solidified its gayborhood status in the early 1990s when LGBTQ+ advocates fought to make sure the heavily queer neighborhood didn't get split into different municipal districts during a city redistricting effort. That resulted in the 1993 City Council election of lesbian Christine Kehoe, the first out official in the city, and the district exclusively electing LGBTQ+ politicians for the next 20+ years.
Fruit Loop, Las Vegas
Las Vegas Pride Parade
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The "Fruit Loop" in Las Vegas, Nevada earned its nickname from its string of LGBTQ+ clubs and restaurants in the Paradise neighborhood, which happen to form a loop shape. These spots include Piranha Nightclub QUADZ for those looking for a high-energy club atmosphere, and the Phoenix Bar & Louge for those seeking a more laid-back setting with pool and karaoke.
State Sen. Fabian Doñate introduced legislation earlier this year to declare the Fruit Loop a historic landmark, with the legislature approving the measure in June. Doñate celebrated in a post on Instagram, writing, "Since the 1950s, this vibrant corner of Las Vegas has been a home, a refuge, and a celebration of life and resilience. Today, we honor its legacy with the recognition it’s always deserved."
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park Annual Pride Parade
Madison Swart/Shutterstock
This seaside city isn't just known for its boardwalks and beaches — it's also home to various LGBTQ+ bars, gay-friendly beach resorts such as the Empress and Fagabond, and New Jersey's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Garden State Equality. (It also happens to be the home of musicians Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.)
The city's LGBTQ+ roots date all the way back to the 1930s, when poets Margaret Widdemer and Timothy Felter opened a gay-friendly tearoom. Despite police raids on LGBTQ+ establishments, the neighborhood continued to grow throughout the 1970s thanks to queer people from Greenwich Village moving to the area in escape of New York City's high costs. It was the site of the state's first LGBTQ+ Pride parade in 1992 after organizers were rejected by several other cities.
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown's Carnival celebration
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Provincetown, also known as "P-Town," is an ideal vacation spot from the warmer days of summer to the crisp nights of autumn, when its bright foliage is one of its main attractions. The Massachusetts haven is rife with historical attractions as well as natural beauty to behold, whether sailing on the water or hiking through the forest.
As artists' colonies developed in the area throughout the 1900s, experimental theater thrived. This led to drag performances in Provincetown as early as the 1940s, and a large gay population by the 1970s. The city began promoting LGBTQ+ tourism as early as 1978, which still plays a pivotal role in its economy today.
While some people think Pride Month is the only month to enjoy all of the gay festivities, there's many queer celebrations that happen year-round.
In fact, the tiny island of Malta is actually considered one of the best, if not the best, place in Europe for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community. Malta's rich gay culture, inclusive society, diverse history, and safe spaces give locals and tourists the opportunity to celebrate their queerness at any time.
The European country's annual Pride festival takes place all throughout the island with plenty of activations for people to explore and enjoy.
From drag shows to after parties, beaches and boat days, and even a Pride parade that takes place in the streets in the capital city of Valletta, Malta knows how to throw the ultimate celebration for the LGBTQ+ community.
Although Malta is still very much a religious place even to this day, the destination is one of the safest places in all of Europe for queer people. It's hard to believe this hidden gem in the Mediterranean Sea could be welcoming to so many gay people, but every color of the rainbow is represented.
Tourists lucky enough to visit Malta definitely need to visit some of the best queer or queer-friendly spots scattered across the island. Golden Bay is one of the top places for for all travelers to visit, while Riviera Bay is a secluded beach designed for a gay and nudist crowd.
Naturally, it wouldn't be a proper Pride celebration without some epic parties. LOLLIPOP throws some of the best gay events all year in Malta, so everyone in the community can let their hair down at the vibrant nightclubs or sickening pool soirées.
It's also worth noting that Malta's gorgeous architecture has served as a the backdrop for some of the biggest modern TV shows and movies including Game of Thrones, Jurassic World Rebirth, Jurassic World Dominion, Napoleon, and many more.
While Pride celebrations are definitely enticing, there's nothing better than going on side quests on such a gorgeous spot of the globe. There's countless amounts of historical landmarks, breathtaking photo ops, and delicious eateries to explore all throughout Malta. Country Terrace, Cargo Bar & Dine, Nenu the Artisan Baker, and Lumi at Malta by IHG offer some of the tastiest meals that foodies can enjoy on the stunning island.
Most LGBTQ+ people who travel for work say they've felt less safe abroad — and yet a new survey has found most companies aren't offering protections for their employees even as they send them to places where their identities are illegal.
Digital illustration by Nikki Aye for The Advocate
Most LGBTQ+ people who travel for work say they've felt less safe abroad — and yet a new survey has found most companies aren't offering protections for their employees even as they send them to places where their identities are illegal.
More than half (52 percent) of employees say that traveling for work as a member of the LGBTQ+ community feels less safe compared to their heterosexual or cisgender colleagues, according to a new report from World Travel Protections. This is amplified by the fact that 61 countries still criminalize homosexuality in some form.
Despite the safety concerns, only 13 percent of travelers say that their place of work provides LGBTQ+ specific pre-travel information for trips abroad. This is the same as the previous year’s findings, the report notes, which suggests "no significant progress" has been made to protect LGBTQ+ employees who travel for work. This "leaves them vulnerable to safety risks, harassment, and discrimination especially in countries where their rights may not be recognized or protected."
The data is based on a February online survey of 2,000 people who travel for business at least once a year, including 500 from the United States, 500 from the United Kingdom, 500 from Canada, and 500 from Australia.
The report recommended that organizations provide resources about destination-specific risks for LGBTQ+ people to all employees, not just those who are out. These resources should include guidance on accessing medical support, and clear protocols for handling incidents of harassment or discrimination. Businesses should also allow employees to decline trips to potentially dangerous countries without reprimand, and offer alternative travel options when available.
"When sending LGBTQ+ employees to parts of the world where their rights are not fully recognized by the host government, there needs to be a plan in place to support them,” said Frank Harrison, Regional Security Director Americas at World Travel Protection.
When iconic Pride Month events come to mind, it's easy to immediately think of well-known gay parades and festivities that take place in popular areas like Los Angeles, New York City, or even Pensacola, Florida.
It's incredible to see queer visibility celebrated in big cities and small towns across the United States, but there's one festival that occurs in the heart of Pride Month that truly encapsulates queer joy more than any other destination.
Electric Forest hit a magical 13th year in Rothbury, Michigan this June and the inclusive festival brought LGBTQ+ visibility to the forefront at a time it's needed most.
With multiple Pride activations, iconic music sets, drag brunches, immersive art installations, and thousands of queer people dancing all weekend long... Electric Forest is undeniably a can't-miss event that everyone in the LGBTQ+ community should experience at least one time in their lives.
It's actually quite shocking just how gay this festival is. As I ventured through the breathtaking forest every single day, I was overwhelmed with all of the queer love that made Electric Forest feel like such a safe space.
Let's be clear... I'm not just referring to all of the rainbow colors that beautifully lit up the forest each night. For this year's programming, Electric Forest recruited Jake Resnicow to take over the festival's Pride stage that featured legendary sets from The Knocks x Dragonette, Confidence Man, BAMBII, TAAHLIAH, and a slew of drag performers.
However, the fun wasn't just limited to the Pride stage. One of the major things I personally love about Electric Forest is that the queer activations take place at every corner of this stunning festival.
Throughout the spectacular meadow, it's likely you'll witness a queer couple getting married on-site at The Chapel or you'll see a group of gays rocking eccentric outfits as they venture from stage to stage. Plus, let's not forget that this year's festival literally had a gay soirée that even had the headliner, Wreckno, propose to their partner! Talk about gay rights!
There's so much political discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ equality today, so it's very inspiring and comforting that Electric Forest prioritizes queer celebration in these challenging times.
Electric Forest made history as the first major music festival to feature a Pride parade back in 2018 and the momentum has only grown since then. At a time where it feels like queer acceptance is regressing, this special festival is quite literally doing the exact opposite.
In many ways, Electric Forest is embracing a future that many close-minded people are too afraid to embrace. As a proud gay man myself, I find myself struggling to accept where we are as a society today. That's why music festivals like Electric Forest are the medicine needed to keep up the good fight.
I found myself saying, "I wish life was like this all the time" to many new members of my chosen family throughout the weekend. The real world may not be up to par with where Electric Forest is at, but thankfully, this very beautiful festival isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Trust me when I say Electric Forest is the escapism you just may need during these uncertain moments in history. To learn more about this exceptional festival and plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip, check out the official website here. You won't regret it!
Gays at Pensacola Pride in Pensacola Beach, Florida.
Ricky Cornish
Don't say gay? Nice try.
Even in Florida, the LGBTQ+ community is gearing up for a very crucial Pride season to prove that queer visibility can't be erased.
Known as the largest LGBTQ+ Memorial Day celebration held in North America, Pensacola Pride drew in thousands of tourists as they slapped on Speedos, mingled on the beach, hit up electric circuit parties, and supported local gay bars.
Although people correlate many of the major Pride events with the month of June, Johnny Chilsolm's Memorial Weekend Pensacola truly feels like the proper kickoff to all of the queer festivities that take place throughout the summer.
This is the third year in a row I've flown down to Florida's panhandle to reunite with my chosen family and every visit reminds me just how lucky I am to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.
There's nothing quite like bonding and socializing with countless amounts of queer people on the gorgeous white sand beaches each day of the long weekend.
Beyond the gorgeous weather and sunny skies, the party really begins in the evening once all of the gays come together and dance the night away at Chilsolm's iconic circuit parties.
As someone who's traveled solo to Pensacola Pride each year I've attended, I finally found myself staying at the stunning Portofino Island Resort with a group of my queer peers thanks to Joshua Hecht, the CEO and Founder of Dance With Pride.
For a few years now, Hecht's mission as a Pensacola local is to help tourists enjoy a comfortable visit and fully immerse into all of the fun activities happening at Pride.
"I've been in Pensacola since 2016. The thing that's always made me happy is just seeing other people happy. If someone's having a good time, then I'm having a great time. It's really been for them!"
Although he's built an incredible business helping queer travelers enjoy Pensacola Pride every year, Hecht is now taking things up a notch by becoming an official event partner for WorldPride 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Hecht's company, Dance With Pride, is producing eight exciting events ranging from circuit parties and drag brunches to tea dances happening all weekend in the nation's capital.
"We're really trying to capture the entire Pride community and make sure that everyone has something available to them that they love. We have ultimate pregames, rooftop socials, and the thing that I love is that they're not overpriced. Tickets start at only $10. We want to make everything as accessible as possible. It's important to show up and show out!"
There's certainly plenty of activities to explore through Dance With Pride, but there's also many other thrilling options available for tourists hoping to make the most of their time at WorldPride.
Many queens from the latest season of RuPaul's Drag Race are making their way to Washington, D.C. for two special events that fans will absolutely gag over.
On Sunday, June 8, Kori King is joining the top five of RuPaul's Drag Race season 17, except for Lexi Love, at the 9:30 Club for WorldPride's closing party... the Season 17 Extravaganza.
Earlier in the day, other season 17 contestants Lana Ja'Rae, Hormona Lisa, and the season's Miss Congeniality Crystal Envy will be performing two shows at the WorldPride Drag Brunch at Throw Social DC.
WorldPride may be the main festival that has all of the gays talking this year, but there's still plenty of exciting things happening leading up to the global Pride celebration.
West Hollywood's Pride officially begins today and between marches, street parades, the OUTLOUD Music Festival, and a bustling bar scene, queer people from around the world will be hitting up the popular gayborhood for the first weekend of Pride Month.
There's no better way to kick off the gayest month of the year than to attend the GlamCocks Metallic*nt circuit party happening tonight at Catch One in Los Angeles. Tickets are nearly sold out, so be sure to grab yours before it's too late!
Pride season is truly in full effect and this is the year to be out, loud, and proud. To learn more about Pride events happening in your area, click here.