Get ready for a safe and fabulous LGBTQ+ travel experience
San Francisco California Castro Street gayborhood intersection rainbow street gay flags and colorful lights at night
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The famed Castro District in San Francisco, California
Just in time for the spring and summer travel season, misterb&b has created the Queer Safety Index to aid LGBTQ+ travelers in selecting a fun and safe escape.
The online travel portal, which connects travelers looking for queer-friendly accommodations (ranging from rooms to hotels from queer providers and allies), tips for dining, or even new companions or friends in faraway destinations, has created the index using a variety of source studying the climate for the community in states and cities nationwide.
“The LGBTQ+ Safety Index is an ordered ranking based on a weighted scoring model incorporating multiple data sources, starting with misterb&b most booked destinations,” misterb&b explains in a recent blog post.
In addition to examining travel trends and preferences from its vast customer, vendor, and online databases, misterb&b also used the Movement Advancement Project’s (MAP) Overall Policy Tally to assess state-level protections and risks, the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) to evaluate a city’s LGBTQ+ policies, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union to examine legislative risks, PFLAG for its community support, and the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for safety and hate crime reporting.
You can follow the links to learn more about misterb&b and its Queer Safety Index.
Keep scrolling to see misterb&b’s top 15 safest U.S. cities for LGBTQ+ travel.
15. Washington, DC
Capitol building at spring blossom magnolia tree Washington DC
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U.S. Capitol building, Washington, D.C.
Despite the current Trump administration, our nation’s capital scores high marks across the board for LGBTQ+ travelers. It has the Smithsonian museums, historic monuments, and grand architecture for daytime activities and a great foodie and nightlife scene for after sunset.
misterb&b score: 0.737
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Washington, D.C.: 40.75/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: N/A
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Washington, D.C. at misterb&b.
14. New York City, New York
New york City Manhattan from the sky helicopter tour NYC skyline bridges central park world trade tower statue of liberty empire state building all in view
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Statue of Liberty overlooking New York City, New York
While some may say The Big Apple is too low on this list, NYC – with its fine dining, lights of Broadway, the museums, and the nightlife that last until dawn – is still a bucket list destination for many gays..
misterb&b score: 0.75
MAP Overall Policy Tally – New York: 44.5/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to New York City at misterb&b.
RELATED: Broadway-bound – the best hotels in NYC’s Theater District
13. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia Pennsylvania
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Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Our nation’s original capital, Philadelphia is filled with history as well as a rich LGBTQ+ scene.
misterb&b score: 0.776131
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Pennsylvania: 16.75 (fair)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Philadelphia at misterb&b.
RELATED: A virtual tour of Philadelphia’s ghostly Eastern State Penitentiary
12. Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs California Marilyn Monroe sculpture public art in town center
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Marilyn Monroe statue in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a cultured oasis of LGBTQ+ inclusivity, where the gays can escape to fine dining, accommodations for every taste and budget, and stunning natural surroundings.
misterb&b score: 0.782136
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Palm Springs at misterb&b.
RELATED Joey Amato’s Pride journey to Palm Springs
11. Cathedral City, California
Cathedral City sign at the entrance to the city in Riverside County California public art palm trees and mountains
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The not-so-famous ‘Cathedral City’ sign in Cathedral City, California
While not as well-known as its neighboring Palm Springs, Cathedral City has plenty of action at clothing-optional gay resorts.
misterb&b score: 0.785347
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Cathedral City at misterb&b.
RELATED: L.A. to Palm Springs and Cathedral City with a hope, a pray, and a leaf
10. Providence, Rhode Island
RHODE ISLAND Providence Performing Arts Center night view first Opened as a movie palace in 1928 National Register of Historic Places
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Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the biggest city in the smallest state, a true hidden gem for the LGBTQ+ community with its nightlife, food scene, and waterfront location.
misterb&b score: 0.788671
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Rhode Island: 38/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Providence at misterb&b.
RELATED: 75+ pics of Providence Pride 2024 show how the other P-Town parties
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign in Las Vegas Nevada USA
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The famous ‘Welcome’ sign in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sin City has it all for the gay community, with great dining and nightlife opportunities.
misterb&b score: 0.794831
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Nevada: 41.25/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Las Vegas at misterb&b.
RELATED: Las Vegas is a top LGBTQ+ destination, and the day clubs are more inclusive than ever
8. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Poco Apoco Plaza in the historic Old Town section of Albuquerque New Mexico
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Poco Apoco Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Sitting at an elevation of 5,312 feet, Albuquerque is the other ‘mile high city.’
misterb&b score: 0.801627
MAP Overall Policy Tally – New Mexico: 36/49 (medium)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Albuquerque at misterb&b.
RELATED: The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway is perfect for Fall colors
7. Denver, Colorado
DENVER COLORADO Trains at Union Station in winter weather mixed light evening magic hour
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Union Station in Denver, Colorado
The Mile High City has quickly become a world-class city with unparalleled natural beauty, major sporting teams, a progressive culture, and a thriving LGBTQ+ community. And the state is led by out by Democratic Gov. Jarid Polis.
misterb&b score: 0.803871
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Colorado: 45.25 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Denver at misterb&b.
RELATED: These chill celebrations show Colorado’s state-wide Pride
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
Surfboards lined up in the rack at famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu Oahu Hawaii
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Surf shack on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii
Surf’s up for LGBTQ+ travelers at this true island paradise.
misterb&b score: 0.805810
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Hawaii: 31.75/49 (medium)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Honolulu at misterb&b.
RELATED: Where to wet your whistle in gay Honolulu
5. San Diego, California
Aerial view of Coronado Bridge in San Diego bay in southern California on a warm sunny day with boats in the bay and cars crossing the bridge
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Coronado Bridge connects communities in San Diego, California
Proudly billing itself as “America’s Finest City,” sunny San Diego is famous for its mild year-round climate and thriving gay community.
misterb&b score: 0.819190
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to San Diego at misterb&b.
RELATED: Surf, sand, and super blooms – the great Southern California road trip
4. Portland, Oregon
Downtown Portland Oregon with Marquam bridge over the Willamette River and view of Mount Saint Helens
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Marquam Bridge in Portland, Oregon
‘Keep it weird, Portland’ isn’t just a slogan for some in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city, which might factor into why it’s so popular among LGBTQ+ travelers.
misterb&b score: 0.828624
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Oregon: 37.5/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Portland at misterb&b.
RELATED: Your gay guide to the Oregon wine country just outside Portland
3. San Francisco, California
Castro district on July 2011 San Francisco california USA first and well known gay neighborhood
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The famed Castro District (‘The Castro’) in San Francisco, CA
With its history of gay activism, the Castro, a culinary scene second to none, and a true ‘small city’ experience set in a truly stunning location, there’s no need to explain why the City by the Bay ranks so high on this list.
misterb&b score: 0.859765
MAP Overall Policy Tally – California: 45/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to San Francisco at misterb&b.
RELATED: Exploring San Francisco on a budget
2. Seattle, Washington
Seattle Washington downtown skyline Space Needle tower and Mount Rainier
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Space Needle tower in downtown Seattle, Washington
Seattle is famous for its seafood and stunning scenery, but it’s also a great destination for LGBTQ+ travelers.
misterb&b score: 0.8820167396811622
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Washington: 40.25/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Seattle at misterb&b.
RELATED: Seattle offers wet and wild queer romance
1. Chicago, Illinois
Millennium Park Chicago Illinois Cloud Gate public art aka the Bean
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Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City tops this list with multiple gayborhoods, museums, nightlife, and an outstanding foodie scene.
misterb&b score: 0.925818
MAP Overall Policy Tally – Illinois: 43/49 (high)
HRC Municipal Equality Index: 100
Learn more about LGBTQ+ travel to Chicago at misterb&b.
RELATED: A queer guide to Chicago gayborhoods