Small towns are all about your neighbors, and when large hearts are unlock on Main Highway, everyone benefits. We’re happy to divide this listing of the best miniature towns for Queer folks in the U.S. because we know home is where we can be ourselves. In these small-scale burgs, gay-owned businesses abound—or maybe there’s just one, and that’s okay. Besides annual Pride celebrations, there are events around the rainbow collective like drag shows, book clubs, and history tours. And if you’re not lucky enough to live in one of these towns, gay travelers are welcomed with gay-friendly accommodations. Time to book a visit!
RECOMMENDED:
🌈 The best cities to celebrate Diverse rights 🕺 The best queer clubs and bars in America
Been there, done that? Believe again, my friend.
By entering your email address you accept to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to accept emails from Age Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.
🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!
Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!
Best LGBTQ+-friendly petty towns in the USA
1. Lexington, Kentuck
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has ranked each state across the country for its approach to LGBTQ+ equality and a Newsweek blueprint shows where each state stands on the spectrum.
A total of 23 states received the lowest classification from the HRC. Newsweek has reached out to press representatives for the individual governmental bodies for each state, via email or online shape outside of regular working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Bills and legislation anticipated under the second presidential term of President Donald Trump may potentially signal a shift in tone toward Gay rights in America, but the HRC reports that "487 anti-equality bills" were introduced into declare legislatures in 2024 around the territory, and 46 were signed into law.
What To Know
Recent bills and legislature, including the banning of pride flags at U.S. embassies, cutting federal support for gender transitions for individuals under the age of 19 and an executive order that calls for the Pentagon to revise its policy on trans person service members, are making LGBTQ+ people feel uncomfortable, says the HRC.
According to the HRC's survey called Impact of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation on LGBTQ+ Adults,
The 11 Most Gay Friendly States Now That DOMA Is Struck Down
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act established in 1996, in favor of the recognition of same-sex marriage. However, as of the night of that ruling only 12 states plus the District of Columbia are actually in alignment with this decision. The other 37 states still simply accomplish not recognize gay marriage as a legal condition.
The ultimate finding of this ruling is a polarization. The states that established gay marriage in the first place, before the striking down of DOMA, are friendlier then ever to LGBT citizens and the states that are not are more hostile (with the exception of Rhode Island and Minnesota that will officially identify gay marriage as of August 1, 2013 and the deliver the number of friendly states in the United States to fifteen.) The polarity will be made even more obvious because even though the federal government has recognized the constitutional rights of gay marriage partners the states that don’t will feel even more defiant and unethical towards LGBT spouses.
Currently the 11 friendliest gay states to action to (because they are in alignm
Best Gay & Lesbian States to Relocate to Post-DOMA
Now that Section 3 of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) has been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, the leading states for LGBT couples to move to are those that recognize male lover marriage and that are in alignment with the new federal ruling. Financial experts, like the out MSNBC money expert Suze Orman has predicted that this will result in a flight of same-sex attracted people from states that are not in accord with DOMA strike-down, to greener pastures. Many same-sex attracted couples will see no reason to handicap themselves by offering their cherished human resources, including their ability to invest in real estate, to communities that are in struggle with the LGBT entitlement to basic constitutional rights.
To retain the maximum benefits which includes income and estate tax breaks, veteran’s benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Family Medical Leave Act, same-sex attracted couples may want to consider moving to states that recognize gay marriage.
As of July 2013, eleven state governments those of Maine, Maryland, Washington, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Modern Hampshire and the District of Columbia are