You can easily find LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods and businesses, not to mention inclusive and fun pride events. Surround yourself with inclusive communities when you take a travel healthcare assignment in one of the following queer friendly cities.
Columbus, OH
Columbus, Ohio, has one of the largest queer populations per capita with 4.3% of it's population identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, which is a larger percentage than New York City! Columbus hosts one of the largest pride events in the Midwest, and has been hosting a pride parade sine 1982. The annual Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival sees over 500,000 people visiting to celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community. The neighborhood of Short North is known as a "gayborhood" where it feels like pride is happening all year round with the number of rainbow flags flying proudly. Another popular "gayborhood" is the German Village which offers a "Gay Pioneer Tour" which calls attention to the cities long gay history.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is famous for Mardi Gras and Bourbon street, but they're also the hosts of the Mardi Gras Bourbon Street Awards, which is one of the biggest drag queen contests in the country! They're also know for their Labor Day celebration in the French Quarter, a 6 day festival known as Southern Decadence which is often regarded as an epic combo of New Orleans Pride and Mardi Gras. New Orleans hosts a classic pride parade in June and is home to the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the Unites States, Café Lafitte.
Palm Springs, CA
It's no secret that San Francisco is a large LGBTQ+ city in California, but Palm Springs is another popular city with a strong queer community; 50% of the population identifies as a part of the LGBTQ+ community! Palm Springs hosts Dinah Shore Weekend every year, which began as a golf tournament between women and quickly became the largest lesbian event in the world. Traditional pride hits the town in November, with block parties, food, and games! The city is home to Lambda Literary, selling queer books and advocating for LGBTQ+ writers. Palm Springs also became home to America's first all-LGBT city council in 2018!
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale is known as Florida's Gay Capital and is one of the friendliest cities in the country for queer people! The neighborhood of Wilton Manors is one of the gayest places in the country, with 4.2% of of the population identifying as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about the history of the AIDS epidemic at the World AIDS Museum or check out a major LGBTQ+ history lesson at the Stonewall National Museum. Looking for a queer beach? Fort Lauderdale has a few, including the most popular Sebastian Street Beach! Pride takes place in February in Fort Lauderdale, but Wilton Manors hosts a Stonewall Pride in June.
Austin, TX
Austin ranks as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the country! It's home to the Austin LGBT Chamber, which has been supporting LGBT businesses and organizations since 1997. The Austin LGBT Chamber still hosts monthly events around the city like happy hours, support groups, pride events, and so much more. While Austin doesn't have a strictly queer neighborhood like other cities, you can find strong communities at 4th Street, the Warehouse District, or Hippie Hollow Park!
