LGBT+ Friendly Travel!

Whilst it can be fun to feel the sense of freedom that comes from being surrounded by other LGBT+ individuals, Pride weekend shouldn’t be the only time of year where queer people can feel safe in their downtime. Choosing a holiday destination can sometimes be a little more complex, however, with safety concerns a priority when selecting a break – homosexuality is still illegal in 72 countries around the world. That’s why we have created a list of amazing LGBT+ friendly holiday destinations for you to enjoy all year round!

Brighton

Is there anywhere in the UK more gay friendly than Brighton? Brighton is a beautiful sea-side town that boasts incredible shopping facilities and a stunning beach with a booming gay scene. Everything from the arcade filled pier to the lanes is simply perfection. With hundreds of bars, restaurants and hotels, you will not fail to find great dining and a gorgeous place to stay. As the last year has shown with lockdown, there is no need to travel abroad when there are stunning holiday destinations here in the UK for us to enjoy. I know I will be visiting again very soon!

Buenos Aires, Argentina 

Argentina is extremely progressive concerning attitudes towards LGBT+ rights. It was the first country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage in 2010 which included full adoption rights. The right to self-identifying legal gender recognition has also been in place since 2012. The gay scene in Buenos Aires is heavily supported by the government. The large residential neighbourhood of Palermo boasts some of the best gay friendly bars such as the Glam Club in Recoleta, Stiges bar, Contramano bear club and the Pride Café in San Telmo. The March of Pride is an annual pride parade in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The march promotes the equality and rights of LGBT+ people. It takes place in November in memory of the creation of the first Argentine and Latin American LGBT+ organization, Nuestro Mundo, in November 1967. The first March of Pride in Buenos Aires was held in the year 1992. Most marches have been held annually on the first Saturday of November.

Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Gran Canaria is an extremely famous destination throughout the year for European gays. This Spanish Island is part of the Canary Islands, which lies off the coast of Africa, therefore guaranteed almost 365 days of great weather. Spain generally is a very gay-friendly destination, but Gran Canaria has always had a more tolerant attitude. During the Franco years, the government turned a blind eye to homosexuality on the island and as a result of this, many tourists come from all over the world to enjoy the LGBT+ inclusivity and party atmosphere of the island. There is a massive gay scene at Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles in the southern part of the island. The Yumbo Centre is the focal point for the area: a large shopping mall full of gay bars, clubs, restaurants and boutique shops, making it a gay man’s paradise. Slightly further south of this is the large gay beach at Kiosk #7. Gran Canaria also has several gay pride festivals happening throughout the year such as the Maspalomas Fetish Week in October, Maspalomas Winter Pride in November, Carnivals in February (both in Maspalomas and Las Palmas), Maspalomas Gay Pride in May and finally numerous bear parties in October and another in March.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

In 2001, the Netherlands became the first Country in the world to legalise same sex marriage and the country is well known for its acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Amsterdam hosts a famous pride week annually usually in the months of July/August which celebrates diversity, partying and protesting. Within Amsterdam, there are many gay bars located around the area of Reguliersdwarsstraat. The beautiful city of Amsterdam has many fun tourist attractions such as the famous sex museum, canal cruises and historical sites to visit. Take a dive into the Netherlands’ rich history and culture!

Let us know your favourite holiday destinations!