Insider Monkey
35 Most Gay-Friendly Cities in the World
Daniyal Jawaid
11 min read

In This Article:

In this article, we will look at the 35 most gay-friendly cities in the world. If you want to skip our discussion about the LGBTQ+ community in the US, its contribution to the economy, and legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and their implications for corporate America, go to 10 Most Gay-Friendly Cities in the World. 

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines sexual orientation as "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction toward men, women, or both sexes". It has been a topic of hot debate for centuries. It is only very recently that homosexuality has started to get much-needed acceptance in society. However, even as we are well within the third decade of the twenty-first century, there are places where homosexuality is not accepted. The APA recognizes the stigma of mental illness associated with lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations. It also recognizes that sexual orientation tends to define the group in which a person is more likely to find satisfying and romantic romantic relationships. 

The LGBTQ+ community in the United States is quite prominent. According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 7% of adults in the country identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation also quotes similar figures, as according to them, the LGBTQ+ population in the United States is at least 20 million or 8% of adults. This figure is also corroborated by the Gallup survey, which claims that LGBT identification in the US was 7.1% as of 2022. According to Gallup, LGBTQ+ identification in 2020 was 5.6%, so we have seen a significant increase between 2020 and 2022. Gallup survey also reports the higher prevalence of LGBTQ+ identities in the youngest US adults. Around 21% of Generation Z Americans, who have reached adulthood, identify as LGBTQ+. For perspective, this figure is roughly double of LGBTQ+ identification in millennials. The LGBTQ+ community also contributes significantly to the US economy. Their contribution, most notably, comes through entrepreneurship and business ownership. According to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), businesses owned by LGBTQ+ individuals have contributed $1.77 trillion to the economy and have created 33,000 jobs. These businesses generate more than $2 million in annual revenue. 

Despite their significant contribution to the economy, LGBTQ+ individuals are more likely to face financial hardships compared to other Americans. High rates of food and economic insecurity were noted among the LGBTQ+ communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, they are also more likely to face discrimination in public settings such as education and employment, which further worsens their economic hardships. Recognizing these difficulties and a bias against them, all states have legislated legal protection in favor of LGBTQ+ individuals. As of June 5, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that employment discrimination against people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community is prohibited. Rights such as anti-discrimination, fair housing, and credit and lending vary by state.

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