If youโve ever typed โWhere is it safe for a trans person to live?โ into Google and felt unsatisfied with the search results โ this is for you. Because places that are marked gay-friendly aren’t always trans friendly. And big blue cities in red states still mean passing through red state roads and airports.
Trans travel has changed in 2025. It’s still changing โ I’ve had to update this trans passport article twice since it came out, and I’m sure I’ll have to update it again.
While no one has all the answers, and nobody can tell you where you’ll be safe no matter one (because no one is a mind reader), there are places that are better than others.
And by better I mean, more welcoming and inclusive, with legal protections for residents and social attitudes that don’t just tolerate you if you pass as cis, they accept you as you are. No need to fit any kind of gender box.
As someone who’s gender expansive, I know firsthand how it feels to be treated one way in one state, then given extra scrutiny when you cross a border.
While I haven’t let it hold me back from travel, these days I’m more careful. I take a hard look at state laws and policies, using the equality maps from Movement Advancement Project to understand and prepare for a trip.
This post uses that data to highlight U.S. states that aren’t just safe for trans people to pass through, they’re truly trans inclusive.
Because we all deserve places where we can stop bracing for impact and just enjoy the view.
Californiaย
California is super popular with gay and lesbian travelers for good reason.
From San Diego to LA to San Francisco, its big cities are safe havens for queer and transgender travelers.
I get a lump in my throat just thinking of all the starry-eyes older queer folks I’ve seen wandering the Castro overwhelmed at the explosion of queer joy when I lived in San Francisco.
But it isn’t just the big cities.
From small towns on the California coast to the Central Valley to the Oregon border, California is proudly progressive.
While California governor Gavin Newsom is flip-flopping on trans rights, at the state level California is holding out against a trans sports ban despite pushback from the Trump administration.
Colorado
Colorado is a sanctuary state for gender affirming care with a vibrant, growing LGBTQ+ population โ fueled in part by trans folks moving from oppressive states like Texas to neighboring Colorado.
Connecticut
Connecticut is one of the best states for LGBTQ travel, and they haven’t been shy about promoting themselves!
The state’s got amazing pizza, miles of beaches, and some incredible AT hikes.
Senator Chris Murphy is constantly advocating for queer inclusive laws and policies. He’s not the only one: Connecticut tourism officials have started promoting the state as queer and trans friendly, too!
Delaware
Tucked between bigger states with more notable attractions, Delaware is easy to overlook. But then you’d be missing out on the chill queer beach scene at Rehoboth Beach, where I spent a relaxing weekend getaway.
Hawaii
Hawaii is another favorite queer vacation destination โ and for good reason.
Combine strong legal protections for sexual orientation and gender identity with a laid-back environment and beautiful beaches and what’s not to love?
I’m headed to Hawaii at the end of the summer, so stay tuned for more queer Hawaii content from me ๐
Illinois
Illinois is one of the most accepting states in the middle of the US, with solid legal protections for queer and trans people.
While Chicago is undoubtedly the biggest draw, liberal college towns like Peoria and Champaign-Urbana are LGBTQ friendly too.
Maine
Governor Janet Mills made headline news by standing up to Trump’s ban on transgender girls with a loud hell no.
Given Trump’s retaliatory actions toward Maine, I saw we all take summer trips to queer beach town Ogunquit or “the other Portland” (my fave tbh) in revenge.
While Janet Mills showed the nation what allyship looks like, Maine has a lot more to offer trans folks, including shield protections for gender affirming care.
Maryland
LGBTQ+ rights are strongly protected in Maryland.
Most recently, the state passed a law prohibiting employer discrimination based on sexual orientation โ an especially important protection considering how the federal government has chipped away at LGBTQ+ workplace protection laws!
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is proudly progressive on LGBTQ+ rights.
It was the first to legalize gay marriage, and they even have a lesbian governor.
LGBTQ+ rights are solidly protected and there are no negative laws punishing people for being queer.
Excuse the bragging, this is my home state so I get to be a bit proud!
Michigan
When I visited Michigan in 2021, I was a bit on edge. I knew big cities like Detroit were LGBTQ friendly, but I wasn’t sure about smaller communities or the rural UP.
While I saw some Trump flags on my Michigan road trip, I also felt safe and welcome during my travels!
Since my visit, Michigan broadened its legal protections for transgender people under the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Now, Michigan safeguards residents from employment, housing and public accommodations discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Not only does Michigan have many LGBTQ-friendly laws on the books, so far the state has none of the “negative laws” that penalize queer and trans folks!
Minnesota
Minnesota gets the longterm ally award.
They were the first state to ban discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, based on gender identity and sexual orientation โ back in 1993!
In 2023, they passed legislation protecting youth access to gender affirming care.
I just got back from Minnesota, so watch for more Minnesota themed content!
Nevada
Are you surprised to know Nevada is one of the most trans-inclusive states to visit? I was.
I looked into the vibe before I visited last year, and was pleasantly surprised at Nevada’s high score on the LGBTQ Equality Map.
Trans Nevadans are protected from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations.
For travelers, this means using the public restroom of your choice without worrying about being scrutinized or hassled.
This image below is from my trip to the Neon Museum in Vegas (highly recommend).
Check out my other Nevada posts, from kayaking Emerald Cove to National Parks in Nevada to the best Vegas day trips when you’ve had your fill of the Strip.
New Jersey
New Jersey has powerful nondiscrimination protections for transgender people, including employment, housing and public accommodations nondiscrimination laws.
Statewide laws and policies protect LGBTQ+ families and individuals. There is room to improve โ most notably around parental recognition for assisted reproduction.
However, New Jersey is still a solid pick for trans friendly travel.
So whether you’re looking for a cheap hotel near New York City, or exploring New Jersey’s beaches or small towns on a road trip, you can relax knowing it’s safe to be you.
New Mexico
New Mexico has strong statewide protections for gender identity, including the ability for residents to change their gender marker on their driver’s license or birth certificate.
Access to gender affirming health care is protected, and there is no negative law banning gender affirming youth care.
Transgender folks are also protected from discrimination in housing and public accommodations.
New Mexico does have some progress left to make.
Currently, the state does not cover affirming medical care for state employees, or fertility treatment for any resident.
But if you’re just planning a visit, their shortcomings on certain types of medical care shouldn’t affect you too much.
New York
NYC deserves to be proud of its Stonewall era history, when trans people stood up to the police and helped lunch the gay liberation movement.
But don’t sleep on the rest of New York!
Outside of New York City, the state is progressive with many fun queer havens to explore โ like Fire Island, the Hudson Valley (where I live), the Adirondacks, and Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region.
Oregon
Portland regularly gets named to best-of lists of queer travel, and rightfully so. But what about the rest of the state?
I’ve driven through Oregon on two road trips, stopping in Eugene and Ashland. Most recently, I spent a winter Pride weekend in Bend.
While Oregon’s smaller towns and rural places do tend to vote red, overall Oregon was a welcoming and friendly place to visit as someone who’s gender nonconforming.
Oregon prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
In August 2023, the state enacted a law protecting access to gender-affirming care and abortion services, reinforcing its commitment to LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island gets high marks for trans inclusive policies.
In June of 2024, the state formally adopted a shield law protecting abortion and gender-affirming care providers. By protecting medical providers from being sued by out-of-state entities, laws like this safeguard access to care.
While Rhode Island is so small you could drive through it in an hour (and that’s if there’s traffic), do yourself a favor and stop off in our smallest state.
Rhode Island has my favorite beaches in New England. I’m not going to tell you which ones…
But I can recommend the Newport Folk Festival, Newport’s mansions, and โ just a ferry ride away โ Block Island, a more chill, slightly less expensive alternative to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket.
Vermont
Vermont doesn’t just get high marks for LGBTQ laws and policies. The state has proudly stood by queer and trans people for a long time.
After Vermont’s Supreme Court rules that same-sex married couples deserved the same rights as opposite ones, Vermont legalized civil unions. They went on to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009, well before Obergefell.
Vermont has some of the best laws for trans, nonbinary and GNC youth, making it a great place to raise a family.
While you’ll have to travel to Boston, Quebec or Montreal for big events, Vermont is full of cute towns and progressive small cities like Burlington, where you can find queer bars, shops and cafes.
Perhaps my favorite tip from a trans travel perspective: Every single-use public bathrooms in the state of Vermont is gender neutral!
Washington
Washington is very trans friendly.
The state enacted a shield law in 2023 that designated Washington a sanctuary state for trans youth by protecting their access to affirming medical care. The law also protects medical providers from being sued by out-of-state entities for providing trans-affirming care.
Washington is free of negative laws that restrict freedom of expression or penalize gender nonconformity or transition.
Areas where Washington could pass stronger protections for trans and queer folks include around parenting and coverage of fertility care โ however, this should not impact travelers!
Trans youth and adults can travel throughout Washington, from Seattle’s queer Capitol Hill neighborhood to the remote Olympic Peninsula, without worry of discrimination.
While transphobic policies continue to be proposed at record levels, there are many places in the US that welcome trans travelers โ and help transgender people build stable, peaceful lives. So whether you’re planning a road trip or seeking to move from an unfriendly state to one with stronger laws, I hope this list helps you!
