My love of road trips started early. As a teenager growing up in a suburb of Boston, I discovered Jack Kerouac’s classic road trip novel On the Road. The book opened a door to queer history and to places where offbeat weirdos like me could find their fit.
I wrote my college thesis on road trips, and driving myself to (and from) a summer semester at UC Berkeley as research. I guess I should have known back then that I would end up writing about travel for a living!
I’ve taken two cross-country road trips โ one during college, and one when I moved to California.
I’ve also taken shorter road trips: New York to Florida, New York to Atlanta by way of Kentucky (state #44) and Tennessee, and New York to Michigan (state #43).
I spent a month living in a ghost town in Alaska for a writer’s retreat, and stayed on for an extra two weeks to explore the state with my partner, who flew out to Juneau to meet me.
Closer to home, I loving taking weekend trips to cities and towns in the Hudson Valley, where I live.
I love the US โ even if I don’t always like my country’s laws and policies.
I eventually did turn my love of travel into a job, by the way. So whether it’s dishing up the best hotels along the East Coast, putting together a big queer road trip map of the best LGBTQ things to do in every state, or discussing the latest travel trends, I’m an expert in inclusive travel.
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LGBTQ Rights in the US
Is there an LGBTQ US Travel Advisory?
Canada issued a US travel advisory in 2023, due to the restrictive laws passed in some US states. Their travel advisory recommends that queer Canadians check the laws in any US state they plan to visit, since some state laws may be more restrictive than in Canada.
The travel advisory move made headline news. Critics called it a gimmick. Ultimately, I believe gay and lesbian travelers should understand whether a state’s laws โ like a drag show ban โ will impact their freedom of expression.
The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida. The organization believes Florida’s governor is attacking Black Americans, LGBTQ Americans, immigrants and other groups with laws that oppose things like teaching Black history or using words like gay.
In June of 2024, the State Department issued a global travel alert for LGBTQ travelers. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI also issued an alert for LGBTQ people. Read my take on those Pride month travel alerts.
Which states have anti-LGBTQ laws?
Montana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota have the most anti-LGBTQ laws.
These states target trans people by refusing them gender affirming care and forcing them to use bathrooms that correlate to their assigned gender. Some of these states have explicitly changed the laws to erase trans identity by enshrining the gender binary in their laws.
This roundup of anti-LGBTQ laws in the US goes into full detail but bottom line โ these states lead the country in rolling back LGBTQ rights.
But it’s not all bad news – check which states are adding more LGBTQ protections!
What are the best US gay travel destinations?
The good news is, there are many places within the US that welcome queer travelers. Many states have affirming laws that respect queer and trans people’s freedom. Cities in LGBTQ-friendly states are among the top gay travel destinations, but some rural communities make the list, too.
Top US gay travel spots include:
- Fire Island, New York
- New York City, New York
- Northampton, Massachusetts
- Provincetown, Massachusetts
- Honolulu, Hawaii
- Los Angeles, California
- Palm Springs, California
- San Francisco, California
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Seattle, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
- Austin, Texas
- Burlington, Vermont
- Chicago, Illinois
- Traverse City, Michigan
What is the LGBTQ capital of US?
San Francisco takes the crown as the unofficial LGBTQ capital of the US. The city hosts an epic Pride parade in June. That same weekend, they also have a Dyke March and a Trans March.
I have happy memories of SF Pride from my time living in the Bay Area. I’ve also seen how affirming the experience can be for travelers from around the globe. San Francisco Pride is an incredible experience that belongs on your travel bucket list.
US Gay Travel Guides
Hudson Valley, New York
Growing up in Boston, I have travelled extensively in New England and New York. I love sending travelers to lesser-known but still amazing things to do in the Northeast, whether it’s sharing my favorite Hudson Valley hiking spots to curating the perfect one day in Boston itinerary.
Read all my LGBTQ Hudson Valley guides:
- Best Hudson Valley Day Trips (According to a Local)
- Best Places to Kayak in the Hudson Valley
- Appalachian Trail Day Hikes in the Hudson Valley
- Lake Onteora Trails in Kingston NY (Local’s Guide)
- Local’s Guide to Onteora Lake Swimming + SUP
- Best Fall Hikes in the Hudson Valley
- Hudson Valley Hiking at Slabsides
- Top 10 Kayak Trips in New York State
California
After graduate school, I moved to San Francisco. I fell in love with Northern California through weekend trips to Mendocino and Sonoma county. When friends came to visit, we road tripped south to Big Sur. When my best gay friend moved to Los Angeles, I got to know Southern California’s charms.
While I moved back east, I return to California every few years. I love discovering new adventures in a state that still feels like home!
I’ve put my love of California into work creating lesbian and gay travel guides to the state’s best outdoor adventures. Whether you’re planning a road trip down the coast or looking for day trips from Los Angeles, I’ve got you covered!
Read all my LGBTQ California stories:
All US Gay Travel Guides
Read All LGBTQ US Stories
- 16 LGBTQ Walking Tours for LGBTQ History Month
- The Best and Worst States for LGBTQ Family Travel
- Pride Travel: 12 Small Town Parades Not to Miss
- Kentucky Queer History Map
- These 200 Inclusive Road Races Allow Nonbinary Runners
- Rockhounding Michigan: A Beginners Guide to Great Lakes Rock Hunting
- How to Find Petoskey Stones: Tips + Where to Look
- Great National Parks In Nevada To Visit
- Kayak Lake Mead Emerald Cove: Half Day Tour
- The Best Las Vegas Day Trips By Car
- These States are Becoming More LGBTQ-Friendly
- 10 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in North America