Are you looking for the best and worst states for LGBTQ travel? Hereโs a list of the 6 worst states for LGBTQ family travel. Youโll also find a list of the most LGBTQ-friendly states to visit, and an explanation of which laws and policies were used to determine the best and worst states for LGBTQ travel.
2023 has been a banner year when it comes to anti-trans legislation. While these laws obviously have the biggest impact on the LGBTQ families in these states, theyโre also something that we should be concerned with as LGBTQ travelers.
When planning a trip, it is our responsibility as LGBTQ travelers to understand the laws and overall vibe of the places we visit. Thatโs true whether weโre traveling internationally or sticking closer to home.
The laws are changing so fast that we may not always keep up with whether a law weโve heard about has actually passed โ or if an LGBTQ-friendly politicianโs veto or a court ruling has prevented the bad law from going into effect.
I created this list so that you donโt have to worry about which states are LGBTQ-friendly and which ones are not so friendly, particularly if youโre going on an LGBTQ family vacation where you canโt exactly hide your rainbow selves ๐
In this blog post, we will delve into the best and worst states for LGBTQ+ travel in 2023, shining a light on the places that offer vibrant and inclusive experiences and those that still have work to do. By understanding these dynamics, we can empower ourselves as travelers and promote positive change within the tourism industry.
The Best States for LGBTQ+ Travel
These states are considered the best for LGBTQ travel in 2023.
- Californiaย
- Colorado
- Connecticutย
- Delaware
- Washington, DC
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan*ย
- Minnesota
- Nevadaย
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
*Michigan’s state legislature has just passed a ban on conversion therapy for minors. Governor Whitmer has not yet signed the bill into law. Michigan is on the best states for LGBTQ+ travelers list assuming the conversion therapy ban makes it into law – I’ll update the post to remove Michigan if that proves not to be the case.
Method Used To Rank The Most LGBTQ-Friendly States In 2023
To rank which states are the most LGBTQ-friendly, we considered two main variables. One, do these states have laws in place that protect their LGBTQIA residents?
Two laws we looked at are whether conversion therapy is banned and whether there are non-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQIA people.
Obviously some communities in states with bad laws have their own non-discrimination laws to protect local people. For the purposes of this blog post on the best and worst states for LGBTQIA travel, we decided to take a broad angle and look at the state politics rather than highlight progressive cities in oppressive states.
We also vetted states by whether or not they’ve been proposing anti-LGBTQ laws. The best states to visit do not have any of the regressive anti-LGBTQ laws that red state legislators have been proposing, including anti-drag laws, bathroom bills, or “Don’t Say Gay” bills.
The Worst States for LGBTQ+ Travel
While many parts of the country are LGBTQ-inclusive, other states are moving backwards when it comes to LGBTQ rights. Transgender people may face elevated risk of harm, since many of the new proposed laws directly target trans individuals.
Can you travel to one of the states on the bad list? Absolutely. Iโm not here to tell you where you can and canโt go. As a matter of fact, Iโm planning a visit to one of these states (drop your guess in the comments below!).
To protect ourselves and our families, we need to understand when transphobic and homophobic policies may affect the way we are treated.
The states on the least LGBTQ-friendly travel list have five or more bills that are hostile to LGBTQIA identities. In between the best and worst states, you will find a spectrum of equality. Some states that currently seem LGBTQ friendly are attempting to pass bad laws.
As of this writing, here are the worst states for LGBTQ travelers:
- Montana – All the โbad billsโ except โDonโt Say Gayโ have passed and are in effect as of this writing
- Kentucky – All the โbad billsโ except drag ban and and LGBTQ+ erasure have passed and are in effect as of this writing
- Tennessee – All the โbad billsโ except โDonโt Say Gayโ and forced student outing have passed as of this writing; some may not be in effect due to legal challenges
- Alabama – All the โbad billsโ except LGBTQ erasure, pronoun refusal, and drag ban have passed as of this writing; some may not be in effect due to legal challenges
- Arkansas – All the โbad billsโ except LGBTQ erasure, forced student outing, and drag ban have passed as of this writing; some may not be in effect due to legal challenges
- Florida – All the โbad billsโ except LGBTQ erasure, forced student outing, and drag ban have passed as of this writing; some may not be in effect due to legal challenges
- North Dakota – All the โbad billsโ except โDonโt Say Gay,โ forced student outing, and drag ban have passed as of this writing; some may not be in effect due to legal challenges
If any of those are on your bucket list, it might make sense to time your visit for sooner rather than later!
I’ve had the experience of visiting North Carolina twice in recent years. My first visit was when that state’s harmful bathroom bill was in effect. Even though I was only in Asheville, a progressive city, I felt super self-conscious about being misgendered.
My second visit took place when that law was repealed and it was so much nicer to be able to relax and have fun without having to worry about how I would be perceived while passing through public spaces.
Method Used to Rank the Least LGBTQ-Friendly States in 2023
To determine which states were the least LGBTQ-friendly, we flipped the process used for the first list.
All of the states on this list do not have conversion therapy bands and non-discrimination at the statewide level.
We also looked at eight specific anti-LGBTQ laws:
- Sports participation ban
- Gender affirming care ban
- Drag performance ban
- Bathroom bans
- “Don’t say gay” laws
- LGBTQ erasure laws, which seek to invalidate or erase trans and gender expansive identities by defining only two sexes under law
- Forced outing of student laws, which forces schools to out transgender students to their families
- Pronoun refusal laws, which prohibit educators from using student pronouns without the parents written prior permission
Should LGBTQ Families Visit States with Anti-LGBTQ Laws?
Given the anti-LGBTQIA climate sweeping some states, we as LGBTQ travelers need to know how changing tides could impact us. The laws mentioned here affect LGBTQIA residents far more than tourists. But, bad laws on the books indicate the sort of welcome we can expect if we visit those places.
I go on vacation to relax, reconnect with my partner, and be inspired. If I went to Orlando and saw a “kill all gays” sign as I explored city streets, the only thing I’d be inspired to do is book the first plane ticket out of there!
As an LGBTQ couple, my wife and I can downplay our relationship and pass as friends.
I don’t love doing this but it’s a safety mechanism I can fall back on if I don’t feel 100 percent welcomed in a destination.
An intergenerational LGBTQ family can’t hide as easily.
Knowing which are the best and worst states for LGBTQ+ travel empowers LGBTQ families who can’t always travel under the radar.
With an understanding of LGBTQ-friendly states, rainbow families can make conscious travel choices that prioritize their well-being.
They can support destinations promoting diversity, equality, and acceptance.
If traveling to a less-friendly destination, they can spend extra time planning the levels of support they need to have the best possible experience.
This might look like booking an LGBTQ-friendly hotel or an all-inclusive resort, getting a rental car so they don’t have to rely on public transit to ride share, or staying in an LGBTQ-incluive neighborhood that’s a bit further from the main attractions.
As mentioned earlier, there are some inclusive communities in these states that are LGBTQ-friendly. You can enjoy a vacation in a queer travel destination without ever stepping foot in a part of the state that is anti-LGBTQIA.
There are people who claim that queer travel to red states supports the LGBTQIA folks in those communities who may not be able to pack up and relocate just because of politics.
Whether you should have a family vacation in a place with bad laws is a long conversation.
My goal with this post is to give you an overview of best and worst destinations for LGBTQIA families so that you can decide what you feel the most comfortable with.
Feel free to share this list with relatives that are planning extended family vacations who may not be considering your needs as an LGBTQ person.
Save This List for Later!
