Top 10 Safest Cities for LGBTQ+ Travelers to Visit

Safest Cities for LGBTQ+? This month, many LGBTQ+ travelers will head out for summer trips and Pride Month celebrations alike. Yet, for this community of travelers, taking a trip isn’t as straightforward—or as safe—as it is for others. In some destinations, LGBTQ+ travelers still face discrimination and the risk of harm, so it’s incredibly important to know which destinations are most open and welcoming—and which require a heightened level of caution and vigilance.

To that end, we worked with our partner GeoSure (who powers TripIt’s Neighborhood Safety Scores feature) to understand what the safest destinations are for the LGBTQ+ community based on their analysis of metadata captured from hundreds of trusted sources.

Some of these sources include the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, Gay Travel Index, built environment variables and keys pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community, ACLED, Human Rights Campaign – Municipal Equality Index, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Southern Poverty Law Center, Statistica, and safety experience sharing from the GeoSure community.

Here are the top 10 safest cities for LGBTQ+ travelers, according to GeoSure data.

10. Portland, Maine

GeoSafeScore: 82/100

As the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor—and home to a Guinness World Record-holding drag queen—Portland has long welcomed (and embraced!) LGBTQ+ travelers.

Each June, the city celebrates Pride Month with a festival and parade . This year, it takes place Saturday, June 18. And all year long, LGBTQ+ travelers can enjoy drag performances, queer film festivals, and dance parties, as well as patronize dozens of the city’s LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

Safest Cities for LGBTQ+

Did you know? Travelers can access hyperlocal safety ratings for myriad categories along any point within their TripIt itinerary for more than 65,000 cities and neighborhoods. Specifically, the LGBTQ+ safety score incorporates factors such as the likelihood of harm or discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons or groups and the level of caution required at a location. In the TripIt app, Neighborhood Safety Scores focus on the level of risk (whereas the rankings in the post represent the level of safety).

9. St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

GeoSafeScore: 82/100

While many cities around the world celebrate Pride Month in June, celebrations—including Pride Week—in St. John’s kick off in July. This year, St. John’s Pride Week and Come Home Queer both commence on July 15. The Pride Parade takes place on Sunday, July 24.

Safest Cities for LGBTQ+

Need a place to stay? Check out Misterb&b —a vacation rental site that lists private rooms, apartments, and LGBTQ+-friendly hotels to help you select “welcoming accommodations that fit your style and budget.”

8. Boston, Massachusetts

GeoSafeScore: 82/100

As the capital city of the first U.S. state (Massachusetts) to legalize same-sex mariage, Boston has long welcomed LGBTQ+ travelers.

Each April, the city hosts Wicked Queer , an LGBTQ+ film festival. For arts and culture year-round, plan a visit to The Theater Offensive —a theater company that works to elevate queer voices and highlights the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community through art.

Heading to Boston to celebrate Pride Month? Check out the city’s calendar of events for celebrations taking place all month long, including events for those with intersectional identities.