To help you avoid some of the many dating mistakes I’ve made as a gay man, here’s an honest list of all the various gay dating & hookup apps that I’ve used – my personal experience and reviews of the best (and worst) gay apps.
Gay Travel
Travel blogs, travel photos, gay stories and features about gay travel including LGBTQ travel tips & information, gay pride reports and photo essays
LGBTQ Travel Tips
What is Gay Travel?
Gay travel can be an awkward topic for many, mostly because to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) is really to be a part of an incredibly diverse group of people. There are gay families who travel, solo gay travelers (like myself), solo lesbian travelers, ones who travel for gay pride or nightlife or honeymoons, those that take gay cruises or splurge on luxury holidays, and ones who rough it camping and backpacking in faraway places.
And just like every other type of traveler, we travel for our own personal reasons. Every aspect of what makes us unique also contributes to how, where, and why we travel. I travel because I love to travel, and I just happen to be gay.
That’s not to say I don’t also travel gay. Sometimes my sexuality also influences the how, why, and where I choose to visit a place. It’s usually to visit a specific LGBTQ event (such as a gay pride march or a queer music festival), but also as a way to explore traditionally gay hotspots (like Tel Aviv, New York City or Madrid).
But what does being an LGBTQ traveler really mean?
It’s about safety, it’s about comfort, it’s about politics. But it’s also about gay-welcoming events, friendly accommodation, and having fun with travelers who share something similar with you.
Popular Gay Travel Destinations
The thing about gay travel is that really any destination can be gay — there are LGBTQ travelers in every city, country, and place around the world. Some destinations, however, are much more gay-friendly and safer for LGBTQ tourists. The destination I’ve featured below offer vibrant LGBTQ communities, inclusive attitudes, and a range of gay-friendly establishments and events that make them particularly attractive to gay travelers.
Tel Aviv • Berlin • Amsterdam • Stockholm • Copenhagen • London • Manchester • Toronto • Montreal • New York City • Chicago • Los Angeles • San Francisco • Dallas • Mexico City • Buenos Aires • Bangkok • Sydney • Melbourne
These are just a few examples of popular gay travel destinations, and there are countless other cities and countries around the world that embrace and welcome LGBTQ tourists.
When planning a gay travel experience, it’s important to research the local laws, customs, and attitudes towards LGBTQ individuals to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Additionally, reaching out to LGBTQ travel organizations and online communities (even via dating apps) can provide valuable insights and recommendations for specific gay-friendly places to visit on your trip.
Remember, the key to a successful gay travel experience is to find destinations that not only accept but also celebrate diversity and inclusivity. By choosing gay-friendly destinations, you can enjoy exploring new places while feeling safe, welcomed, and surrounded by a supportive LGBTQ community.
LGBTQ Travel Resources
One of the most important aspects of LGBTQ travel is your safety. I trust the following sources for finding the latest LGBTQ news and stories — those that are relevant for gay travelers.
Related: Your Ultimate Guide to Gay Travel Resources for LGBT Travelers
LGBTQ Travel Safety
USA State Department • UK Foreign Office • Equaldex
LGBTQ News, Blogs & Other Websites
PinkNews • Xtra Magazine • Logo.tv News • Autostraddle • Tagg Magazine
Best LGBTQ City Guide Publishers
GayTravel • Mr Hudson Explores • TravelGay
Favorite LGBTQ Bloggers
Travels of Adam • Globetrotter Girls • Gastro Gays • Nomadic Boys • Dom On The Go • NOM NOM Boris • Out with Ryan • Two Bad Tourists • Minka Guides • The Globetrotter Guys • The HomoCulture • 2 Travel Dads • Hospitality Hedonist • Sunny Sweet Days • and many more…
Global Gay Travel Groups / LGBTQ Tour Operators
Out Adventures • Detours Travel • Zoom Vacations • Vacaya Gay Cruises
Regional Gay Travel Groups / LGBTQ Tour Operators
OUT in Colombia – Colombia
LGBTQ Facebook Pages & Groups
LGBTQ Travelers
LGBTQ Expats
LGBTQ Travel Writers, Bloggers, YouTubers, & Influencers
Lizzy the Lezzy • George Takei
Gay & LGBTQ-Friendly Hotel Deals
You’ll find plenty of gay hotel directories online, but I still find booking through the major networks such as Booking.com or Agoda.com to provide the best deals.
How to find a gay hotel
Here’s how I find a gay hotel: (1) Search/Google to find where the cool area, hipster neighborhood, or gay neighborhood (gayborhood) is located in a city I’m traveling to; (2) Then I look for hotels (or Airbnbs) in the same area using the map feature on HotelsCombined.com or Booking.com; (3) Sometimes I also Google for gay hotels in a city to see if there are any specifically gay hotels/resorts; (4) Then I’ll check the websites for each property to see what looks modern and cool; (5) Finally, I check recent hotel reviews, often directly in Google Maps; (6) Once I’m ready to make a booking, I go with one of the hotel booking sites I trust the most.
To Airbnb or not?!
I also regularly use Airbnb when looking for accommodation. There is a gay alternative to Airbnb—the “gay Airbnb” is called Misterbandb.com, but honestly I just prefer to use Airbnb. It’s more reputable, safer and I’ve still managed to find LGBTQ hosts.
Gay Travel Blogs
Read the latest LGBTQ blogs from Travels of Adam below…
Pride should be more than rainbow capitalism or Instagrammable celebrations. In a year when our rights and lives are under threat, showing up with intention matters more than ever. Here are five ways to honor Pride that go deeper—acts rooted in care, resistance, and real community. If you’re feeling uneasy about the usual ways we …
Nestled between the quaint communities of Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove lies a place shrouded in both mystery and allure – the Meat Rack. This dense, untamed forest has become a symbol of liberation and clandestine encounters, drawing visitors from all walks of life. On my most recent summer trip to the Pines for …
Summer brings some of the best gay pride festivals and LGBT events – here’s what to pack when attending a pride festival to get the most fun out of the trip
Essential tools, websites and recommendations to make gay travel easier – the most complete guide of gay travel resources for LGBTQ travelers
As corporate support for NYC Pride scales back, independent queer artists and organizers are stepping up to celebrate community, culture, and joy. Here’s how to support their work. Pride has always been more than a parade — it’s protest, party, and personal revolution all rolled into one. But as corporate sponsors pull back from NYC’s …
A longtime favorite gay destination for LGBTQ travelers, Provincetown is a hotspot for creative culture, LGBTQ nightlife, and American history.
Berlin is one of the world’s most gay-friendly cities for LGBT tourists – here’s what you need to know to get the most out of a gay Berlin holiday
A short treatise on why gay pride matters. They’re not just self-indulgent parties but important cultural events in the history of gay culture
Traveling alone is one of those unique experiences—a great way for self-discovery and exploring a new culture. However, sitting alone in a restaurant, or trying to spontaneously find a dancing partner for a night of clubbing gets tiresome after a while. You can only find so many “friends” on your gay-app-of-choice. When you’re part of a …