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Thinking of moving? Here are the most gay-friendly cities for expats

(C) BIGSTOCK

When you’re planning an international relocation as a member of the LGBT+ community, there are additional things to think about besides job opportunities, housing prices and public transport. LGBT rights can vary greatly from country to country, and even within regions that are ostensibly friendly towards LGBT+ people, you can still find some cities more welcoming than others.

If you’re getting restless and looking for your next big adventure, the good news is there are plenty of amazing cities all over the world that are as LGBT-friendly as they are a winning expat pick. To help inspire and inform you, here are ten of the best.

1. Berlin, Germany

Germany scores highly in a number of expat living charts, known as a country that offers a high quality of life, economic stability and a good level of disposable income. The capital city, Berlin, happens to also be a lively and artistic LGBT+ haven.

Pride weeks every summer and an impressive range of gay nightlife spots are just the tip of the iceberg in Berlin, an incredibly liberal city that is known for its ever-changing street art and innovative vegan cuisine. Often described as one of Europe’s most tolerant cities, this is a place where you can truly be yourself, no matter who you are or how you identify.

Germany protects the rights of LGBT+ citizens in work and in housing, as well as in marriage, adoption and other crucial areas, and Berlin is a vibrant hub for the community.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark was the first country in the world to legalise same-sex partnerships, and is described by Lonely Planet as being the ‘most gay-friendly place on earth’. Within that, Copenhagen boasts Europe’s oldest openly gay bar, and the city’s slogan is ‘Love of freedom, freedom to love.’

Soon to be the host of WorldPride in 2021, expats moving to Copenhagen can expect a great work-life balance as well as a warm welcome. Denmark is also a country which prides itself on sustainability, as well as inclusivity, so if you’re working on your carbon footprint this could be the choice for you.

3. San Francisco, USA

You may already be familiar with the Castro District, which is known as one of the first-ever openly gay neighbourhoods in the USA. That’s just one part of this colourful LGBT+ hotspot, where you can see rainbow crosswalks and monuments to icons like Harvey Milk.

San Francisco remains one of America’s most forward-thinking cities to this day, and while not every city in the USA is equal, this is one destination where you can feel confident your rights as an LGBT+ individual will be upheld and defended.

While life in San Francisco can be expensive, wages are also higher than you’ll find in other major cities – and with the city playing home to a melting pot of expats from all over the world, you’re sure to find a way to fit right in.

4. Santiago, Chile

Chile might not be the first place that springs to mind when you’re contemplating an international relocation as an LGBT+ person. However, Santiago has come a long way since the turn of the millennium, and the city now offers a strong LGBT+ culture and an impressive host of gay venues and events to enjoy.

Lauded by some as the LGBT+ capital of South America, Santiago offers ample opportunity for expats looking to teach English, provided you have a reasonable understanding of the Spanish language. It’s a safe city with a low cost of living, surrounded by beautiful scenery and offering great public transport.

5. Gran Canaria, Spanish Canary Islands

The gay scene in Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles is hard to beat wherever in the world you might look. With numerous Pride festivals taking place throughout the year, this is already a number one vacation destination for gay travellers from all over the world – but it’s also a good spot if you’re planning on a permanent relocation.

If you can pin down a job contract lasting a minimum of three months, you can get fully-fledged resident status in Gran Canaria without much trouble. Though you’ll need to organise your own global healthcare plan in the meantime, as Spain does not provide free healthcare for non-residents. Despite this, settling in permanently is relatively easy compared to most destinations.

6. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is famous all over the world for being a city which accepts and promotes ‘fringe’ lifestyles in many forms, so it should come as no surprise to hear that it’s also a destination proud to support and champion LGBT+ people.

In addition to regular Pride events, thriving gay nightlife venues and a host of resources and organisations that newcomers to the area can take advantage of, Amsterdam also offers easy cultural acclimatising for western expats. With English widely spoken, job opportunities in a range of industries, and late-opening shops and restaurants, adjusting to a new life in the Netherlands shouldn’t be a struggle.

7. Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland was the first country in the world to elect an openly gay head of state, and was one of the first places to legalise same-sex partnerships and marriages. Not just a country which fiercely defends the equal rights of all inhabitants, regardless of sexual orientation or gender, Iceland is also known for its stunning scenery and frequent opportunities to witness the Northern Lights.

Reykjavik, in particular, offers an incredibly high quality of life to its residents, with a low unemployment rate and booming tourism sector. Register for free with an employment agency to have the best chance of securing a role before your move.

8. Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand is proud to have been the country which elected the world’s first out transgender MP, Georgina Beyer, as well as having continuously elected a steady stream of out and proud MPs to parliament in the last few decades.

While Auckland’s LGBT nightlife scene isn’t as loud and lively as some cities on this list, local attitudes to the community are such that venues simply don’t feel the need to segregate themselves, in many cases. You’ll find a safe and welcoming night out regardless of whether a bar is labelled as LGBT+ or not.

New Zealand appeals to many expats because of its natural beauty, from volcanoes and beaches to rainforests and waterfalls. Move to Auckland and you’ll find a thriving economy with diverse employment opportunities, from fin-tech and software companies to jobs in hospitality.

9. Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp Pride attracts around 50,000 visitors each year, hardly a surprise in a country which has always been at the forefront of defending LGBT+ rights. This cosmopolitan city has been multicultural for centuries, and remains a welcoming hub for expats moving from all over the world.

Half of the population here speaks at least three languages, so while it’s a good idea to fine-tune your language skills in order to truly feel like a local, you can get along by speaking English and/or Dutch alone.

10. Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary are all incredibly popular destinations with expats who are looking for good job opportunities and a great quality of life. Across this tolerant country, it’s hard to pick the best LGBT+ destination, but Vancouver, in particular, is a brilliant choice if you’re keen to find a growing LGBT community where you can easily settle in.

Described by Conde Nast Traveller as ‘Canada’s most gay-friendly city’, Vancouver is also a safe and spacious city that puts you a stone’s throw from beautiful natural sights and boundless outdoor activity opportunities. The best known ‘gay neighbourhood’ is Davie Village, but you’ll find it’s safe to be yourself wherever in the city you choose to move.

18th February 2020
This company paraded 12 naked people in full rainbow colours for Amsterdam pride for an amazing reason

Amsterdam Pride is an LGBT+ festival held annually in Amsterdam during the first weekend of August.

The festival attracts several hundred-thousand visitors each year and is undoubtedly one of the largest publicly held annual events in The Netherlands. The peak of the festival is during the Canal Parade. The 24th edition of the parade, which this year took place on the 3^rd of August, featured 80 boats, which included a selection of people from the STI clinic at healthcare centre GGD Amsterdam, the fire department, the police department, AIDS Fonds, and the City of Amsterdam.

While the event preached inclusivity, acceptance, and self-identity, it wasn’t all rainbows. Multiple people have come out reporting attacks and verbal abuse. Early on Saturday morning, a lesbian couple was beaten up by two men on a scooter in Amsterdam city centre. According to the Dutch newspaper Het Parool, they were walking hand-in-hand after a night out when they were attacked.

The women walked away from the attack with bruises, a broken lip and a swollen nose. On the same day, a gay couple was assaulted by four men. The two victims were walking along the Prinsengracht, their arms around each other. This caught the attention of the four assailants. According to NH Nieuws, two other men held each other’s hands in the backseat of an Uber and gave each other a kiss. The driver allegedly verbally assaulted the couple and spat on their faces.

All incidents have been reported to the police.

Because cases like these continue to happen, two days before the world-famous Canal Parade, Polette decided to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights by organizing its own parade while bringing a message of love and acceptance to the streets of Amsterdam.

Founded in 2011 by Pierre Wizman and Pauline Cousseau, Polette has revolutionized and disrupted the eye-wear industry by challenging the traditional optical establishment. The head office in Amsterdam is the creative centre of the company. The designers draw inspiration from everything around them: fashion, music, art, architecture, and everyday life.

To celebrate this year’s Amsterdam Pride, Polette decided to create a human rainbow flag. While “remembering the past and creating the future” (the theme chosen for this year’s Pride), the 12 body-painted people (me included) marched from the iconic Dam Square to the Homomonument – a memorial which commemorates all gay men and lesbians who have been subjected to persecution because of their sexuality. Polette also filmed a mini-documentary focusing on how far we came as a community. In this mini-documentary, we hear the different stories and perspectives of the different people who took part in this initiative. Can you relate to any of our stories? Let us know in the comments.

Miguel Martins

(Mister Senior Netherlands 2018 3^rd Runner-Up / Winner Public Choice / Winner Best Talent)

21st August 2019
COMMENT | Why I’m going to be naked at this year’s Amsterdam Pride

The Netherlands. July 25th. Over 40 degrees. This is the hottest day in the history of the Netherlands.

And this is happening just a couple of days before the start of Amsterdam’s Pride Week, the largest gay event in the Netherlands and one of the largest in the world.

The world-famous “Canal Parade”, which occurs every year along the Amsterdam canals, with 80 boats and over half a million spectators, is the highlight of Amsterdam’s Pride week, which will take place between July 27th and August 4th. The theme chosen for this year was “Remember the Past, Create the Future,” an obvious reference to the Stonewall’s riots, happened exactly 50 years ago and which mark a turning point in the history of the LGBTQ + movement.

Different events will take place throughout the week, such as the Pride Walk, the Drag Olympics, exhibitions, films, concerts, STI tests and many, many parties throughout the city.

In addition to the official events, many companies are also supporting this cause and will be fighting side by side with us. A good example of this is Polette, a well-known eyewear brand, which I agreed to collaborate with. The brand invited 6 people, me included, to share our experiences while members of the LGBTQ + community.

The other five people and I agreed to undress emotionally so that we could share our experiences, but also literally. The six of us together, without any shame, will undress, be body painted in different colours and form a human rainbow flag. This human rainbow flag will walk on August 2, from 6 pm, from Amsterdam Central Station to the iconic Dam Square in the historic centre of Amsterdam. Allow me to invite you to join us in case you are planning a visit to Amsterdam on these dates.

If not, you will be able to watch the documentary which will be released shortly after.

The question remains: Are Gay Pride celebrations still necessary? According to the latest annual report from the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex Association (ILGA), 70 states around the world continue to criminalize same-sex consensual relations. LGBTQ + community members continue to be fired for the simple reason that they are different, people still have to think twice before going hand in hand with their partners in public, as well as plan their vacations taking into consideration which countries should be avoided for safety reasons, not forgetting the unpleasant experience of having to “get out of the closet” to their families and friends. Based on these facts, the answer – at least for me – is obvious: Yes, this is still necessary!

Miguel Martins
(Mister Senior Netherlands 2018 3rd Runner-Up / Winner Public Choice / Winner Best Talent)

30th July 2019
GAY TRAVEL | Amsterdam is more than damn thrilling
Paris may try to lure you in with its reputation for style and sophistication, Berlin with its unconventional ways and underground creativity and San Francisco with its liberal mindset. Amsterdam, however, has all of this but doesn’t feel the need to flaunt it. It is the coolest looking person in the club, and it knows just how cool it is. If Amsterdam didn’t exist, you would think it’s too unbelievable to be real, a fictional utopia, the product of an over-zealous mind.

Pexels / Pixabay

As always the Eurostar journey was effortless, the perfect combination of speed, practicality and comfort, which could almost be the motto on the coat of arms of the city I was heading for. You can travel directly from London to Amsterdam for as little as £35 per person, and Amsterdam to London (with a stop in Brussels) for £65.50 per person. Time your return to London smartly and spend the day in Brussels at no extra cost.

ernestovdp / Pixabay

My destination was The Toren hotel, only 15 minutes walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station, nestled seductively in the iconic canal belts of the city and the perfect location from which to explore the main attractions at the heart of Amsterdam. Chic, theatrical and more than a little bit mysterious, this old building blends warmth and comfort and is rich with vivid patterns and lush interiors.

Photo by: thetoren.nl

The Toren is almost too good to be a mere hotel as I couldn’t decide if I wanted to just stay there all day or explore the sights of Amsterdam, that’s how inviting the place is. It also was the perfect inspiration for how my own home could be. The bed was comfortable, the decor deep, dark and elegant, the curtains draped heavily as if they were hanging blankets, the bedding had the reassuring and luxurious weight and feel of curtains and the lighting was designed so that you could adjust to any mood desired; to rest or digest, for ambience or excitement…or even fight or flight!

Photo by: thetoren.nl

When I entered the bathroom, I realised that I had met my match! A Jacuzzi bathtub, which had industrial style settings… so don’t expect soft bubbles, this is bubble technology as a deep but sensual massage. It featured a dual shower block for 2 people which also doubles as a steam room, complete with comfortable seats, and an intelligent toilet with an activated sensor that raises and closes the seat.

Photo by: thetoren.nl

Typically for The Toren’s habit of never cutting corners when it can offer a bit more indulgence, the toilet seat even heats up. Breakfast felt as if you had been invited to your Auntie’s house for a buffet; charming, warm and wonderfully intimate. With an open fire, The Toren bar is strikingly inviting and almost like a secret hidden from the foot traffic of Amsterdam and the staff are more than just personnel, they are nothing short of point-blank comfort ambassadors.

Photo by: thetoren.nl

But if you can drag yourself away from this glorious and inviting place, then there is plenty to see and experience.

8 Things To Do While Staying At The Toren
1. Anne Frank’s House, a museum that has retained the required authenticity and subdued atmosphere to match its sombre but poignant back story.
2. Walk to the famous Heineken Brewery. A guided tour of their factory is undoubtedly worth checking out, and so is their non-alcoholic beer.
3. The Van Gogh Museum, a must-visit for art fans and culture vultures alike.
4. All roads lead to Dam Square, the real heart of Amsterdam, where you can casually check out The Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk and the War Memorial in a square that is the embodiment of the iconic look of Amsterdam.
5. Jordaan is a neighbourhood somewhat akin to London’s Cockney East End, a blend of the working class past and modern gentrification, the perfect collision of old and new, rich and poor.
6. Men seeking more hedonistic or at least social options should visit Nieuwezijds Gay Sauna which offers a fully licensed bar with lounge, whirlpool, Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, private cabins, light meals, masseurs, smoker’s lounge and ample relaxing and cruising space. Look out for No Towel Tuesday!
7. Prik, a wonderfully inviting LGBT cocktail bar hidden in the city’s heart and while compact and bijou, is intimate, warm and welcoming.
8. People watch in one of the ubiquitous cafes and coffee bars which you can’t avoid finding as you travel around the city.
In short, Amsterdam knows just how damn sexy it is, so much so that it doesn’t even have to try to make you fall in love with it, that just happens naturally.

Written By: Ray Si – Proud Member of IGLTA
22nd January 2019
The top gay travel destinations revealed

So you’re owed some holiday time. It’s time to pack your shiz up and go on vacay.

Are your work colleagues starting to give your work station a wide berth and “concerned” look because you’re giving off that all-work-no-play-makes-Jack-go-crazy look?

But where to go? The world is your oyster.

Well users over at Ranker.com have been voting on the best holiday destinations to go to if you’re LGBT…

Here’s where they suggested:

San Francisco

Ah, possibly the gayest location on earth. Don’t forget to visit the Castro and breath in all that gay history.

Paris

I mean they say Gay Paris don’t they!

Seattle

The weather may not always be perfect, but its stance on equality has always been incredible having legalised same-sex marriage in 2012 and having provisions for gay state employees since 2001. Bravo.

New York City

How you doin’…

Montreal

First of the Canadian cities to get voted on… Best time to go would be early August when the city celebrates Pride.

Vancouver

CREDIT: Pixabay / gtriay

Let the vibrant city invigorate. Check out Davie Village and Commercial Drive.

Melbourne

It’s where Please Like Me is filmed… and find out what our roving travel guy Nick Baker thought of it.

9th September 2016
FILM REVIEW | Meet The Fokkens

69-year-old identical Dutch twins Martine and Louise Fokken give a new meaning to the word sexagenarian. Both of them have been working as prostitutes in Amsterdam’s red light district for almost 50 years now, and Marianne is still plying her trade daily. (Louise retired 2 years ago when arthritis meant she ‘couldn’t get one leg over each other’ any more)!

★★★★★

In this truly delightful documentary we discover that they are a wonderfully colorful irascible pair of Rubenesque women who have such joie de vivre. The film starts with following elderly Martine as she catches the bus from the suburbs clutching her tiny chihuahua (which she NEVER ever seems to put down) and en route to work calls in at the convenience store to pick up another box of 144 condoms. Immensely affable she greets everyone she meets with her big smile and constant chatter as if she is just heading for another day at the office.

Setting up her room she hangs her accouterments to show to passing strangers that she offers dominatrix and other kinky services for her ‘naughty’ men, and then dressed very provocatively sits in her large window enticing then to come in. The fact that all the ‘working girls’ in adjoining ‘windows’ are barely 20-years-old seems to hardly bother this old trooper at all.

The sisters explain that very few of the punters want full intercourse but just to simply ‘get their rocks off,’ and the film includes some hilarious scenes with Martine and her gentlemen callers and how easily she can get them to be satisfied. What should be regarded, as an intensely sexual experience seems to be harmless and a somewhat funny episode for the men who appear to enjoy the free cup of coffee afterwards just as much.

The sisters are inseparable and do literally everything together and live in their own apartments that are in buildings opposite each other. They dress in the same bright gaudy clothes, finish each other’s sentences and clearly are each other’s best friend. We see them in conversation with each other and also alone talking unguardedly straight to the camera about their lives to date. The information they reveal is somewhat patchy which makes their story even more intriguing. When Louise was 19-years-old and already a mother of 3 children her physically abusive husband ‘forced’ her into working, as a prostitute and Martine seemed to follow almost to support her sister’s indignity and precarious situation.

They touch on the fact that they made so much money in the early days, but now stuck in municipal housing there is no sign of it at all. They are fiercely independent and talk about the days when they broke away from the organised crime ‘pimp’ system and even opened up their own brothel at one time. And there is a scene when Louise is reconciled with one of her daughters but no real explanation is offered as to why the child grew up with foster parents. It’s almost like there is a whole another movie to be made here.

The sisters own pleasure now is in painting bright garish canvases of scenes of their life in the Red Light District. Like the women themselves their artwork can best be described as somewhat naive. They do however make for a wonderful scene towards the end of the film when they are exhibited in a Gallery and all their old cronies turn up to show their support and their genuine love for these two unstoppable women.

They are two good-natured women with an infectious sense of humour who have obviously led a tough life yet appear to bare no scars or even deep resentments even, and the final scene where they are frolicking together in the snow like a couple of silly schoolgirls shows what a wonderful resilient couple they are.

A sheer joy to watch, and even enough reason to check up flight schedules to Amsterdam.

by @RogerWalkerDack

<br />

25th May 2015
5 Best Gay Scenes in Europe

It’s totally fabulous to explore different gay scenes when travelling. You can dance the night away to some truly camp-tastic tunes, or cruise the darkrooms for Mr Right Now. Perhaps you want to enjoy feathers and frills at a drag queen cabaret show? We’ve looked at some of the best gay hotspots in Europe to suit everyone’s needs.

Benidorm, Spain

CREDIT: piquetsebtotal
CC0 Public Domain / pixabay

The Benidorm gay village can be found in the Old Town area of this popular Spanish holiday resort. The gay part of Benidorm’s Levante beach sits in front of the Don Cesar café, and is a great place to tan before a night out with your best pals. 7th Heaven has been a popular gay bar for years and has an excellent reputation for making tourists and locals feel welcome. This is a fab bar for an early drink, and the relaxed atmosphere is ideal for meeting new people. Cabaret lovers will enjoy a night at Mardi Gras, with top performances from Miss Stella Artois, plus an excellent Cher tribute act. Younger LGBT crowds can be found at the Mercury nightclub, which is famous for its pumping dance music and buzzing atmosphere. This club is for real party animals only, as the doors don’t even open until after midnight.

Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria

CREDIT: MonicaVolpin
CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay

Make your way to the Yumbo Centre for all the gay action you’ll need; this place is like a shopping centre bursting with gay bars and nightclubs. Those of you who love drag queen acts will feel at home in Sparkles Show Bar. Enjoy hilarious cabaret shows and maybe some audience participation too if you’re lucky! Meanwhile, Coco Loco is great for the younger gays who want to dance and enjoy a cheeky flirt (in the hope of starting a holiday romance). There’s also a terrace to cool down on, if it all gets a little hot and sweaty inside. Babylon XL club is for those who really want to party ’til the sun rises. Enjoy laser shows, sexy male dancers and of course the obligatory darkrooms.

The Algarve, Portugal

CREDIT: Peter Etchells

LGBT-friendly bars and nightclubs are scattered everywhere in this southern region. Boémio Disco is the oldest gay club in the Algarve and can be found next to the Ponte Velha Bridge in Portimão. Boémio Disco also offers free Wi-Fi, which is ideal if you want to log into Grindr as you dance and sip a cool drink. When you’re not dancing the night away, relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in southern Portugal, the Praua da Rocha, and check out all the guys in their tight speedos. Another club in Portimão is Loft by Pride; which is considered by many to be the best gay club in the Algarve. Then there’s Fame Bar which can be found on the busiest street in Albufeira, a popular holiday resort within the Algarve region. Finally, if you fancy one last boogie before the flight home, check out Heaven Club near Faro airport.

Amsterdam, Holland

The most famous gay area is Reguliersdwarsstraat Street. So how about starting your evening in style here at the Amstel Fifty Four Club, one of the oldest gay bars in Amsterdam? You can join in with raucous groups singing along to the jukebox and belt out your favourite tunes. Afterwards, move onto Club NyX, which is one of the biggest gay discos in the city and promises you a wild evening. Named after the Greek goddess of the night, the club is spread over three floors, each playing a different style of music. If you’re camper than Alan Carr and David Walliams put together then mince your way to the Exit Café next door. This small nightspot is decked out like a mountain ski bar and is full of young, cute Dutchman. So what are you waiting for? Squeeze into that tight t-shirt, spray on the glitter and say hi to the locals!

Paris, France

(c) TheGayUK

No list would be complete without a mention of the world’s most romantic city, Paris – a quick hop away from the UK, Paris is reachable by air, train and sea. A bustling gay scene and more romantic walks than you can shake a stick at. Plenty of gay bars await you in the Marais district in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. You’ll find lots of gay friendly bars and restaurants – and no one will bat a eye if you hold your lover’s hand in public – ah gay Paris!

by Matthew Payne / Jake Hook

2nd October 2013