Gay North America, Usa, North Carolina, Charlotte

The Land of the Free has some of the largest and best gay friendly destinations in the world even though the laws on homosexuality are mixed across the country. In a handful of states anti-gay sex laws remain though are rarely enforced. While there was always a gay underground, it was only in the late sixties that gay rights started to be promoted seriously following the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York and the election of Harvey Milk in San Francisco as America’s first out gay city politician.

Even if a few states still ban homosexuality in theory, almost everywhere across this huge country you will find gay oases and expressions of Pride – yes even in the more conservative states. Often it has been the courts who have taken a lead rather than politicians. It took the US Supreme Court rather than Congress to legalise same sex marriage US-wide. But the great coastal cities that we have all heard of - San Francisco, New York, Miami, Los Angeles - all in their unique way offer the European gay traveller a stunning scene and memorable holiday. Whether it’s a men only hotel in Key West or a trendy guest house in San Fran you’ll have every type of accommodation. We list over one hundred Prides across the US and these are not just the usual coastal cities. Prides and community are flourishing in the heartlands too from Little Rock, Arkansas to Cincinnati, Ohio to Chicago - see our list. This huge country has something for every LGBT traveller. Just enjoy it, but watch your waste line, the food servings are huge, too!

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