Johnray Strickland
The best part about Pride Month is celebrating love — the parades and rainbow outfits are just a bonus.
Pride wasn’t initially all glitter and rainbows. Before it became a festivity, it was a protest. June 28, 1969, marks the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. At the time, homosexuality in public was illegal. Due to this, there weren’t many places where people could be openly gay. Police arrived at the Stonewall Inn, a bar catered to the gay community, to perform a routine raid and arrest anyone breaking the rules. However, they were met with resistance, which became a catalyst in the LGBTQIA+ movement.
Today, cities all over the nation will be celebrating equality, acceptance, and inclusion. Pride is about being proud of who you are, no matter who you love. That’s why Shane Co. is your ally in the jewelry business.
Key Findings
- Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Antonio are the top three cities with the most LGBTQ-friendly hotel rooms for two available in June.
- Miami, Philadelphia, and New York are the top three cities with the most LGBTQIA+ events in June.
Having options is arguably one of the most important parts of planning a trip. According to our research, these are the most vibrant cities in the U.S. to embrace the rainbow. If you are looking to travel out of state, you’re in luck. Two of the three cities with the most LGBTQ-friendly hotels are in the same state.
Methodology
Affordability
- Cost of a Beer, 0.50
- Cost of a Cocktail, 0.50
- Cost of a Taxi, 0.50
Community and Support
- LGBTQ Population Estimate, 0.75
- HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, 0.75
Pride Readiness
- Amount of LGBTQ Events in June, 2.00
- Amount of LGBTQ Hotels for 2 in June, 1.50
- Amount of Gay Bars & Clubs, 1.00
Safety
- Strength of Transgender Health & Safety Laws, 1.00
Weather
- Precipitation in June
To help you kick off Pride Month, we’ve compiled the best cities to visit to celebrate by pulling the top 100 cities by metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. However, only 60 were included in our ranking due to a lack of data on the ranking factors for these cities. For this study, we considered several factors: affordability, community and support, safety, and weather.
The 20 Best U.S. Cities for Celebrating Pride
How to celebrate Pride 101: Travel to these top 20 cities.
California has the most Pride-centric cities to enjoy out of all the states. This Pride season, paint the Golden Gate Bridge with rainbows. San Francisco, California, the eclectic city, ranked number one, with a 45.1 out of 50. San Fran hosts one of the largest Pride gatherings in the world, with over 300 exhibitors.
Los Angeles, the second-ranked city, was home to the first parade in 1970. With a long history of acceptance, it comes as no surprise this city scored 44.3. Sacramento (38) and San Jose (33) are other California cities to rank.
If you live in the Midwest, Chicago and Milwaukee are great options for celebrating Pride. The two hot spots are only two hours away from each other. The Windy City’s confetti-filled air ranked third in the top cities, with a high score of 42.1. At the same time, Milwaukee placed 12th, with 35.2 out of 50.
Boston, the first place to legalize gay marriage, is right behind Chicago, with a score of 41.8. The Golden State appears on our list most often, but it’s not the only repeating state. New York has two cities ranked in the top 10, including the fifth-best city Buffalo (39.1) and NYC (38.4).
The Top 5 Cities
If you need an excuse to celebrate love, celebrate in the (unofficial) Pride capital, California. And according to our results, your plans look very bright. So, dust off your rainbow attire and get packing! The Golden State cities are a land of many options. Combined, San Fran and LA have 605 LGBTQ-friendly hotels for two to browse and 1,440 events to discover. The Municipal Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ+ community that lives and works in the area — both cities rated 100.
Or dance down the streets of Chicago, where the infamous Stonewall Riots inspired the first-ever Pride parade. With a booming population of over 2 million, 4.3% a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Chicago Pride is one of the most iconic, with 320 inclusive events. If you’re leaning toward celebrating in the Windy City, don’t forget to bring a jacket. Chilly weather is only one of your concerns. Out of the top five cities, it has the highest precipitation in June, with 4.72 inches of rain.
Boston, located in the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, ranked fourth. The historical city has promising weather and 660 events to enjoy. Whether you’re walking the vibrant streets decorated with rainbow flags or a diverse line-up of entertainment, Boston is a place to be in June.
As the birthplace of the Stonewall Riots, New York State is a pivotal player in the fight for gay rights. Although Buffalo has the lowest Municipal Equality Index, the whole month of June is a party for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community to come out and celebrate. Explore the smaller, lively city after booking a room for two at one of the 181 queer-friendly hotels.
Cities with the Most Pride Events
If there’s one Pride event you need to attend at least once, it’s one in Miami. All the magic happens in Magic City, with over 3,820 events. The South Florida city is known for its “anything goes” atmosphere and gay-friendly community. Whereas Philly, the second city with the most events, is known for cheesesteak and beer — the perfect celebration meal.
It’s not surprising to see New York rated third. Also known as one of the earliest LGBTQ+ hubs in the U.S., the city that never sleeps truly never sleeps in June, with 2,580 events. Baltimore, with one of the oldest Pride celebrations around, also packs a sultry punch. Celebrate Pride at one of the vibrant city’s 1,440 events.
It’s called Hotlanta for a reason. Unlike other Pride events around the U.S., Atlanta Pride is meant to honor National Coming Out Day on October 11. This means the city’s Pride doesn’t take place in June. Instead, it takes place in October. But don’t fear — the Southern city is still bustling with 1,280 LGBTQ-friendly events in June.
Other cities jam-packed with festivities include Hartford (920), Sacramento (700), Providence (700), and San Jose (660).
Closing Thoughts
In 2005, same-sex marriage was only legal in one state. 18 years later, marriage equality is everywhere. Same-sex couples fought a long, hard battle for the right to marry and be loud and proud. So, how to celebrate Pride 2022? I do believe we gave you some great proposal destinations. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for rings too.
If you’re looking to buy your honey the ultimate gift to celebrate Pride, shop our collection of engagement rings! With a selection of over 1,000 exclusive designs and customizable options that fit any event, there’s nowhere better to get the most important gift you’ll ever give.
Anna Gionet
