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Gay Estonia Travel Guide

Gay Estonia

Estonia is a Baltic  in eastern Europe. It posseses land borders with Latvia and Russia. Along with a seaboard on the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, Estonia also includes sea borders with Finland and Sweden.

Destinations within Estonia

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An LGBT Guide To Tallinn, Estonia

TripSavvy / Maria Ligaya

The old and new don’t collide so much as mesh beautifully in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city. Situated on the Gulf of Finland, there’s a cobblestoned Old Town that dates back to the 13th century (and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site), yet speedy 21st-century high-speed Wi-Fi access is omnipresent, as are digital nomads. Home to approximately one-third of the country’s 1.3 million residents, this is also Estonia’s most cosmopolitan, LGBTQ-friendly destination with a small but vibrant queer scene and population.

While some locals lament the end of an “anything goes” atmosphere that ruled for about a decade in the wake of Estonia’s 1992 liberation from the former Soviet Union, that period has given way to an organized, developed, and Scandinavian-influenced look and feel (and as with the Finns just across the water, there’s also a fondness for saunas, swimming, and small indoor waterparks). 

The tram public transportation system is efficient, and you can buy a 2 euro ticket from the driver upon entering. Again, Wi-Fi and ridiculously inexpensive mobile SIM data chips that include talk and text can cost less than 5 euros (and are even available at the airport’s convenience store).

The LGBT Scene in Estonia

When Estonia broke off from the former, oppressive Soviet Union in 1992, homosexuality was decriminalized in the process. And while same-sex marriage is not yet legal, Estonia started recognizing binding same-sex marriages conducted abroad in 2016.

With a cultural obsession for song, evident through annual song festivals, celebrations, and enthusiastic participation in the Eurovision Song Contest , it’s worth noting that the LGBT+ choir, Vikerslad , participated in the 2019 jubilee Estonian Song Celebration , which was televised across the country.

Although small, Tallinn’s LGBT scene is mostly concentrated around Tatari, bordering Old Town's southern end. It includes the recently relocated, two-level gay bar and disco, X-Baar, and a gay sauna, Club 69. It’s not unusual to spot gay tourists holding hands in Old Town and young queer Estonians hanging around hipster hood Kalamaja and modern shopping center, Solaris . An LGBT pride parade was held in July 2017, and there’s hope 2020 may see another, or that Tallinn may at least host another future edition of Baltic Pride , as it did in 2011 (the 2019 edition took place in Vilnius, Lithuania).  

Best Things to Do

Located to the southern end of hipster district Kalamaja, Telliskivi Creative City is a lively development chock full of local creative shops and incubators, cafes, restaurants, arts venues, a gin distillery, and street art and murals.

The slick, multi-level photography gallery  Fotografiska is a standout, hosting exhibitions by cutting edge Estonian and international artists—including Tallinn’s own queer feminist activist and photographer, Anna-Stina Treumund, who passed away in 2017—and selection of publications (including a fantastic book of Treumund’s work). Bonus: its upper level and terrace is home to an outstanding, approachable “leaf to root, nose to tail” restaurant headed up by chef Peeter Pihel, who previously worked at Sweden’s two-Michelin-starred Fäviken Magasinet.

Stunningly designed by Finnish architect Pekka Vapaavuori, contemporary art museum  Kumu is edgy and pop-savvy, with exhibitions featuring queer Tallinn artist Jaanus Samma , who explores provocative topics (think Estonia’s gay history during the Soviet Era, and public restrooms) through multidisciplinary work. LGBT Estonian art publications, meanwhile, can be found at eclectic, 6-year-old small press art and culture bookstore Lugemik , which occupies a former Soviet garage close to Tallinn Bay (it’s a cool area worth a stroll!). While it’s touristy, Old Town is a must for its historic churches, architecture, and Raeapteek , a still-operating 5oo-year-old pharmacy—Europe’s oldest—that used to hawk dubious “medicinal” compounds like sundried dog poop, which are now exhibited museum style. 

Best (and Gayest!) Bars and Clubs

While there’s only one explicitly LGBTQ bar and nightclub in Tallinn at present, it's everything you'll need for a gay 'ole night out. The two-floor  X-Baar is tucked away at the north end of Tatari Street and contains a dimly lit brick-walled bar for pre-dancing conversation and drinks (note the coffee gear behind the bar: some locals enjoy a cup of java alongside their cocktails or beer). The music includes Estonian disco tunes—dating back to when the country became independent and launched their own pop groups—played in a separate, cavern-like discotheque with colored lights and pulsing music for dancing. There's also an upstairs space that's open on weekends. (Pro-tip: Although you may find people here on a weeknight at 7 p.m., the crowds turn up big time on weekends around midnight.)

Telliskivi hipster bar  Sveta is also incredibly LGBTQ-inclusive. You’ll also find a mixed crowd, plus a whole lot of EDM and visual arts, at techno nightclub  Hall . If you’re feeling a bit frisky, men can head to Club 69 , Estonia’s only gay sauna, which is located down the street from X-Baar and open until 2 a.m. daily. Tuesdays are all-naked, and bisexuals and swingers are welcome on Saturdays.

If you happen to be in Tallinn at the end of June, check Facebook for the annual “ Club Angel Reunion Party,” a huge LGBTQ-friendly dance that commemorates a legendary albeit closed Old Town gay club. 

Where to Eat in Tallinn

Some locals will tell you that Tallinn feels more and more like a Scandinavian city these days, and that sentiment certainly is accurate when it comes to the food scene. At a fraction of the prices you’ll find just north in Scandinavia (or Western Europe for that matter), Tallinn’s fine dining scene is remarkably approachable, and one is simply spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent chefs flexing their New Estonian Cuisine—which draws from Scandinavian, Russian, German, and whatever fresh local ingredients can be foraged—muscles. A few items you’ll see with regularity on menus in various iterations include beef tartare, chicken liver pate, and Baltic seafood, while rare is the meal not accompanied by toothsome assortments of bread including richly flavorful Estonian black bread.

Old Town’s vegetarian-friendly  Pegasus used to be a writer’s commune but nowadays serves as a cool gay favorite, especially in warmer months when the patio seating is open for prime people-watching. Enjoy dishes like chilled smoked beet soup with horseradish cream, served alongside outstanding house cocktails and mocktails. Other superb choices, conveniently clustered within Old Town, include the 12-year-old French technique-driven  Ribe and farm-to-table-centric  Leib . A taxi or Uber northeast will allow the addition of romantic views of Tallinn Bay and the Tallinn city skyline to a meal at either  Tuljak , whose Soviet retro-modern kitsch interior decor is also quite cool, or the seafood-forward  Noa . 

Where to Stay in Tallinn

Old Town is an ideal base for visitors, bordering hipster district Kalamaja, Tatari’s small gay strip, and with easy access to public transport. Part of Autograph Collection, the 84-room Hotel Telegraaf blends 19th-century essence with modern fixtures and five-star comforts, including an indoor spa with pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam bath. Like the Finns, Estonians love spa and sauna culture, and many Tallinn hotels feature facilities, which are free for guests to access, which is quite the perk.

Renovated in 2019, the 119-room Kalev Spa Hotel is home to a miniature indoor waterpark with slides, a sizeable pool, steam rooms, and saunas, and is popular with locals and families (you can pay to just access the facilities if not a guest). While lacking a spa, The Savoy , at just 44 rooms, takes a classic Old Town Estonian approach to its style and décor, as does the 23-room Schlossle Hotel . For business traveler-friendly, wholly modern digs, the sleek 280-room Radisson Blu Sky Hotel also boasts fabulous sweeping views from its Lounge24 restaurant and cocktails spot—it's also just a 10-minute walk to Old Town and X-Baar.

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LGBT Rights In Estonia: Everything You Should Know Before You Visit! 🇪🇪

Estonia, a northern European country with a rich cultural history, is gradually progressing towards greater acceptance and recognition of LGBT rights. Recent opinion surveys show …

Gay Tallinn, Estonia | The Essential LGBT Travel Guide!

In this article we will cover…Attractions in Gay TallinnGay-Friendly and Gay Hotels in TallinnGay Bars and Gay Clubs in TallinnGay Cruising & Gay Saunas in TallinnGay …

Gay Estonia Uncovered: Top Destinations And Tips For Queer Travelers!

Welcome, adventurous souls, to the enchanting landscapes of Estonia, a northern gem where dense forests, mystical bogs, and medieval charm intersect with the heartbeats of …

Map of Estonia

Estonia gives you the time and space…

…to immerse yourself in our scenery, history, cuisine, and local community. Time for experiences that are remarkable, memorable, and sustainable.

Source : visit estonia

We are a small nation with a big story to tell.

Estonia has been at the crossroads for centuries..

During the Middle Ages, we were part of the Hanseatic League. Trade routes crisscrossed the country, ferrying goods and people East to West and back. Now, Estonia finds itself at the edge of the European Union, connecting Europe to the East, combining the best of the Nordics and the Baltics. 

Estonia is place that will help you understand your own place in the world. A place that, for many people, isn’t even on their radar. But it’s about time it was.

Let us show you why.

Off-the-beaten-path is only 15 minutes away.

Move by pedal or paddle to the beat of the birdsong. Escape the rat race at a foot-powered pace. Estonian nature awaits the adventurous.

Everything you need to know about hiking in Estonia

Guide to Birdwatching in Estonia

A walk on Estonia's wild side

Sustainable travel is a timeless tradition, not a trend..

Explore a landscape blanketed by trees, breathe some of the world's cleanest air, and examine your reflection in our clear waters. Take time to learn from master craftspeople and help local communities thrive. Discover cutting-edge chefs using produce grown a stone’s throw away. Press pause and travel silently off-grid and off-season. 

Tips for sustainable travel in Estonia

Look for quality labels, buy local, and get off the beaten path: here are the best ways to make your trip to Estonia as green as possible.

Estonian food is an unexpected mix of traditions and up-to-the-minute innovations.

Indulge your passion for dining outdoors on a picnic blanket or at a MICHELIN-recommended restaurant looking out over the sea.

An introduction to Estonian cuisine

Saaremaa, Muhu, and Ruhnu – Estonia's Culinary Region for 2024

Visit the best wineries in Estonia

Our compact size and effortless accessibility mean time is tailored to the traveler., slow down to better connect to estonia's roots – and your own., estonian culture cherishes the past while embracing an exciting future..

Move to the rhythm of the nation. Sense the never-ending pulse of progress. Hear the echoes of bygone eras.

Tartu — the 2024 European Capital of Culture

Estonias TOP museums off the beaten track

Medieval Estonia and the Hanseatic League

The biggest events in Estonia

Here is a list of the most important events in Estonia. Plan a visit to see one of these spectacles for yourself!

Discard your cares — and your clothes! 

Experience the soul-cleansing, therapeutic powers of estonia’s timeless smoke sauna traditions..

Everything you need to know about sauna in Estonia

Visiting the sauna in Estonia is the most "like a local" experience you can have. Whether it's electric- or wood-powered, you will emerge transformed!

Every season has something special — and an extra season gives you extra time to see it all.

Expert tip: Exploring off-season will help off-load the pressure.

What are your interests?

Expansive nature and immersive culture are mere moments apart, so no matter how long you stay with us, Estonia will stay with you forever.

Estonian food — savor the stories as much as the flavors

Estonian nature — slow down and wonder at a wilder life

Get inspired.

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Gaily Tours & Excursions in Estonia: Tallinn

• Gaily Tour in TALLINN with your LGBT Friendly Guide
• LGBT Half & Full Day Gaily Excursion from TALLINN
• Individual and Small Groups

Included Features

Gay tallinn.

ABOUT THE CITY... Despite being viewed as the most liberal and tolerant of the Baltic capitals, Tallinn - like Riga and Vilnius - still has a long way to go toward catching up with neighboring Scandinavian countries and Western Europe when it comes to the atmosphere surrounding LGBT movement. Homosexuality was not legalised in Estonia until 1992. THE BEST LGBT FRIENDLY HOTELS IN TALLINN (Click on the Link to See the rates and book them)

• Hotel Telegraf *****
• Radisson Blue Sky Hotel *****
• Olevi Hotel ***
• Braavo Spa Hotel ***
• City Hotel Tallinn by Unique Hotels **

GAILY TOURS in TALLINN

Get ready for special tours in this amazing city ! Meet our Gay/Lesbian Tour Guide for a private walking tour of Tallinn Gay and experience one of the most surprising cities in the world.

Tallinn • Gay Friendly Tour & Bastion's Secrets

Be ready to discover together with our LGBT Friendly Tour Guide the special Old Town of Tallinn, one of Europe's best preserved medieval towns. With plenty of narrow lanes and hidden courtyards, you will be soaked in a mix of medieval and modern sightseeings The city of Tallinn hides many historical secrets. One of these is the story of the local LGBT community. The tour will introduce this story through local city streets and landmarks. Take a look to the City Hall Square, the churches of St. Nicholas and of the Holy Ghost, Catherine's Passage & Courtyard of the Masters. Enjoy a special underground tour of Tallinn, the mysterious passages in the city's earthwork fortifications In the bastion passages, a train to the future takes you to the year 2219 and back to the 17th century. After the incredible tour, reach Toompea Hill and Castle, Nevski Cathedral and enjoy a breathtaking view of Tallinn from one of the many observation decks. Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours) * Entrance Fee – Bastion Passages

Tallinn by Night • Gay Tour

Enjoy an enlightened Tallinn and an amazing walking tour through Tallinn's gay & lesbian bars and clubs to live on your skin the magic atmosphere and LGBT scene of the city. Enjoy your included drink (also alcohol free drink available) and own the night ! Included: * Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for Night Tour (2 hours) * Drink in Gay Bar (1 Drink)  

GAILY EXCURSIONS from TALLINN

Get ready for a special full day Gaily Excursion from Tallinn Gay with us !

Lahemaa National Park (from Tallinn) Paldiski and the Coastal Cliffs of Northwest Estonia Pärnu (from Tallinn) Rakvere (from Tallinn)

• Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide and/or Driver
• Every Entrance Fee or Tasting described in the program

Not Included

• Tips, City Taxes and everything not listed under “Included features”

LGBT Hotel Collection

Tallinn • Gay Friendly Tour Tallinn by Night • Gay Tour

* Price per Person Rates are Commissionable

SHARED EXCURSION since you don't need a private one? No Problem ! You can take part to our amazing shared scheduled excursion in English with LGBT Friendly Tour Guide and share this fantastic experience with other travellers. Contact us at [email protected] for more Info & Prices * The tours are on request and rates are subject to the availability of the providers at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change if travel occur during trade shows, bank holidays or special events and supplements may be applied.

** Please check before booking the closing dates for the selected museums. If included museums are closed, Ignas Tour will refund the amount of that museum or choose an alternative one to visit.

Largo Cesare Battisti, 28 39044 Egna (BZ) - ITALY VAT N° - IT01652670215

Personal Details

Additional accounting data of the main person for the booking, tour request, search result.

Baltic Pride in Tallinn: Powerful Photos of the LGBTQ+ Events in Estonia

ESTONIA: From Soviet Suppression to Powerful Diversity in 2017, or, why do we still need a Baltic Gay Pride Parade in Europe? If you are really thinking that is an appropriate question in 2017, you are right, at least in the first place.

“United” – We are going to Baltic Pride 2017 in Tallinn | Estonia

Gay Couple Baltic Pride 2017 Tallinn Estonia – We are happy to announce that we will attend this year’s Baltic Pride 2017! The LGBTQ+ event that aims to “increase the visibility of LGBTQ+ people” joins forces with Tallinn Pride. The rainbow colored Gay Pride Festival will take place from July 6th to July 9th. Therefore, the Estonian capital is planning to organize a long list of events throughout the pride week starting with art exhibitions, LGBTQ+ film screenings to the colorful gay pride parade through the capital of Estonia. Together with supporters from the Baltic States, across Europe and from all over the world, we will celebrate the 9th edition of Baltic Pride, that rotates between the three Baltic capitals Vilnius, Tallinn, and Riga. This year, it is Tallinn’s turn to host the gay pride week. But we will have more to explore in the beautiful city of Tallinn. As one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we cannot wait to spend the first week in July in Estonia. Join us on our gay travels to Estonia and see the Baltic Pride 2017 in Tallinn with this year’s festival theme “United” through a couple of men’s eyes.

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"A wonderful travel experience begins with thoughtful planning. From the very first step Bastiaan got to know us both - what we liked, what we didn't, and drew out of us angles of the experience ahead we hadn't even thought of. That turned into a trip plan like no other and something I could have never created on my own. The personal concierge service available while we were traveling was invaluable. There is no doubt we picked the absolutely best partner to work with. Don't make your trip a 'DIY trip'. Work with Mr Hudson and you will have the experience of a lifetime!"

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Our Guides To Estonia's Best Gay-Friendly Cities

Gay Tallinn – Tallinn

Recognisable by conical red rooftops that rise up from between medieval builds and verdant splashes of green, Tallinn is a veritable nugget of beauty within the post-Soviet bloc.

Need More Inspiration for a Estonia Vacation?

Relax and recharge in a magical manor in estonia.

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Pride 2024: 12 most LGBTIQ+-friendly cities in the world

May 21, 2024 • 11 min read

An elite crop of cities – including Sydney – unfurl their Pride flags like nowhere else © Roni Bintang / Getty Images

Everybody say, “Love!”

We’re headed around the world in pursuit of exciting cities that embrace the LGBTIQ+ community with open arms (not to mention sequins and confetti). These are the kinds of places that understand that life is meant for celebrating – whether through rowdy drag shows that thrill with sass, joyous street parties that bring out crowds of thousands or thumping dance clubs that party on till sunrise.  

Follow us to some of the most progressive, inclusive and accepting destinations around the world. Places where you can truly show your spirit of pride.

1. London, United Kingdom

Pride 2024:  The biggest Pride celebration in the UK, and one of the largest in the world,  London Pride  takes place this year on June 29.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Soho  in London ’s West End  has historically been the city’s epicenter of queer life. To this day, it remains a hub of the city's LGBTIQ+ bars, shops and clubs.

London has been a most prominent center of queer culture for hundreds of years , dating all the way back to the city’s 18th-century “Molly Houses,” meeting places for LGBTIQ+ people. London remains a massively queer city and is known for a brimming underground scene that can be found at rotating parties, such as those put on by  Cybil’s House .

A must-visit for any LGBTIQ+ traveler is the  Admiral Duncan , a gay pub in Soho that was the site of a bombing perpetrated by a homophobic neo-Nazi in 1999. In the aftermath of the tragedy, it became a site of resistance and resilience – and remains so to this day.

Learn about London’s queer history on this walking tour

2. Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA

Pride 2025:   Provincetown’s 7th annual Pride  celebration takes place from May 31 to June 2, with a diverse lineup of events, from the town’s famous parade to a comedy showcase, 5k race, yoga sessions and more.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: The entire town!  Provincetown is a flourishing place for queer life. Located at the easternmost tip of Cape Cod , P-town has been a summer escape for the LGBTIQ+ community for over 60 years. From riotous parties at  A-House  to (technically illegal) nude sunbathing at  Herring Cove Beach , there’s no shortage of fun to be had here. Plan your visit to align with one of the town’s many queer festivals, including Bear Week , Girl Splash , TransWeek and more.

14 ways to enjoy all Provincetown has to offer

3. Auckland, New Zealand

Pride 2024 : Being in the southern hemisphere, Auckland  held its  Pride celebration  in the month February. But it’s not too early to plan a trip for 2025! 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Karangahape Road – or “K Road” to locals – is where you'll find most of Auckland’s LGBTIQ+ nightlife. Many Aucklanders make a night of it by starting at  The Eagle , a local, unpretentious watering hole that welcomes all comers from the LGBTIQ+ community. Next is an inevitable stop at  Family Bar , located conveniently across the street, which has more of a club vibe, complete with bustling dance floor and weekly drag shows.

New Zealand has long been known as a friendly and welcoming country, with robust anti-discrimination laws and legalized same-sex marriage since 2013. Since then, the nation as a whole, and especially its major cities like Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch , have become known as some of the most LGBTIQ-friendly places anywhere in the world.

These are Auckland’s best neighborhoods

4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pride 2024:  Puerto Vallarta Pride  takes place from May 20–26  May, and is one of Mexico ’s biggest Pride celebrations, drawing a fun mix of locals and visitors. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Emiliano Zapata (also called Old Town) is where you’ll find the vast majority of Puerto Vallarta ’s queer nightlife. But the entire city is an LGBTIQ+ vacation magnet, so it’s virtually impossible to find any section of town that isn’t welcoming.

Throughout the years, Mexico has become more and more LGBTIQ-friendly, and the oceanfront resort town of Puerto Vallarta is one of the nation’s most progressive cities. All the big-brand resorts are LGBTIQ-inclusive, and there are even LGBTIQ-exclusive hotels, like the  Almar Resort . For socializing and meeting other members of the community , the options are endless. From the beachy, indoor/outdoor  Mr Flamingo , to the comic book–inspired  Blondies Loft + Slushbar  and the sleek and trendy  La Noche , there’s no shortage of places to find fun. And that’s not to mention all  the fantastic beaches , with Playa de los Muertos  known as PV’s “gay beach.”

Alluring day trips from Puerto Vallarta

5. Barcelona, Spain

Pride 2024: July 18–21.  Barcelona Pride ’s official 2024 lineup and event details are still to come.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  In the heart of Barcelona ,  L’Eixample  is one of the biggest LGBTIQ+ boroughs in all of Europe. (It’s even been lovingly given the nickname “Gaixample,”) Here, you’ll find LGBTIQ-owned beauty salons, bookshops, saunas, cafes, bars, restaurants, sex shops and everything in between.  

Spain has long been at the forefront of LGBTIQ+ rights. The nation legalized same-sex marriage back in 2005 and has since enacted numerous laws that ensure equality and protection for the queer community, including those who are nonbinary and trans.  Platja de la Mar Bella  is Barcelona’s premier gay beach – and it also happens to be clothing-optional, with most beachgoers baring it all. Among the numerous other LGBTIQ+ hotspots,  Arena Classic  is a popular lesbian bar that’s a staple to the local community, while Warhol-inspired club  Candy Darling  sees partygoers dance nightly until the early hours of morning, and sometimes until after the sun comes up. This is Spain, after all.

20 free things to do in Barcelona

6. New York City, New York, USA

Pride 2024:  One of the largest Pride celebrations on the planet,  NYC Pride  kicks into high gear toward the end of June, culminating in the annual Pride March on June 30, which draws up to 2 million revelers. If that’s not enough, kick off the month with Queens Pride  in Jackson Heights, a fabulous parade and street party that takes place in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the world. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  No LGBTIQ+ visit to New York City would be complete without stop in the West Village . It’s here that the Stonewall uprising took place during the summer of 1969, after police raided the Stonewall Inn  and began arresting patrons and bartenders. When these LGBTIQ+ folks fought back, the modern gay rights movement was born.

New York has a deep history and profound connection to the LGBTIQ+ community – both painful (this was the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis) and joyous ( Harlem  gifted the world ball culture). No queer traveler here can fail to feel it. 

These days, LGBTIQ+ folks tend to turn up in Hell’s Kitchen, on the west side of Manhattan, whose main drags of Ninth and Tenth Aves are packed with LGBTIQ-owned restaurants, barbershops, cafes and bars (denoted by frequent rainbow flags). Go-to HK nightlife spots include the wildly popular  Industry  bar; and the campy, country-themed  Flaming Saddles Saloon , where short-shorts-wearing bartenders frequently two-step on the bar.

Drag legend Lady Bunny has a few tips for savoring the West Village

7. Berlin, Germany

Pride 2024:  The culmination of  Berlin ’s month of Pride festivities (which kick off on June 28) is  Christopher Street Day  on July 27.  Germany ’s largest Pride celebration, the annual festival is named in honor of the Manhattan street where the historic Stonewall Inn is located.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  The heart of Berlin’s LGBTIQ+ scene is in Schöneberg , which has had gay and lesbian bars since the 1920s, making it one of the oldest gay boroughs on the planet.

Berlin has a fascinating LBGTIQ+ history. In the ’20s and ’30s, queer culture flourished in the city, before being almost completely eradicated by the Nazis during World War II. After the war, the community was forced to rbuild from the ground up, ultimately creating the buzzing and beautiful scene of today.   

Berlin is famous for being a city where people stay out clubbing until the sun rises at institutions like  GMF  or Berghain (good luck getting in). But Berlin has so much more than dance floors. Its  Gay Hostel  is a unique lodging opportunity that’s only available to LGBTIQ+ people under the age of 38, creating a safe space where you’re bound to meet some new friends. The city is also home to the  Schwules Museum , one of the only museums in the entire world dedicated to researching and preserving the history of LGBTIQ+ cultures around the world.

Berlin’s new era of club culture

8. Sydney, Australia 

Pride 2024: Taking advantage of southern-hemisphere summer, Sydney’s annual Pride extravaganza is the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras , which took place in February. Mark your calendars now: the next edition runs from February 14 to March 2, 2025. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  The heart of gay Sydney is  Darlinghurst , which is conveniently located near Sydney’s central business district and is easily accessible by the city’s mass-transit system.

Australia has long been a welcoming place for the queer community, with Sydney in particular earning a global reputation for its inclusivity. Not only does the city have excellent LGBTIQ+ nightlife – such as the expansive, three-story  Stonewall Hotel  – but it also has a rich cultural scene that celebrates LGBTIQ+ art and history. The Darlinghurst Bookshop  has been selling queer books, magazines and films since the ’80s, and the city hosts the yearly  Queer Screen  film festival.

Visit all of Sydney’s best beaches

9. Toronto, Canada

Pride 2024:   Toronto ’s  Pride celebration  consists of a parade, parties and a popular street fair from June 28–30, offering a more laid-back and kid-friendly Pride experience.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  Queen St has been Toronto’s main LGBTIQ+ stretch for decades. (You might recognize it as the filming location of the US version of the groundbreaking drama  Queer as Folk .)

Canada  as a whole is known for being welcoming and is considered one of the friendliest places on the planet. Church St’s oldest LGBTIQ+ establishment, Woody’s  dates to 1989, and remains one a staple of Toronto’s queer culture. For something you can only find in Toronto, visit the  Buddies in Bad Times  theater, a queer performance space and cabaret that transforms into a nightclub on non-show nights.

Toronto’s 5 best independent shops

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Pride 2024: July 27–August 4.  Amsterdam Pride  is one of the world’s more unique celebrations, since its parade takes place on boats floating along the city’s famous canals.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: While you’ll find LGBTIQ+ venues throughout this famously progressive city , much action is centered within the Reguliersdwarsstraat neighborhood , located in the center of town.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, in 2001 and, has remained one of the most LGBTIQ-inclusive countries on the planet thanks to its numerous anti-discrimination laws and policies that protect civil rights for the queer community.

First opened by flamboyant lesbian impresario Bet van Beeran in 1927,  Cafe ’t Mandje  remains a staple of the city’s queer scene, with its eclectic interior and friendly crowd. If late-night adventures are more your style, check out  EXIT Café , a thumping LGBTIQ+ bar that welcomes all comers and allies. Best of all, EXIT is open later than most bars in the city, making it perfect for night owls and those looking for an epic night on the town. First-time visitors should stop in at the  Pink Point , a dedicated LGBTIQ+ information booth that provides travelers with tips, recommendations and information on all things queer in the city.

All you need to know before heading to Amsterdam

11. Palm Springs, California, USA

Pride 2024:  Thanks to the city’s year-round warm weather,  Palm Springs Pride  takes place much later than most, this year from October 31 to November 3.

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood:  All of Palm Springs is an LGBTIQ-centric neighborhood. In fact, Palm Springs has such a queer presence that even adjacent towns like Cathedral City and Palm Desert have drawn growing LGBTIQ+ populations, and have holding their own, discrete Pride celebrations .

During Hollywood’s heyday, actors, actresses, directors, producers and agents escaped to Palm Springs ro relax and let their hair down. Heavily represented among these visitors, the legend has it, was a heavy contingent of LBGTIQ+ artists, in search of privacy and discretion. This vibe still exists in this desert town to this day, with  numerous LGBTIQ+ resorts  dotting the town, many of them clothing-optional. For a bit of the city’s famed nightlife, be sure to check out longstanding staples like  Chill Bar  and  Hunters .

Top things to do in Palm Springs

12. Tel Aviv, Israel 

Pride 2024:   Tel Aviv Pride , taking place this year on Friday June 7, is a celebration beloved by Israelis and international visitors. 

Must-visit LGBTIQ+   neighborhood: While sophisticated  Tel Aviv doesn’t have a specific “gayborhood,” the entire city is LGBTIQ-friendly. In fact, in 2016 the  Boston Globe  reported that a full quarter of the city’s population identifies as LGBTIQ+ – making it truly one of the gayest places on Earth.

While much of Israel remains socially traditional, with gay marriage not legally recognized in the country, Tel Aviv does things differently. Look no further than  Hilton Beach , a hub for the LGBTIQ+ community (you’ll see many deeply bronzed, Speedo-wearing boys on parade). One of the city’s most popular locales for queer people and their allies is  Shpagat , a club that draws a great mix of locals and tourists, ensuring that you’ll always be meeting someone new.

Fabulous rooftop bars in Tel Aviv

This article was first published Oct 8, 2019 and updated May 21, 2024.

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What’s Behind the Security Warnings for Pride Events

Citing the potential for terrorism, the State Department, F.B.I. and Department of Homeland Security urged those attending L.G.B.T.Q. events to be vigilant. Here’s what to know.

By Derek M. Norman

This June, as many travelers make plans to attend Pride Month events around the world, including New York City’s giant parade on June 30, security concerns are casting a shadow on celebrations.

A travel advisory issued last week by the State Department advises U.S. citizens overseas to “exercise increased caution” at Pride celebrations, events and places popular with the L.G.B.T.Q. community because of the potential for terrorist attacks or acts of violence.

That advisory follows a joint public service announcement on May 10 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that describes an increased security threat against Pride events in the United States and elsewhere and warns that terrorist organizations or supporters may seek to target the gatherings.

Neither alert mentions any specific threats or locations, nor do they advise against traveling. Here’s what to know.

What prompted the warnings?

The State Department is aware, its alert said, of increased potential for violence inspired by foreign terrorist organizations against the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

The F.B.I. and D.H.S. announcement pointed to a February 2023 anti-L.G.B.T.Q. article circulated online in pro-Islamic State circles. The ISIS messaging also encouraged followers to conduct attacks on “soft targets,” typically public places or events that are easily accessible.

Last June, the announcement said, the Austrian authorities foiled a plot to attack attendees at the Pride parade in Vienna with knives and a vehicle, arresting three people accused of being ISIS sympathizers.

The announcement also cited the eighth anniversary, on June 12, of the mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., in which an attacker claiming allegiance to ISIS killed 49 people.

The efforts to inspire violence against holiday celebrations, including Pride, are “compounded by the current heightened threat environment in the United States and other Western countries,” the announcement said.

How unusual is this?

Threats made against L.G.B.T.Q. people by terrorist organizations or their sympathizers are not uncommon.

Terrorist organizations can use such threats as a recruitment tool, allowing them to capitalize on shared prejudices, explained Colin P. Clarke, the director of research at the Soufan Group , a New York-based intelligence and security consulting firm.

“It’s another arrow in the quiver, and it allows groups to cast a wider net,” he wrote in an email. “Some potential recruits will be motivated by sectarianism, others by anti-Western propaganda, and yet others are motivated by homophobia. So, if it resonates, terrorist groups will use it as a form of incitement.”

The State Department maintains a web page with information tailored to L.G.B.T.Q. travelers, but a global security alert for Pride events is rare.

“The State Department’s recent worldwide travel advisory specifically targeting the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community is unlike any we’ve seen before, but it also aligns with the escalation of anti-L.G.B.T.Q.+ actions globally,” wrote John Tanzella, the president of IGLTA , an L.G.B.T.Q. travel network, in an email.

What should travelers do to stay safe?

“The first rule is to follow the advice and guidance of the Pride organization: They know their city and they know their event, and they will be working with police to keep you safe,” Steve Taylor, a board member of the European Pride Organizers Association and a leader of Copenhagen Pride , wrote in an email.

“Second, look out for each other,” he added. “Our eyes and ears are what will keep us safe. If something doesn’t look right, say something. And third, stick to the main events and make sure others know where you are going.”

In places like New York City, Pride event organizers are working with law enforcement and private security teams, as well as encouraging people to follow their safety guidance , which includes advice like having a buddy system and reporting any suspicious activity.

“There are bad actors,” said Sandra Perez, executive director of NYC Pride , the organization that sponsors the city’s Pride March, which drew 75,000 participants and about two million spectators last year, according to organizers. “What we know is we can’t allow their threats to kind of dictate our visibility.”

While people should always take safety seriously, she noted, there is also a power in the unity of showing up and celebrating.

When it comes to attendance at the march, Ms. Perez said, “The reality is, rain has sometimes a bigger impact than some of these other threats.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

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Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

The Alaska Highway:  On an epic road trip, a family plots a course from Alaska to the Lower 48, passing through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery .

Minorca:  Spend 36 hours on this slow-paced Spanish island , which offers a quieter and wilder retreat than its more touristy neighbors.

Japan:  A new high-speed train stop unlocks Kaga, a destination for hot springs, nourishing food and traditional crafts , as an easy-to-reach getaway from Tokyo.

London:  The Victoria and Albert Museum is a treasure trove of art and design. Here’s one besotted visitor’s plan for taking it all in .

Where it's a crime to be gay: A visual guide to where LGBTQ+ rights are repressed

Uganda enacted one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world last week, a bill known as the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 . It imposes a life sentence for engaging in "same-sex sexual acts," and the death penalty for gay sex in certain circumstances, such as while infected with an illness like HIV or for having sex with a person with disabilities or a minor. (LGBTQ+ advocates in the U.S. condemn the implication of LGBTQ+ people as groomers or pedophiles.)

It came days before the start of Pride Month, a global event in June that celebrates LGBTQ+ communities around the world. But while the Uganda law has drawn international condemnation and even sparked a fight among a couple of U.S. conservatives , it is not an outlier. The LBGTQ+ community remains heavily criminalized in many parts of the world.

Indeed, around the world, being LGBTQ+ can lead to whippings or other punishments that seem outdated. In Russia, being gay has been legal since 1983, but there are still fines for a lack of "traditional values."

Here's a global overview of where sexual and gender minority rights are threatened:

'Horrific': Biden, Cruz slam Anti-homosexuality Bill in Uganda that includes death penalty

LGBTQ+: Punished in 64 different countries

Of 193 countries in the United Nations, 64 still criminalize same-sex acts, according to a database run by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). "Same-sex acts'' is the phrase used by this and other human rights monitoring organizations.

By region, this criminalization breaks down as follows:

• In Africa, same-sex acts are illegal in 32 out of the continent's 52 countries. The countries where it is illegal: Algeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• In Asia and the Middle East , same-sex acts are illegal in 20 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen.
• There are no places in Europe where same-sex acts are illegal.
• In the Americas, same-sex acts are prohibited in Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
• In Oceania, the region made up of Australia and other island nations in the South Pacific Ocean, same-sex acts are not allowed in Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga andTuvalu.

From whippings to fines for a lack of 'traditional values'

Across the world, criminal sentences for same-sex acts, certain forms of sexual orientation and minority gender expression can range from fines or several months in prison to life in jail, from whipping to the death penalty. In some countries, laws are vague and open to interpretation. In others, it's the exact opposite. In Russia, for example, where same-sex acts have been legal since 1993, the government actively targets LGBTQ+ people and communities through discriminatory propaganda and fines for not having "traditional values."

Where there is the death penalty for same-sex acts:

• Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Yemen.

Prison, fines, or whipping for minority forms of sexual or gender expression:

• Brunei, Kuwait, Malawi, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Tonga, Uganda and United Arab Emirates.

Countries that in recent years decriminalized same-sex relationships:

• Angola (2021), Botswana (2019), India (2018), Mozambique (2015), Singapore (2023).

Same-sex union: Where it's lawful

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to fully legalize same-sex marriage. It did so in 2001. The U.S. was the 17th country to legalize same-sex unions, which it did in 2015.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in 34 places around the world:

• Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, U.K., U.S. and Uruguay.

Where same-sex marriage was legalized in the last year:

• Andorra, Cuba, Slovenia.

Where there are pledges to legalize same-sex marriage in 2023:

• Czech Republic, India, Japan, Philippines.

Countries in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal:

• South Africa.

Places in Asia where same-sex marriage is legal:

Travel: Where to go, where's a no-go

The Spartacus Blog’s Gay Travel Index advises LGBTQ+ vacationers on which countries they can expect to be most safe in, where their rights are most protected, and where to avoid. Among the criteria assessed: anti-discrimination legislation, marriage/civil partnerships, whether adoption is allowed, transgender rights, infrastructure, views on conversion therapy, religious influence, local hostility, and laws surrounding prosecution.

The U.S. came in at 35 out of 199 global destinations.

LGBTQ+-friendly travel destinations in 2023:

• Malta, Canada, Switzerland.

Where not to go as an LGBTQ+ vacationer, according to the index:

• Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan.

The most LGBTQ+-friendly U.S. states in 2023:

• California, New York, Washington, Colorado.

The worst U.S. states to be an LGBTQ+ vacation, per the index:

• Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia. Florida also fared poorly. In late May, the NAACP issued the following travel advisory as a result of Florida governor and U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis's policies: "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ individuals."

U.S. Christian evangelicals spend big around the world

Human rights campaigners have long complained that U.S. Christian evangelical organizations have pushed policies, laws and public opinion that discriminate against sexual and gender minorities and reproductive rights for people across the world. A 2020 investigation by openDemocracy , for example, found that U.S.-based Family Watch International had, for a decade, been coaching high-ranking African politicians and religious and civic leaders to oppose sexuality education across the continent. Family Watch International also had a hand in shaping Uganda's 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill , according to openDemocracy.

Amount spent globally by U.S. groups on anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ influence campaigns since 2008:

• At least $280 million.

Amount spent by U.S. groups on anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ influence campaigns in Africa since 2008:

• At least $54 million.

Amount requested by the Biden administration in 2023 for foreign assistance programs that promote gender equity and equality worldwide for those who face discrimination :

• $2.6 billion.

Still, according to a recent analysis by the Brookings Institution , these programs chiefly focus on "enabling conditions" for women and young girls "to exercise voice and agency in their homes, workplaces, communities and public life." There is comparatively less understanding, according to the Brookings analysis, about how to deploy these funds for international programs that close rights gaps for sexual and gender minorities.

Reactions to Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill

Ugandan LGBTQ+ rights activists filed a lawsuit in the country's Constitutional Court challenging the bill. The Biden administration said it was considering imposing sanctions and visa restrictions. The European Union urged Uganda to revoke the bill and protect the rights of all Ugandans and said the law would impact Uganda's ties with international partners. A coalition of major companies including Google and Unilever said the law would curb investment flows to Uganda and deter tourism. One Kenyan lawmaker applauded the bill's passage.

• "Creating new crimes like these are a well-known way to engineer a legal basis to throw those with divergent views behind bars. It will push many into self-censorship and silence critical voices as Uganda's governance and human rights crises continue to deteriorate." − Clare Byarugaba, Ugandan rights activist
• "Cry beloved Uganda, cry for this sad day."− Stella Nyanzi, Ugandan human rights advocate
• "The law foresees the application of the death penalty and long prison sentences for consensual acts between adults. This law raises the risk of worsening the violence and persecution already faced by lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda." − Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General
• "Uganda's progress on its HIV response is now in grave jeopardy. The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 will obstruct health education and the outreach that can help end AIDS as a public health threat. The stigma and discrimination associated with the passage of the Act has already led to reduced access to prevention as well as treatment services."− Joint statement from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
• "The enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights. I join with people around the world − including many in Uganda − in calling for its immediate repeal." − U.S. President Joe Biden
• "The Uganda law is horrific and wrong. Any law criminalizing homosexuality or imposing the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” is grotesque & an abomination. ALL civilized nations should join together in condemning this human rights abuse."− U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz
• "With a lot of humility, I thank my colleague Members of Parliament for withstanding all the pressure, in the interest of our Country. By their action, we have lived our motto: For God and our Country."− Ugandan Parliament Speaker Anita Annet Among
• "Wow! What a leader we've in Africa! Congratulations Uganda! Kenya is following you in this endeavor to save humanity … Perversion is treated, not normalized!"− George Kaluma, Kenyan member of Parliament

Sources: ILGA database, Human Rights Watch, Human Dignity Trust , Human Rights Campaign , openDemocracy, U.S. Agency for International Development

Pope apologizes after being quoted using vulgar term about gay men

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar and derogatory term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests.

The ruckus that ensued underscored how the church’s official teaching about homosexuality often bumps up against the unacknowledged reality that there are plenty of gay men in the priesthood, and plenty of LGBTQ+ Catholics who want to be fully part of the life and sacraments of the church.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement acknowledging the media storm that erupted about Francis’ comments, which were delivered behind closed doors to Italian bishops on May 20.

Italian media on Monday had quoted unnamed Italian bishops in reporting that Francis jokingly used the term “faggotness” while speaking in Italian during the encounter. He had used the term in reaffirming the Vatican’s ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests.

Bruni said Francis was aware of the reports and recalled that the Argentine pope, who has made outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics a hallmark of his papacy , has long insisted there was “room for everyone” in the Catholic Church.

“The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term that was reported by others,” Bruni said.

With the statement, Bruni carefully avoided an outright confirmation that the pope had indeed used the term, in keeping with the Vatican’s tradition of not revealing what the pope says behind closed doors. But Bruni also didn’t deny that Francis had said it.

And for those who have long advocated for greater inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics, the issue was bigger than the word itself.

“More than the offensive slur uttered by the pope, what is damaging is the institutional church’s insistence on ‘banning’ gay men from the priesthood as if we all do not know (and minister alongside) many, many gifted, celibate, gay priests,” noted Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of the religious studies department at Manhattan College.

“The LGBTQ community seems to be a constant target of offhand, off the cuff ‘mistakes’ from people in the Vatican, including the pope, who should know better,” she added.

Francis was addressing an assembly of the Italian bishops conference, which recently approved a new document outlining training for Italian seminarians. The document, which hasn’t been published pending review by the Holy See, reportedly sought to open some wiggle room in the Vatican’s absolute ban on gay priests by introducing the issue of celibacy as the primary requirement for priests, gay or straight.

The Vatican ban was articulated in a 2005 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education, and later repeated in a subsequent document in 2016, which said the church cannot admit to seminaries or ordain men who “practice homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture.”

The position has long been criticized as homophobic and hypocritical for an institution that certainly counts gay priests in its ranks. The late psychotherapist Richard Sipe, a onetime Benedictine monk who taught in U.S. seminaries, estimated in the early 2000s that as many as 30% of the U.S. clergy was homosexually oriented.

The late Rev. Donald Cozzens, a seminary rector, said the percentage was even higher, and asserted in his book “The Changing Face of The Priesthood” that the U.S. priesthood was increasingly becoming a gay profession since so many heterosexual men had left the priesthood to marry and have families.

Priests in the Latin rite Catholic Church cannot marry, while those in eastern rite churches may. Church teaching holds that gay people must be treated with dignity and respect but that homosexual activity is “intrinsically disordered.”

Francis strongly reaffirmed the Vatican ban on gay priests in his May 20 meeting with the Italian bishops, joking that “there is already an air of faggotness” in seminaries, the Italian media reported, after initial reporting from gossip site Dagospia.

Italian is not Francis’ mother tongue language, and the Argentine pope has made linguistic gaffes in the past that raised eyebrows. The 87-year-old Argentine pope often speaks informally, jokes using slang and even curses in private.

He has been known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, however, starting from his famous “Who am I to judge " comment in 2013 about a priest who purportedly had a gay lover in his past. He has ministered to transgender Catholics , allowed priests to bless same-sex couples and called for an end to anti-gay legislation, saying in a 2023 interview with The Associated Press that “ Being homosexual is not a crime. ”

However, he has occasionally offended LGBTQ+ people and their advocates, including in that same interview where he implied that while homosexuality wasn’t a crime, it was a sin. He later clarified that he was referring to sexual activity, and that any sex outside marriage between a man and a woman was sinful in the eyes of the church.

And most recently, he signed off on a Vatican document asserting that gender-affirming surgery was a grave violation of human dignity.

New Ways Ministry, which advocates for LGBTQ+ Catholics, welcomed Francis’ apology Tuesday and said it confirmed that the “use of the slur was a careless colloquialism.” But the group’s director Francis DeBernardo questioned the underlying content of the pope’s comments and the overall ban on gays in the priesthood.

“Without a clarification, his words will be interpreted as a blanket ban on accepting any gay man to a seminary,” DeBernardo said in a release, asking for a clearer statement on Francis’ views about gay priests “so many of whom faithfully serve the people of God each day.”

Andrea Rubera, a spokesperson for Paths of Hope, an Italian association of LGBTQ+ Christians, said he was incredulous when he first read about the pope’s comments, and then sad when no denial came from the Vatican. It showed, he said, that the pope and the Vatican still have a “limited view” of the reality of LGBTQ+ people .

“We hope, once again, that the time will come to undertake a discussion in the church toward a deepening of the LGBT issue, especially from the experience of the people themselves,” he said.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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In the 'gay capital' of Asia, Chinese LGBTQ+ emigres look to build a new life

I n 2019, business was booming for Owen Zhu. He was one year into his new career in real estate, showing Bangkok properties to Chinese investors.

Then the pandemic halted travel and spending. Even now, Chinese buyers are slow to return.

The exception has been one group that has since become Zhu’s specialty: LGBTQ+ clients looking to build a new life for themselves outside China.

“Most of them are buying to live in or to retire in — not like many straight people or friends, who are prioritizing investments,” Zhu, 40, said.

Before the pandemic, Zhu estimates, about one-fourth of his clients were LGBTQ+. Now they make up two-thirds of his customer base.

As China has clamped down on queer representation and advocacy, Bangkok, long the “gay capital” of Asia, has offered visitors a reprieve from the conservative culture back home.

Here, the thriving nightlife of gay bars and clubs draws many potential buyers to look for apartments near the city center, Zhu said.

Zhu, who is also gay and from China, bought an apartment in Bangkok in 2017 for his eventual retirement. As friends started asking his advice on how to make their own purchases, he quit his job in Chinese media to help them find properties full time.

As his clientele has changed, so has Zhu’s marketing on Chinese social media. In between property listings, he now shares updates on efforts to legalize same-sex marriage and surrogacy in Thailand.

With demand growing, Zhu said he hopes to start a housing complex catering to gay Chinese in the next few years.

The growing LGBTQ+ community means Zhu runs across more business opportunities in his daily life in Bangkok.

That’s how he met Danny Dong, 29, who moved from China’s Suzhou province in October 2022.

A year ago, Zhu overheard Dong speaking Chinese at a gay bar and struck up a conversation. Now as Dong makes plans for his next three to five years in Thailand, he’s toured several apartments with Zhu, looking for one he might like to buy.

In May, Zhu took Dong to a luxury complex in the central business district. Between several one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from $163,000 to $438,000, Dong paid close attention to the balconies, where he liked to stand and look out at the bustling city below. After a few hours, he decided he would keep looking.

Dong moved to Thailand in part because he was depressed at home. He had become a dance instructor — he had started learning ballroom dance at age 8 — but didn’t like teaching much. There was little in the way of activities or entertainment to occupy him, and no LGBTQ+ community.

“I’ve always felt that my hometown is an extremely boring place,” he said.

In Bangkok, he feels that more is possible, with an abundance of choice in food, work and nightlife.

“More options in boyfriends too,” Zhu added.

Dong agreed. He had heard that Bangkok was a hub for queer tourists, but hadn’t sought out the scene during his first visit a few years ago. Nonetheless, at the hotel pool he met another gay Chinese man who eventually introduced Dong to his first boyfriend.

“Thailand has brought me a lot of positive things,” Dong said. “So I trust that it will bring me more positive things in the future.”

Thailand’s famed acceptance of LGBTQ+ visitors stems from the prominence of gay and transgender representation in the country’s popular media and culture since the 1950s.

Those depictions weren’t always positive, and locals still face discrimination and prescriptive gender roles. However, the country’s officials began to embrace its LGBTQ-centric image more strongly in the late 20th century in order to boost tourism and the economy.

Thailand also waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens last year, in a bid to revive a cornerstone of its tourism industry that was heavily curbed by the pandemic. Thailand’s Tourism Authority said it expects 7.3 million visitors from China this year, twice last year’s figures, but far short of the 11 million peak in 2019.

While the country does not collect tourist data on gender or sexual orientation, the authority's deputy governor of tourism products and business, Apichai Chatchalermkit, told Thai media last year that the country should court "high-potential" LGBTQ+ tourists with tours, advertising and events specific to their interests, such as pride parades.

Eleven years ago, the authority adopted the slogan “Go Thai, be free,” to emphasize Thailand's openness towards LGBTQ+ visitors.

For some Chinese visitors, both tourists and those with work and residence visas, that appeal has been heightened by an increasingly oppressive environment for LGBTQ+ people back home.

China has long had a conservative culture that stigmatizes homosexuality, though it was decriminalized in 1997. Gay rights advocates achieved minor successes in the decades that followed, such as workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees and the ability to register same-sex partners as legal guardians.

But in the past five years, the tide has turned. Under President Xi Jinping, government pressure on activists has ramped up, shutting down gay pride events as well as LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in major cities.

LGBTQ+ resources and events "were like a counter-force to the examples of homophobia and transphobia that would pop up,” said Darius Longarino, senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. “Even though the [current] crackdown hasn’t reached down to all kinds of expression, it’s changed the balance of forces.”

Adisak Wongwaikankha, who opened the gay bar Silver Sand Silom in October 2021, said that 70% of his patrons are foreigners, and about half of those come from China.

He estimates that percentage jumps as high as 90% during major holidays, such as Thai New Year, also known as Songkran Festival, in April, or the Pride Festival in June. Some recent visitors have been Chinese businessmen asking how to open or invest in gay entertainment venues like his.

On a Friday evening, Heath Yu, 38, strolled past Wongwaikankha’s establishment in the heart of Bangkok’s gay bar district, the windows adorned with neon lights and rainbow flags. Yu, who fell in love with Thailand on a vacation, quit his job at a Chinese TV station last year and moved here to pursue a doctorate in education and psychology.

“China is getting tighter on these LGBT, so more of them want to leave and come to Thailand,” Yu said. Feeling liberated in Thailand, Chinese tourists go a bit wild in Bangkok. he said. “As it gets more repressive there, it just gets more crazy here.”

Hawkers called out to Yu and his friend Summer Gao, 38, to come in from the heat for a drink.

Maybe later. Still, Gao quietly nudged Yu, alerting him to another pedestrian who seemed to be checking him out as they walked by.

Yu whipped his head around, and the two joked about chasing the man down. But Yu said he’s less preoccupied with finding a boyfriend than he is with finding work after his studies.

Yu was enticed by the idea of living in Bangkok ever since his first visit 10 years ago, when he encountered the Buddhist culture, the friendliness of locals and the affordability of food and rent.

And even though he rarely visits LGBTQ+-specific spaces, he feels more at ease in Bangkok than in his small hometown, where he has yet to come out to his parents.

He also grew tired of low pay and censorship at the TV station, and worries that the suppression of information could increase hostility towards queer people.

“I really don’t want to go back,” Yu said wistfully. “I’m doing everything I can to stay here.”

With family still in China expecting him back, Gao doesn't have the option to stay after his six-month language program ends. But once he retires, he said, he'll apply for a retirement visa to come back to Thailand.

The first time Yamato Sasuki visited Bangkok a decade ago, he discovered a life that was unimaginable growing up gay in Beijing. Acceptance. Freedom. He returned to the city in 2017, then bought an apartment three years later.

But Chinese citizens cannot naturalize, so the 35-year-old teacher has been considering a move to Japan, where he might eventually marry his Chinese partner.

“I would want to continue to live in Thailand, but it’s just not an immigrant country,” said Sasuki, who has gone by his Japanese name since he left China in 2015 to study in New Zealand.

In Japan this year, two courts ruled same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional, and Sasuki is hopeful that it may be legalized in his lifetime.

Thailand is also on the verge of legalizing same-sex marriage. The lower house of Parliament passed the bill in April, which still needs Senate approval and royal endorsement from the king. Currently, the only places in Asia that recognize same-sex marriage are Taiwan and Nepal.

Drawn by his first boyfriend, a Thai man he met online, Jeffrey Hu first visited Thailand in 2011. He lived and worked there for eight years after.

But in 2020, the 34-year-old freelance translator was ensnared by China’s strict pandemic controls on a visit to see his mother, and unable to leave the country. During that time, he met his current boyfriend Wilfred Wu, 28, in a Chinese LGBTQ+ group chat.

Last August, they moved to Bangkok — Wu's first time setting foot in Thailand. Through friends they found an apartment near the Victory Monument memorial, close to a small park where they like to walk, exercise and feed stray cats and squirrels.

Hu said that a few years ago, he had hoped China would become more open-minded, not just to LGBTQ+ people but in all aspects. As Christians, he and Wu also worried about religious repression in China.

But the government's draconian response to COVID-19 made clear it's not ready to give up its authoritarian ways.

Even if same-sex marriage does become legal in Thailand, Hu and Wu would be ineligible as Chinese citizens. Though the lack of marriage and naturalization prospects means their time in Bangkok will be limited — they dream of someday moving to California — for now they can reflect on the freedom they have found here.

“It made me think, this is the society that I want,” Hu said. “Compared to China, I feel like Thailand gives me a better sense of identity and belonging.”

Special correspondent Yu-chen Lai in Taipei contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .