Vacations Blog

Most travelers do not worry too much about whether they will be welcomed at traditional travel destinations. Generally, places tourists frequent usually want to attract anyone who is willing to pay for the available products or services. However, for sexual minorities, including gay men, some locations range from an absence of an open arms greeting to outright hostility. Consequently, some gay travel destination are more welcoming than others.

In Europe for example, both Berlin and Prague have long traditions of enthusiastically welcoming gay visitors. Germany and the Czech Republic may be more socially conservative than, say, Sweden, but the capital cities of both nations have large gay populations and pockets in which gay men can openly hold hands or exchange a loving kiss without experiencing so much as a surprised look. Prague has been gay friendly since even before the fall of the iron curtain.

Most of Latin America is a different story. The tradition of machismo is prevalent. Generally gay men should abide by the customs of the community in order to assure their personal safety. In other words, just because you see straight people behaving a certain way, don’t assume that a gay couple could follow course. Of course sexual minorities are at least as prevalent in Latin America as in any other part of the world, but it is assumed that the minorities will demonstrate considerable discretion. However, in locations that rely economically upon tourists, like in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, the conventions of western Europe are more likely to appear, given the international nature of the temporary population. Mexico City is gay friendly to tourists only in certain areas of the city, despite being much more cosmopolitan in other ways.

The United States is definitely a mixed situation. In general, the two coasts are more accepting of gay men than the central portions of the nation. The North is much more welcoming than the old South. Urban areas tend to be more progressive the rural regions. Places frequented by the young are typically most accepting of all; young Americans do not understand what business sexual orientation is of anyone other than the people directly affected. Still there are exceptions to all of those “rules.”

America’s most popular gay friendly vacation destinations and retirement areas include Palm Springs in California and Key West and South Beach (Miami) in Florida.

The world is diverse, and there are still places where gay men are persecuted. To maximize your enjoyment of your destination, understand the local customs and culture.