2022’s Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities

Ask The Experts

We live in a different world compared to the America we knew before 2015, when the U.S. achieved marriage equality. But politics and the pandemic are contributing big changes to the way LGBTQ Americans live. 

To help LGBTQ Americans navigate those changes, we reached out to experts for insights. See what they had to say below.

  1. What are three hallmarks of the best LGBTQ city?
  2. What can cities do to protect their LGBTQ communities from the wave of new state anti-LGBTQ leglislation?
  3. What will Pride events look like this year with COVID-19 cases rising again across the nation?
  4. What are the three biggest changes likely for LGBTQ Americans if a red wave sweeps the House and Senate in the midterms?
By
mignon moore
June 15, 2022

What are three hallmarks of the best LGBTQ city?

The best cities for LGBTQ folks have political systems led by the Democratic Party. 

Those cities have diverse populations in terms of race, ethnicity, and income.

Cities that are great places for LGBTQ people to live have vibrant cultural centers and lead with progressive cultural ideologies.

What can cities do to protect their LGBTQ communities from the wave of new state anti-LGBTQ legislation?

City leaders must speak out in support and protection of all of their most vulnerable populations. They must reaffirm their commitment to laws and policies that protect the rights of sexual minorities. 

What will Pride events look like this year with COVID-19 cases rising again across the nation?

Despite COVID-19 cases, high levels of vaccination and low hospitalization rates mean most cities will return to pre-COVID versions of Pride celebrations.  

What are the three biggest changes likely for LGBTQ Americans if a red wave sweeps the House and Senate in the midterms? 

  1. Repeal of marriage equality
  2. Tighter restrictions on ability of sexual minority adults to foster and adopt children
  3. More discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes against sexual minorities and trans persons in workplaces, at schools, and in other social institutions