Tour 4 of the world’s most LGBT+-friendly cities

London

London’s LGBT+ scene is as diverse as the city itself. Each area offers its own blend of art, theatre, restaurants and pubs for everyone to celebrate and explore the city’s rich queer tapestry. 

I’d break the city’s scene down into three hubs: South, Central and East London. Start at the South London Gallery in Camberwell, known for exhibitions that explore gender and identity. Clapham has many safe spaces along the high street, and there is a deeper-rooted history in Vauxhall with the likes of Royal Vauxhall Tavern (known as RVT), whose drag entertainment is more fun than any TV show. Down the road in Kennington, The Cock Tavern , a personal favourite, is the perfect blend of quintessential British pub and queer culture.

Looking to eat before exploring Soho? Old Compton Brasserie is the place to be. If you are a drag fan, Admiral Duncan and Halfway to Heaven are musts. For a spot of disco, seek out Friendly Society – the Barbies on the ceiling tell you all you need to know.

Finally, fashion-forward East London is a hub of creativity and expression. Check out Whitechapel Gallery for exhibitions that feature boundary-pushing LGBT+ individuals. Then make your way to The Divine in Haggerston, a beloved venue known for drag shows and queer cabaret. At sister venues Dalston Superstore and The Karaoke Hole , you can sing your heart out to your favourite gay anthems.

London has the most fabulous queer community. Turn up with an open heart and mind, and you’ll end up loving this city as much as I do.

- Chris Hill , a creative director, writer and producer, currently working on international drag festival Queen of the Palace

Sydney

Growing up closeted in regional Queensland in the 1990s, I used to dream about what it would be like to be openly gay in a city like Sydney. Eventually, like a stunning lesbian butterfly emerging from her cocoon (and immediately getting an undercut), I came to live that dream. 

When you think of queer Sydney, you might just think of Mardi Gras season, where there are arguably too many parties and good times. But that’s not all. The city offers plenty of jolly gay times all year round. One of my favourite places is The Bearded Tit in Redfern, a bar and art space that has events all week – from Queer Trivia Tuesdays to Sad Dyke Sundays. For a perfect evening, order something delicious from the nearby Bart Jr , a queer-owned restaurant named after a frisky neighbourhood cat. 

If you find yourself in Darlinghurst at sunset, grab an outdoor seat at Cafe Freda’s for people-watching near the big rainbow crossing at Taylor Square. Later, head to old-school clubs like Palms on Oxford to dance to ’80s and ’90s music. Or, for perfectly made drinks, head to Archie Rose gin distillery and bar in Rosebery before catching a live performance at the Red Rattler Theatre in Marrickville, a not-for-profit creative space and home to alternative queer performance and some of the city’s best parties.

One of my favourite activities is just walking around Newtown and Enmore, two of the city’s most LGBT+-friendly neighbourhoods, and popping into bars and shops, including Newtown’s Max Black , one of the first female- and LGBT+-welcoming adult stores in Sydney. 

Living in Sydney and discovering its diverse queer community and culture helped me find a sense of belonging. It’s a place where I am accepted for who I am. I hope you’ll feel the same when you visit.

- Rebecca Shaw , a writer, comedian, podcaster and creator of the parody X account @notofeminism

New York

The Big Apple is one of the world’s most LGBT-friendly cities. In my 12 years here, I have immersed myself in the community and found the city to be a welcoming metropolis.

Across New York’s five boroughs, you’ll find a multicultural, diverse and thriving LGBT+ scene, and the city proudly wears its reputation as a beacon of progress and equality. Individuality is not only embraced here but celebrated. 

New York blends thriving nightlife and dining with historic landmarks and museums, and there’s no shortage of eclectic things to do. The Museum of Sex , for example, is a cultural oasis with a portion of exhibits dedicated to the LGBT+ community.

Any LGBT+ tour should start at the iconic The Stonewall Inn in Manhattan’s West Village, where your cocktail will come with a side of history. Book onto one of the Christopher Street Tours , an LGBT+ tour company that shares stories of the original gay district in the city. 

Head towards Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen for more nightlife and dining. Standout options include gay sports bars such as Gym Sportsbar and Boxer’s . When it comes to restaurants, check out Jungle Bird , which serves South East Asian and Californian cuisine and fabulous cocktails – it becomes a particular hotspot during their annual Pride celebration.

Let’s round out our tour in Harlem. Brunch Harlem is an LGBT-, Black-, and female-owned eatery with equally great food, cocktails and conversation. Knock back mixed drinks while dancing to groovy tunes at the gay-owned Lambda Lounge . The owners also run Club Lambda , where you can dance the night away if you find yourself in Brooklyn instead.

New York City is most certainly a premier destination for the LGBT+ community, offering a sanctuary where all are free to express themselves. 

- Kelsey Minor , a double Emmy-winning journalist, author and host of #KelseyConvos on Instagram 

Bangkok

Bangkok has a creative and inclusive community of LGBT+ people, and the city is home to people from around Thailand and the world. Diversity is embraced, meaning all walks of life and beliefs co-exist here harmoniously. 

I don’t need to go to particular places to be myself, even though there are some amazing areas for LGBT+ nightlife and entertainment, like Silom, where cabaret and drag shows abound. Members of the community can freely express themselves and expect a warm welcome everywhere.

In March, the draft marriage equality bill was passed by the House of Representatives, making Thailand set to become the first South East Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage. Pride events in Thailand are woven with spirituality: the Maha Uma Devi Temple, aka Wat Khaek, was the starting point of their 2022 Pride festival, and you’ll find Buddhist and Hindu beliefs represented throughout the community. Join them in making offerings to deities in the city’s many temples and wish for both a wonderful trip and a rich life. 

High-end rooftop bars are a key part of Bangkok nightlife, and you’ll find no end of places to party in prime gay quarters like Silom. But to enrich your visit and appreciation for the local way of life, I recommend going for a walk through quieter neighbourhoods, like Talad Noi, which is filled with cafés. Greet locals as they carry out their daily activities and head to the Chao Phraya River, where there are several unique bars. I like the retro Hong Sieng Kong for a cosy drink among antique Chinese furniture and the sound of acoustic guitar.

As a transgender activist living in Bangkok, campaigning for the improvement of the LGBT community is my way of giving back to a place where I’ve always felt I belong.

- Prempreeda Pramoj , a researcher and activist, Bangkok-based Prem campaigns for sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in Asia Pacific.