Michigan Town Among Best LGBTQ-Friendly Places In The U.S.

Travelers often seek the comfort of feeling welcomed, no matter their sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. Some of the best travel destinations for the LGBTQ community are those where they not only feel accepted but celebrated. These are places where they can engage with locals and other visitors and enjoy their experience without fear of judgment, as everyone should be able to do wherever they go.

Ahead of Pride Month, Best Life, a lifestyle magazine, compiled a list of the best LGBTQ-friendly towns in the U.S., where members of the community and allies will "feel right at home."

Many towns come to mind when you think of LGBTQ-friendly in Michigan, like Ann Arbor, Ferndale, or East Lansing. But the town that made the list of the best LGBTQ-friendly towns in the U.S. is Saugatuck. On the town's official website, it says, "LGBTQ Getaway."

Their website continues to say, "For decades, our residents have welcomed LGBTQ visitors with open arms, making Saugatuck and Douglas the most gay-friendly small towns in Michigan. We are proud of our reputation as a place where people from all walks of life can come and find themselves simply by being who they are."

LGBTQ Travel blogger @courtneytheexplorer's created a video recommending "gay things to do" in Saugatuck, which include staying at the LGBTQIA+ resort The Dunes Resort and having lunch at Guardian Brewing Company.

First up on their list is Asbury Park, New Jersey. It's been crowned the best LGBTQ-friendly town in the U.S. "The LGBTQ community found a place for themselves in this coastal spot, which is now home to top-rated restaurants, bars, and hotels," the outlet said. They also highlighted the annual Jersey Pride LGBTQ+ parade and festival that’s been held there since 1992.

This year, New Jersey’s 32nd Annual Statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration will be held in person on Sunday, June 2. It’s the “largest, and oldest, LGBTQ Pride Celebration in the garden state,” with attendance under normal circumstances surpassing 20,000, according to their website.

Following behind Asbury Park is Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The outlet points out that this town has a “huge queer” population and representation. "Most of its population identifies as LGBTQIA+, and it's such a progressive oasis in a red area. Rainbow flags all around the historic downtown, a rainbow staircase that's popular for photos, and Eureka Live is a huge gay club right in the middle of it all, with drag queens regularly traveling from throughout the region to perform, Matt Kirouac, a travel writer told the outlet.

Wrapping up the top 3 is New Hope, Pennsylvania. In Bucks County, the town promotes that they “welcome visitors of all backgrounds and sexual orientation to visit and we are committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity throughout the County. 

New Hope wrapped up its annual PrideFest Celebration on May 19. This festival features a grand parade with over 1,000 participants beginning in Lambertville, NJ, and crossing over the Delaware River into New Hope.

The weeklong festivities include special events, parties, and educational activities.

Take a look at their complete list of the best LGBTQ-friendly towns in the U.S. here.