Gay-friendly towns in west virginia

11 gay-friendly small cities in big red states

While large cities in blue states — like Fresh York and San Francisco — are well known for their LGBTQ inclusivity, accepting environments can now be create across the territory, even in some unexpected places.

The Human Rights Campaign’s annual Municipal Equality Index rated more than 500 cities and towns based on how inclusive their municipal laws, policies and services are of the LGBTQ people who inhabit and work there. Each municipality was rated on a scale of 0 to 100 based on 49 unlike criteria including nondiscrimination laws and “city leadership’s public position on equality.”

This year’s report heralded 88 cities with a perfect score of 100, and many of the index's high-scoring municipalities can be found in states not typically thought of as being inclusive to lesbian, gay, double attraction, transgender and gender non-conforming people.

Here are 11 small cities (less than 200,000 residents) in red states (those that haven’t voted for a Democrat for president in the 21st Century) that scored at least an 80 on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index.

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Columbia, Missouri

MEI score: 100, Population: 122,000

The Midwestern town is dwelling to the University

The 10 LGBTQ-Friendly Cities for Retirement in 2024

 

For LGBTQ seniors, discovery a welcoming and inclusive retirement community that embraces diversity and fosters a sense of belonging is paramount. Outside of opting for LGBTQ or lgbtq+ retirement communities, LGBTQ seniors will also want to evaluate the culture and setting of the surrounding city. But what makes a city truly LGBTQ-friendly, and how does that intersect with cities famous for their desirability as retirement destinations?  To support you get started on your search for your ideal retirement community, we’ve compiled our list of 2024’s best places for LGBTQ retirement and outlined the top factors you’ll want to consider. 

Merging the Data: Pairing Gay-Friendly Cities & Retirement Hotspots

Our list of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities for retirees in 2024 was created through the analysis of several resources, including The Journal of Consumer Affairs’ 2024 list of LGBTQ-friendly cities, Senior Advice’s 2019 describe on the best LGBTQ-friendly destinations for seniors, and Realtor’s Top 10 Retirement Towns for 2024.Collectively, these resources considered more than 100 metrics, such as:

 

  • The Hu

    Great Places in West Virginia for LGBTQ Families

    Are you considering a move to West Virginia? If you’re looking to relocate to a city where LGBTQ families are not just accepted, but welcomed, there are a few diverse places to contemplate. West Virginia overall is known as a friendly, accepting state, so you don’t necessarily possess to avoid any certain places. However, it’s always superb to live in a city that values all of its residents equally. Here are some places where you’ll find that.

    Athens

    Athens is a small college town where many people’s lives revolve around Concord University and the events on campus. Even though it’s little, it’s considered a gorgeous hidden paradise. Bush Creek Falls provides an astonishing outdoor experience, and there are plenty of places to hike and picnic. The university puts on a number of different events throughout the year, and the town is home to a functional drive-in movie theater. Local ordinances protect people from discrimination based on orientation.

    Morgantown

    Is Athens a bit too small for you? Morgantown is a nice mid-sized municipality with around 30,000 full-time residents plus another 25,000 students. It’s another college town, so you hav

    gay-friendly towns in west virginia

    Small towns are all about your neighbors, and when big hearts are unseal on Main Street, everyone benefits. We’re happy to share this listing of the best small towns for LGBTQ+ folks in the U.S. because we know home is where we can be ourselves. In these small-scale burgs, gay-owned businesses abound—or maybe there’s just one, and that’s okay. Besides annual Pride celebrations, there are events around the rainbow community like drag shows, book clubs, and history tours. And if you’re not lucky enough to live in one of these towns, gay travelers are welcomed with gay-friendly accommodations. Time to manual a visit!

    RECOMMENDED:

    🌈 The foremost cities to celebrate Gay rights
    🕺 The best gay clubs and bars in America

    Been there, done that? Reflect again, my friend.

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    Best LGBTQ+-friendly miniature towns in the USA

    1. Lexington, Kentuck

    Queer-Friendly Small Towns in the USA

    So, you’re on the hunt for a queer-friendly small town, a cozy little place where rainbows don’t just appear after it rains. It needs to be different from “the usual places,” and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day animation. Well, say no more and look no further! Here’s our list of the top 20 top gay-friendly small towns across the USA. Get ready to pack your bags and plan a attend to these LGBTQ+ kind “familiar and not-so-familiar” miniature towns!  

    Asbury Park, New Jersey

    Population: 15,188

    One of New Jersey’s gayest cities, and located along the Jersey shore, Asbury Park’s queer scene is as genuine as it gets. You can stroll along the boardwalk or dance the nighttime away at one of its gay bars, knowing you’ve found a place where you can be exactly who you are. While there’s no “official” gay beach, the stretch between 4th and 5th Avenues is where you want to set up camp.

    Berea, Kentucky

    Population: 15,539

    This college town in the heart of Kentucky mirrors the spirit of Barea College, known for its Liberal Arts program. In the community, Berea Pride is on the forefront of visibility, acceptance, an