Are you a gay? Are you gay, and you love to travel? Do you watch Emily in Paris? If you’ve answered yes to at least one of these questions, you qualify to take this *test* to find out how gay your passport really is.
As a gay globetrotter myself, I know how important it is to find community abroad. While we’re lucky to house some of the gayest cities in Canada (major cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are g-g-g-gay, for example), but haven’t you ever wanted to see more of what the world has to offer?
Luckily for you, I’ve devised this fun and foolproof checklist to gauge how gay your passport is, and — most importantly — if are you an aisle, middle or window seat? (Probably power-aisle.)
Related: Here is your destination guide for LGBTQ2S+ travellers.
Level 1: New York City, United States
Are you even surprised NYC made the list? The home of Broadway, Ballroom and birthplace of Lady Gaga makes New York a queer capital by right. Every queer and their straight gal pal have visited NYC’s Greenwich Village and watched Bob the Drag Queen perform at least once. Not to mention the proximity to Fire Island — which needs no introduction.
See also: The 10 best places to travel in February outside of Canada.
Level 2 – Palm Springs, United States
Rightfully dubbed by many as the gayest city in the world, Palm Springs is for the gays that already ran through NYC (if you know what I mean) and are looking for a little R&R in the California sun. Palm Springs is also where you can spot some would-be or wannabe celebs for some cute selfies — just don’t forget to tag them.
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Level 3 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
If you haven’t spent a week in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, are you even living? I mean yes technically, but spiritually you need some fun in the sun. This city is for the gays that can’t commit to travelling outside of what their TikTok FYP tells them to visit (which isn’t a bad thing if you’re into circuit parties and Grindr).
Related: Top travel trends we predict will be everywhere this year.
Level 4 – Barcelona, Spain
Now we’re talking. Barcelona might just be the gayest city in Europe and we’re not complaining. From the delicious food, to sprawling nightlife and hot locals – what’s not to love? The gays who visit Barcelona tend to be the “safe” travellers – appreciating simplicity and proximity over adventure and intrigue (no offense).
See also: I tried 5 easy travel tips — and levelled-up my flight experience.
Level 5 – Lisbon, Portugal
The name Lisbon makes me think of the word lesbian, and if Lisbon is a Lesbian and God is a Woman, then Portugal must be heaven by that logic. We stan this up-and-coming queer city with as much conviction as Jen Shah’s prison sentence. Gays who travel here tend to have an appreciation for art, colour and the sex drive of Portuguese men.
Related: 10 carry-on luggage options under $175.
Level 6 – Valletta, Malta
Maybe you’ve never heard of this Mediterranean hideaway, but did you know it’s one of the most queer-friendly cities in the world? Unlike your recent Google searches, the history of Malta can’t be erased, with buildings dating back to the time of the Romans – many of whom were also gay (looking at you, Julius Caesar).
See also: 10 Gen Z queer icons you need to know.
Level 7 – Berlin, Germany
TikTok is loving Berlin style right now, and for good reason. The punk/goth era of fashion is making a well deserved comeback for the alternative gays with the recent release of Wednesday. E-girls, E-boys and E-theys are the hot topics (not that hot topic) right now, and we couldn’t be happier. Berlin is for the gays that are ahead of their time, full of angst and still love Skrillex.
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Level 8 – Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is somewhat of an enigma for many queer people. For many, it’s not publicly the most tolerant place to be, but privately it can be one of the best parties you’ll ever experience in your life. The city houses some of Asia’s best nightlife performers, and with a name like “Bangkok,” the material basically writes itself. The gays who visit Bangkok typically love high performance art, fresh coconut and G-strings on the beach.
See also: LGBTQ2+ celebs leading the way for positive representation.
Level 9 – Florianopolis, Brazil
Everything about this city is gay, from the ever-present booty shorts to the coastal sunshine – it’s basically Fire Island, but better. Brazil is known for having a large, out and proud queer population, with Florianopolis acting as its metropolitan matriarch of sorts. The gays who visit this tiny island are usually adventurous, fun-loving and aren’t afraid to try something new — and we love them for it.
You may also like: Here’s how to save money on your 2023 travels.
Level 10 – Tokyo, Japan
This city has some boss-level energy. Everyone knows about Tokyo, but did you know they have one of the largest queer populations in all of Asia? I’m reminded of this fact each time a Japanese anime introduces a new character. Most of the queer nightlife is tucked away in pop-clubs and boutique bars, which makes being gay in Japan all the more mysterious. Gays who visit Tokyo are the most inquisitive in the community – yearning to understand all the different cultural facets of what it means to be gay.
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Keep in mind before you book your next trip…
It’s important to note that the above list is not exhaustive, and it’s impossible to generalize or fully anticipate the level of tolerance and safety for queer people anywhere. Many countries in the world have LGBTQ2S+-friendly cities, whereas the country’s laws or suburban areas do not have the same level of tolerance. It’s important to stay vigilant, stay safe, know the laws of the country you’re visiting, but most of all, don’t compromise who you are.
