Is california lgbtq friendly
LGBTQ
For decades, West Hollywood has been house to one of the largest annual Pride celebrations in the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. This year, WeHo Celebration Weekend will grab place May 31 – June 2, with a host of activities, including the WeHo LGBTQ Arts Festival, OUTLOUD Raising Voices Harmony Festival, WeHo Self-acceptance Parade and many more.
West Hollywood is the epicenter of LGBTQ culture in Southern California, and is proud that more than 40% of the city’s population identifies as LGBTQ. Visitors will find 20 hotels, located in a safe, welcoming urban environment that was built on the needs and interests of the community.
For LGBTQ travelers, here’s a lot to love about West Hollywood, including one of the world’s most vibrant LGBTQ nightlife scenes, sleek designer hotels and easy access to the countless cultural and sightseeing landmarks in nearby Los Angeles.
Top Attractions & Things to Do
West Hollywood is bursting with LGBTQ-friendly restaurants, local coffee shops, indulgent day spas, sensational shopping and outstanding art galleries.
Don’t miss the West Hollywood Design District, home to more than 300 art galleries, fashion boutiques,
In California’s conservative Orange County, a vibrant Queer society thrives.
Palm trees. Golden Coast. The anchor of the Blue Wall of the West. Southern California has one of the most iconic reputations in the travel industry and is widely considered a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ travelers. But then there’s Orange County, a.k.a. the place President Ronald Reagan said, “Good Republicans go to die.” It’s a country of Trump luncheons, decades of John Birch Culture influence, and the Orange Curtain–a Cold War nickname for the border between L.A. County and Orange County. To quote the fictional Luke Ward of Newport Beach, “Welcome to The O.C., bitch!”
It’s not all communist conspiracy theories and alt-right evangelicals. This is the county of America’s first major theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, and America’s most legendary theme park, Disneyland. And in 2016, Orange County voted for Hillary Clinton–the first time the county had voted blue in nearly a century. Then, in 2018, all county congressional seats were flipped by Democrats. However, some of those seats are now back to red, and at most of the state/county/city level, The O.C. is still burning red. As Gustavo Arellano wrote for
California's Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities
Seventeen California cities have earned flawless scores (100/100) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for inclusive policies and services toward the LGBTQ community.
This is the eleventh year that the HRC has released its Municipal Equality Index. In 2022, the average city score jumped to 68, which is an all-time high. For five consecutive years, the average score has been rising.
Across the country, there were 120 cities that earned matchless scores, up from 110 last year. A total of 188 cities now offer transgender-inclusive health care benefits to city employees. Another 41 cities possess passed legislation banning gay conversion therapy.
Below is a list of California cities that scored 100 out of 100 points for LGBTQ-friendly policies and services:
1. Berkeley
2. Cathedral City
3. Chula Vista
4. Dublin
5. Irvine
6. Long Beach
7. Los Angeles
8. Oakland
9. Oceanside
10. Palm Springs
11. Rancho Mirage
12. Riverside
13. Sacramento
14. San Diego
15. San Francisco
Snapshot: LGBTQ Equality by State
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) tracks over 50 different LGBTQ-related laws and policies. This chart shows the overall policy tallies (as distinct from sexual orientation or gender identity tallies) for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five populated U.S. territories. A state’s policy tally scores the laws and policies within each state that shape LGBTQ people's lives, experiences, and equality. The major categories of laws covered by the policy tally include: Relationship & Parental Recognition, Nondiscrimination, Religious Exemptions, LGBTQ Youth, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Identity Documents.
Click on any state to view its detailed policy tally and state profile, or click "Choose an Issue" above to view maps on over 50 diverse LGBTQ-related laws and policies.
High Overall Policy Tally (15 states + D.C.)
Medium Overall Policy Tally (5 states)
Fair Overall Policy Tally (3 states, 2 territories)
Low Overall Policy Tally (10 states, 3 territories)
Negative Overall Policy Tally (17 states)
The Top 7 Gay Warm Small Towns in California
When most people think about moving to California as an LGBTQ+ person, their minds often jump linear to big cities favor San Francisco, Los Angeles, or maybe even San Diego. And yes, those cities are iconic for a reason. But what if you crave something a little slower, quieter, and more community-driven? The good news is that there are plenty of gay friendly small towns in California that present a welcoming vibe without the buzz of municipality traffic or sky-high rent.
Whether you're dreaming of retiring somewhere peaceful, working remotely with a mountain view, or starting fresh in a town that truly feels like home, California has small towns that tick every box. These hidden gems combine charm, inclusivity, and lifestyle perks that are perfect for anyone exploring LGBTQ+ miniature towns in CA.
So take your favorite beverage, obtain comfy, and let’s grab a tour of the most inviting small towns California has to offer.
Why Consider a Small Town?
Life in a small town has its perks. We’re talking wide open spaces, friendly neighbors, and a sense of community you just don’t get in the big cities. Many people are surp