New York City is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the world - and there’s no denying it’s a special place for queer people. If you’re a gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or queer traveler looking for a city that has it all, check out one of these: There are, of course, many more such hot spots around the world, but these are my favorites because of their history of activism, the number of diverse LGBTQ events they host, and the fact that they’re just really cool cities. Using some of my favorite LGBTQ travel resources, I’ve compiled this list of 12 great gay-friendly destinations. Many cities really strut their LGBTQ history and queer identity. And as the Orlando Pulse shooting reminded us, clubs are still important places to find culture and community. I’ve marched and danced in Gay Pride parades from Sydney to Stockholm and been to more queer music festivals than I ever even imagined existed. I’ve been traveling around the world since 2009 and have visited some of the world’s most popular LGBTQ-friendly destinations along the way. While there have been ups and downs in the political movement for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) equality, major cities still provide the safest and friendliest spots for members of these communities. The great thing about travel today is that more of the world is accessible and open - no matter your sexuality or gender identity. Returning this month is our column leader, Adam from. In this column, we hear from voices in the LGBTQ community about their experiences on the road, safety tips, events, and overall advice for other LGBTQ travelers. I’ve added an LGBTQ column to the website to make it more inclusive and talk about issues that affect some members of our community.