Today, we decided to present you with the best cities for LGBT families.
The way we look at people who belong to the LGBT community can depend on our culture, tradition, and belief. Nevertheless, not all people from the same ethnic group share the same views on this topic. That is because even those that share the same tradition and culture can be very different, and also because life can make you question your beliefs and the things you have been taught. By this, we mean the situations when you are almost forced to accept the things you didn’t before, like when you find out that someone very close to you is a member of the LGBT community. Finding out that a good friend or a relative that you love is gay, is the most powerful thing that can make any person who previously frowned upon homosexuality, now accept it as something normal.
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Naturally, not all the people react the same in these cases. There are those who will even turn their backs on family. That’s why the LBGT community had and still has to fight for their rights. It was a tough start for them, but if it weren’t for the determined gay people who stood up to fight for their rights, same-sex marriage wouldn’t have been recognized. The number of people stepping forward and accepting their true self is rising, as evidenced by these 10 Countries with the Biggest Gay Populations in the World.
The most talented, creative, giving, and forgiving people I know belong to the LGBT group. How do I know that? My closest of friends are gays and lesbians, and, I can honestly say that they are the best support system I ever had next to my family. They also give the most useless advice you would ever hear, but when you listen between their words, you will realize that it makes sense. Their beautiful souls make the world brighter.
Gathering the cities from the most gay-friendly, with the most LGBT population, and with the most LGBT rights, we were able to come up with our list of best cities for LGBT families. Since we are talking about family, we also checked their rights in each city like same-sex marriage recognition and child adoption. Without further ado, we bring you the list of the best places to live in if you are part of the LGBT family.
10. London, United Kingdom
We are starting off our list of best cities for LGBT families with London, which is a well-known LGBT tourism destination, but in 1967, homosexual acts were treated as illegal here. In 2005, gay couples were allowed to adopt children. Eventually, same-sex marriage was allowed in 2014. The right to change legal gender, meaning amending the sex on birth certificates is also now allowed. Gay people can openly serve in the UK military service since 2000. You may want to prepare early for their Pride Festival in London starting on June 24, 2017. The parade and main events will be held on July 8, 2017.
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9. San Francisco, California
The Castro District, or simply The Castro, was one of the first gay villages in San Francisco. This gay village is one of their prominent symbols of LGBT activism in the world. Same-sex marriage and even domestic partnerships are performable and recognized in the state. LGBT couples may adopt jointly and may also have step adoptions. San Francisco Pride Festival with will be held on June 24-25, 2017. Book your tickets as early as now!
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8. New York City, New York
Naturally, New York City is also on our list of the best cities for LGBT families. The Big Apple allowed same-sex marriages back in 2011. They do not require gender surgery confirmation for changing the sex on their birth certificates. Discrimination and harassment of the people belonging to the LGBT community were banned in both private and public sectors, and New York is the first one to do that in the United States. LGBT couples are allowed by the law to petition for adoption. You may check The Center for scheduled calendar of activities of the LGBT community in New York.
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7. Toronto, Canada
Toronto ranks 7th on our list of best cities for LGBT families. It has various itineraries for the LGBT people, may it be a romantic getaway or a wild weekend. You may always choose among many gay friendly restaurants or gay bars and party all night. Back in 2005, in Toronto, same-sex marriage was finally recognized. LGBT couples may legally adopt here, but the regulations vary in some provinces. Ever since 1992 gay and transgender people are allowed to serve in the Canadian Forces. You may want to check out main gayborhood in Toronto, Church and Wellesley. Toronto encourages gay-straight alliances in schools which benefit the LGBT youth as well as the adopted kids of gay couples.
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6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
In 1946, one of the first gay rights organizations was founded in Amsterdam. They even built a homomonument to pay tribute to the many gays and lesbians who lost their lives during World War II. Same-sex marriage was recognized in 2001, and the couples may jointly adopt. People from the LGBT community are allowed to serve in the military. Next Amsterdam Gay Pride annual celebration will be held starting on July 28, 2017.
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5. Tel Aviv, Israel
While most of us would think Israel is quite strict when it comes to LGBT issues, the truth is quite the opposite. They are one of the friendliest when it comes to gay culture. Tel Aviv will celebrate its annual Gay Pride celebration on July 4, 2017. The city also has a gay beach that earned it the title of “The Gay Capital of Middle East”, while also being tagged as “The City that Never Sleeps”. Just like Amsterdam, they also built a monument to the gay victims of the Holocaust. Even without the surgery, people here can legally change their sex on official documents. Same-sex couples may jointly adopt, and same-sex marriages performed outside of Israel have been recognized since 2006, while civil unions for non-religious couples were recognized in 2010.
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4. Paris, France
Paris ranks 4th on our list of best cities for LGBT families. Moreover, France is well known for its romantic ambiance, especially its capital, Paris, where the LGBT community is centered. Like other cities on our list, Paris also has an annual Gay Pride celebration held at every end of June. They call it Marche des Fiertés LGBT. Same-sex marriage was recognized in 2013 and LGBT individuals as well as couples are allowed to adopt here. They are also allowed to serve in the military service. Paris has a main gayborhood and it is Le Marais. They have clubs, bars, hotels, shops and other commercial businesses fit for LGBT individuals.
3. Barcelona, Spain
LGBT community in Barcelona stood up to fight for their rights in 1970. In 2005, same-sex marriage was recognized as well as adoption. Barcelona is tagged as “The Gay Capital of Southern Europe”, having scheduled activities for gay events like the Barcelona Pride, which will be held on July 8, 2017. Their discrimination protection focuses on sexual orientation and gender identity.
2. Los Angeles, California
Aside from San Francisco, another city from California made it to our list of the best cities for LGBT families, and that is Los Angeles. Well known for being Hollywood’s location, Los Angeles is also a popular destination for the LGBT community. Annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade is held in West Hollywood every June.
1. Berlin, Germany
And the first place on our list of 10 best cities for LGBT families goes to Berlin. It was considered as “Gay Capital of Europe” in 1920’s. The biggest and also the first in the world gay district located in Berlin is Schöneberg. In Berlin, registered partnerships were recognized in 2001, and gay couples may adopt children. Most LGBT businesses in Berlin like bars, shops, clubs, and restaurants are concentrated in Schöneberg. The Berlin Pride Festival is celebrated every end of June each year. This is commonly known as CSD Berlin in which CSD stands for Christopher Street Day. The first LGBT refugee center was opened in Berlin intended for LGBT migrants coming from the countries where their sexual orientation is considered a crime.
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