The 4 Most LGBT-Friendly Destinations in the US

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 2:00 PM ET, Fri September 16, 2016

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico's status as an elite LGBT destination has been well-documented over the years. But now the Mexican resort town has some new competition from a handful of U.S. cities.

A recent survey from popular gay dating app Scruff revealed Ogunquit, Maine, Delaware's Rehoboth Beach, Saugatuck, Michigan and Salt Lake City to be among the most gay-friendly travel destinations on the planet.

The study, which was based on more than 1,330 responses reflecting users opinions on safety, revealed Puerto Vallarta and Tel Aviv, Israel to be the top cities, followed by Ogunquit and Lisbon, Portugal.

Tying for third place were Rehoboth Beach and Saugatuck, while Salt Lake City rounded out the top five alongside Willimstead, Curacao and Cape Town, South Africa.

Ogunquit, Maine

While overshadowed by New England's big cities and other popular summer vacation destinations, Ogunquit, Maine, has long been a favorite among the LGBT community. After all, the town's village area is home to a handful of LGBT-owned and -operated hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Another summer resort town situated on the Atlantic Coast, Rehoboth Beach is home to beautiful beaches and a lively boardwalk boasting a plethora of dining options, shops and other attractions that draw travelers from all walks of life.

[READMORE] READ MORE: First LGBT Monument in US Established in New York City [/READMORE]

"It's not a 'them' or an 'us,' but a 'we,'" CAMP Rehoboth co-founder Steve Elkins told the Cape Gazette in discussing Rehoboth's position on Scruff's list.

Saugatuck, Michigan

With a population of less than 1,000, Saugatuck relies heavily on tourism and draws visitors from all over thanks to its impressive selection of more than a dozen art galleries. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from.

Salt Lake City, Utah

By far the largest U.S. city to make Scruff's list, Utah's capital of Salt Lake City is home to the annual Utah Pride Festival each June as well as the Utah Pride Center, a nonprofit organization providing services, events and other activities to members of the LGBT community.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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