Dublin has officially entered its main character energy era, landing the number two spot on Big 7 Travel’s 2025 list of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities globally. The Irish capital, long known for its pubs, poets and political neutrality, is now raising a pint to Pride with this international recognition — and the timing couldn’t be better, as the country doubles down on queer inclusion.
Coming in just behind Lisbon, Portugal, Dublin’s second-place title isn’t just a happy accident. The city — and Ireland as a whole — has been on a rainbow-fueled mission with its “Making Ireland the Best Place in Europe to be LGBTQI+” initiative. That bold name says it all. The campaign, launched by LGBT Ireland, is pushing hard from 2023 to 2027, with a focus on research, awareness training, and confronting anti-trans sentiment head-on. You love to see it.
From Marriage Equality to Global Recognition
Let’s not forget — Ireland was the first country in the world to pass marriage equality through a public vote. That was in 2015, and it sent a loud, clear message: Ireland wasn’t just changing, it was evolving. Since then, the nation has seen waves of progress, but LGBTQ advocates aren’t satisfied with the glittery optics. They’re pushing for hate crime legislation that actually works, a full-on ban on conversion therapy, and real, not token, queer inclusion in schools. Because rainbows are cute, but policy is power.
Adam Long of Ireland’s National LGBT Federation put it plainly: “We now need to see further progress… including a full ban on so-called conversion therapy and proactive LGBT+ inclusion in all our schools.” Facts.
And while Dublin is leading the queer parade, it’s worth noting the other cities bringing their own pride game. Porto snatched third place, followed by London, Madrid, and Berlin. Amsterdam, San Francisco, Toronto, and Sydney also made Big 7’s top ten. Clearly, the global gaydar is pinging strong.
A Country’s Pride Goes Beyond a Parade
Ireland’s push for LGBTQ+ visibility isn’t just PR sparkle — it’s showing up in real stories. Earlier this month, Mark O’Meara, head of the Garda Representative Association (a.k.a. the Irish police union), came out publicly, encouraging others to live authentically. That’s not just symbolic — it’s revolutionary in a country where tradition still echoes in some corners.
For LGBTQ travelers, Dublin isn’t just a place to visit — it’s becoming a place to feel seen. Whether you’re sipping a Guinness in Temple Bar, watching a drag queen dance in Dame Lane, or marching down O’Connell Street in heels that scream “resistance,” Dublin is showing that inclusivity isn’t a one-month deal. It’s an identity.
And for the global LGBTQ community, this recognition is more than a ranking — it’s a reminder that progress is possible, even in places with complicated histories. As other European cities wrestle with rising conservatism and anti-trans backlash, Dublin’s glow-up is a call to action and a glittery example of what commitment to equity really looks like.
So yeah, Lisbon might have taken the crown, but Dublin? She’s coming for that sash.