San Francisco has clinched the title of the most LGBTQ-friendly city in the United States, according to a recent study conducted by real estate website Clever. The comprehensive study ranked US cities based on various LGBTQ+ metrics, including the size of the queer population, access to gender-affirming healthcare providers, anti-trans legislation, the presence of Pride events, the existence of “Don’t Say Gay” laws, and LGBTQ+ venues.
The city, often described as a “welcoming and diverse haven,” secured the top spot due to its vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife and inclusive laws. San Francisco boasts a significant number of gay bars, contributing to its status as a lively hub for LGBTQ+ culture. The study also highlighted the city’s inclusivity, with only 12 percent of San Franciscans opposing non-discrimination laws for LGBTQ Americans—37 percent lower than the national average, as per the Clever website.
Hartford, Connecticut, emerged as the second most LGBTQ-friendly city on the list, praised for having the lowest percentage of people opposing same-sex marriage. Las Vegas, Nevada, took the third spot. Notably, California featured prominently in the rankings, with Los Angeles, San Diego, and the state capital Sacramento all securing places in the top 10. The study declared California as the most LGBTQ-friendly state, citing its near-perfect equality tally score, an attractive factor for LGBTQ Americans considering relocating to more inclusive states.
Surprisingly, New York City did not make it to the top 10, ranking at number 20. The study cited New York State’s lower-than-average number of gender-affirming healthcare providers as a contributing factor.
However, not all US cities shared the same level of LGBTQ+ friendliness. In the bottom 10 rankings, Memphis, Tennessee, was rated the least LGBTQ-friendly, followed by Houston, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida. Southern states, including Florida, Texas, and Missouri, appeared multiple times in the bottom 10, partly due to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Despite these challenges, the report highlighted the resilience and “glimmers of hope” in some of the cities in the bottom 10. For instance, Houston is home to Pearl Bar, one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the country.
The study’s findings shed light on the complex landscape of LGBTQ+ acceptance and rights across the United States, as organizations like the Human Rights Campaign continue to battle against a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, with over 550 bills introduced in state legislatures, 225 of which aim to restrict the rights of transgender individuals.
Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the United States
- San Francisco, California
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Portland, Oregon
- Denver, Colorado
- Los Angeles, California
- San Diego, California
- Sacramento, California
- Chicago, Illinois
- New Orleans, Louisiana
Least LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the United States
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Houston, Texas
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Miami, Florida
- Dallas, Texas
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Tampa, Florida
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Kansas City, Missouri