As LGBT couples shop for gay wedding rings and walk down the aisle in record numbers this season, many have been checking out Gay Pride Parades when thinking about where to spend their honeymoon. If you’re ready to get out and march while celebrating your wedding, consider one if these five cities with pride rallies sure to please.
Columbus, Ohio
If you think Ohio is just for corn and football guess again. Every year, downtown the capital city of Oho becomes a mecca for the LGBT community in the tri-state area. The city puts out banners and decorates light posts throughout the Downtown and Short North celebrating LGBT culture. George Takei was the Grand Marshall of the parade in 2014 and each year, the LGBT community works with local venues and Stonewall Columbus to host a number of events around the time of the parade in June. Special events include brunches, film screening, bike marathons, 5k runs and Bat n’ Rouge, a softball game for drag queens and kings. The support the LGBT community sees from the surrounding community and local government has made Columbus a vibrant, gay-friendly destination.
San Francisco, California
A list like this just wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the city that is the generally accepted capital of Gay, USA. Not surprisingly, San Francisco goes all out when it comes to celebrating Gay Pride. In keeping with their Haight-Ashbury roots, the San Francisco LGBT community often couples political revolution with their annual pride rally. For the 2016 celebration, they’ve chosen to highlight the work that needs to be done to achieve racial and economic equality on the world stage as well as within the LGBT community. For travelers who want a cause they can sink their teeth into while touring one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, San Francisco is the perfect choice.
New York City, New York
San Francisco may be the top cultural capital in the gay community, but New York City is where the fight for equal rights galvanized in the LGBT Community. Home of the original Stonewall Riots in 1969, the pride parade in NYC is a rite of passage for many members of the LGBT Community. Almost 50 years later, the city that never sleeps has become a global destination for the LGBT community during Pride. The city hosts dozens of LGBT events throughout the month ranging from adults-only entertainment like Graffiti parties and burlesque shows to brunches for business leaders and family movie nights. As with anything else in New York – it doesn’t matter what your style, your taste or your craving – there’s something to please everyone.
Washington DC
It says a lot that our nation’s capital has become a hotbed of LGBT pride over the past few years. It’s been ranked in the Top 5 largest LGBT pride events and Capital Pride, as it’s called, certainly lives up to its name. While there are events hosted by various organizations throughout the month, Capital Pride encompasses the parade, festival and concert that highlights to LGBT month. For the 2016 Pride concert, Capital Pride Alliance boasts headlining acts such as Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, DJ Andre Gutarra, Ella Fitzgerald and Meghan Trainor.
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon is known for many things – its eclectic community, its love of bicycles and, increasingly, its Pride Celebrations. This year Portland rolled out the red carpet and is hosting a number of events in addition to their impressive parade and LGBT festival. Since Portland celebrates all month long, it’s perfectly timed for couples looking for the perfect LGBT friendly honeymoon destination.Throughout the month of June the City of Roses will host a Glow Run for charity, special pride marches for Dykes and Trans people in addition to their LGBT parade, a comedy showcase and a meet and greet with local LGBT authors.
