June marks Pride Month, largely credited to bisexual activist Brenda Howard who organized Gay Pride Week and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade in 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots. The parade eventually become the New York City Pride March, leading to Pride Month and similar parades and marches around the world.
The experts at money.co.uk ranked the most LGBTQ+-friendly retirement destinations in the United States, based on how progressive the laws and legislation are in each state.
The top 10 are:
- Vermont
- California
- Connecticut
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Oregon
- Hawai’i
- Maine
- Delaware
- Colorado
Vermont takes the top spot in the United States for LGBTQ+ retirees. Same-sex marriage in the state has been legal since 2009, and the state has a LGBTQ+-friendly ID policy since 2019, allowing drivers licenses to be amended to show a different or neutral gender. California, at No. 2, scores highly for its anti-discrimination laws in every area.
The states ranking Nos. 11–20 are:
- Wisconsin
- Washington
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Indiana
- Pennsylvania
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Alaska
- Wyoming
Several data points were considered when compiling data, including year anti-discrimination laws were put in place, year same-sex marriage was recognized, year joint adoption by same-sex couples was legalized, year conversion therapy was banned and more. A score was assigned to each, and where the right or protection was not in place, a 0 was assigned. Some averages were utilized, as well.
Next up, Nos. 21–30 on the list of top LGBTQ+-friendly U.S. states for retirees are:
- South Dakota
- Rhode Island
- New Jersey
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Ohio
Do you agree with this ranking? What does your home state rank? Do you base travel decisions on a locale’s LGBTQ+ friendliness or celebrations? How are you planning to celebrate Pride Month? Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.
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