Why california is gay

California didn’t become a queer magnet overnight — it stacked decades of laws, migrations, culture, and courage into something that looks like a rainbow on a skyline. There's energy and there's art and there's architecture with the mid-century modern architecture throughout that town.

I mean, they brag about how many days of sun they have and you just can't keep us away from the sun. I think anyone who's traveling there, gay or straight, will be able to feel that they can be themselves, whoever that might be, and no one in San Francisco will mind.

You can just feel it in the air. To hear the full interview, including a detailed exploration of the various Pride events up and down the state, download episode 24 of the California Now Podcast —and be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave feedback on your preferred podcast platform.

If you think about it, it was a place for prospectors, it was a place for explorers to go and forge their own path. We asked Scott Gatz, Founder and CEO of Gay Cities, to join us on the California Now Podcast to share his insights on why the Golden State is such a welcoming destination, and to recommend places to go.

There's a little bit of everything there. Unlike the cities, there's really no gay bars, there's not that kind of nightlife, but you'll find all the things that anyone finds amazing. California, the most populous state in the nation, is home to the country’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population— million people.

Texas is second, on california counts, with an LGBTQ+ population of million. Being able to play at the beach and then go out at night and have great gay and an immense gay nightlife scene in Hillcrest really make it a big draw. For highlights from our discussion with Gatz, keep reading.

It's where the L. While L. Just like the rest of California, it's incredibly welcoming. If we think about resort towns, when you want to get away, you want to be able to be in a place where you can just chill out and relax, but the unique thing about Palm Springs is it's not just a beach vacation or a place where you just have to lay by the pool.

From the infamous Compton cafeteria riots to Los Angeles’ Cooper Do-nuts uprising, LGBTQ+ history has long been woven into the fabric of the Golden State. California's reputation as an LGBTQ+-friendly travel destination dates back to the Summer of Love, became more entrenched in the s, and continues to this day.

That ethos kind of why with the city over all these years and in the 60s and 70s—you know the 60s, the summer of love, and the 70s was really the burgeoning of the gay liberation movement across the country. It's generally a younger community, with more of the military and universities around.

There's no beach there at all. You could lay by the pool, but there's terrific restaurants, there's a gay nightlife—a really thriving, popular nightlife. However, California is considered the gay capital of the country. Here in San Francisco in particular, with Harvey Milk being one of the first openly gay elected officials, we have a wonderful base of history that this town has always been a hub of activity.

Everybody likes the sun, so why not? California is seen as one of the most liberal states in the U.S. in regard to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights, [1] which have received nationwide recognition since the s.

I think that infuses a really nice energy into that town and it has become [a major destination]. You be you. Some great vineyards, some of the best food in the entire world—and those are all great draws for our community.

Proposition 8 is passed

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in the state since Discrimination protections regarding sexual orientation and gender identity or expression were adopted statewide in Why Is California So Gay? It’s a bold question that smells faintly of salt air, film sets, and activist pamphlets.

Sun, cities, and early migration The first, simplest [ ]. It ends up being this really interesting mix, and you won't find yourself bored. We have Gay Wine Weekend in July where hundreds of people come together and go to wineries that are either owned and operated by LGBTQ people, or work there, or run the place.

LGBT and gay bars have really thrived there.