10 hottest gay destinations for 2015

Need a few LGBT-friendly destination ideas? Recent changes at these ten great places around the world have thrust them to the top of our 2015 gay travel list. Now let the planning begin!

 

1. Scotland
While Americans won same-sex marriage battles largely through the judicial system in 2014, Great Britain’s northernmost country legalized it through the legislature where it overwhelmingly passed by a margin of 105 to 18 and came into effect last December. Scotland boasts gay meccas like Glasgow and Edinburgh and stunning coastal beauty—not to mention all those men in kilts.

2. Austin, TX
The Lone Star State’s capital city has always been a queer-friendly place, but beginning May 1 it will host the first of its kind Austin International Drag Festival featuring megawatt gender-bending talent like Jackie Beat, Coco Peru, Kevin Aviance, Sherry Vine, Heklina, Charles Busch, Holly Woodlawn and more. There’s also thrilling TexMex cuisine, gay bars and a nude beach at Lake Travis.

3. Key West, FL
Gay tourists frittered last March when the Island House, a legendary gay resort and fixture of Key West’s gay scene, was put up for sale. Its owner took it off the market just several months later and has since recommitted himself to ensuring it remains an award-winning resort for gay men. Same-sex marriage in Florida became legal January 6 making the Conch Republic a great spot for exchanging vows.

4. Vietnam
The South Asian country is now on the list of “must visit” destinations for queer tourists thanks to a January decision abolishing its ban on same-sex marriages. While unions between same-gender couples are not government recognized, marriages are expected to begin immediately and the move is expected to boost tourism among queer travelers who currently enjoy its many beaches and historic cities.

 

 
5. Stockholm, Sweden
After taking a two-year hiatus to accommodate the OutGames in Antwerp and the Gay Games in Cleveland, the EuroGames—an LGBT sporting competition for Europeans—returns in August 2015 for a full weekend of events in Sweden’s dazzling capital. Indulge in sleek design hotels, drink at a floating queer bar and revel at the site of thousands of hot male, female and trans-identified athletes.

6. Puna District, Hawaii
One of the nine districts on the Big Island of Hawaii, Puna’s residents are a friendly mix of hippies, gays, artists and off-the-grid types. The region oozes rural tropical charms and boasts gay-owned eco-resort Kalani, gay-owned B&B Absolute Paradise and gay-friendly and clothing optional black sand Kahena Beach. Visit now and you can view the lava currently erupting from nearby Kilauea Volcano.

 

7. Riviera Maya, Mexico
There’s no reason why straight people should have all the fun at this ever popular alternative to tacky and touristy Cancun. The area includes the laid-back charms of Tulum with its perfectly preserved Mayan ruins and up-and-coming restaurant scene, miles of white-sand beaches and upscale shopping and a nightlife scene in Playa del Carmen (including several gay bars).

 

8. Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court has finally taken up the issue of same-sex marriage and will hear oral arguments in April with a verdict expected in late June (which happens to coincide with Pride weekend in many North American cities). If the history-making verdict goes the way many gay rights advocates and activists believe it will, the nation’s capital is going to be a place of exuberant celebration come June.

9. Antwerp, Belgium
The largest city in Belgium already boasts a plethora of gay bars and the country as a whole is considered one of the most advanced on LGBT issues in all of Europe, but the real attention grabber this year is the recent unveiling of a large-scale LGBT monument which lights up the underbelly of a railway bridge every night in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag.

10. Las Vegas
Major new developments are transforming Sin City including the new SLS and Cromwell resorts, plus the High Roller—the world’s largest observation wheel. A brand new 20,000 seat arena is on its way and downtown continues to surprise with hipster-fueled shops, cafes and bars. Meanwhile, both the new Liaison nightclub at Bally’s and Xposed! pool party at Tropicana are thrilling queer tourists—all of which earned this city a spot on our gay destinations 2015 list.