Rocky Steps and Rainbow Crosswalks

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The City Where America Was Born

Philadelphia has quietly evolved into one of the East Coast's most vibrant LGBTQ+ destinations, and late spring/early summer is the perfect time to experience it.

The city that gave birth to America is now home to the Gayborhood—one of the most established gay districts in the country.

The city also hosts Philly Pride every June, drawing over 40,000 attendees to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year’s celebration is May 30-June 1.

The Gay Scene 🏳️‍🌈: The heart of Philly's queer scene beats strongest in the Gayborhood, an officially designated district right downtown (called Center City), complete with rainbow crosswalks and gay-owned businesses galore. Start your night at Woody's, a local institution and the city's oldest gay bar (since 1980). Voyeur Nightclub offers multiple themed rooms and dance floors for when you want to party until dawn, while Tavern on Camac is hands down the best piano bar in the city.

For the Ladies 💁‍♀️: Sadly, Philly lost its last Lesbian bar in 2021. Nevertheless, allied straight bars like Tattooed Mom have become a local favorite, and groups like Sip City Mixers host rotating events.

Things to See & Do 😎:

• Independence Hall & Liberty Bell - Where American freedom was born, now surrounded by a city celebrating all kinds of love

• National Constitution Center - Come learn about the U.S. Constitution before Republicans rip it to shreds

• Philadelphia Museum of Art - Run up those Rocky steps, then explore world-class collections inside

• Reading Terminal Market - Food paradise with over 80 vendors serving everything from Amish donuts to cheesesteaks

• Boathouse Row - Scenic waterfront perfect for evening strolls along the Schuylkill River

• Rittenhouse Square - Upscale park surrounded by boutique shopping and outdoor cafes

• Penn's Landing - Waterfront area with seasonal festivals and Delaware River views

Where to Stay 😴: The Study at University City offers boutique charm in a restored historic building, with literary-themed rooms and easy access to both Center City and the Gayborhood ($180-220/night). For a more budget-friendly option, Motto by Hilton provides modern, pod-style rooms with sleek design right in Center City, just a short walk to the rainbow crosswalks ($120-160/night).

How to Get There ✈️: Philadelphia is easily accessible by train, plane, or car. Amtrak connects directly to 30th Street Station from NYC (1.5 hours), Washington DC (2 hours), and Boston (5 hours). Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is about 20 minutes from Center City. If driving, I-95 runs right through the city, though parking in Center City can be pricey—expect $20-30/day for hotel parking.

Travel News for Gays on the Go 🗞️

What’s worth knowing in queer travel this week — from major headlines to the best finds worth your clicks.

• Do you have to give border control your phone's password? Should you turn off FaceID at border crossings? Here’s what travelers should know

• U.S. companies are ending Pride sponsorships as anti-DEI pressure mounts (bye!)

• Why is June LGBTQ+ Pride Month? The short answer is Stonewall. But there’s more to Pride history than that

• A Conservative snowflake got offended about a bank’s Pride decorations. The bank told him where he could go

• 14 gay adult stars reacted to the Senate's proposed plan to ban porn

• The Trump admin is refusing to say if the gay hairdresser who was deported to a notorious prison is still alive

• NYU withheld a degree from a gay transgender student—over his commencement speech

• More trans refugees are considering moving from hostile states to sanctuary states

• Trans rights have reached an all-time low in Asia & Europe for first time in 13 years

• Jasmine Crockett read Trump for filth on the Stephen Colbert show

• These are the top 10 European countries for LGBTQ+ rights and travel

• And—this stunning LGBTQ+ friendly destination has been named the safest place for travel in 2025

And, in lighter news…

• Love some cake by the ocean? Check out these 15 gay seaside parties in 2025

• 11 fabulous events to help you celebrate Black Pride in 2025

• What it’s like to celebrate Pride in a Kenyan refugee camp

• Journalism: How to find the lesbians in Puerto Vallarta

• Where to hang out in San Francisco’s historic Transgender Cultural District

• Airbnb released a new app—and it’s actually pretty great for travelers

• These National Parks thirst trap videos will make you want to pitch a tent

• How language learning can make your trip life-changing (and more queer)

• What traveling as a queer interracial couple has taught us about the world

• How I survived international travel hookups gone wrong—and what you can learn from my mishaps

⚖️ Q&A Time:

Last Week’s Results:
We asked: Would you consider going to WorldPride in Cape Town?

• 44% said “Yes”

• 27% said “Maybe”

• 29% said “Depends”

Verdict:
Most people said they would love to go with cost being the deciding factor.

• “I believe that any history making event should be celebrated, especially PRIDE events. Freedom of one's self should always be the goal throughout the world and every day.”

• “I would absolutely luv to experience Cape Town and I can't think of a better time to do that than during World Pride. The cost of travel so far us an obstacle sadly, one I may be able to overcome in time for 2028.”

• “First of all, I am a black American, and I have always wanted to go to South Africa. What it means to me is two fold. To go celebrate a world pride event in S. Africa sends a message of freedom for the LGBTQIA people of South Africa. And also, what an honor it would be to share in that moment. YES! I would love to do just that!!”

• “I have been to Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful cities. I want to take my husband to see it.”

• “With this diaper king president we have now, we are staying local till someone gets rid of Mr. Depends” — dead.

This Week’s Question: Have you ever changed your travel plans because a destination wasn’t LGBTQ+ friendly?

That’s a wrap for this week. ✈️ Safe travels — and we’ll see you next time.
— The GoQueer Team