Malaysia Walker, 40, a black trans woman, began her transition in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Walker also said she was denied a promotion at her retail job because she is trans and that she often felt unsafe. She moved to New Orleans and now works as a retention specialist at a clinic that offers care to transgender people. But she does miss the food, family and familiarity of home. I miss the comfort of home.

Same-sex couples and LGBTQ individuals are raising children in rural areas at higher rates than urban areas. Rural residents support a variety of LGBTQ rights at high numbers, especially among women and youth, even if lower than urban residents. In urban areas, 72 percent of residents support such protections.

Michael Patterson, 35, grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. He moved to Philadelphia when he was 18 in part to be closer to gay life. Yet he moved back in , to a small town outside Erie to start his own business. He was nervous to move back to rural Pennsylvania, fearing social isolation and repression. But he was pleasantly surprised. His husband, Bryan Timm, 39, grew up in the area but never left for a big city. While social conditions in the area are changing, there are still legal and policy hurdles.

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While the MAP report makes several recommendations for improving support systems for LGBTQ people as well as policy and social changes, it appears focused on one in particular: passage of the federal Equality Act. The measure would make it illegal nationwide to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill was recently reintroduced in Congress. Instead, they're spread out all over town. Phoenix has its own annual Pride festival , as well as the Rainbows Festival , dubbed "Arizona's greatest street fair," which is held every Noveember.

And perhaps rightly so — much of modern gay culture got its start in the city.

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In , the first rainbow flag was created by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker. It has since gone through several color variations to become more inclusive.

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San Antonio's official website reads, " San Antonio's friendly folks welcome and celebrate one and all. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots, St. Louis hosted a number of events , including St. Louis Pride Fest, gay pride weekend at Washington University, and several museum and library tours of St. Louis's gay history.

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It plays an important role in organizing events, social services, housing, advocacy, and education, among other services. Cleveland may be the 52nd-largest city in the country, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in pride. Cleveland's bars, restaurants, and community centers host LGBTQ events throughout the summer months like Pride festivals, drag queen bingo, dance competitions, and fundraisers. It has so many, in fact, it needs its own Gay Yellow Pages. Denver says on its site that it's " the true gay and lesbian center of the West.

The Denver PrideFest is held every year and features not only the standard march through the streets of Denver, but a 5k run. Orlando is known for being the site of Disney World, but it's also the site of a vibrant gay social scene. Disney has hosted the visitors since Last year, over 50, people took part in the events. While many Florida cities are gay friendly, Tampa is sometimes overlooked by its bigger neighbors Orlando and Miami.

Tampa has its own long history, starting with one of its first gay bars, the Knotty Pine, which was popular in the s, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Much like the Stonewall Inn in New York, the Knotty Pine was the site of violent clashes between patrons and police during raids.

What it's like being gay in a small, rural town

Now, Tampa residents remember the bar as the birth of the local gay community. Despite being in the heart of politically conservative Texas, Austin is known for its welcoming atmosphere and friendly citizens. It's also a great place to enjoy cultural get-togethers like the South by Southwest music festival and Texan food.

As for gay nightlife, there are popular bars like Oilcan Harry's and Rain on 4th. The Big Easy has always been a cultural hub for artists, musicians, and colorful characters, as well as a destination for the gay community.

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New Orleans was gay-friendly long before other cities were. America's oldest gay social organization, the Steamboat Club, was founded in , and the Gay Liberation Front of New Orleans was active in the early s. Famous gay residents have included playwright Tennessee Williams and photographer Frances Benjamin Johnston.

Every August, New Orleans hosts Southern Decadence, their Pride festival, which draws upwards of , people, according to the New Orleans official site. Business Insider logo The words "Business Insider". Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.