Are you already planning your holi-gay?
BY EMILY ALICE MOSS, IMAGES BY GETTY (VIA CANVA)
It’s the middle of another dreary winter for many of us, and few things are better at blasting away the seasonal sadness than starting to plan your holidays for the spring and summer. With that in mind, here are six LGBTQIA-friendly holiday destinations to satisfy your 2024 wanderlust and inspire your travels…
Johannesburg, South Africa
Perhaps most famous worldwide as the home of politician and former South African President Nelson Mandela, Johannesburg (or Jo’burg, as the locals call it) also has a thriving LGBTQIA scene. South Africa was the first and only African country to legalise same-sex marriage way back in 2006 and has a strong record for protecting LGBTQIA rights. Johannesburg is home to the annual Pride Of Africa in June, hosts the annual Out In Africa International Gay And Lesbian Film Festival, and has many vibrant queer bars and clubs spread out across the city.
While enjoying all that queer Jo’burg has to offer, you won’t be short of things to see and do. In Johannesburg itself, top museums include the Apartheid Museum and the Mandela House (as you may guess, once home to Nelson Mandela), and nearby Kruger National Park is world-famous for those wanting to spot the Big Five (lions, elephants, Cape buffalo, black rhinos and leopards).
Montreal, Canada
It may come as no surprise that one of the largest cities in a country famous for its progressive politics is a queer paradise. But Montreal, with its vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA scene, is still well worth discovering. Much of the queer scene is focused around the city’s Gay Village, which hosts one of the world’s largest Prides every June and is home to some especially brilliant queer bars and clubs, including Cabaret Mado, famed for its drag shows.
Beyond the Gay Village, there is so much to see and do in French Canada’s largest city: explore Mount Royal Park, see the beautiful Notre Dame Basilica, soak up culture at Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts, or shop for some delicious food at the open-air Marché Jean-Talon.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Among the first South American countries to legalise same-sex marriage and with a reputation as one of the continent’s most LGBTQIA-friendly countries, Uruguay’s capital is home to a host of queer bars and clubs, including local favourite Il Tempo, along with queer-friendly beaches Playas de Carrasco y Miramar. It also hosts its annual Pride – known here as the Diversity March – in September, and it’s a huge street party that is well worth timing your visit around.
If you tire of the beaches and partying, then why not make the most of Montevideo’s rich cultural and culinary offerings? Try some traditional Uruguayan delicacies at the Mercado del Puerto, visit the tiny but charming Museo del Carnaval, and walk along the picturesque seafront, the Rambla de Montevideo. And don’t forget Uruguay’s Carnival, the longest carnival in the world, which takes over Montevideo from January to March!
Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is regularly ranked as the most LGBTQIA-friendly country in Asia and was the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2019. Its capital city, Taipei, is home to a large and welcoming LGBTQIA scene. There is an array of queer bars, clubs and cafes; favourites include Café Dalida, Wonder Bar and H*ours (a queer coffee shop!). Taipei also hosts one of the largest Pride marches in Asia every autumn.
Taipei is also a fantastic introduction to Taiwan: you can hike through the lush forests and mountains surrounding the city, learn more about Taiwanese history at the National Palace Museum, and go shopping at a night market to sample some Taiwanese street food.
Valletta, Malta
Valletta may be the EU’s smallest (and sunniest!) capital city, but it has bucketfuls of charm, and more importantly, is extremely LGBTQIA-friendly. The city held Europride 2023 in September of this year, and Malta itself has a strong track record for protecting LGBTQIA rights (including being the first European country to ban so-called conversion “therapy”). As suits its tiny size, Valletta’s queer scene isn’t massive, and there aren’t any explicitly queer bars and clubs in the city itself, but LGBTQIA events collectives like Station2Station and Lollipop regularly hold large queer parties at various venues around Malta.
Beyond partying, the whole of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so even just strolling through the beautiful streets in the mediaeval Old Town is an activity in itself.
And if you’re looking for more history and culture, visit the stunning St John’s Co-Cathedral to see a Caravaggio painting and experience a “living museum” at the Casa Rocca Piccola.
Auckland, New Zealand
Regularly ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in, New Zealand is also a world leader in LGBTQIA rights, and Auckland, its largest city, has an incredible queer scene. The former red light district, Karangahape Road or “K’Road”, is a haven of queer bars and clubs, such as Family Bar and The Eagle. The city also holds a large annual Pride festival as well as the family event, the Big Gay Out.
Auckland is the perfect destination for the outdoor adventurers among us: you can climb a dormant volcano (Mount Eden/Maungawhau) and learn more about Māori culture in the area, see the view of the city from the Sky Tower which is Auckland’s tallest building, and visit the crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches of nearby Waiheke Island.
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