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Love, is love, is love! June is Pride Month, and cities everywhere are showing their support for love in all its forms.
On June 28th, 1969, the Stonewall riots took place in New York City’s Greenwich Village, sparking national outcry and the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Whether it’s a pulsing street parade or smaller acts of solidarity, these five cities are known for promoting strong LGBTQ+-friendly communities.
1. Tel Aviv, Israel
While LGBTQ+ rights are somewhat limited in much of the Middle East, Tel Aviv stands out as a proud ally for the gay community. Known for hosting one of the largest pride parades in the world, along with its annual Pride Expo and LGBT film festival, this city continues to draw thousands of visitors looking to join the celebrations. Prep for your vacay in Tel Aviv with our Modern Hebrew language course.
2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
In 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, setting an important precedent for its neighbors. Today, LGBTQ+ activism is still alive and well in the capital of Buenos Aires, and authorities have recently begun to expand transgender rights in particular. Plan a visit to experience Buenos Aires’ annual pride parade in November with our practical Latin American Spanish course.
3. Tokyo, Japan
One of the most LGBTQ+-friendly places in Asia, Tokyo is known for its huge pride parade that takes place every May. Although traditionally, Japanese culture is more reserved in regards to public PDA and romantic expression, you'll find Japanese people open up while drinking together in Tokyo's flourishing gay bar and club scene — especially in the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Nichyome. Learn how to greet someone and start a casual conversation with small talk using our Japanese language course.
4. Auckland, New Zealand
Lonely Planet has rated New Zealand as one of the most “inclusive and progressive” destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers. With its annual ‘Big Gay Out’ in February, Auckland’s spectacular pride festival is not to be missed, and includes an elaborate parade of floats and a big gala, among many other festival events. With its picture-perfect coastlines and neighboring islands, Auckland is on our dream bucket list.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
While much smaller than the other locales on this list, this Nordic gem was actually the capital of the first country in the world to name an openly gay head of government back in 2009. Today, Reykjavik Pride is one of the country’s most beloved cultural celebrations, offering six full days of festivities in August for tourists and locals alike. If you want to learn more about the Icelandic language and culture, check out our Icelandic course.
Whether you plan on visiting one of these LGBTQ+-friendly cities, or if you just want to connect with diverse communities at home — start with learning about another language and culture (we’ve got over 70 for you to choose). Click the button below to select a language, then create a profile to start your first lesson for free. Or download the free Mango Languages app for iOS or Android to take your learning on the go.
What are you doing to celebrate Pride Month? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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