The Gay Scene in New York City
New York City is one of the best places to find a hip, active gay scene. Gay marriage has been legally recognized in the state of New York since 2011, gay couples can be spotted holding hands openly, and the Empire State Building is lit up in rainbow hues every year for Pride. NYC also has historical significance for LGBT rights in the United States, as the Stonewall riots in 1969 were considered the single most important event leading to the gay rights movement across the nation. The following year, the first ever gay pride marches took place in New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall police raid that prompted the riots.
Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen are among the most famous gay villages in New York City, but most of the city is very gay-friendly. Even so, instances of anti-gay hate crimes do sometimes happen in NYC, and gay travelers are advised to stay clear of dangerous areas and be careful about outing themselves to people they aren't completely comfortable with.
