Article by Maya Vukovska
What is happiness? For some people, it’s money, Maseratis, Michael Kors, MILFs, and other trivial things starting with M. For others, it is a blissful family life - with kids, a dog, and an affordable mortgage. There are people, though, for whom the closest thing to eternal happiness is freedom - and I am not talking about freedom in its most banal dictionary meaning. Because the opposite of freedom is not necessarily imprisonment, but the fear of the inability to live your authentic life as who you are, or who you have chosen to be. This existential understanding of happiness is especially valid for LGTBQ people. Unfortunately, there are still many places on the planet where being of “alternative” sexuality is considered unacceptable, sickening, and even illegal. But there is also a growing number of countries where you can feel comfortable in your own skin, and walk proud of your sexual orientation.
If you are not happy with your current living situation (and I don’t mean that you find your neighborhood too posh or not posh enough for your taste), and you are thinking of becoming an LGBTQ expat, here is our list of the top destinations where gay people live the happiest.
Buckle up, boys, because our world tour begins now.
#5 Spain
Besides being among the most popular tourist destinations, Spain has topped the ranks in recent polls about LGBTQ acceptance. The country can offer the whole package to anyone who wants to live happily and leisurely - nice weather, tons of excellent paella, and a language that feels as smooth as olive oil on your palate. After the end of the dictatorship regime of General Franco in 1975, Spain got rid of everything that was keeping it stuck in the dark past when conservative mores and religious narrow-mindedness ruled. It quickly and effortlessly moved to building a more secular and tolerant society. In 2005. it became the third country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages and to introduce laws that protect LGTBQ rights.
#4 The Netherlands
When one thinks of the flattest land of them all, several words come to mind: tulips, canals, Vermeer, bikes, coffee shops, and legal prostitution. Actually, this small northern European country is among the most liberal in every possible way. The country was the first in the world to legalize gay marriages, in 2001. The capital, Amsterdam, has over a hundred gay bars, clubs, hotels, and whatnot, and the annual Gay Pride it hosts is probably the most flamboyant and spectacular one in Europe, if not in the world. The Dutch have supported their LGBTQ community since forever, but in 2017, а local magazine founder inspired a whole movement by tweeting “Can this week all men, straight and gay, please, just walk hand in hand.” As a result, politicians, sportsmen, actors, policemen, priests, and businessmen responded to the call.
#3 Germany
If you ask any dedicated gay traveler which city has the widest and the most diverse gay scene, I bet that the unanimous answer would be, “Berlin is the real shit!” Apart from the thriving gay scene, Germany can be proud also of being the birthplace of Karl Heinrich Ulrich (1825-1895) who is regarded as a pioneer of the modern gay rights movement, and described as “the first gay man in the world history.” By 2013, the country ranked as number two in Europe in a prestigious research pole about LGBTQ acceptance in society.
#2 Denmark
In addition to consistently being rated among the top ten happiest countries in the world, this small nation of only 5.8 million people is also known as one of the most gay-friendly ones. Check out these amazing historical facts. In 1948, when homosexuality was still considered a crime in the Western world, a National Association for Gays and Lesbians was established in Denmark. In 1989, the country broke the heteronormative mould by officially recognizing the same-sex partnership.
#1 Canada
While the States has taken big steps in recent years to become more inclusive for LGBTQ people, it still falls behind its much more progressive neighbor to the north. Currently, Canada is wearing the crown of best country to live happily as a gay person. To begin with, 80% of Canadians say that society should normalize homosexuality. (For comparison, 60% of Americans share the same view.) What’s more, religious influence on legislation concerning gay rights is almost non-existing.
Toronto’s Church and Wellesley neighborhood is known for its predominantly gay population, and in Vancouver and Ottawa, there are the so-called Gay Villages, where the gay scene is very active. Whether you speak French, or not, it’s easy to feel at home as a gay man not only in the big cities but anywhere in Canada, really.
And let me finish by giving you some food for thought: in Spartacus’ report for 2023, the USA was ranked 35!
