1. Barcelona
Spain was the first country in the world to recognise same sex marriage on completely equal terms and no city demonstrates a more liberal attitude than Barcelona. Barcelona's gay district centres around L'Eixample or Gayxample, where revellers have the choice of dozens of pulsating bars including the trendy Punto Barcelona. For a full rundown of the gay scene visit Gay Barcelona 4u.
2. Tel Aviv
Israel's acceptance of diversity was cast on the world stage when transsexual Dana International won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998, securing the secular party town of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast as the region's pink mecca. Gay culture is so infused in the Tel Aviv society that there is no specific gay area, however the bars and clubs, such as the popular Evita, are mainly concentrated around Rothshild Avenue. Israel's gay and lesbian population also enjoy a raft of equality legislation. Visit Gay Tel Aviv Guide for more details on the Israeli city where there's no need for a yarmulke.
3. Buenos Aires
It certainly says something when a Spanish hotelier hand picks one city out of the whole continent to open a gay luxury hotel: for his foray into South America, Juan Julia chose Buenos Aires to open his 'hetero friendly' Axel Hotel. The Argentine capital is certainly setting the trend for Latin America, the city was the first region on the continent to permit civil unions. The gay infrastructure is situated in Palermo with clubs such AMERIKA packed every weekend. For information the Buenos Aires gay scene visit the Gay Guide.
4. Berlin
When Sally Bowles sang "Life is a Cabaret" in the musical profiling the decadent and uninhibited cabaret scene of the Weimar Republic, she was referring to life that should be celebrated in all its diversity. After a seventy year hiatus, Berlin's famed decadence is back. Whatever you're into, Berlin now has a club to service it, including perennial favourite Hafen located in Schoneburg. The almost half a million gay and lesbian party-goers who descend on Berlin for the Christopher Street Day can't be wrong. On top of all this, even the current Mayor is gay. Visit Berlin Life for more information on latest gay bars and clubs.
5. Miami
On dedicated gay party weekends, such as Winter Party or White Party, 10,000 revellers descend on Miami. The beaches, regularly voted in the top 10 in the world, the art deco architecture and world-class shopping all combine to make Miami a gay hub. Miami Beach is also one of the few cities in the US that has a domestic partnership registry offering specific rights to same-sex couples. For detail on the city reinventing fun in the sun, visit Gay South Beach Information.
Mention the Thai capital and immediately the multi tiered luxury haven, Babylon springs to mind. Then there are the bars in Silom, Telephone, Balcony and DJ Station, where sensational drag queens perform in elaborate costumes. With no laws prohibiting homosexuality and locals who are genuinely friendly and welcoming to all, pulsating Bangkok seems to have established itself as the pink heart of Asia. For more information on the gay scene in the city that welcomes tourists with open arms and celebrates their diversity visit Utopia Asia.
7. Rio de Janeiro
The million people who gather each year on Copacabana Beach to watch Rio's Pride Parade must be in the know. This is the city that celebrates everything inclusive. Even the Brazilian President was photographed holding the Pride flag last year and it was the Brazilian Government that first lobbied for gay rights at the UN. The beaches are the main attraction here, with Copacabana and Farme famed for fun, frivolity and eye candy. When the sun sets, bossanova beats are heard in myriad clubs including the ever popular Le Boy in Copacabana. For info on the city that knows how to party visit Rio Gay Guide.
8. Brighton
Maybe it's the pebbled beach, but the ultra-friendly Brightonians seem to have an appreciation for difference and have created a strong community feeling in their city that is open and welcoming. It's hard to believe that only 70 years ago, homosexuals were known as 'white-socked males'. Today however, there's no need for secret signs, with an array of gay venues smattered throughout Kemptown, including Revenge, which has no problems marketing itself as the south coast's number one gay club. Visit Gay Brighton for more details on the local scene.
9.Toronto
When the producers of the American version of Queer as Folk were selecting a suitable city to film what has become a massive commercial hit, they looked no further than the Canadian city of Toronto. The gay scene centres around the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets, with a generous smattering of pubs, clubs and restaurants including the ever popular Woody's. Ontario was also the first Canadian province to pass same sex marriage legislation, ahead of federal legislation several years later. For a complete run down on the scene visit Gay Toronto.
10Mexico City
As the country's first region to legalise same-sex civil unions that allowed for inheritance and pension rights, Mexico City is certainly setting the equality trend. The city's gay infrastructure is based in Zona Rosa, where all one needs to do is follow the pink road to everything gay including the bars Cabaretito and Boybar. The city's Pride Parade is as old as Sydney's Mardi Gras, with a record 350,000 people attending this year and 200 organisations involved. For more detail on this city prepared to defy traditional beliefs and embrace diversity visit Gay Mexico.
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