San Diego: The US' unsung LGBTQ+ hub

San Diego, a city in the United States, has long been recognized as a hub for the LGBTQ+ community. While cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are often highlighted for their vibrant gay scenes, San Diego's history of tolerance and acceptance often goes unnoticed.

California, the state in which San Diego is located, has a progressive stance towards LGBTQ+ rights. It was the first state to legalize domestic partnerships between same-sex couples and has consistently been ranked as the best place in the U. S. for LGBTQ+ travelers. In 2017, California implemented a travel ban that prohibits state-funded travel to any state that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This ban, which initially applied to five states, now covers nearly half of the country due to a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

San Diego's role as a major military headquarters during World War II inadvertently led to the creation of a nascent gay scene. Gay and lesbian individuals who had previously been isolated in smaller towns where homosexuality was frowned upon were suddenly brought together during the war effort. Today, the city's LGBTQ+ community is primarily located in Hillcrest, a neighborhood known for its rainbow-lit sign and rainbow flags. The city's first Gay Pride parade was held in Hillcrest in 1975, and it has since grown to become one of the largest Pride events in the U. S.