Such cities give LGBTQ gamblers the opportunity to indulge in a range of entertainment activities. These are the experiences that they’ll rarely get to experience in many of the other places in the world. So, here we present some of our top picks from the list of casino destinations for the LGBTQ gamblers:

1. Las Vegas

Located in the Nevada, United States, this city is one of the world’s most sought-after gambling destinations. Many of the leading cities in the country are relatively LGBTQ-friendly. However, Las Vegas is always ahead of them all. This American city has played host to various drag shows and has some excellent gay bars.

It has become a favorite among the LGBTQ community over the years. The popular hotels located on the strip offer LGBTQ-friendly entertainment, nightlife, and accommodations. Among them is Luxor, which has the longest-running pool party with a gay-friendly theme in all of Las Vegas.

2. London

The capital city of the United Kingdom has a casino scene that’s quite underrated. Casinos and gambling are not the things you’d think of when you’re traveling to this city. What you probably don’t know is that London is an amazing city for the LGBTQ community. Some of the leading spots for LGBTQ people in London are Vauxhall, Soho, and Leicester Square.

Three of London’s best LGBTQ-friendly casinos are located in these neighborhoods. The former Empire Ballroom in Leicester Square recently underwent a major transformation. Now, it’s the trendy and glamorous ‘Empire Casino’, one of the busiest casinos in London.

3. Willemstad

This gorgeous city is located in Curacao, an island country in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean. It has some of the best casinos in the Caribbean region. Willemstad is also considered an LGBTQ-friendly city. For the past few years, the island city has been hosting the Curacao Pride. Many of the hotels and attractions in the city are members of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association.

When it comes to casinos, Willemstad offers an excellent range of experiences for the LGBTQ gamblers. You’ll find standalone casino establishments as well as resort-based casinos in Willemstad. This is quite unlike its popular neighbor Aruba.

4. Toronto

This is a major Canadian city and the capital of the country’s Ontario province. It has been ranked among the most LGBTQ-friendly places on earth by Lonely Planet. You’ll find a thriving LGBTQ culture in this part of the world and some unique gambling opportunities as well. Today, Canada has achieved worldwide fame as one of the world’s most progressive and forward-thinking countries.

So, it hardly comes as a surprise that they’re tolerant and accepting with regards to the LGBTQ community. Upon traveling just over a hundred kilometers southwest of the city, you’ll find some fantastic casinos. Among them are Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino. Both of them overlook the Niagara Falls and offer some breathtaking views of the natural wonder.

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This also includes sexual orientation of the employees. Besides, there are several countries in the world that have adopted similar policies. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best countries that are LGBTQ friendly:

1. Portugal

This country began allowing same-sex marriages in the year 2010. If your spouse is a permanent resident of the country, you can get a marriage visa of two years. About 85 percent of Portugal’s residents accept homosexuals as their neighbors. More than half of the homosexual population agrees that the country’s cities are excellent for living.

The most favorable cities among them for the LGBTQ people are Lisbon and Porto. In Lisbon, some of the best spots for the queer individuals are Bairro Alto, Principe Real, and Arroios. These areas are also home to the most LGBTQ-friendly hotels, bars, and homes.

2. Spain

Spain is among the safest countries for the LGBTQ individuals in the world. It is also one of the nations that are the most culturally liberal. The country has seen a lot of changes in the past few years. In fact, Spain had allowed same-sex activities in the 19th century. However, they were forbidden in the mid-20th century. In 1979, the law prohibiting such activities was reversed.

Same-sex marriages and adoption became legal in the country in 2005. Around 84 percent of Spain’s population supports same-sex marriages. Among the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country are Madrid and Barcelona. You’ll come across many bars, clubs, hotels and other establishments here that are queer-friendly.

3. Norway

Same-sex marriages became legal in Norway in the year 2009. The country also allows members of the queer community to enroll in the military. Today, Norway is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world. It is also among the countries that include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination law.

Since 2009, same-sex couples have been able to adopt children. Artificial insemination is also available in Norway for the lesbian couples. If you’re looking for some LGBTQ-friendly hotels, bars, and events, head to Oslo, Trondheim, and Bergen.

4. Finland

A country with one of the most advanced laws for the LGBTQ community, Finland is yet another queer-friendly destination. Same-sex marriages and adoptions were approved in 2014 by the Finnish government. Lesbian couples were granted access to IVF in 2007.

About 87 percent of Finland’s residents said that they don’t have any issues with queer neighbors. Among the major hotspots for the LGBTQ community in the country is Helsinki.

5. Iceland

Since 2006, this country has been quite progressive with regards to the rights of LGBTQ individuals. Same-sex marriages became legal in Iceland from 1996. Discrimination with regards to housing and employment are not based on gender identity or sexual orientation. You’ll also find several attractions for the queer community in Iceland.

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These literary works can also help them get rid of their pain and a feeling of isolation. Much of the queer literature focuses on building self confidence in such people. This will help them overcome their fears and be more open about their sexuality.

How queer literature helpspi LGBTQ people

The discovery of queer literature has been a revelation for most of the LGBTQ individuals. One of the impactful books in this category is Kenji Yoshino’s Covering. It discusses the various ways minorities use for hiding or covering their differences. They do this for conforming to the social norms. This book not only talks about gay rights but also reminds us how conditioned everyone is.

Queer literature has the power to provide joy and solace to the LGBTQ community. There are many towns outside of major cities where there are no gay bars. There’s hardly any place in such towns where the LGBTQ people can socialize without any worries.

Under such conditions, people from the queer community might feel scared of revealing their identities. The LGBTQ books come to the aid of such individuals by helping them get rid of this fear. Among them are Patricia Highsmith’s Price of Salt and Eileen Myles’ Chelsea Girls.

Creating a favorable environment for the queer population

An absence of influential role models for the LGBTQ people is another great problem. Most of the cultures in this world still view homosexuality as something extremely bad and sinful. So, the queer population grow up hearing stories of their ancestors and the popular heroes. They never get to hear about great examples from the LGBTQ community.

Most of the parents are obviously not interested in queer history. They may be more accepting of the sexuality of their children, but they never talk about role models. This is why the LGBTQ need queer literature. Stories play an important role in shaping cultures. So, the LGBTQ population must have sufficient exposure to stories about something that’s a part of them.

Books are much better than therapy

There was a time when governments had banned education around homosexuality. So, the kids grew up in an environment where there was rarely a discussion on homosexuality and homosexual people. Some were lucky to chance upon queer literature. Until the same-sex relationships were given recognition and same-sex marriages were legalized, these books provided them some comfort.

Among the things that these books taught them was how to choose a right partner. They offered some new ways of educating the queer people about their own sexuality. For many of the LGBTQ individuals who like to read, literature is often better than therapy.

Without being subject to any clinical therapy, they feel heard. Such books are more engaging and less prescriptive. Besides, there are stories that need to be told, as many of them would otherwise go unnoticed.

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Most of their struggles involve some serious mental and physical trials. While depicting these difficulties, the authors are also able to tell fascinating stories of love and triumph. For those interested in queer literature, here are a few recommendations:

1. Breakaway by Avon Gale

A twenty-year old NHL affiliate, Lane Courtnall, is drafted to play for Jacksonville Sea Storm. His future seems bright, but he feels a certain awkwardness for being gay. His teammates in the minor league hockey team alienate him after hearing certain ‘awkward’ things from him. During a game, Courtnall throws off his gloves against Jared Shore. He is the enforcer for the rival team, Savannah Renegades.

Shore is a bisexual and was left devastated after his love affair came to an end. Lane Courtnall gets closer to Shore and reminds him why love might be worth taking the risk. They’re at different points in their respective careers. Now both of them need to decide what’s most valuable for them.

2. Birthday by Meredith Russo

Morgan and Eric had arrived into this world on the same day. Besides, they were born at the same time and in the same hospital. The two are sometimes close and sometimes apart as the years pass. The story reaches new heights as both of them begin embracing their true selves. This book definitely has a brutal honesty to it. Birthday also tells a heartwarming story that’s more about exploring one’s true identity.

3. Fairest by Meredith Talusan

This memoir of Meredith Talusan is based on his experiences as an adolescent and young adult. He was once a young boy from a rural village in the Philippines and had albinism. During his immigration to the United States, he passes as white. He then grows up in the country to become a woman.

She suffers from the strain of parental neglect. Then there’s this elusive promise of the country’s citizenship. Talusan navigates through the issues of race, sexuality, class, and her place in the LGBTQ community. Her reflections shift the perceptions of readers about love, gender, identity, and life’s fairness.

4. Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

Emma and Jo are brought closer to each other by an unexpected situation. Jo, an actress, is photographed on the red carpet. Her assistant, Emma, has a good laugh. Soon, the rumors of their romance spread far and wide, threatening their individual careers.

Emma and Jo discover that they’re happier with each other. The rumors certainly have a hint of truth, after all. The friendship between Jo and Emma gets deeper and romance blossoms between them.

5. Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness

This memoir from Jonathan Van Ness reveals a more personal side. Jonathan Van Ness had to go through some dark days before the author became this shining individual today. The traumatic years and the many secrets that were deliberately hidden from the public are mentioned in the book. Although the book tells the tales of countless struggles, it also radiates with passion and positivity.

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The city provides the most accepting environment for the queer individuals. Louisville welcomes those from the community looking to visit Kentucky or move to the state.

High on Municipal Equality Index (MEI)

Louisville scored high on Municipal Equality Index in the Human Rights Campaign of 2017. It was the first and only city in Kentucky to earn this perfect score. The Municipal Equality Index or MEI examines how inclusive are the city’s municipal laws of queer individuals.

It also examines the inclusiveness of the city’s policies and services with regards to its LGBTQ residents. The authorities maintain a commendable support system for the LGBTQ community in the city. They also ensure that the city embraces diversity and maintains its inclusive environment.

Queer-friendly neighborhoods

There are several LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods in Louisville. They include Smoketown, Old Louisville, Clifton, and Germantown. Old Louisville is located a short distance away from the downtown. It is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city. Residents enjoy their relaxing picnics in its Central Park. The neighborhood also hosts concerts and is popular for its summer tradition of free theater.

The free theater is hosted in Central Park during the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. The Smoketown neighborhood also has a fantastic environment for queer individuals. This is made possible with its many establishments that are owned by members of the LGBTQ community.

One would come across the city’s only bar while getting around in the Germantown neighborhood. Clifton is popular for its diversity and draws the artsy people with its locally-owned art studios and boutique shops.

Two major festivals

Louisville hosts two well-attended festivals that gives queer individuals the chance to have loads of fun. The locals make the entire city colorful in June when they put on their rainbow-covered clothes. This is the time when the Kentuckiana Pride is celebrated in this part of the world.

Festival-goers can have a wonderful time attending concerts and joining the annual parade. The LGBTQ community comes together once again in September with fun and fanfare for the Louisville Pride Festival. One can enjoy a day filled with art, music, drag performances, dancing, and other exciting activities.

An array of LGBTQ entertainment

Members of the queer community would definitely feel at home while in Louisville. This is because of its fabulous offerings in LGBTQ-friendly venues. It has a gay theater company that comes up with great performances throughout the year. Besides its two major pride festivals, the city also hosts an annual LGBT film festival. This event celebrates the queer community through narrative and documentary films.

A large population of LGBTQ people

According to the findings of a survey done in 2015, Louisville has a large queer population. The city was at number 11 in the list of metropolitan areas with the highest number of LGBTQ residents. Those wanting to move to the city would certainly have access to a sizable community that’s highly inclusive. Louisville’s residents not only embrace but also value diversity along with equality and acceptance of all individuals.

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We just can’t ignore the valuable contributions of the LGBTQ writers to the literary world. The works of several queer authors in history are studied in schools even today. Now let’s take a look at some of the best queer authors in history:

1. Emily Dickinson

Dickinson was an American poet, born into a prominent family in Amherst, Massachusetts. She spent much of her days away from social life and was seen as an eccentric by many. She didn’t even leave her bedroom later in life. Most of the friendships that she developed during her lifetime were maintained through correspondence. She was reluctant to greet her guests and had a liking for white clothing.

Despite all such eccentricities, she wrote nearly 1,800 poems. Only a few of them were published during her lifetime. They had to go through some significant edits to fit the conventional rules of poetry in those times. Some of these poems were dedicated to Susan Huntington Gilbert Dickinson, her sister-in-law.

2. Oscar Wilde

This Irish poet and playwright was one of the most popular playwrights of London in the late 19th century. He is mostly popular for his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray and many plays and epigrams. He also had to face criminal conviction and imprisonment for charges of gross indecency.

Wilde was famous for his wit, flamboyant dressing, and some fabulous conversational skills. Through a series of essays and dialogues, he communicated his views on the supremacy of art. The Ballad of Reading Gaol was Oscar Wilde’s last work. It was a long poem that talked about the difficult days that he spent in prison.

3. Virginia Woolf

She was among the prominent modernist authors of the 20th century. Woolf was born in South Kensington, London, into an affluent family. She, along with her sisters, received home-schooling in Victorian literature and English classics. Woolf had to deal with mental breakdowns during her childhood. They were the result of the death of her mother and her stepsister.

Later, she came into contact with the early reformers of higher education for women during her days in college. She began her professional writing career at the beginning of the 20th century. Woolf committed suicide in 1941 at the age of 59. Her famous literary works include the novels To the Lighthouse, Mrs Dalloway, and Orlando.

4. Tennessee Williams

Born Thomas Lanier Williams III on the 26th of March 1911, he became famous as Tennessee Williams. He used this pen name for his works in literature. He lived in obscurity until the age of 33. The success of his play, The Glass Menagerie, made him famous all of a sudden.

He also attempted a new literary style with his later work, but the audiences didn’t like it. During his lifetime, he also wrote several poems, essays, short stories, and memoirs. His induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame came four years prior to his death.

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However, it was evident from the success of Spring Fire that there was indeed a market for such books. The novel was about a college girl who falls for another female. As with most of the early queer novels, their affair ends in tragedy. When their love affair is discovered, one of them is sent to a mental institution. The other girl ends up rejecting her homosexual feelings.

Although Meaker didn’t like the ending, her publisher was of the opinion that it was necessary. The book would’ve been declared obscene if they portrayed homosexuality in a positive light.

Homosexuality and queer YA literature over the years

The treatment of the LGBTQ community in the United States was quite bleak when Spring Fire was on the shelves. The American Psychiatric Association considered homosexuality as a mental disorder during those days. People belonging to the LGBTQ community were not given positions in the government. The reason was that people saw such individuals as a security threat.

Everyone looked upon the LGBTQ with discomfort, disgust, or fear. Even more dismal were their views towards transgender people. In a poll published in 1967, most of the Americans disapproved of homosexual relationships. The scenario is totally different in recent times. There’s a wider acceptance of same-sex marriages.

The amount of young adult (YA) books that feature queer characters has been growing considerably. In the 1970s, roughly one of such books was on the shelves every year. This increased to seven per year towards the end of the 20th century. Now, more than 50 queer YA novels release annually.

The early queer YA novels

The YA books mostly reflect the changes that are taking place in the world. They also take into consideration the treatment of queer people in the modern world. A significant increase in queer YA literature has, in a way, mirrored the rise of LGBTQ activism.

The Second World War created some of the early LGBT communities. Both men and women soldiers who were always looking for others like them, found their partners in the military. Many consider I’ll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip as the first queer YA novel. This book by John Donovan came out just weeks before the Stonewall Riots.

The book tells the tale of a 13-year-old named Davy. He moves in with his alcoholic mother and gets into a relationship with his classmate. He even has a sexual encounter with this classmate after a kiss. Davy’s dog gets killed in a hit-and-run incident. The event shatters him to a great extent. He wonders whether the relationship with his classmate was the reason.

The book tried to find a correlation between the character’s same-sex attraction and the death of a loved one. This became one of the early themes of queer YA novels. Among the first books to reverse this trend was Nancy Garden’s Annie on My Mind.

Annie on My Mind

Published in the year 1982, Annie on My Mind talks about two girls in New York City. They first become close friends and later their friendship develops into a romantic relationship. A refreshing change in this novel compared to the earlier ones was that both the characters survived. Not only did they survive but their love survived as well.

This idea in queer YA literature at the time was no less than revolutionary. As expected, there were some major retaliations. First, there were frequent bans on the book. Then there was this high-profile case involving parents in Kansas. They objected to the placement of this book in high schools of the local area.

Copies of this book were burned on steps of the district headquarters of the school. The district had all the copies of the novel removed fearing a controversy. The supporters of the novel were not willing to let go. They filed a court case in support of the book, which they ultimately won.

Characters of color in YA LGBTQ literature

Until the 1990s, queer YA literature was mostly centered on the white population. Only a few among them had characters of color. With the publication of a few novels such as The Necessary Hunger, things began to change considerably. This book by Nina Revoyr is about two female rivals in basketball. One of them is a Japanese-American and the other is black. They eventually fall for each other.

Another book featuring such characters, The House You Pass on the Way, came out during the 1990s. It is about a biracial small-town girl struggling with her sexuality. Although more books are coming up with characters of color, the queer YA literature is still disproportionately white.

YA trans novels

At the beginning of the 21st century, there was an explosion of queer YA literature. Despite this, trans YA novels were almost non-existent. This changed with the release of Luna in 2004. Written by Julie Anne Peters, the narration of the story happens through the eyes of Regan.

In the story, Regan’s sibling is gradually beginning to accept that she is a trans girl. Since the publication of this novel, this has become a theme in trans stories. Mostly a cisgender character is at the center of such novels.

The push for inclusiveness

More recently, the trans authors have begun telling their own stories. Pat Schmatz’s Lizard Radio and Meredith Russo’s If I Was Your Girl are the examples. One can also witness an increasing presence of characters who are asexual. The publishers have taken note of the fact that there exists an audience for queer YA literature.

The push for having a more inclusive queer literature is also gaining momentum. This has happened especially after the recent successes of such books. Among them is When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore. This novel is about the love between a trans boy and a cis girl.

In the story, the trans boy paints moons and the cis girl grows roses on her wrist. Interestingly, both of them are characters of color. Another great example would be C.B. Lee’s Not Your Sidekick. It talks about a queer Asian-American girl who scores an internship with a character who is a supervillain.

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However, the rest of the American state have become more queer-friendly in recent times. Several places in the state host some unique festivals and events that the LGBTQ community can enjoy. Here are the three major events in the state that offer unlimited fun for queer individuals:

1. Kentuckiana and Louisville Pride

Ever since the Kentuckiana Pride began in 2001, it has been going strong every year. This annual event kicks off with the Pride parade, which is then followed by concerts for two days. The event offers loads of fun on the Big Four Lawn located on the Ohio River. Kentuckiana Pride is not explicitly an event for adults with regards to its theme.

It is geared more towards individuals who like to party hard. The Louisville Pride began in the year 2015. It is an event that has a more community-oriented theme. This annual event is held on Bardstown Road in September. It features a day-long street fair, which unites families, friends, and allies.

One can also expect several booths, concerts, and food that celebrate inclusion and diversity. People from the LGBTQ community would feel extremely safe at these events as they have dedicated security. One can also witness people of all races, ages, genders, colors, and orientations at both the events.

2. Kentucky Bourbon Festival

They say that ‘true bourbon’ is the one that’s made in Kentucky. This explains why the state is popular across the world for its bourbon. Kentucky’s love for bourbon is apparent during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Everyone who is a part of the weekend-long bash can taste bourbons that come from every major distillery.

Besides this, they also get to enjoy live music and learn more about the process of making bourbons. This event occurs in the month of June every year in Bardstown. Owing to the proximity of Bardstown to Kentucky, the city has a more progressive vibe to it. This would be enough to make the LGBTQ community feel safe during the event.

3. Kentucky Derby

This event in Kentucky is of great importance. Held on the first Saturday of May, it is the event everyone in Louisville waits for. During this festival, a two-minute race extends to a two-week party. It features over 70 events, which lead to the big race. This annual event attracts thousands of visitors ever year.

Many celebrities, locals, and tourists gather in Churchill Downs to celebrate this major event. They can bet on their favorite horse and give a loud cheer. This is a high-profile international event, which is the reason why it has a tight security. People put on some strange clothes for this event to express themselves.

One can see most of them with their Derby hats on. During the Derby season, there’s no dearth of parties in this part of the world. There are plenty of hotels and bars where people from the queer community can have a blast!

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In the summer before writing one of her books, she was in Montreal. While getting around in the Canadian city, she came across some truly fascinating modern architecture. Upon seeing the marvelous architecture of the city’s buildings, she decided to set the novel in an architecture firm.

About building her own world in books

There are certain aspects that Avon Gale like about writing sports romances, especially hockey. One of them is getting to decide who wins the game. Watching the hockey playoffs reminds her of how much less stress she has in her life. She gets to decide the ultimate outcome of the games.

Her book Power Play is the third in her Scoring Chances series. Each of the books in this series takes place during a season. At times, she was surprised by the outcome. However, she was aware that the story was under her control. She has a specific writing style that focuses on plenty of dialogue.

Influence of other authors

Avon Gale began reading romantic novels when she was 13 years of age. This developed a special liking in her for romance, despite the fact that she is not inherently romantic. She likes the idea of two individuals finding joy in each other despite being different.

She admires author Jayne Anne Krentz, as her novels contain characters that are quite fun and quirky. In the mid-1990s, Avon Dale read the works of many authors. She doesn’t remember the authors whose works she had read during those times. However, their works had a great influence on her.

The impact of previous jobs on her writings

Avon Gale has worked quite a few jobs before embarking on her writing career. After college, she worked in development and fundraising for nearly 10 years. It was a perfect for her as she was a natural extrovert. She liked most of the jobs that she worked in. Her last job at a public radio station turned out to be a nightmare. When she was 36 years of age, she went to a beauty school.

The intention was to grow her career as a stylist. This happened at the time when her first book was released. So, she had to choose between hair styling and writing. The choice was pretty tough. She had left her career to pursue hair styling and had ended up writing her first book. She has always loved writing more than anything else.

The willingness to try new things gave her the confidence to explore new avenues with writing. When she was in her toxic job, she was able to complete Breakaway and Let the Wrong Light In. When she was working in her job, she spent most of her time writing. After both her books came out, she had to deal with the task of promoting them. She overcame this challenge through fundraising and outreach.

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