6. Chattanooga, TN
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Not all of your southern stereotypes need apply when it comes to Chattanooga. With more of a large town feeling than that of a big city, Choo Choo has a sizable gay population, and for good reason, too. Chattanooga recently became the second city in Tennessee to approve benefits for employees in domestic partnerships, and they also have the nation’s highest number of LGBT local and state politicians relative to the city’s population.
7. Las Vegas, NV
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Vegas isn’t only a party paradise for the straight population; Sin City is also a veritable playground for all those in the LGBT community looking for some extra sunshine and some exciting times on the strip. Not only are they coming in droves to party from out of town, but they’re hanging their hats and buying the inexpensive real-estate. Las Vegas ties at #14 for gay population in the city with 4.3 percent of the residents reporting as gay or lesbian. Now that gay marriage is legalized, you can bet that those little white chapels will see their fair share of same-sex shotguns weddings!
8. Des Moines, IA
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The capital of Iowa and the most populated city in the state, many might be surprised to find that the nation’s “insurance centre” is also pretty hip, with progressive politics and an ever-growing gay population. The “dark horse” of their list, Des Moines was rated #4 on Vocativ’s “Queer Index” of most LGBT friendly cities in the U.S. based on everything from LGBT population and number of “gayborhood” businesses to their several openly gay politicians.