7 winter destinations in LGBTQ-friendly countries – NBC News
As you’re planning your winter travel and scrolling through options, you might want to check on the LGBTQ-friendliness of any given country you’re considering.
As NBC Out reported last month, the Williams Institute published its latest Global Acceptance Index (GAI) last month. Crunching survey data from 174 countries, the UCLA School of Law think tank’s researchers scored countries based on public beliefs and policies regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. They published those findings, along with the latest GAI, in their November report.
Of the 174 countries analyzed:
- 131 experienced increases in acceptance since 1981
- 16 experienced a decline
- and 27 had no change in attitude
While some of the top countries on the list are more than fine to visit during winter — like list-topper Iceland, which is on Oprah Magazine’s list of best winter destinations — we compiled both countries that scored highest in the GAI and those who scored high and boast warm temperatures during the American winter.
Most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world
The three top ranked countries from the GAI are going to be cold in the winter. However, as you’ll see below, that’s not necessarily bad.
If you’re planning to travel to any of the countries below (or anywhere else), be sure to visit sites like CheapOair, TripAdvisor, Expedia and so on to compare prices of hotels, flights, and more.
1. Iceland
Iceland took the leading GAI score in 2013, when previous top scorer the Netherlands was demoted to second place. On top of progressive values, Iceland offers up rare sights like this dragon-shaped aurora borealis. And traveling there during the winter could be great — it’s one of Oprah Magazine’s best winter trips to take — what with steamy outdoor spas, geothermal pools and the sights of the Northern Lights.