If you’re considering a move to the east, one city you may want to consider is Baltimore. One of the largest cities in Maryland, Baltimore has been named as one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in the United States. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Baltimore ranked the highest as far as equality in healthcare goes, featuring multiple hospitals that all met or exceeded their standards for healthcare. The city’s amazing pride parades and festivals are also outstanding, even among lists that include the pride events in New York and San Francisco.
According to NerdWallet, which conducted a survey of cities in the U.S. for the past three years, Baltimore is the fifth-most welcoming city for LGBT individuals. Their study looked at how many people in the city identified as members of the LGBT community, how many hate crimes were reported, and how the HRC ranked the city. Baltimore came in behind San Francisco, Portland, Austin, and Providence.
What the Study Shows
According to the assessment, almost four percent of Baltimore’s residents identified as part of the LGBT community. The city has very few hate crimes, too. In fact, in 2013, there were no hate crimes committed against LGBT people. The rest of the state has very low numbers of such crimes – only seven occurred in the entire state. Maryland has passed a number of a laws supporting the LGBT community and providing them with a variety of protections.
Where Should You Live?
A gay or lesbian real estate agent can point you to a number of different neighborhoods in Baltimore that may fit your tastes. However, if you’re looking to live in a gay neighborhood, you can’t go wrong with Mount Vernon. The HRC identified its annual pride festival, Baltimore Pride, as one of the absolute best. The area is also known for the various clubs, restaurants, and other businesses owned by LGBT individuals. It’s a safe community where you can settle down and raise a family.
Of course, it’s not the only gayborhood in Baltimore. The city definitely has a few other locations you might want to check out. There’s Federal Hill, for example. This neighborhood is located in the center of the city, so you can easily get to any part of Baltimore quickly. Patterson Park is another good option. It and adjoining Fells Point were the earliest gay districts in Baltimore. While they may not be as large now, they’re still very popular.