The New York City area has a long history of welcoming LGBT people and businesses. From the infamous Stonewall Inn in the West Village to the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop and beyond, NYC has been a vital center for queer culture and history throughout the last five decades.
Gay-friendly businesses are all over the city, from restaurants to bars to coffee shops to shopping centers. But some are more prominent than others. One such place is Blueground’s fully furnished apartment homes in Chelsea, which have earned top ratings from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for their policies and benefits that support LGBT equality.
While famous gay neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea used to be the only places to go for LGBTQ entertainment, today, queer culture has spread its wings to other parts of town. For example, Brooklyn’s Park Slope has become a popular gay area thanks to its brownstones and boutique shops. This central Brooklyn neighborhood is home to same-sex couples and hosts lots of LGBT events during Pride.
In addition to housing some of the best queer bars in the city, the neighborhood also has plenty of LGBTfriendly businesses. For example, there’s Hags, a tiny East Village spot that serves American fine dining “by queer people, for all people.” Whether you want uni with sour cream and onion or a foot-long hot dog on a Pringle, this restaurant has something for everyone.
There’s also Cubbyhole, a lesbian LGBTfriendly businesses near me bar that’s a treasure in the LGBTQ community. The cozy space is a favorite among locals to play songs on the jukebox or take part in spontaneous sing-alongs. During the weeknights, it’s usually frequented by regulars. But on weekends, the crowd can get a little more diverse and lively.
Another popular LGBTfriendly business is Big Gay Ice Cream, which has made a name for itself for its iconic rainbow scoops. But the Brooklyn-based eatery is also known for its giving spirit, donating to a wide range of causes over the years, including LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations.
Other notable LGBTQfriendly businesses include Out of the Closet, which started as a thrift store and now supports the AIDS Foundation with 96 cents of every dollar spent. And Kirrin Finch is a menswear-inspired fashion brand that creates gender-defying clothing that’s designed to fit female and non-binary bodies. The brand has a Brooklyn-based office, but you can shop its merchandise online or at a pop-up event.
Friday, December 22, 2023