First Ever U.S. LGBTQ Honeymoon Travel Safety Index Reveals Best and Worst
Where are the top safest places in the United States to choose for your honeymoon? According to new research, Washington D.C. takes top spot with West Virginia ranking last for romance-geared LGBTQ vacations…read on the for the complete list.
Love Inc., the leading equality-minded® wedding publication, has released the Love Inc. LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index—a first-of-its-kind travel resource ranking all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. by how safe, affirming, and inclusive each is for LGBTQ+ honeymooners.
Leading the way were Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and Massachusetts as the most affirming honeymoon destinations in the country. At the bottom, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Alabama present an elevated risk and rank lowest for inclusivity and legal protections.
The Index evaluates each state on six key pillars: legal protections, anti-LBGTQ+ laws, hate-crime data, community climate, inclusive hospitality, and access to affirming care. These factors combine to provide couples with a clear, data-driven view of how their potential destinations measure up.
“Every couple deserves a honeymoon that’s not only romantic but also safe,” said Love Inc. Founder and Editor-in-Chief Brittny Drye.
“Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, rising hate crimes, and book bans aren’t just political talking points. They have real consequences for our community, and especially for the wedding industry at large. LGBTQ+ travel contributes billions of dollars to the U.S. economy, and it’s time we recognize the power of that spending. We can and should support states that support us, and stop pouring our honeymoon dollars into places actively working against our rights. The Love Inc. LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index empowers couples to celebrate their love boldly and safely, armed with the knowledge of where they’ll be truly welcomed.”
Top 10 States for LGBTQ+ Honeymooners:
Washington D.C.
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Oregon
Vermont
Washington
Connecticut
California
Delaware
Illinois
Bottom 10 States for LGBTQ+ Honeymooners:
West Virginia
South Dakota
Alabama
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Mississippi
Tennessee
Arkansas
Idaho
Methodology
Drawing from trusted national resources, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), FBI hate crime statistics, and public acceptance polling from PRRI and the Pew Research Center, the Love Inc. team assigned each state a composite score between 0 and 100, reflecting both legal realities and lived experiences for queer travelers.
Additional modifiers (±5 points) were applied for regional nuances such as statewide travel advisories or the presence of inclusive metropolitan areas within conservative states, ensuring a realistic reflection of on-the-ground experiences for honeymooners. Each destination received a grade from A to F, with Grade A (90-100 points) representing strong protections and affirming cultures, and Grade F (less than 60 points) signaling elevated risk and limited or no protections for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Why the study matters
The idea was born out of the urgent need to address the persistent disparities LGBTQ+ travelers face when it comes to safety, visibility, and access. After more than a decade of curating inclusive wedding content, Drye and her team saw a clear need for a data-driven guide rooted in real, current information. By compiling data from multiple verified databases, the team created a timely snapshot of where queer love is most celebrated and where travelers may still need to proceed with caution.
Find out each state’s ranking and more info at loveincmag.com/lgbtq-honeymoon-safety-index/
