Philadelphia is extending its reputation as the “City of Brotherly Love” with plans to open one of the nation’s first LGBTQ visitors' centers.
Slated to open in January 2026, the Philly Pride Visitors Center will debut in the city’s LGBTQ neighborhood of Midtown Village, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
“We don’t just welcome diversity -- we celebrate it,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation. “Our hope is that the Philly Pride Visitors Center becomes a place where LGBTQ+ visitors feel they belong from the moment they arrive.”
Costa Rica may be known for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and the ever-present philosophy of pura vida -- the “pure life” -- but it’s also one of the most progressive LGBTQ destinations in Central America. Since legalizing same-sex marriage in 2020, the country has nurtured a growing queer community in both urban and coastal regions, creating a welcoming atmosphere that celebrates diversity amid its natural beauty.
The country's path toward LGBTQ equality has been steady and meaningful. In 2020, it became the first nation in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, a landmark decision fueled by years of advocacy and public debate. Since then, the government has strengthened anti-discrimination protections, expanded support for trans rights, and woven LGBTQ education and awareness into public policy.
The city of St. Petersburg has installed 11 rainbow-colored bike racks in response to the removal of several street murals -- including a Pride-themed mural -- by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The racks were installed in the Grand Central District at Central Avenue and 25th Street, the former location of one of five murals removed at the direction of federal and state authorities.
The mural at Central Avenue and 25th Street featured colored stripes representing the progressive Pride flag and was located just steps from Ride'em Cowboy, one of the city’s best-known LGBTQ nightclubs and a "safe space" for the community, according to Florida Politics.
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