Island in Hawaii, United States
Is Big Island LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Big Island LGBTQ+ friendly?
Welcoming and relaxed with Hawaii's strong legal protections. The scene is small, with no dedicated gay district.
LGBTQ+ laws in United States
Very accepting in big cities and coastal states, more conservative in the rural South. Trans rights vary by state; US passports now show birth sex.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Civil unions or partnerships | Yes |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Partial |
The scene in Big Island
Where to go
- Kailua-Kona
- Hilo
LGBTQ+ friendliness across United States
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Los Angeles | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| San Francisco | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Washington, D.C. | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Chicago | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Boston | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Seattle | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Key West | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Denver | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Portland | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Fort Lauderdale | 5/5 · Very welcoming |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Miami | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| New Orleans | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Maui | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Austin | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Atlanta | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Sedona | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Scottsdale | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Nashville | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| San Antonio | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Savannah | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
Quick answers
Is Big Island safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Welcoming and relaxed with Hawaii's strong legal protections. The scene is small, with no dedicated gay district.
Is same-sex marriage legal in United States?
Yes.
Where are the LGBTQ+ areas in Big Island?
Kailua-Kona; Hilo
More about Big Island
Going to Big Island solo?
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- ESTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of State, travel
- Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (Hele-On)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (NPS)
- Hawaii Airports Division
- Go Hawaii: Island of Hawaii
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.