City in South Carolina, United States
Is Charleston LGBTQ+ friendly?
Is Charleston LGBTQ+ friendly?
Welcoming in the city, with a visible queer community, though South Carolina law is conservative and offers few statewide protections.
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 Charleston
Where to go
- Upper King Street bars
Events
- Charleston Pride (June)
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 Charleston safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Welcoming in the city, with a visible queer community, though South Carolina law is conservative and offers few statewide protections.
Is same-sex marriage legal in United States?
Yes.
Where are the LGBTQ+ areas in Charleston?
Upper King Street bars
More about Charleston
Going to Charleston solo?
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- ESTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of State, travel
- CARTA
- Charleston International Airport
- Explore Charleston
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.