In central Phoenix, there's a one-mile stretch of Seventh Avenue (between Indian School and Camelback roads) that's home to a higher concentration of LGBTQ+-owned businesses than anywhere else in the state. "Come and visit, Phoenix won’t disappoint you,” she adds. Jordan credits Phoenix's business community – as well as local nonprofit and political organizations – for creating space for the city’s LGBTQ+ community to not only exist, but flourish. share a common goal: celebrating our diversity and empowering people to live an authentic life, personally or professionally." “I think Phoenix is more welcoming than outsiders expect, and we have amazing places and destinations. “ amazing and diverse,” says Deanna Jordan, executive director of the GPECC. Not just in 2021, but for nine consecutive years.
For example, in 2020, the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce (GPECC) celebrated its 40th anniversary - making it among the oldest organizations of its kind in the United States.įurther, Phoenix has earned a score of 100 - the highest score possible - on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index Scorecard. I generally avoid that place.When it comes to those who have not yet visited Phoenix, one of our best-kept secrets is the prominence and longevity of the city's LGBTQ+ business community. Tempe has no gay bars to speak of and is pretty straight-oriented tho ASU obviously attracts a transient, college-aged crowd.I'm approaching 30 and needlessly to say I've grown out of that long ago.ĭowntown Scottsdale has one gay bar that's not bad, but because of the superficiality, overpriced neighborhood, oppressive police force, and anytime I hear about anything anti-gay it comes from Downtown Scottsdale. it has the most options for gay people and gives Phoenix the nation's largest concentration of gay bars per capita.who knew? I live in downtown and am about 3 or 4 miles from something like 20 gay bars around and can walk to my favorite one (Rebar) and another one (Amsterdam's) Anywhere in the Central Corridor (Missouri to Washington St, surrounding Central Ave) is going to be pretty friendly.Ĭommenting on what others have said. Midtown Phoenix (west of Central Ave and Thomas) is statistically the gayest neighborhood in the city. If you're the fixer-up type who doesn't need to live near bars, it's a nice place. If you like to be on the bleeding edge of things, you might check it out.Ĭoronado neighborhood is a little further along in revitalizing a faux-boho alternative scene and has great historic homes, but hasn't created any gay venues. The Roosevelt neighborhood is potentially the "new" gayborhood, insofar as it's historic, bohemian, diverse, and home to the arts, though only one or two gay bars. For pure gay walkability, you can't beat 7th Ave. Lots of antiques and boutiques, and I'm even seeing straight business owners flying rainbow flags. But you'll probably feel most at home in Central Phoenix or parts of Downtown.ħth Ave between Indian School and Camelback is home to the gay community center, four gay bars, a gay-friendly coffee shop, a gay art gallery, a gay bookstore/sex shop, a gay church, and light rail stops. As others have mentioned, you'll be welcome pretty much anywhere in Tempe or Scottsdale. We have a poor sense of place here, so you won't find clearly defined neighborhoods like you would in the North East and Midwest.
Oh hey! I actually study gay neighborhoods (or the lack of them) in Phoenix.