For Gay Destinations, Thinking Outside the Obvious

Despite the fact that a sea gull once pooped on me while I was relaxing on a Fire Island beach, I do understand the allure of the place, and that of other idyllic destinations like Provincetown, Mass., and Key West, Fla., which have long been known as gathering spots for gay and lesbian vacationers. Many who identify anywhere along the L.G.B.T. spectrum simply want to go somewhere that is packed with kindred spirits, to relax without having to worry about fitting in with a straight crowd — or, in some places, about the potential perils involved when you don’t fit in. But of course a lot of people who enjoy travel, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, want to continuously add new cities to their “places I’ve been” list, so I asked a few gay travel experts to suggest a lesser-known or up-and-coming L.G.B.T. hot spot that we may overlook when making travel plans. Here are some of their suggestions.