Why, Where and How LGBT Culture is Important – The Top Four Non-Capital Cities in Europe to Feel Your LGBTQ+ Oats.
Culture is often crafted through persecution and adversity. As sad as this may seem, there’s a certain joy which comes from creating something joyful out of hardship, during which minority groups come together from a shared past and common interest. And this is exactly how LGBTQ+ culture was born.
Capital cities are often where queer culture first steps bravely into the spotlight – not that it wasn’t always there of course, it simply becomes more visible in the wake of progress and strength in numbers.
But the inexorable flow of progress eventually spills outward and soon – emboldened by their comrades in the capital – queer culture becomes apparent in a county’s other big cities. Galleries display the works of queer artists of both past and present; community centers, gay bars, clubs and saunas openly operate; gay tours appear telling untold LGBTQ+ history and Pride parades walk the streets without harassment.
Let’s look at five of the most loud and proud non-capital cities in Europe when it comes to LGBTQ+ culture.
Barcelona – Spain
Barcelona is the darling city of Europe. Long ago it overtook Madrid as the most visited city in Spain by the LGBTQ+ community (and just travelers in general) – partially due to its perfect positioning by the coast, partially due to the liberal attitudes of its populace.
Barcelona’s gay scene first appeared in the 1920’s in the form of bars, café and cabarets. However, the rise of the dictator Francisco Franco in Spain pushed it back underground in the late 1930’s. After his death in 1975 – just as in Madrid – a cultural explosion happened and Barcelona’s LGBTQ+ scene began to flourish once more, holding their first Pride parade in 1977- albeit with kickback from the police.
Nowadays, Barcelona’s gayborhood Exiample – or “Gaixample” as it is often known – thrives with bars, clubs and saunas. Raval makes for an alternative second with more of a focus on queerness – famously written about by the famous gay writer Jean Genet.
Museums like The National Art Museum of Barcelona (MNAC) and the Museum of Catalonia (MAC) no longer hide the queer influences in the works displayed there – largely due to the hard work of L’Ogullosa’s LGBTI Museums Initiative, which encourages museums to celebrate sexual and gender diversity in its exhibitions.
However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing in Barcelona over the years; in 1991 a transwoman Sonia Rescalvo was murdered in Ciutadella Park. However, now a gazebo stands in her honor to remind visitors of past prejudices against the LGBTQ+ community.
Milan – Italy
Milan has rightly earned the moniker as “the gay capital of Italy”, having unseated Rome in its reputation for acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Sure, all of Italy’s big cities like Florence, Naples and Palermo have queer culture, but Milan’s rises above and beyond the rest.
The northern Italy city has quite the LGBTQ+ history going back as far as two hundred years as being the once playground of Leonardo Di Vinci. The iconic painter spent the majority of his life within the city and is even said to have met his long-term male lover and apprentice, Salai, there. His famous painting ‘The Last Summer’ can still be found within the dining room of the Convent of Sana Maria Dele Grazie in Milan – ironically perhaps given the Vatican’s takes on homosexuality throughout the ages.
Milan’s LGBTQ+ movement really took form in the 70’s though, with many gay venues opening around the city. Today the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t just exist, it thrives! Port Venezia is the center point of Milan’s gay scene, where the LGBTQ+ energy is palpable – so busy at the weekends that the hordes joyously spill out onto the streets.
It’s impossible to talk about queer culture in Milan and not mention fashion. Fashion is the lifeblood of the city and – naturally – you’ll find LGBTQ+ people at its head. For the fashion focused, one can enjoy shopping sprees, visit the filming sites of House of Gucci, and even attend Milan’s Fashion Week.
Munich – Germany
Munich gives Berlin a run for its money when it comes to its LGBTQ+ scene. The gay scene is deeply integrated into the fabric of the city’s social and cultural life, creating an atmosphere of inclusivity that resonates throughout. The gayborhood of Glockenbachviertel boasts an eclectic array of LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants and community centers.
Munich has a strong history of being welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Way back in the 60’s Ochsengarten opened – the first leather bar (frequented by the grand high gay Freddy Mercury himself) -, it was the first city in Germany to hold a Pride and Munich was the first city in all Europe to have an LGBTQ+ person as on its local council in the lesbian Rosa Liste. This history is proudly displayed in the Munich City Museum, with a whole exhibit paying tribute to the LGBTQ+ community.
Where Munich realty shines though is in its festivals. As well as Pride, Oktoberfest holds ‘Gay Sunday’ as part of its celebrations – a rather raucous gay party with – yes – a lot of beer. And, during the Christmas period, the gays get in on the Christmas Market action with Pink Christmas – a place for the gays to gather, sip mulled wine and enjoy tunes for spun by an iconic local gay DJ dressed as Santa Claus.
Brighton – England
The seaside resort city of Brighton is referred to as the “gay capital of England”. The reputation is well-deserved, as Brighton somehow feels both quintessentially English and yet thoroughly gay. After a simple stroll down through Kemptown – it’s gay area – you’ll soon see why. Cafes, shops and pubs – that’s the UK equivalent of a tavern for those not in the loop – proudly display rainbow flags from their windows and rafters. And gay couples are often seen canoodling while tucking into fish and chips on Brighton’s pebble stone beaches or holding hands on Brighton pier.
Brighton’s history with the LGBTQ+ community first started with some “dalliances” with sailors and soldiers in the 19th century, ending in arrests for many. Fast forward to the 1920’s and Brighton garnered a reputation for being somewhat of a haven for LGBTQ+ people, with waterholes in Hempton serving as gathering places for the community – if somewhat discreetly. However, it was only after the second world war that Brighton began to grow into the gaytopia we know it as today.
Now museums like the coolly named ‘Queer The Pier’ pay tribute to LGBTQ+ artists in Brighton. But no more are Brighton’s queer credentials more obvious than at Pride – one of the biggest in Europe. During which the whole city seems to turn out with parades, street parties and a huge concert in Preston Park.
LGBTQ+ culture is extensive, rich and just a lot of fun. It refuses to hide within the walls of the capital cities anymore, as we share it with the world – and it’s all the better for it.
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