Why You Should Make Tempe Your Next LGBTQ+ Southwest Destination

If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+-friendly stop on a road trip through the Sonoran Desert, or a destination worth flying into on its own, Tempe, Arizona, offers a welcoming entry point to the Southwest. Located in the heart of Greater Phoenix and just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe pairs easy access with a longstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and a thriving local community.Afterall, there’s something about the desert that has a hold on LGBTQ+ people. From Navajo painter R.C. Gorman to Zuni weaver and cultural ambassador We’wha, many notable LGBTQ+ people from the American Southwest have drawn inspiration and clarity from the beautiful landscape. That’s why Southwestern road trips can be a common staple of LGBTQ+ travel plans, lest we forget the premise of author Imogen Binnie’s seminal novel Nevada. With LGBTQ+ road trips in mind, we strongly suggest you consider Tempe as your first stop. Courtesy of Tempe TourismIn addition to the stunning natural landscape, Tempe cultivates an environment that has long-uplifted LGBTQ+ residents and travelers, as the city became one of the first to elect an openly gay mayor in 1991, and unanimously voted to pass a city-wide ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in 2014. Tempe has earned a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index for more than a decade, reflecting the city's LGBTQ+-inclusive laws, policies and services.But beyond its affirming past and present, Tempe’s LGBTQ+ life goes so much further than yearly Pride celebrations. From LGBTQ-owned businesses like Brick Road Coffee to drag bingo at Drink Me! Tea Room, Tempe has a wide variety of options to plan your stay around. Because it’s located close to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, it also makes it a highly accessible destination if you’re not traveling by car. If you need further convincing on why you should visit Tempe, or just want to learn more about what the city has to