Swing States! Check out the 7 hottest gayborhoods in U.S. states that turned blue

This story originally appeared on Out.The midterm elections ended with a historic number of LGBTQ+ candidates being elected in a rainbow wave that swept the nation and turned normally red states blue. These newly blue states are leaning more liberal now, but they have always had gayborhoods — you just might not have heard of them before. These safe havens within conservative areas are full of thriving queer art scenes, countless gay bars and nightclubs, and parades and festivals that make them worth spending your time and money in.So whether you are looking for a new city to move to or a new vacation destination, it’s time to start considering these hidden gems in former Republican strongholds.Short North Arts District — Columbus, OhioThe Short North Arts District serves as the heart of the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio with iconic rainbow crosswalks, queer-owned businesses, and a thriving gay nightlife. The gayborhood stretches along High Street from downtown to the Ohio State University area, and is home to gay bars, clubs, and drag performances, and is transformed every year for the Pride Festival and Parade.Historic East Village — Des Moines, IowaSherman Hill might be the historic gay neighborhood in Iowa, but the Historic East Village has become the center of gay nightlife and LGBTQ+ community events. The lively and walkable city is full of restaurants featuring drag brunches, is home to Des Moines’s oldest gay bar The Blazing Saddle, and has an unofficial lesbian dive bar called Locust Tap.Downtown Lawrence — Lawrence, KansasLawrence may be in the middle of the Midwest, but it’s also a gay-friendly city full of liberal, open-minded people in an otherwise conservative state. It’s a hip college town with a thriving gay community, queer nightlife options, and campus pride groups. Queer Naked Lunch author William S. Burroughs even spent time there!West Asheville — Asheville, North CarolinaWest Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of those gr