Out x Out Blog
Travel guides, local insights, and stories from the LGBTQ+ community around the world.
RuPaul's Drag Race Viewing Parties & Where to Watch
The one page for Drag Race night: which season is on, where to stream it in the US, and the gay bars hosting viewing parties in every city we cover, updated automatically from live listings.
Robbie S.
Were the Village People Gay? The Real Story Behind YMCA
The Village People were created by a gay producer as a set of gay fantasy characters and launched to gay disco audiences, but the members themselves differ. Here is what each has said on the record, and the two readings of YMCA.
Robbie S.
What Is an Atlantis Cruise Like? The 2027 Guide to Atlantis Events
Atlantis Events charters whole ships for gay men. Here's who sails, what the parties are, what's included, what a 2027 Atlantis cruise really costs with fees, and how booking works, from Atlantis's own pages.
Robbie S.
Gay Bear Cruises 2027: Every Bear Sailing, Dated
Every bear cruise from late 2026 to early 2028 — BearCruise, Bears On Deck, Adventure Bears and Arno's Bear Cruises — with ships, ports, real fares and what each group includes, from the operators' own sites.
Robbie S.
Is Bali Safe for Gay Travelers? A Gay Guide to Bali
Bali has a welcoming, mostly Hindu culture, a busy little gay strip in Seminyak with drag shows, and a weekly gay dinner in Ubud. Here is where to go, where to stay, and what Indonesia's criminal code does and doesn't mean for gay visitors.
Robbie S.
Is Dubai Safe for Gay Travelers? An Honest Guide
Same-sex relations are illegal in the UAE, and the law applies to tourists. Here is the law, how it is applied to visitors, and what to expect at hotels, on apps and at the airport.
Robbie S.
Lesbian Cruises 2027: Every Women's Sailing, Dated
Every lesbian and women's cruise from late 2026 through early 2028: Olivia's full-ship charters, Lesbians Aboard's group sailings on Virgin Voyages, and the mixed LGBTQ+ options, with dates, fares and what's already waitlisted.
Robbie S.
The Most (and Least) Gay Friendly States, Ranked by Law and Cost
California and Colorado top the legal rankings, Tennessee sits at the bottom, and only two top-tier states cost at or below the national average to live in. Here are the most and least Gay Friendly states, and the affordable ones in between.
Robbie S.
What Is an Olivia Cruise Like? The 2027 Guide to Olivia Travel
Olivia charters whole ships for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women. Here's who sails, the 2027 entertainers and programs, what's included, what it costs with the $499 fee, which 2027 cruises still have cabins, and how booking works.
Robbie S.
What Is a VACAYA Cruise Like? The 2027 Guide to VACAYA
VACAYA charters ships for the whole LGBTQ+ community, not just gay men. Here's who sails, the 2027 theme nights, what's included, what it really costs with fees, and how booking and cancellation work.
Robbie S.
The Best Vacations for Gay Men Over 40: Where to Go, Where to Stay, and What to Expect
After 40 the velvet rope matters less and the pool deck matters more. Here are the six destinations that deliver, the bear weeks and cruises built for a slower pace, and where to stay in each, drawn from our venue listings and event guides.
Robbie S.
The Gay-Friendly Caribbean: Which Islands to Book and Which to Skip
Caribbean law has changed fast since 2022, in both directions. Here is the current legal picture island by island, the places that are easy to book, the ones that take judgment, the ones still criminalizing gay sex, and where a cruise makes more sense than a stay.
Robbie S.
How Gay Weddings Work: What to Expect, Who Walks, Who Pays, Rings and Names
There is no rulebook for a wedding with two grooms or two brides, which is the point. Here is what couples actually do, from the aisle to the rings to the last name, with the survey data behind it, plus what to expect if you are a guest.
Robbie S.
Is Japan Gay Friendly? What Travelers Should Actually Expect
Same-sex relations are legal in Japan and its US travel advisory is at the lowest level; Tokyo has a gay district and a Pride with about 270,000 total attendances in 2026. It is also quiet about it: there is no national same-sex marriage, and public affection is uncommon for everyone. Here is what to expect.
Robbie S.
Is Mexico Safe for Gay Travelers? The Real Picture
Mexico has marriage equality nationwide, a gay neighborhood running down to the beach in Puerto Vallarta, and a Pride march in Mexico City that drew 550,000 people in 2026. Here is the real picture, including the risks the US advisory and Mexican reporting flag.
Robbie S.
Is Morocco Safe for Gay Travelers? What to Know Before You Go
Same-sex relations are illegal in Morocco, and the law is enforced, mostly against Moroccans. Gay couples still visit Marrakech on discretion terms. Here is what that means at the hotel, on apps and on the street.
Robbie S.
Is Turkey Safe for Gay Travelers? Legal, but Complicated
Same-sex relations have been legal in Turkey since 1858, but 2026 has been a hard year: gay bars closed in Istanbul, a police operation in September detained more than a hundred people, and Hornet was blocked again. Here is what that means for a visitor.
Robbie S.
LGBTQ+ Retirement Communities in the US: The Real Options, Checked One by One
Dedicated LGBTQ+ retirement communities are rare, and at least one that still shows up in older articles has closed. We checked each one against its own website in October 2026. Here is what is actually open, what it costs where prices are published, and how to vet a mainstream community.
Robbie S.
The Safest Countries for Gay Travelers, Ranked by What Actually Matters
A travel-focused index built on three things: the law, the social climate and whether there is a scene to enjoy. Here are the easy yeses, the popular-but-complicated places, and the countries to skip, with every legal change through October 2026 dated and checked against named sources.
Robbie S.
Types of Gay Bars Explained: Leather Bars, Bear Bars, Tea Dances, Piano Bars and More
Leather bar, bear bar, video bar, tea dance, piano bar, dive. Every type of gay bar explained: what it is, how it started, what a night looks like, and how to find one near you.
Robbie S.
What Is a Circuit Party? A First-Timer's Guide to the Gay Circuit
Circuit parties are the big dance weekends on the gay calendar. Here's what they are, where the name came from, what actually happens, what to wear, and which one to pick first.
Robbie S.
Gay Cruises 2027: Every Sailing in One Sortable Table
Every gay and lesbian cruise from November 2026 to February 2028 in one sortable table, with ships, ports, real fares and sold-out status, checked on the operators’ own sites.
Robbie S.
Drag Brunch: The Best Shows in the US, City by City
A city-by-city guide to drag brunch in America — the best shows in 20+ cities, which day each runs, what to expect, and how far ahead to book.
Robbie S.
Gay Nude Beaches in the US: Where They Are and What's Actually Legal
A guide to gay nude beaches in the US — which stretches are legally clothing-optional, which are gay but not nude, and what enforcement is actually like.
Robbie S.Never Miss a Story
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