Atlanta drops to No. 9 in gayest U.S. cities rankings
Note: The original version of this story incorrectly said Atlanta was No. 1 in 2011. Minneapolis was No. 1 in 2011, Atlanta was No. 1 in 2010. Atlanta was No. 7 in 2011.
Is Atlanta's rainbow fading?
The Advocate magazine's annual ranking of gayest cities in America is out and Atlanta has been knocked down to No. 9 from 2010's No. 1 ranking.
America's new gay mecca? Salt Lake City, Utah.
A new, less scientific methodology is likely to blame for the jumbled rankings. For its third annual list, the magazine uses what it calls "decidedly subjective criteria" instead of census information that tracks same-sex couples as a percentage of the population. Instead, The Advocate opts for "per capita queerness," which gives smaller cities a chance to compete.
But Salt Lake City? Here's how the magazine explains the new No. 1 pick.
"While those unfamiliar with the Beehive State are likely to conjure images of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, far-less-oppressive-than-it-used-to-be Salt Lake City has earned its queer cred. There are more than a half-dozen hot spots for men and women, including the eco-friendly nightclub Jam (JamSLC.com), though the sustainable bamboo flooring is perhaps less of a draw than the packed dance floor. The Coffee Garden (878 South 900 East) is a gathering spot for those looking for a caffeine fix, the Sundance Film Festival brings LGBT film buffs to screenings downtown, and lesbian-owned Meditrina (MeditrinaSLC.com) is a true wine bar — yes, you can get a drink in this town."
Atlanta, the biggest city still in the top 15, gets high marks:
"We won't fault you for trying to forget Real Housewife Kim Zolciak's dip into the lesbian pool — but don't blame Atlanta if everyone there wants to sample the fun LGBTs have all over town. Lesbian businesses thrive in East Atlanta, and gay clubs go off in Mechanicsville. People coming to Atlanta like to party, and the GayTL delivers with Black Gay Pride in September and Atlanta Pride in October, and the black gay clubs' second-busiest weekend of the year surrounds the observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday in January. Holla!"
Other Southern cities on the list include:
- Orlando (2), because it has "more gay softball teams than you can shake a Louisville Slugger at."
- Knoxville, Tenn. (8), which has "defiantly produced a robust gay scene" despite a state legislature that has been an "unmitigated disaster for [gay] rights."
- Austin, Texas, (13), has repelled "backwoodsiness from previous and current statehouse residents George W. Bush or Rick Perry" to "keep Austin suitably weird — and gay."
About the Author
George Mathis has worked in the AJC newsroom since 1999 in a variety of roles including editing local news, blogger and columnist.
