At Love Inc., we believe every couple deserves a honeymoon that is beautifully unforgettable—and safe. This new index aims to help LGBTQ+ couples plan with freedom, joy and confidence.
When two people say “I do,” they’re not just committing to a lifetime together—they’re setting off on the first chapter of their shared story. For queer, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse couples, that honeymoon is more than sun and sand. It’s a statement: of love, of belonging, of living out loud.
So today we’re thrilled to unveil the LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index, our brand-new state-by-state travel rating system developed as part of Love Inc.’s mission to spotlight inclusive, safe, and affirming destinations.
Why We Created It
There’s a significant gap in mainstream honeymoon travel guides — most don’t explicitly evaluate how safe a destination is for LGBTQ+ couples. And while all of our honeymoon content is centered around LGBTQ+ inclusivity, we felt a formal evaluation system was needed.
With over a decade of experience covering LGBTQ+ weddings (and honeymoons), Love Inc. is uniquely positioned to engineer a meaningful scoring system that reflects both destination appeal and inclusivity.
How the Index Works (in brief)
We designed the LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Safety Index with core pillars, each weighted to reflect priority for LGBTQ+ couples:
- Legal & Policy Protections: Are there statewide or national laws protecting LGBTQ+ people? How strong is the legislative climate?
- Visibility + Community Presence: How visible is the LGBTQ+ community? Are there affirming hotels, vendors, events and resources for queer travelers?
- Reported & Actual Safety: What’s the real-world experience? We analyzed hate-crime reporting, tourism-sector transparency, and how inclusive hospitality sectors really are.
Each destination receives a score out of 100, then grouped into rating bands: Excellent, Caution, Elevated Risk. Example:
- California scored 93/100 — Excellent.
- Florida scored 47/100 — Elevated Risk.
These numbers serve as a guide, not a verdict. Every trip has nuance. But couples can use the index as a starting point for planning, asking questions, and making empowered choices.
What It Means for You
- Destination Confidence. Choose a spot where you’ll feel seen, celebrated, and safe.
- Ask the Right Questions. Poolside bar? LGBTQ-friendly staff? Inclusive programming? Use this index as your checklist.
- Plan Smart. If you’re considering a destination in a lower-scoring state/region, lean more heavily into research: pick queer-owned accommodations, stay in metro hubs, avoid making assumptions.
- Celebrate Inclusion. Use your honeymoon to reward destinations and vendors doing the right thing. Give them your business and your voice.
What’s Next
We’ll continue updating the index annually (or more frequently, as needed) to reflect legal changes, community shifts and fresh reporting within the U.S. and beyond. We’ll also publish deep-dives into how each state or destination earned its score so you’re not just seeing a number — you’re seeing the story behind it.
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