Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
As you contemplate moving to a new place, you’re likely to ponder how the locals will embrace your authentic self if you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a crucial and reasonable concern to have, given that we still live in a world where acceptance isn’t always a given.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Alaska, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Alaska and whether Alaska embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Alaska, and LGBT community organizations in Alaska that you should be aware of!
Alaska is also referred to as America’s last frontier, and it is a well-regarded tourist destination. Not many people would look at Alaska as the best location to live, work, and play. The truth is that as beautiful as this state is, it isn’t for the faint of heart.
Alaska is snowy temperatures, a vast tundra, snowy mountains, and dense forests that are attractive to those who live for adventure. If you’ve been thinking of moving to Alaska and are a member of the LGBT community, you’ve got lots to consider.
While some of the larger cities in the state, such as Juneau, protect their LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination, there aren’t any statewide laws other than those that cover universities and colleges. Even so, this doesn’t mean all is lost for LGBTQ Alaska. While the queer community isn’t as vibrant or visible as those in more gay-friendly states, it is very much here, queer and present.
There are plenty of LGBTQ establishments where you can meet like-minded people and make new friends if you make the effort to seek them out. Moreover, there are enough LGBTQ+ resources to offer you the vital support you need to fit in and feel at home, because everyone, regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation, deserves to be treated with respect and equality under the law.
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Alaska early in the process to help you find your new perfect home there. They will have up-to-the-minute information on the best cities and areas for LGBT people and be able to match your needs to a neighborhood most suited to you.
You can just start with a no-obligation conversation, and if you decide to continue with your move to Alaska – they will not only have your best interests at heart but also ensure you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process.
In this article we will cover...
Highlights Of Moving To Gay Alaska
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Alaska presents – especially once you get chatting with residents and long-time locals in the know about all their state’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you should quickly befriend locals, let them ‘spill the tea’ and then spend your free time discovering the best sights, food, nature and culture Alaska has to offer. On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community – which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots – securing a relocation to Alaska should allow you to meet local queer people with similar interests.
We are certain locals will have many more to add, but to get you excited, here are just a few highlights to look forward to as you become Alaska’s newest denizen.
It’s A Beautiful Place
There are few places on earth that are as distinctively gorgeous as the State of Alaska. The natural splendor of Alaska is astounding, from the snow-capped high peaks of Denali National Park to the magnificent Aleutian Islands, which are home to numerous volcanoes.
The most spectacular wildlife, natural events, and landscapes are regularly visible to and experienced by locals.
Rich And Distinctive History
Alaska has a very fascinating and active history, spanning from its early days as a bridge connecting to Siberia through its official admission as a U.S. state in 1959. The Klondike Gold Rush, the Good Friday earthquake, and the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act that set aside vast areas for conservation throughout Alaska are all significant events throughout its history.
Alaska’s rich past is visible to residents through its national parks, antiquities, museums, and renowned oil sector.
The Ultimate Hunting And Fishing Experience
You’ve come to the correct location if fishing and hunting are some of your favorite activities. The hunting and fishing prospects in Alaska are among the most distinctive in the entire world.
As stated by the State of Alaska, hunting opportunities in the Southeast rainforest area include hare and grouse hunting, mountain goat hunting, and brown bear hunting. Caribou and Moose are both widely dispersed throughout the state. Along with the renowned king crab, you can probably find salmon, halibut, trout, and various fish species in the state’s streams and rivers.
Wildlife Is Widespread
Living in Alaska can entail stopping for moose crossing as they cross the road, hiking as bald eagles fly overhead, or biking along a track where you can see beluga whales. There’s potential to see some of the state’s magnificent and diverse wildlife even if you don’t go very far into the woods.
You might run into a bear if you want to do a lot of trekking and camping. Although they usually stay away from people, it’s still important to learn how to avoid confrontations with them.
LGBTQ+ Rights In The USA
The laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have altered considerably over time in the United States and vary from state to state. In many ways, LGBT rights are some of the best in the world – but the devil is in the detail, and some places are much more hostile to queer life than others.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in every state since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015 (before Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. ), LGBT people are still treated differently in different states – both societally and as inequality under the law.
Over half of all states still allow discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, while counties and cities within states often have distinct laws as well. While some states permit adoption by all couples, others forbid it for all unmarried couples.
This is all to say what most of us already know is that LGBT rights and equality differ greatly across the USA, and the specifics of family, marriage and anti-discrimination laws are different in every state.
Thus, while it is comforting to know that you can choose to marry whoever you love across the USA (and have it recognized as such) and are protected against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity (which can be punished under Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), there are still many questions you will likely have about moving to Alaska and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Alaska Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
America as a whole, and the queer community, in particular, rejoiced when the Supreme Court decided in favor of same-sex unions. Same-sex unions, as well as the gay and lesbian movement, are now more widely accepted than ever. Though the national debate has taken center stage, state-level discussions are still going on.
The estimated LGBT population in Alaska is 0.25 percent. Alaska is considered the 31st most gay-friendly in the country. There are 862 queer households overall in The Last Frontier. Although Alaska has always been a highly conservative state, there aren’t as many of the religious traditions that are synonymous with the Southern states here.
Most people today accept and also tolerate LGBTQ+ individuals. I should be clear, especially in Anchorage. While there is a small LGBTQ+ community in a few smaller cities and towns, the degree of acceptance in rural areas is lower than in urban ones.
In 2014, same-sex marriage became lawful. However, regulations that permit active discrimination, particularly when it comes to transgender people, are still in existence. Anchorage has a program where drag queens can read to kids at the neighborhood library. Regular protests against this program are held in the city.
The event usually has a ‘Queens Guard’ to protect attendees from any harm. Agencies like the ACLU in Alaska have a long history of fighting for the rights of LGBT Americans and are pleased with their victory in state legislatures and the U.S. Supreme Court over marriage equality.
In 2011 in Alaska, they secured the right for people who identify as transgender to indicate their lived gender on their driver’s licenses.
In 2014, they achieved equality for same-sex couples with regard to tax breaks offered to heterosexual married couples. In 2015, they rejoiced alongside the rest of the nation when the Supreme Court announced the historic decision to permit all devoted, loving couples to get married in each of the 50 states.
Is Alaska An Expensive State To Move To?
Sadly, Alaska is also recognized as one of the most costly states to live in. The cost of living in the state was 24.09% higher than the U.S. average as of January 2021. While you can live within your means, here, a lot will depend on the city you choose.
There’s a wide range of options for migrating because the state is so big, from metropolis areas to rural communities and all in between. The most costly city in Alaska is Anchorage, which is 37% more expensive than the country’s average. Not too far behind is Juneau, the state’s capital, which has a cost of living that is 36.5% more than the U.S. average.
Housing
Alaska’s average home price is $265,384, slightly higher than the $263,000 U.S. average. Of course, this figure varies from city to city.
Utilities
Alaska generally has substantially higher utility costs than the rest of the country, with an average cost that is around 33% more than the national average. Electricity expenses make up a sizable amount of this. The lengthy Alaskan winter will result in skyrocketing utility costs due to the state’s bitterly cold weather.
Food
Thanks to its location, food coming to the state frequently requires extensive transportation in order to reach supermarkets and dining establishments. This is particularly true I n more remote locations, where housing costs are lower but food costs are greater.
Transportation
The majority of Alaskans own a car because there is hardly any public transportation there. If you move to Alaska, you’ll probably need to factor in additional expenses such as car payments, insurance, maintenance, and gasoline expenditures.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Alaska
Wherever you live, it is essential that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other, more vulnerable members of the community. After all, we are stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Thankfully, Alaska has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the state become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home state moving forwards! They are also great places to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Gay Alaska.
Based in Anchorage, Identity is an LGBTQIA2S+ group that was established in 1977 as a non-profit corporation. Their goal is to build a society in which everyone may proudly express their gender identities and sexual orientations in safety and freedom.
Their purpose is to support LGBTQIA2S+ Alaska through activism, education, connectivity, and health care. The organization envisions a society in which everyone may proudly express their orientations and identities in safety and freedom.
A group of youth, parents, community members, and mentors came together to form Choosing Our Roots in order to fulfill a shared desire to find a more effective and long-lasting solution to the issue of homelessness among Alaska’s LGBTQ+ youth.
In addition to providing refuge, Choosing Our Roots helps queer teenagers and young adults, aged 13 to 24, by fostering lasting relationships with volunteer Host Home families and neighborhood residents.
Along with providing secure homes and uniting new families, COR works with neighborhood partners to offer comprehensive services and create a network of support for its members.
Pride Foundation is Alaska’s only LGBTQ+ community group with staff and board based in Anchorage. The state is one of 27 that lacks statewide laws to protect citizens based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Several localities have revised their anti-discrimination legislation in response to this statewide political reality. Anchorage, Juneau, and Sitka are some of these localities. Despite these obstacles, the community is working hard and passionately to remedy these injustices.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Alaska
In Alaska, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Alaska, you should be cognizant that there are a few cities and gaybourhoods that are nearer to the queer hubs of life. Knowing them will allow you to pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or town that is best suited to your needs.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person seeking a welcoming neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Alaska cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Alaska’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Alaska…and just because it does not make our list doesn’t necessarily make it a bad option.
We recommend speaking to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today. Now, let’s take a look at where these fabulously gay-friendly cities in Alaska are and why you might want to consider them!
Anchorage
One of the first places in the state to successfully advocate for LGBT rights is Anchorage. Recently, efforts to revoke LGBT rights have been resisted by the non-profit organization Identity, Inc., based in Anchorage, which acts as a vocal advocate of the LGBT community.
For LGBT families, the northern region of downtown, which the community has informally taken over, offers a variety of entertainment options and retail opportunities, including the renowned Mad Myrna’s.
Anchorage also hosts the state’s official LGBT pride festival. If you’re searching for an LGBTQ-friendly municipality to call home, the state might not be the first destination that comes to mind, but Anchorage does well on the HRC’s 2017 Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
The MEI looks at how welcoming a city’s laws, services, and policies are to LGBTQ residents. With an overall rating of 85, Anchorage merits more exploration. With a parade that draws more than 10,000 spectators, Anchorage fosters an environment of inclusion for its LGBTQ residents. There are more gay-friendly events all year long besides Pride celebrations.
The gay pub and cabaret in the vicinity, Mad Myrna’s, presents numerous events like drag shows, dance gatherings, and Drake! This city is ideal for anyone looking for a place with lots of acceptance, fun, and outdoor activities that Alaska is famous for. Only two gay bars can be found in Anchorage, Alaska, which has a population of just under 300,000.
Fairbanks
The unofficial hub for LGBT families that prefer conventional religious practices is Fairbanks. Nearly every denomination has a church in the area. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fairbanks and the Fairbanks Lutheran Church are two of the city’s most well-known churches.
Fairbanks Pride social group and the Interior AIDS Association both serve to unite the neighborhood. The Fairbanks Diversity Council, a community think tank charged with developing fresh programs for the LGBT population, has also been established by the city.
Fairbanks is the state’s second-largest city, but it has a small yet vibrant GLBT community, some of which are connected to Alaska’s first university, the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Fairbanks isn’t particularly against the queer community compared to other US locations, but it’s also not exactly a paragon of LGBTQ tolerance either. If you’re moving here, it would be wise to be ready for more stupidity and ignorance than antagonism. You’re likely to be the recipient of ignorant questions or statements.
Alaska has been known to have high rates of domestic violence, so queer people should exercise extreme caution when choosing a romantic partner. Check out potential partners and be on the lookout for early warning signs, especially with alcohol/drug misuse, as it is a major issue here.
Juneau
The Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance, also known as SEAGLA, is based in Juneau. SEAGLA has been a particularly effective group in promoting the benefits and rights of LGBT families, hosting movie festivals, kickball leagues, karaoke nights, and picnics throughout the community.
Recently, SEAGLA received a donation of thousands of dollars from the Pride Foundation to support its initiatives. According to SEAGLA officials, this funding will enable the organization to go beyond Juneau.
Juneau, the state’s capital, has evidently long been a hub for LGBT families in the state in terms of offering economic and employment opportunities. The LGBT community will undoubtedly have more clout as a result of the concentrated economic and political power in this region, not just in Juneau but also in other major cities within the state.
A good number of LGBT people live in Juneau, which has a population of around 30,000 and is widely regarded as the state’s most progressive city. Additionally, the city’s pubs and restaurants are generally extremely welcoming.
A city law banning discrimination in employment, public accommodation, and housing, based on gender identity and sexual orientation, along with race, age, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability, was approved by the Juneau Assembly by an 8 to 1 vote in 2016.
After the Anchorage Assembly’s adoption of such safeguards in September 2015, the city is the second major Alaskan community to establish a non-discrimination policy protecting LGBT individuals.
Finding Gay Realtors In Alaska
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Alaska is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to one of life’s most significant transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home.
That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Alaska, and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
You no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Alaska to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradespeople, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then choose the one that is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
