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The acceptance of sexuality is inextricably linked with freedom and quality of life. In this unique research piece, we show which cities are considered to be the most sexually permissive and liberal in the world. more

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Vancouver Chicago New York City Atlanta Houston Dallas Miami San Francisco Los Angeles San Diego Montreal Toronto Vancouver Chicago New York City Atlanta Houston Dallas Miami San Francisco West Hollywood Los Angeles San Diego Montreal Toronto Vancouver Chicago New York City Atlanta Houston Dallas Miami San Francisco West Hollywood Los Angeles San Diego Montreal Toronto Santiago Santiago Santiago Berlin Cologne Madrid Amsterdam Paris London Barcelona Rome Vienna Budapest Lisbon Hamburg Berlin Cologne Madrid Amsterdam Paris London Barcelona Rome Vienna Berlin Cologne Madrid Amsterdam Paris London Barcelona Rome Vienna Sydney Melbourne Sydney Melbourne Sydney Melbourne

The acceptance of sexuality is inextricably linked with freedom and quality of life. We show which cities are considered to be the most sexually permissive and liberal in the world. more

Overall Rankings

CitySex
Shops		Gay
Bars		LGBT
Events		Large
Gay Pride Events		Changing
Gender		LGBTIQ
Discrimination		Sexwork
Legality		Sexwork
Organisations		Contraception
Use		Abortion
Rights		Final
Score
1San Francisco26421176Legal, no restrictionIllegalIllegal661.4On request72.5
2Amsterdam2326634Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegalLegal862.3On request71.4
3Cologne19222229Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegalLegal158.1On request61.9
4Lisbon3115313Legal, no restrictionIllegalAbolitionism059.8On request59.4
5Vancouver24548Legal, no restrictionIllegalNeo-abolitionism472.1On request57.8
6Barcelona3834745Legal, no restrictionIllegalAbolitionism256.5On request52.7
7Berlin44502346Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegalLegal358.1On request51.3
8Vienna1820420Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegalLegal360.7On request49.8
9Paris3042829Legal, no restrictionIllegalNeo-abolitionism463.5On request49.6
10Hamburg2219816Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegalLegal058.1On request48.3
11Montreal276418Legal, no restrictionIllegalNeo-abolitionism272.1On request47.7
12San Diego4423525Legal, no restrictionIllegalIllegal061.4On request46.8
13Toronto3111620Legal, no restrictionIllegalNeo-abolitionism372.1On request46.7
14Madrid3448449Legal, no restrictionIllegalAbolitionism156.5On request46
15Atlanta4414831Legal, but requires surgeryNo protectionsIllegal161.46th week45.9
16Los Angeles11556574Legal, no restrictionIllegalIllegal061.4On request45
17Miami349839IllegalIllegal in some contextsIllegal061.415th week44.9
18Chicago4428436Legal, no restrictionIllegalIllegal261.4On request42.8
19New York City8373865Legal, no restrictionIllegalIllegal761.4On request40.8
20Melbourne162522Legal, no restrictionIllegal in some contextsDecriminalization157.2On request38
21Rome4518314Legal, but requires medical diagnosisNo protectionsLegal055.6On request34.9
22London4050942Legal, but requires medical diagnosisIllegal in some contextsAbolitionism371.7Broad social or economic grounds34.7
23Sydney155942Legal, but requires surgeryIllegal in some contextsDecriminalization057.2On request33.9
24Budapest75113IllegalIllegalLegal145On request32.6
25Santiago32762Legal, no restrictionIllegalAbolitionism059.9To save the womens life31.8
26Dallas5422531Legal, but requires surgeryNo protectionsIllegal061.46th week25.7
27Houston4818520Legal, but requires surgeryNo protectionsIllegal061.46th week18.9

2023 Rankings

CityGay
bars		Sex
Shops		LGBT
Events		Gay
Pride		Gender
Rights		Gay
Marriage		Anti-
discrimination		Sexwork
Legality		PrEPContraception
1Cologne1719234Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized69.2
2West Hollywood322830Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized73.9
3Amsterdam142361Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized69.2
4Madrid223545Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized69.2
5Berlin3144151Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized69.2
6Santiago73150Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized76.3
7Vienna71840Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized69.2
8San Francisco352941Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized74.8
9Montreal65381Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized74.8
10Vancouver52350Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized74.8
11New York City8299232Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized74.8
12Toronto105791Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized74.8
13San Diego245071Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized74.8
14London3039111Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized69.2
15Barcelona303870Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized69.2
16Los Angeles539051Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized74.8
17Chicago306841Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalIllegalAuthorized74.8
18Miami72581Legal, but requires surgeryLegalIllegal, in some contextsIllegalAuthorized74.8
19Paris193051Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized69.2
20Atlanta153871Legal, but requires surgeryLegalNo protectionsIllegalAuthorized74.8
21Rome44132Legal, surgery not requiredCivil UnionsIllegal, in some contextsAbolitionismAuthorized69.2
22Sydney51491Legal, surgery not requiredLegal, but required surgeryIllegalDecriminalizationAuthorized59.4
23Melbourne11651Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal, in some contextsDecriminalisationAuthorized59.4
24Dallas267850Legal, but requires surgeryLegalNo protectionsIllegalAuthorized74.8
25Houston245551Legal, but requires surgeryLegalNo protectionsIllegalAuthorized74.8

2021 Rankings

CityGay
bars		Sex
Shops		LGBT
Events		Gay
Pride		Gender
Rights		Gay
Marriage		Anti-
discrimination		Sexwork
Legality		PrEPContraception
1New York City17671102Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
2Cologne1815234Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized67
3Berlin3244151Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized67
4Madrid223555Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized72.2
5Los Angeles6211531Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
6San Francisco11628111Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
7London273991Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized76.1
8Amsterdam152361Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized73
9Montreal92471Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized85
10Atlanta294671Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
11Sydney81481Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalWithcriminalizationAuthorized66.9
12Paris212951Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized78.4
13Chicago494241Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
14Toronto162891Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsNeo-abolitionismAuthorized73.9
15Melbourne41551Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalLegalAuthorized66.9
16San Diego484531Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
17Barcelona243840Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismAuthorized72.2
18Houston304351Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
19Vienna271841Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegalAbolitionismGenerics available (not fully refunded)79
20West Hollywood843230Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
21Rome54532Legal, surgery not requiredRegistered partnershipsIllegal in Some ContextsAbolitionismGenerics available (not fully refunded)65.1
22Miami163171Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
23Dallas344940Legal, surgery not requiredLegalIllegal in Some ContextsIllegalAuthorized73.9
24Santiago73150Legal, but surgery requiredRegistered partnershipsIllegalLegalAuthorized76.3
25Vancouver82350Legal, Surgery Not RequiredLegalIllegalNeo-abolitionismAuthorized85

San Francisco

Rank 1/27
Sexshops 26
Gay Bars 42
LGBT Events 11
Large Gay Pride Events 76
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 6
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights On request

San Francisco - the legendary metropolis on the west coast of the USA - has been a place of longing for all those who are inclined towards freedom at least since the hippie era. Although the city is most often associated in the media with the technology companies of Silicon Valley, it has many other facets that make up its true character. San Francisco is widely known for its liberal lifestyle. Subcultures such as the LGBTQI scene are fully integrated into society. In terms of population, no other city can compete with San Francisco. It really does have it all, including everything to do with sex and eroticism. However, like almost everywhere else in the USA, real sex work is illegal here. Nobody's perfect, as they say in San Francisco - but hey, you can't take away the top spot in the Sexually Liberal City Index. We say: Congratulations!

Amsterdam

Rank 2/27
Sexshops 23
Gay Bars 26
LGBT Events 6
Large Gay Pride Events 34
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 8
Contraception Use 62.3
Abortion rights On request

Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North because of its many canals and waterways. Rarely does a city contain so much beauty in such a small space. With its relaxed drug and prostitution laws, Amsterdam has been considered a centre of freedom for decades. The city's legendary red light district attracts millions of visitors every year and is a prime example of Amsterdam's sexual permissiveness - and it has it all. Although there are 'only' 6 annual LGBTQ events, Gaypride, with its boat parade and extensive supporting programme, is one of the best of its kind. Since 1987, Amsterdam has been home to the Homomonument, the world's first memorial to persecuted and murdered homosexuals. Together with its many liberal regulations in all areas of life, Amsterdam is still a respectable second in this ranking. If you are looking for a very liberal place to live and are put off by the hustle and bustle of megacities, you may find your paradise in Amsterdam.

Cologne

Rank 3/27
Sexshops 19
Gay Bars 22
LGBT Events 22
Large Gay Pride Events 29
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 1
Contraception Use 58.1
Abortion rights On request

Cologne is world famous for its carnival and its cathedral, the tallest church in the world. But for many residents of this cosmopolitan, tolerant city, sex is the new religion. Cologne is definitely one of the most liberal cities in Germany, if not the world, and its number three ranking certainly reflects this. No other city in the Sexually Liberal City Index has as many annual LGBTQI events as Cologne, with a total of 22 events throughout the year. While Cologne may sometimes seem to play second fiddle to Berlin and Hamburg, anyone who has visited cannot help but fall for its charms, with many international artists and celebrities making 'Kölle' their home. The city on the Rhine is a true model of liberality and openness, especially in the sexual sense, and its residents wholeheartedly welcome like-minded visitors who share their values. Rather than insisting on equality, Cologne celebrates everyone's uniqueness.

Lisbon

Rank 4/27
Sexshops 31
Gay Bars 15
LGBT Events 3
Large Gay Pride Events 13
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 59.8
Abortion rights On request

Just missing the podium: Lisbon, the picturesque capital of Portugal, has become a sex-positive city in recent years. This transformation is reflected in the city's open and inclusive culture, which attracts locals and visitors alike and allows them to live their sexuality freely and without shame. We reward this development with a great fourth place!

Vancouver

Rank 5/27
Sexshops 24
Gay Bars 5
LGBT Events 4
Large Gay Pride Events 8
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Neo-abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 4
Contraception Use 72.1
Abortion rights On request

Vancouver is the most sex-positive city in Canada. Located on the border with the USA and on the Pacific coast, Vancouver is popular with locals and visitors alike. The city is internationally renowned for its liberal and modern society, where no one is discriminated against for their lifestyle. Sexual freedom is very important in Vancouver, which is why the city comes fifth in this ranking. There are many strip clubs in Vancouver around the City Centre subway station that are well worth a visit. With a little sensitivity, you can certainly pick up tips for further plans. To sum up: Vancouver is always worth a trip.

Barcelona

Rank 6/27
Sexshops 38
Gay Bars 34
LGBT Events 7
Large Gay Pride Events 45
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 2
Contraception Use 56.5
Abortion rights On request

Barcelona on the Mediterranean is a stunningly beautiful city with one of the highest quality of life imaginable. Who wouldn't fall in love with the mild climate, the wonderful summers, the beaches and the local Catalan cuisine? That's why millions of tourists flock to Barcelona every year. After all, the city is known far and wide for its vibrant culture and free-spirited inhabitants. You could say that Barcelona is the liberal centre of Spain - or Catalonia, depending on your point of view. Its vast cultural scene is considered one of the most prolific in Europe and attracts many freedom-loving spirits. Barcelona's LGBTQI scene is also huge and particularly diverse, and lovers of a sexy lifestyle will be in their element. If you enjoy a sexually permissive lifestyle and want to live out your fantasies openly, Barcelona is your paradise. Although sex work is not officially legal in Barcelona, there are still numerous brothels in apartments and even hotels, where the state simply looks the other way and allows the erotic business to flourish. This detracts a few points from the B grade, but the extremely attractive city of Barcelona still makes it into our rankings with flying colours, landing in 6th place in this case.

Berlin

Rank 7/27
Sexshops 44
Gay Bars 50
LGBT Events 23
Large Gay Pride Events 46
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 3
Contraception Use 58.1
Abortion rights On request

If you were to ask yourself what the most sexually liberal and permissive city in the world is, you would probably think of Berlin. After all, the German capital has been internationally renowned for its lavish parties and social freedoms since the 1920s. At the turn of the millennium, Berlin hosted the Love Parade, the world's largest party with over a million participants. It is home to many world-famous techno clubs, most notably Berghain and Watergate. Berlin has always had a huge gay scene, with at least 50 gay bars. Berlin also has a very sophisticated BDSM and fetish scene. Nobody has to hide in Berlin if they want to live their sexuality openly, which is clearly part of the city's special flair. Social openness is particularly pronounced here, which is also reflected in the fact that Berlin hosts the world's largest erotic trade fair, Venus, every year. Prostitution in Berlin is also perfectly legal and widespread in the city, and sexual minorities are protected by anti-discrimination laws. All things considered, Berlin comes 7th in our ranking.

Vienna

Rank 8/27
Sexshops 18
Gay Bars 20
LGBT Events 4
Large Gay Pride Events 20
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 3
Contraception Use 60.7
Abortion rights On request

Vienna, the incomparable capital of Austria, is internationally renowned for its Christmas markets, typical pastries and a very special way of life. Vienna has been ranked as the city with the highest quality of life in the world. This is certainly an important statement. In our ranking, Vienna ranks 8th. The Viennese are like the cherry on the cake of the German language, and it's not just the Sachertorte that invites you to savour it. With a population of just under two million, Vienna is a truly international metropolis dedicated to the finer things in life. Art and culture have always been as much at home here as licentiousness and debauchery. Vienna has been a colourful place at least since the time of the eccentric Empress Sisi. The city is home to probably the largest LGBTQI scene in the country, reflected in 20 gay bars and four major annual events. Prostitution is as legal in Austria as it is in Germany, which means that people do not have to fear state discrimination and can practice their sex work safely and legally. This is by no means a matter of course in an international comparison, and gives Vienna a few extra points in our ranking, making it a respectable success.

Paris

Rank 9/27
Sexshops 30
Gay Bars 42
LGBT Events 8
Large Gay Pride Events 29
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Neo-abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 4
Contraception Use 63.5
Abortion rights On request

Paris - the city of love. It may sound trite, but it is true. For centuries, Paris has also been a centre of sexual debauchery, documented in numerous novels by great names such as Alexandre Dumas, the Marquis de Sade, Restif de la Bretonne and many others. This pattern continues today with authors such as Emma Becker. French erotic and pornographic literature will certainly continue to be produced in the future, and Paris often plays an important role in this. Paris enriches the whole world in an erotic sense. This is true not only of literature, but also of films and music produced in Paris and France. Another source of permissive culture is the world-famous fashion industry in Paris, where the play with beauty, sexiness and subtle eroticism has taken on the highest forms. The LGBTQI scene in Paris is also extremely vibrant and free to express itself, at least as long as it moves in the right areas of the city. Perhaps surprisingly given its cultural history, prostitution has been banned in Paris and the rest of France since the 1950s.

Hamburg

Rank 10/27
Sexshops 22
Gay Bars 19
LGBT Events 8
Large Gay Pride Events 16
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 58.1
Abortion rights On request

When you think of Hamburg, you immediately think of Germany's most sinful mile - the Reeperbahn. Here, clubs, bars and theatres line up to offer everything from traditional musicals to modern burlesque shows. But Hamburg's sex-positive attitude extends far beyond the Reeperbahn, as evidenced by an impressive 10th place in our ranking. In 2024, Hamburg presents itself as a sex-positive city with an open and diverse attitude to sexuality. Although not quite enough to keep up with Cologne and Berlin, Hamburg is on the right track, with more than 400 sex workers in the city!

Montreal

Rank 11/27
Sexshops 27
Gay Bars 6
LGBT Events 4
Large Gay Pride Events 18
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Neo-abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 2
Contraception Use 72.1
Abortion rights On request

Montreal, Canada is considered one of the most liberal and liveable cities in the world. The second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, it knows how to excite. There have been no official brothels here for decades, but there are plenty of alternatives if you are looking for sex. There are many strip clubs, especially in the city centre, where contacts can be made for further plans. There are relatively few gay bars in Montreal, but you can easily find like-minded people through popular smartphone apps. When it comes to prostitution, Montreal follows a similar approach to the so-called Swedish model: offering sexual services is not illegal, but buying them is. This approach is also known as the neo-abolitionist principle. It is based on the assumption that positive, voluntary sex work can only be realised in very few cases. This issue is often politically divisive and sex worker organisations protest against this world view.

San Diego

Rank 12/27
Sexshops 44
Gay Bars 23
LGBT Events 5
Large Gay Pride Events 25
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights On request

San Diego is a wonderful but underrated city that many people don't even have on their radar. Situated in Southern California, close to the Mexican border, San Diego not only has a wonderfully liberal attitude to life, but it also guarantees good weather. These are two factors that make it a great place to visit. For a city of around 1.5 million people, there are a surprising number of gay bars and sex shops. If San Diegans were not particularly fun-loving and sexually permissive, this would not be the case. Instead, the city is a vibrant place where everyone can live it up and enjoy life to their heart's content. As well as plenty of sunshine, there are numerous beaches in the area and the city boasts beautiful promenades that invite you to take long walks and enjoy breathtaking views of the sunset. Those who feel lonely in San Diego cannot resort to legal prostitution, as sex work is not legal in this city, as it is almost everywhere in the USA.

Toronto

Rank 13/27
Sexshops 31
Gay Bars 11
LGBT Events 6
Large Gay Pride Events 20
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Neo-abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 3
Contraception Use 72.1
Abortion rights On request

Toronto is located in the south-east of Canada on Lake Ontario, close to the US border. There are numerous sex shops and strip clubs, most of which are concentrated in the Old Toronto neighbourhood, but there are also a few in other parts of the city. A relatively large number of LGBTQI events are held in the city each year, six in total, which places it relatively high in the middle of this ranking. Toronto does not have a red-light district with a large number of brothels, as the purchase of sexual services is not permitted by law. However, this does not change the fact that there are still opportunities to purchase sexual services. In Toronto, prostitution is thinly disguised through escort agencies that advertise escort services but also offer other erotic experiences. Toronto is generally considered to be a very liberal and open city, which is certainly true, the only exception being the prostitution laws which, similar to Sweden and some other countries, prohibit the purchase of sex. In addition to the escort agencies mentioned above, there are many massage parlours in the city that offer a discreet alternative. With a little research on the Internet, you should be able to find the right places quickly and nothing should stand in the way of a few erotic and relaxing hours. There are also online dating sites where you can easily meet independent ladies and gigolos.

Madrid

Rank 14/27
Sexshops 34
Gay Bars 48
LGBT Events 4
Large Gay Pride Events 49
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 1
Contraception Use 56.5
Abortion rights On request

Is Madrid a sexually permissive city? Of course it is! Connoisseurs of this wonderful city will know it at once. Since the end of the dictatorship in 1975, Spaniards have been bursting with joie de vivre, and they want to live it out without restraint. Sexual debauchery, including between the sexes, does not attract disapproving glances in the country's larger cities, and Madrid, as the capital of Spain, is at the forefront of developments. The adult entertainment industry is also highly developed in Spain, with local porn production companies and numerous local online platforms for webcam sex operating successfully in the market and being allowed to go about their business largely undisturbed. Prostitution has also been legalised in Spain since 1995. The only exception is that pimping and brothels are still banned. However, if someone only rents rooms to self-employed prostitutes, the authorities turn a blind eye. Some analyses even suggest that the adult entertainment industry in Spain contributes around 26.5 billion euros a year to the gross domestic product. This would be the second highest figure in the world, after China.

Atlanta

Rank 15/27
Sexshops 44
Gay Bars 14
LGBT Events 8
Large Gay Pride Events 31
Changing Gender Legal, but requires surgery
LGBTIQ Discrimination No protections
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 1
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights 6th week

Atlanta is something of an insider's tip among US cities. The city seems much larger than its official population of 500,000, and its cultural achievements in art and music are spreading not only in the US but increasingly internationally. We counted 44 sex shops in the city. It quickly becomes clear that Atlanta is a spearhead, albeit a small one, of liberalism and permissiveness in the USA. But a certain subtlety has always been part of Atlanta's character. Unlike New York or Los Angeles, for example, it's not about big neon signs and superlatives; the magic is in the details, in the interaction with the locals. To go out on a limb, you could say that Atlanta combines all the positive aspects of the USA in one place. Atlanta is beautiful, vibrant, diverse, offers urbanity and nature in equal measure, and is a prime example of liberalism and relaxation. It is this special mix of amenities that has earned the city a remarkable place in our rankings. Lovers of Atlanta can look forward to a surprisingly strong 15th place in our rankings. If you want to experience the USA away from the beaten track, Atlanta is definitely worth a visit.

Los Angeles

Rank 16/27
Sexshops 115
Gay Bars 56
LGBT Events 5
Large Gay Pride Events 74
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights On request

Los Angeles - City of Angels. This huge city on the west coast of California knows how to inspire. Los Angeles' world-famous beaches are where the craziest people are, where the world's best skaters and surfers practice their tricks until the sun goes down, and where street performers show off their skills and sell them to passers-by. Countless famous musicians have grown up in this city, and even more blockbuster films are conceived, made and released to an enthusiastic global audience. Los Angeles' liberal lifestyle attracts freedom-loving people from all over the world. The LGBTIQ scene is also one of the largest in the country.

Miami

Rank 17/27
Sexshops 34
Gay Bars 9
LGBT Events 8
Large Gay Pride Events 39
Changing Gender Illegal
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal in some contexts
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights 15th week

Welcome to Miami! The legendary city of Sunset Boulevards, with its many Florida islands, sits right on the ocean. Miami is a unique expression of joie de vivre and has been the backdrop for many films over the decades. There is probably no other place where people party as hard as they do in Miami, and that is exactly what the millions of visitors who flock to the city every year expect. South Florida Style magazine even calls Miami the sex capital of the United States of America. According to the magazine, the city is so hot all year round that some pharmacies are constantly out of condoms. Beaches, palm trees and water as far as the eye can see make for an exuberant lifestyle unlike any other in the world. As a result, there are numerous strip clubs in the city, which are the perfect starting point for further erotic adventures. But prostitution is not really necessary in Miami, as almost every second person on the beach is looking for sexual fun. Especially during the annual spring break parties, there is a particularly sexually charged atmosphere in many places and a lot is possible if you just show a little confidence. Although sex work is illegal in Miami, as it is almost everywhere in the US, there is still a high quality of life in many places and there is certainly no shortage of erotic pleasures. Miami is unique and, despite certain restrictions, a very permissive and liberal city in a sexual sense.

Chicago

Rank 18/27
Sexshops 44
Gay Bars 28
LGBT Events 4
Large Gay Pride Events 36
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 2
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights On request

Chicago is a metropolis in the northeastern United States, located in the state of Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan. The city has a population of just under three million in the core area and ten million in the surrounding suburbs. If you are looking for a liberal lifestyle and sexual freedom in this part of the USA, Chicago is the place to be. After all, who could say no to 28 gay bars and 44 sex shops spread across the city? The LGBTQI community can feel at home in Chicago, and same-sex marriage and gender reassignment are relatively easy. Although the winters can be bitterly cold in the city and there is always a strong wind blowing across the lake, in Chicago life and activity simply move indoors to the warmth and the sexual pleasures can continue. If you like to live by the water, are a little cold and have a liberal lifestyle, Chicago is the place for you. The attractive metropolis not only celebrates St. Patrick's Day, when the Chicago River is coloured green, but also Christopher Street Day. All in all, Chicago has really earned its place in our rankings, coming in at number 18.

New York City

Rank 19/27
Sexshops 83
Gay Bars 73
LGBT Events 8
Large Gay Pride Events 65
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 7
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights On request

New York has always been a city of freedom. After all, everyone knows the Statue of Liberty, which has stood on Liberty Island in the sea off New York since 1886, welcoming new arrivals with great promise. With a population of over eight million, New York City (NYC) is the largest city in the USA. People from every nation and culture in the world live together, creating a colourful mix of diversity that is perhaps unique. NYC has often created separate neighbourhoods for each group, such as China Town, where people keep to themselves to a certain extent. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, the city can be described as one of the most liberal in the world - sexually too. However, the fact that it only comes 19th in our rankings has less to do with local sexual offerings than with strong international competition.

Melbourne

Rank 20/27
Sexshops 16
Gay Bars 2
LGBT Events 5
Large Gay Pride Events 22
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal in some contexts
Sexwork laws Decriminalization
Sexwork organisations 1
Contraception Use 57.2
Abortion rights On request

Melbourne in Australia is the largest city in the state of Victoria with over five million inhabitants. It is located in the very south of the huge country, in a bay called Port Phillip, directly on the coast opposite Tasmania. In our ranking, Melbourne is the second sexually liberal city in Australia which makes the cut. For the LGBTQI community there are five annual parades and events that attract huge crowds. The liberal proportion of European culture has always had a huge impact on cultural, social and artistic development in Melbourne and this includes the erotic scene. There are numerous brothels to suit all tastes here. However, there is also a lot of street prostitution in areas such as St. Kilda and Gray Street where many sex workers are battling addiction problems.

Rome

Rank 21/27
Sexshops 45
Gay Bars 18
LGBT Events 3
Large Gay Pride Events 14
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination No protections
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 55.6
Abortion rights On request

Rome, the eternal city. All roads lead there, they say, and from our own experience we can confirm that these roads are worth taking. Rome offers a unique lifestyle that is hard to compare. Since ancient Rome over 2000 years ago, the capital of Italy has been an inexhaustible source of joie de vivre that we hope will never run dry. In addition to its spectacular history and its many historic buildings, Rome offers a wonderfully vibrant everyday culture that can be enjoyed all year round. Although Rome has long been the centre of Catholicism and you might expect a certain amount of chastisement, the city is a very liberal place. There are 45 sex shops in the city, so everyone should be able to find one nearby if they need to.

London

Rank 22/27
Sexshops 40
Gay Bars 50
LGBT Events 9
Large Gay Pride Events 42
Changing Gender Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal in some contexts
Sexwork laws Abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 3
Contraception Use 71.7
Abortion rights Broad social or economic grounds

As the proud capital of the United Kingdom, London is also the liberal centre of the country. Many of London's neighbourhoods are known for their liberal arts scenes, and people who identify as LGBTQ can easily find safe havens and respect - the fact that London has as many gay bars as Berlin is a testament to this. The number of sex events and parties is also growing rapidly in London. On escort platforms the numbers of sex ads are higher than any other city, in Northern Europe at least. There are courses on all sorts of topics, such as pegging and BDSM, and there are well-organised events to enjoy yourself. In the end, however, the city is only good enough for 22nd place in our rankings.

Sydney

Rank 23/27
Sexshops 15
Gay Bars 5
LGBT Events 9
Large Gay Pride Events 42
Changing Gender Legal, but requires surgery
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal in some contexts
Sexwork laws Decriminalization
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 57.2
Abortion rights On request

Located on Australia's east coast, Sydney is world famous for its iconic shell-shaped Opera House. Where great art is at home, there is often a liberal spirit in the rest of the city, and this is particularly true in Sydney. Considering the city has over five million people, there are relatively few gay bars, but with Oxford Street in the Darlinghurst district, there is an entire LQBTQI-friendly street. It is home to one of the many annual LGBTQI events, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - a colourful parade and party that appeals to all the senses. The Kings Cross area is close to a red-light district with numerous strip clubs and erotic bars, including professional ladies. There are also a large number of brothels throughout the city, which are well known for their high standards and high quality interiors. Prostitution in Sydney is regulated and decriminalised, but still not fully legalised. However, this does not change the fact that there is a fairly high level of escort work and occasional street prostitution. All in all, Sydney can definitely be described as a liberal metropolis in terms of sexual permissiveness, coming 23rd in our ranking.

Budapest

Rank 24/27
Sexshops 7
Gay Bars 5
LGBT Events 1
Large Gay Pride Events 13
Changing Gender Illegal
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Legal
Sexwork organisations 1
Contraception Use 45
Abortion rights On request

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, has become one of the most sex-positive cities in Eastern Europe in recent years. With its rich culture, impressive architecture and vibrant scene, the city attracts not only tourists but also people who appreciate an open and inclusive attitude towards sexuality and physicality. However, with strong competition from around the world, it unfortunately only comes 24th in our rankings.

Santiago

Rank 25/27
Sexshops 32
Gay Bars 7
LGBT Events 6
Large Gay Pride Events 2
Changing Gender Legal, no restriction
LGBTIQ Discrimination Illegal
Sexwork laws Abolitionism
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 59.9
Abortion rights To save the womens life

Santiago, the proud capital of Chile, is situated in an absolutely picturesque location surrounded by mountains in the northern third of this impressive country with 6000 kilometres of Pacific coastline. Chile is considered one of the most prosperous and liberal countries in South America. There are six LGBTQI events held in the city each year, and there are several gay bars with no significant restrictions. For a country that only decriminalised homosexuality in 1999 and only allowed divorce in 2004, this is a remarkable achievement and could serve as a model for other countries whose liberal societies are less developed. There are cafes in Santiago where sexy waitresses are the main attraction. They are called café con piernas, or café with legs. These cafés represent the mildest level of erotic entertainment in Santiago, as serving alcohol, stripping or anything sexual is forbidden. There are, however, real strip clubs, usually located near Santa Lucia Park or on Providencia Street. Prostitution is completely legal in Chile. Similar to Germany, people over the age of 18 are allowed to engage in sex work and must register with the authorities. Brothels and pimping are prohibited, as is performing sexual acts in public.

Dallas

Rank 26/27
Sexshops 54
Gay Bars 22
LGBT Events 5
Large Gay Pride Events 31
Changing Gender Legal, but requires surgery
LGBTIQ Discrimination No protections
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights 6th week

With a population of 1.5 million, Dallas is the third largest city in the US state of Texas and has surprised many by making it into our list. As well as offering an impressive skyline, the skyscraper-studded business hub has a surprisingly liberal outlook that attracts freedom-loving people from all over the country. Although sexual permissiveness is now taken for granted in the city and, along with the good weather, contributes to a pleasant climate and attitude to life, it is only good enough for second last place in our ranking.

Houston

Rank 27/27
Sexshops 48
Gay Bars 18
LGBT Events 5
Large Gay Pride Events 20
Changing Gender Legal, but requires surgery
LGBTIQ Discrimination No protections
Sexwork laws Illegal
Sexwork organisations 0
Contraception Use 61.4
Abortion rights 6th week

The US metropolis of Houston in Texas is characterised by its advantageous location on the Gulf of Mexico. The attractive city is the liberal centre of Texas and attracts many people from the surrounding area who are looking for a liberal and non-conservative lifestyle. After all, not everyone in the South is a cowboy or a Republican. Speaking of cowboys, there are several recurring LGBTQI events each year, such as a Christopher Street Day parade, and there are at least 18 gay bars spread throughout the city. The fact that it still only manages a place at the bottom of our rankings reflects the fierce global competition.

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Background

The call for greater sexual liberalism might surprise some residents of progressive cities. After all, wasn't there a sexual revolution in the late 1960s? Didn't sex shops proliferate in the 1970s? Hasn't the BDSM and fetish scene been established since the 1980s? Isn't the LGBTQI community more accepted today than ever before? While these points are true, significant differences still exist between cities. Our research ranks the 27 most sexually liberal cities worldwide.

Our Approach

To ensure accurate results, we incorporated a wide range of data points across several categories. We examined each city in detail to identify prominent aspects of sexual liberalism.

These aspects include the number of gay bars, the existence of anti-discrimination laws, the allowance for gender transitions, the frequency of annual LGBTQI events such as pride parades, access to contraceptives, and the legalization of sex work to protect sex workers.

For each parameter, we awarded points. The higher the prevalence, the higher the score and ranking position. Some interesting results emerged from this. You can click on the map or the list to learn more about each city in our top 27.

Why is Sexual Liberalism Important?

When examining this study, the question arises as to why sexual liberalism is an important value that should be studied. Simply put: sexual liberalism, also known as sex positivity, is a factor that encompasses the developmental state of many societal aspects. It says a lot about a society in general if minorities such as the LGBTQI community or women are restricted in their opportunities. Such restrictions can be justified by so-called traditional values or political arguments. As the feminist movements of the 20th century have shown, the emancipation of genders or minority orientations is always linked to the acceptance of sexual liberalism.

Sexual Liberalism is Not a Given

A look at recent German history quickly shows how beneficial a liberal attitude of the state and society towards sexual liberalism is for an individual's development opportunities. It's easy to list what has happened in this area in recent decades. Looking at the history of the legal recognition of homosexuality in Germany, one notices that homosexual acts were still considered criminal offenses by law in both West and East Germany until 1968. It wasn't until 2001 that same-sex partners were allowed to enter into registered civil partnerships, giving them a certain level of legal recognition. Only since 2017 have same-sex couples in Germany been allowed to marry.

Sexual Liberalism is Relevant for Many Groups

The same applies when looking at women's sexual self-determination: until 1970, homosexual or highly sexually active girls and young women were still sent to so-called reformatory homes, where they were often mistreated. Abortions were decriminalized only in 1974, but they are still fundamentally illegal today. Until 1986, mentally disabled people in Germany were still routinely sterilized without their consent. Until 1997, marital rape was legal, and until 2016, a rape was only considered such if the victim put up a fierce fight, which often doesn't happen out of fear for their life. What can we conclude from this?

Freedom and Sexual Liberalism are Inseparable

The developmental steps in German law and society clearly show how closely linked sexual liberalism and individual freedom are. Only when sexuality is not demonized or criminalized can an individual enjoy freedom in society. Those who conform to societal norms, such as heterosexual white men without unusual erotic desires, may not be particularly affected by restrictions on sexual liberalism. However, this does not apply to the female part of German society, which makes up 51%, nor to the 7.4% of people who identify with the LGBTQI community in Germany. It is already evident that a majority of the German population benefits from laws that guarantee a relatively high degree of sexual liberalism and self-determination. We hope that our ranking can help those looking for a place to live where they can find happiness and thrive with as little discrimination as possible.

The Winners of This Ranking

San Francisco takes the top spot in the Sexually Liberal City Index 2024. The Californian metropolis has jumped seven places compared to last year to secure the title of "Sexually Liberal City." It impresses mainly due to its enormous LGBTQI scene, which is unparalleled internationally.

The Dutch capital Amsterdam also climbs to a remarkable second place this year. Measured by population, there is a particularly vibrant sex-positive life here. The city also benefits from extremely liberal laws regarding sexual life.

After a surprising first place last year, Cologne ranks third in 2024. It remains on par with the world's major metropolises and benefits from a large number of LGBTQI events and a relatively stable legal situation for sexual minorities and sex workers. For comparison: Berlin ranks seventh.

Incidentally, Germany is home to the world's first sex shop, opened in 1962 by entrepreneur and pilot Beate Uhse. Germany's strong performance in this ranking is probably due to her work.

Lisbon is one of the biggest winners of this year's ranking. Making its debut this year, the Portuguese capital ranks an impressive fourth place. Hamburg, also new to the index, ranks directly in our top 10.

When we conducted the Sexually Liberal City Index for the first time back in 2021, New York City ranked first. Three years later, the city that never sleeps is "only" in 19th place. This is not because there is less sex-positive life there, but because global competition has become stronger. While sex positivity used to be a fringe issue, it is now an integral part of many areas of society.

Even the Lower Ranked Cities Can Impress

At the bottom of our ranking are Santiago de Chile, Houston, and Dallas. But just because a city ranks low on this list doesn't mean it isn't sex-positive. In all the cities we analyzed, we found sex-positive elements. However, the competition is strong, which is a good sign for many people around the world.

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Methodology

Curious as to how we calculated these results? Click here to see our full methodology (opens a PDF, German)

World's Most Sexually Liberated Cities

Methodology

To create a ranking of the most sexually liberal cities, all cities that host three or more LGBT events per year were examined for various factors. These include the number of gay bars and sex shops, the treatment of sex work, the number and size of LGBT events that take place annually, as well as the legal situation surrounding the topics of contraceptives, changing legal gender, and sexual discrimination. The selection of cities is based on the extensively documented article “List of LGBT events” from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. All data were weighted according to the current population per capita of the respective cities.

The investigation was completed on June 7, 2024.

Factors, definitions and sources

Research field 1: Public space

Gay Bars: Information about the number of gay bars in European cities was taken from the queer travel portal Patroc. The recommendation portal Yelp was used for the remaining cities. Since there was no data on Yelp for the countries Chile, China, Croatia, Greece, Nepal, Iceland, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Venezuela and the Canary Islands, gay bars for the corresponding cities were searched manually using Google Maps.

Sexshops: Information about the number of sex shops was taken from the recommendation portal Yelp. Since there was no data on Yelp for the countries Chile, China, Croatia, Greece, Nepal, Iceland, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Venezuela and the Canary Islands, sex shops for the corresponding cities were searched manually using Google Maps.

Research field 2: Queer events

Number of events: Information about the number of Pride events aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans people was taken from the extensively documented article “List of LGBT events” from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The first 62 cities with three or more annual LGBT events were included.

Research field 3: Legal situation

Changing legal gender: Information about the legality of changing legal gender was taken from the LGBTQ+ rights information portal Equaldex for each country.

Same-sex marriage: Information about whether same-sex marriage is legal was taken from the LGBTQ+ Rights information portal Equaldex for each country.

Sexual discrimination: Information about whether sexual discrimination is a criminal offense was taken from the information portal for LGBTQ+ rights Equaldex for each country.

Sex work: Information about whether sex work is legal was taken from the extensively documented article “Prostitution by region” from the online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

Sex work organizations: Information about how many local organizations support sex workers was taken from Wikipedia's “List of sex work organizations”.

Contraceptives: The use of contraceptives serves as an indicator of public and legal acceptance of birth control and the associated acceptance of sex outside of marriage. Information about the use of contraceptives by women or their sexual partners was taken from the UN report “World Contraceptive Use 2021”.

Abortion: Information about whether and up to which stage abortion is possible was taken from the international study “Where do abortion rights stand in the world in 2024” by Focus2030.

Calculation and scoring

In order to calculate a ranking list, all results of the examined influencing factors were standardized on a point scale from 0 to 100. The city that performed best in the respective influencing factor received a score of 100. The city that performed worst in the respective influencing factor received a score of 0. All other cities ranked in between according to their results and also received a score between 0 and 100.

All points from all influencing factors in a field of investigation were then added together. The sum resulted in the examination field result. Finally, all three test field results were added together and this final result was also standardized on a point scale between 0 and 100. The calculation was done using an ordinary normalization formula.