The gay scene in America is huge, albeit heavily concentrated in the major cities. San Francisco, where between a quarter and a third of the voting population is reckoned to be gay or lesbian, is arguably the world's premier gay city. New York runs a close second, and up and down both coasts gay men and women enjoy the kind of visibility and influence those in other places can only dream about. Gay officeholders and police officers are no longer a novelty. Resources, facilities and organizations are endless.

In the heartland, however, life looks more like the Fifties - away from large cities homosexuals are still oppressed and commonly reviled. Gay travelers need to watch their step to avoid hassles and possible aggression.

Virtually every major city has a predominantly gay area ... READ MORE.