The end is near: The nominations are in for our sister site’s annual Best of GayCities poll, and this year the competition is fiercer than ever.
Cast your vote soon—the deadline is this Wednesday, January 4!
Today we highlight the beyond-the-box nominees for the world’s best up and coming city: Buffalo, Capetown, Guadalajara, Santiago, and Zurich. Which rising homo-friendly hotspot gets your vote for the planet’s next big destination?
Buffalo
Western New York’s Queen City (above) has a laid-back gay community—centered in Allentown—and, thanks largely to hometown girl Ani DiFranco and her Righteous Babe Records, a love for lesbian folk music.
Capetown
Think San Diego‘s beaches, San Francisco‘s boho culture and New Orleans‘ resilience—all in a uniquely African context that’s both exotic and welcoming. Green Point is Capetown’s main gayborhood.
Guadalajara
It’s been called the San Francisco of Latin America, and no wonder: Guadalajara has more gay bars than Mexico 
City and an annual Pride parade that draws over 200,000 revelers. Zona Rosa is the center of Guadalajara’s gay action.
Santiago
To signal his commitment to equality this year, Chile’s conservative president campaigned with an ad featuring a gay couple holding hands. Meanwhile Chile’s vibrant capital, Santiago (right), is getting more attention from international LGBT travelers. Locally, the city’s gays gravitate towards the bohemian sensibility of the Bellavista district.
Zurich
The gay capital of Switzerland boasts one of the world’s highest standards of living, as well as a vibrant gay scene centered on Alstadt.
Now that you know who’s in the running, why delay? Vote now and you could be a winner too!
One lucky GayCities member will nab two tickets to the U.S. city of their choice (courtesy of our friends at American Airlines) and two nights at a top-rated hotel (courtesy of GayCities).
You’ve got until January 4 to add your voice to the mix.
All winners will be announced on January 5. Anyone can vote but entrants must be GayCities members to qualify for vacation package.
Image via MUMS
