The Sussex seaside town has been included alongside other huge locations in the Lonely Planet’s new LGBTQ+ Travel Guide.

The guide is described as a “comprehensive and inclusive exploration of over 50 LGBTQ+ friendly destinations worldwide”.

Written by queer, neurodivergent travel writer Alicia Valenski, it is designed to “help LGBTQ+ travellers navigate the world with confidence, safety, and pride”.

@brightonprideofficial This summer we’re celebrating diversity, creativity, and community at Pride On The Park 🌈 Join us for the best weekend of the year 💃🕺 #BrightonPride #PrideOnThePark ♬ original sound – Brighton Pride Official

It includes locations from Sao Paulo in Brazil to Melbourne Australia, as well as UK locations such as Edinburgh, London and Brighton.

A tease for the book reads: “The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide offers everything from cultural landmarks to hidden gems.

“Whether you’re seeking an island escape, an adventure-filled trip, or a family-friendly getaway, this guide includes curated hit lists for every interest, ensuring there is something for every type of traveller.”

Lonely Planet’s The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide is available from the Lonely Planet shop and can also be found in bookstores.

Brighton one of world’s best LGBTQ+ friendly destinations

Brighton is included in the book as one of the best LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the world.

The town’s LGBTQ+ history dates back to the 19th century, when the then-fishing village gained a reputation as a seaside resort due to a fad for bathing in seawater for the supposed medicinal benefits. 

During the 1920s and 1930s, Brighton’s reputation as a seafront escape for the LGBTQ+ community grew, with many viewing the town as a place to have a good time.

Brighton Pride is a huge event each year in the townBrighton Pride is a huge event in the town (Image: Getty Images) Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Brighton was the top destination for gay holidaymakers, with guesthouses either owned by gay men or those willing to ignore instances of illegal activity.

A new wave of LGBTQ+ activism started after Section 28 in 1988, which prohibited councils and schools from the “promotion of homosexuality”, was introduced.

LGBTQ+ nightclubs gained success, with the first sizeable gay club, Revenge, launching in 1991.

@revengebrighton we had an incredible time at the R-Bar Pride street party last night, who are we seeing there today? 👀 @Tayris @ALIK #revengebrighton #clubrevenge #rbar #brightonpride #pride #brighton #nightclub #queer #lgbtq #drag #gayclub #fyp ♬ original sound – RevengeBrighton

With the start of the new millennium, Brighton Pride became a charity, but organisers controversially introduced an entrance fee to their annual park festival.

Since 2012, the event has raised more than £1 million for local LGBTQ+ community groups and attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year, as well as some of the biggest musical acts, including Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Mariah Carey will headline the 2025 Brighton Pride.

Britney Spears performing at Brighton Pride in Preston Park in 2018Britney Spears performing at Brighton Pride in Preston Park in 2018 In addition to destination recommendations, the book also offers “essential tips on navigating local LGBTQ+ rights, understanding safety precautions, and accessing emergency resources”.

It is ideal for both “first-time and seasoned travellers”, providing the knowledge and confidence to explore the world “without compromise”.

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Chris Zeiher, Lonely Planet’s senior director for trade sales and marketing, said: “We recognised the queer community was looking for a guide that understands them, especially given the challenges they continue to face when travelling.

“By example Booking.com recently revealed 59% of LGBTQ+ travellers have experienced discrimination when on holiday.”

“Creating a guide that is community-led, inclusive and a little bit surprising in terms of destinations featured felt absolutely essential.”





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