Wait… Why Hasn’t India Been on More LGBTQ+ Travel Lists?
For too long, LGBTQ+ travelers overlooked India not because it lacked culture, beauty, or queerness (trust us, it has all three in spades) but because its legal and social landscape felt uncertain.
Well, breaking news: India has been experiencing a QUEER CULTURAL BOOM like never before.
From Delhi’s underground drag scene to Mumbai’s all-queer art collectives, from Kolkata’s historic queer rights movement to Goa’s LGBTQ+friendly beach retreats India isn’t just catching up. It’s setting the stage for some of the most exciting queer travel experiences in the world.
Let’s break it down.
India’s LGBTQ+ Travel Renaissance
The Rise of LGBTQ+ Cultural Festivals
India already knows how to throw a massive, colorful, life-affirming festival (hello, Holi and Diwali!), so it was only a matter of time before LGBTQ+ events started claiming space in the cultural calendar.
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival South Asia’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, now a global must-visit for queer cinema lovers.
Delhi Queer Pride Parade. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it marches right through the capital city.
Drag culture boom in Bengaluru and Mumbai move over, RuPaul. India’s queens, kings, and nonbinary performers are redefining the drag scene.
Even Chennai Pride is known for its intersectional approach, addressing various axes of marginalization such as caste, class, and religion, alongside gender and sexual identity.
LGBTQ+ Food & Nightlife – Because You Came to India to Eat, Right?
If queer food culture is the next big thing in travel (and trust us, it is), then India is a DREAM destination for LGBTQ+ travelers who want to eat their way through history.
Queer chef-led experiences – Ever had biryani cooked by a trans-led kitchen in Hyderabad? You should. India’s queer culinary scene is thriving, especially with LGBTQ+ chefs reclaiming traditional recipes and reimagining them.
Queer-friendly bars & speakeasies – Mumbai’s “Kitty Su” remains India’s legendary LGBTQ+ nightclub, but cities like Delhi and Bangalore now boast a growing number of inclusive cocktail bars, queer dance nights, and speakeasies that feel like safe havens.
LGBTQ+ History & Heritage – Because Queerness Has ALWAYS Been Part of India’s Story
Let’s get one thing straight (or, you know, not straight at all): India’s queer history is ANCIENT.
While Western societies only recently started embracing LGBTQ+ identities, India has centuries of queer visibility embedded in its mythology, art, and spiritual traditions.
Queer narratives in ancient Hindu mythology – The Mahabharata, one of India’s oldest epics, features a trans warrior, Shikhandi, and gods like Shiva have gender-fluid representations.
Hijra culture & third-gender recognition – India has long recognized hijras (transgender and intersex individuals) as a distinct third gender, giving them legal recognition before most Western countries even considered it.
Kolkata’s queer heritage – Often called India’s most intellectually progressive city, Kolkata was home to one of India’s first LGBTQ+ movements and continues to be a hub for queer art, literature, and activism.
Queer-Friendly Retreats & Getaways
If your travel style leans less “nightlife” and more “beachside cocktails at sunset,” don’t worry India has queer-friendly retreats that blend relaxation with inclusivity.
Goa’s growing LGBTQ+ resort scene – With its laid-back beaches, all-night raves, and progressive locals, Goa is quietly becoming one of India’s most LGBTQ+-welcoming states. More boutique hotels are marketing themselves as queer-friendly, and the vibe? Absolute paradise.
Kerala’s backwaters & wellness retreats – Think luxury houseboats, Ayurvedic spas, and stunning landscapes, all while staying at LGBTQ+ friendly eco-lodges.
Himalayan escapes – Want to get spiritual? Queer travelers are now finding LGBTQ+-inclusive yoga and meditation retreats in the mountains.
Why LGBTQ+ Travelers Should Put India on Their 2025 Travel Bucket List
India isn’t just “opening up” to LGBTQ+ travel it’s elevating it in ways that blend history, culture, nightlife, and spirituality like nowhere else. And while progress is still ongoing, one thing is clear that India is ready for LGBTQ+ travelers. And LGBTQ+ travelers should be ready for India.
Where Are YOU Heading Next?
Berlin, Bangkok, Buenos Aires… and now Mumbai, Goa, Chennai and Kolkata?
The LGBTQ+ travel landscape has never been this exciting, diverse, and full of opportunities for authentic connection.
So, tell us where’s your next big queer adventure?
