Ithaca is Inclusive
In Ithaca, Pride is part of daily life. Not only are we proud of our 150+ waterfalls within a 10-mile radius, but equally so of the diverse people who make our community so unique. Known for being one of the most progressive and open-minded areas in Upstate New York, Ithaca was named America's Best Town to Visit by CNN, the only city in New York to be included as one of the original 10 Best Cities for Gays and Lesbians to Live by The Advocate, and the City rated 100% by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Municipal Equality Index.
Tompkins County is a place where ideas are exchanged as easily as stories, cultures intersect, and curiosity is part of daily life. Nature here is dramatic. Community here is diverse. Both invite you in. Come as you are. No matter where you fall within the vibrant LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and beyond) rainbow, there is space for you here. Welcome to Ithaca!
Community Groups & Events
In June, the Ithaca Pride Alliance (IPA) takes center stage during Ithaca Pride with the Ithaca Pride Festival (June 12-14, 2026), a visible expression of queer community joy and belonging. The Tompkins Chamber is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of this 100% volunteer-run organization, which hosts community-building, advocacy, and educational events for the LGBTQIA+ community in Ithaca and Tompkins County. To learn more about queer activities throughout the year, make sure to visit IPA’s Community Events Calendar.
Community also takes shape through other organizations and informal gatherings. Be sure to check out the Ithaca Trans Center provides support, programming, and connection. Social groups like IthaQueers as well as Thursgays events create regular opportunities for people to come together. While there isn’t a single designated queer bar, that’s largely because many spaces across the city are proudly welcoming, visible, and affirming. For example, on Friday evenings, check out Cheers Queers at The Rhine House for rotating events: Fingerlakes Bears meetup and free jukebox on first Fridays; queeraoke on second and fourth Fridays; Spirit Posse DJs every third Friday; and queer trivia when there's a fifth Friday in the month.
Photo Credit: Serena Fate
Queer Businesses in Ithaca
Local businesses have always played a key role in uniting the community. In the heart of downtown, our four-block pedestrian mall known as The Ithaca Commons was where Firebrand Books, an iconic lesbian and feminist publishing house, was founded in 1984. Today, Protagonist Books & Coffee in Dryden carries on this legacy through creation of a "third space" environment in this queer-, woman-, and author-owned, independent bookstore that also serves up a strong coffee. Alley Cat Cafe has become Ithaca's de facto queer café and is part gathering space, part cat adoption center—yes, you can play with the cats! Still downtown, just around the corner at Q-Space, visitors can find coworking, workshops, and creative space designed for connection and care on the lower level of K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub from 9am to 1pm every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Across town, small businesses reflect both identity and care in different ways. Via’s Cookies is a BIPOC-, woman- and queer-owned cookie business that serves creativity and joy through small-batch baking. We highly recommend these treats made by owner Oliva Carpenter, who was just honored with the Fab 5 Business Leader of the Year Award, given to professionals under 40 excelling and making an impact in Tompkins County. You can find either glutenous and buttery or gluten-free and vegan options at local shops or online.
In Tompkins County, inclusion also extends into wellness and skill-building. Rasa Spa offers a welcoming, queer- and woman-owned space for rest and restoration at locations either along the Cayuga Lake waterfront or downtown. The Hammerstone School empowers women and gender minorities through hands-on craft and trade education; you can learn to build a tiny home or, if you're short for time, check out their single-day or evening workshops for a unique, DIY souvenir of your trip to Ithaca. Queer- and woman-owned Camp Earth Connection creates an important alcohol- and drug-free environment centered on belonging, with a strong emphasis on welcoming BIPOC communities in natural spaces. Mimi’s Attic is a consignment shop that reflects the same inclusive spirit and will help you find the perfect addition for any project.
Visitors will find Ithaca is Inclusive window decals adorning the windows of many local eateries, shops, and businesses. The decals were a community-wide initiative created to help businesses convey and display a commitment to inclusiveness and to welcoming LGBTQIA+ people and families. Look out for the inclusive space logo around town (and check back later in 2026 for exciting updates):
Ithaca LGBTQIA+ History Walking Tour
Local businesses and public spaces in Ithaca have been sites of queer resistance and resilience for decades. Students at Ithaca College, along with Luca Maurer (Director, The Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services), created an LGBTQIA+ Local History Walking Tour throughout the City of Ithaca, with 32 stops over seven miles. (Please note that you can drive, bike, or take public transportation between some of these stops.) The tour highlights the people and places that make up our history’s shared past in memorable ways that will have you see the city in a new light. Learn about the city’s past through this historical, self-guided experience through the free app on Pocket Sights, which has options for users to customize their experience.
Photo Credit: Brian Strumwasser
Globally-Inclusive Collaborations
Visit Ithaca and the Tompkins Chamber are thrilled to be part of greater international networks promoting inclusive travel destinations for queer people and their loved ones. In addition to being the fiscal sponsor of the local Ithaca Pride Alliance, we are proud, current members of The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) and the Compete Sports Network (CSN):
Our team is actively seeking partnerships to help bring diverse groups to Tompkins County, from queer performers to tour groups, sports teams to conferences! For inquiries on how you or your organization can partner with our team to empower and uplift our LGBTQIA+ community members or visitors, please contact Visit Ithaca's Communication Manager, Alex Thornton, at Alex@VisitIthaca.com. Alex (he/him/his) is proudly intersex and queer, and looks forward to introducing you to his chosen hometown of Ithaca, New York!
