It's hardly a secret, since the National Enquirer proclaimed our quaint New England town "Lesbianville, USA" in the early '90s. Perhaps it's something in the cool, clear mountain water, or maybe it has something to do with all-women Smith College. We're not sure, but whatever the case, Northampton wins the distinction of being the most lesborific small town in America, if not the world. We even have an openly lesbian mayor - Clare Higgins.

Of course, a good many of the lesbians in town got a kick out of the momentary stir created by both this article and by a feature on TV's 20/20, which also felt compelled to investigate the mind-boggling phenomenon of many, many lesbians living more or less harmoniously together in a seemingly ordinary New England town. In fact, a walk through downtown Northampton reveals a pleasant enclave of trendy restaurants, urbane shops, and worldly denizens. Same-sex couples and rainbow bumper stickers are commonplace, but lesbians are not quite the formidable army dreamt up in the pages of the Enquirer. Perhaps 3,000 folks (many of them gay men and straights) walk in the annual Pride march in May, and many more attend the subsequent rally. And in July, women descend on the nearby Berkshires hamlet of Washington to attend the Northampton Lesbian Festival, which draws some of the community's best-known female music acts.

Gay Marriage

On May 17th, 2004, Massachusetts began marrying gay and lesbian couples. At this point, only residents of Massachusetts are allowed to marry there. Massachusetts is the only state in the United States to recognize gay marriages.

Although gay and lesbian couples have wed in New Paltz, NY, San Francisco, CA and Portland, OR, Massachusetts is the only state whose legal system will recognize same-sex marriages. Activists in Oregon and California are pushing the issues through the courts. Since gay and lesbian marriages are not recognized on a Federal level, the couples married in Massachusetts will be in somewhat of a legal limbo until matters are sorted out. Some lawmakers are pushing for a Constituitional ban on same-sex marriage.

The charming campus of Smith College, one of five institutions of higher learning in the immediate area, is poised on a hill above the town's historic commercial district. Smith and nearby Mt. Holyoke admit only women; the college's presence in Northampton has clearly helped foster a climate where feminism, enlightened politics, and tolerance prevail. Large numbers of lesbians have nested in and around Northampton for many years, and today the town has developed clout as a popular tourist destination. It's within two hours of Boston and only a couple more of New York City and Montreal, and it's an ideal base from which to explore central New England's breathtaking countryside and ample cultural and outdoors diversions.

Gay Bars in Northampton

Diva's Nightclub
492 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA 01060 (413)586-8161 Fax: (413)584-1321, www.divasofnoho.com Martini VIP Club with huge dance floor. Live entertainment, karaoke, theme nights, & pool tables. Outdoor patio & nonsmoking section.

Although Diva's is the only "official gay bar" in Northampton, the beauty of our city is - you can be out & comfortable in practically ANY bar! Northampton bars and restaurants welcome everyone - gay or straight.

Gay Shopping in Northampton

Pride & Joy

One stop GLBT shopping for books, gifts, T shirts, jewelry, DVDs, CDs, cards and 'toys'. Pride & Joy is also a 'resource center' and has been serving the GLBT community since 1992.
www.nohoprideandjoy.com

Gay Northampton Press

Northampton in the Press

Lesbians in the Country: Northampton from Gay.Com

Northampton in the Valley of the Literate from New York Times

Northampton Overview from Logo Online

Northampton is one of New England's top gay and lesbian vacation destinations from GayTravel.com

Northampton: Lesbianville, USA from BGay.com

Top Ten Secret Gay Getaways

Top Five Lesbian Cities in the United States from Lesbianlife.com

Greetings from Lesbianville USA from OutTraveler.com

Northampton- not just for lesbians anymore from gay.com 

Grrrls, goddesses, and Gloria Steinem! Northampton, Mass., is the Sapphic center of America from The Advocate

36 Hours in Northampton from the New York Times

Northampton's Thriving Music Scene from the Boston Globe

Northampton Film Festival's Gay and Lesbian Film Series from NewEnglandFilm.com

Paradise Found~Rich arts scene and funky shopping in a college town true to its past from Boston.com

America's Great Outdoor Towns from Outside Magazine

Ten Great Places to Revel in Cinematic Grandeur from USA Today

Best Downtown Shopping District from Massachusetts Retailers Association

Five Greatest Shopping Locales Coast to Coast from Lucky Magazine

Five Perfect College Towns from Smarttravel.com