Just an hour north of Cincinnati and about 75 minutes west of Columbus, the city of Dayton has about 140,000 residents, making it the sixth-largest city in Ohio (the metro area is much larger, at 840,000, and ranks fourth in Ohio). Long a manufacturing and shipping hub, Dayton now thrives more as a defense, research and aerospace hub. Although it attracts relatively few tourists, it has a good-sized GLBT population, and is also the closest city to the very progressive and gay-friendly college town of Yellow Springs, which is just 20 miles to the east.
Every year in early June, the city hosts the Dayton Gay Pride Parade and Festival. The event celebrates its 40th anniversary this year; dates are June 3-5, 2016.
Dayton Gay Resources
While in the area, keep in mind that Dayton has several gay bars and several gay-friendly restaurants and cafes. Check out Ohio gay sites and resources online for more information on the gay scene in Dayton, including Outlook Columbus; LesbianDayton.com is also very useful. Also take a look at the helpful travel site produced by the city’s official tourism organization, the Dayton / Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau. And if you’re visiting nearby Yellow Springs, check out the Yellow Springs Destination Site.
