New Hope PA: A Sex-Positive Romantic Destination

By: Alyssa Morterud

If you’re looking for the perfect couples getaway, look no further than New Hope, PA! New Hope is a small riverside town alongside the

Delaware River in Pennsylvania. It’s lined with beautiful lush greenery and leaves visitors with breathtaking views. New Hope is a pace that prides on it’s LGBTQ+ history “since its origination as a gay resort town beginning in the ‘50s.” (arcgis) Many original inhabitants

of the town “…arrived over the years to escape historically located discrimination and prejudice based on sexuality and gender.” (arcgis) In the decades after the 50s, New Hope continued to expand into a safe haven for people of all different identities, as “When New Hope’s gay population exploded in the ‘70s, visitors and residents arrived to escape the norm that existed in many other parts of the country: hiding in the closet, gay-bashing, and exclusion from public life. In New Hope, queers felt safe expressing their sexuality…”.(arcgis) In the present day, my partner and I decided to retreat to New Hope in search of an escape from the stresses of our current lives. It’s been said that the “Gay-friendly and quaint…village is perfect for those looking to escape the city and to get lovey-dovey deep in the country” (fagabond), and that’s exactly what I and my partner were looking for! We felt accepted and safe exploring the streets of the village.

A LGBTQ+ Community

The presence of the LGBTQ+ community is truly what made our getaway so meaningful. We booked a LGBTQ+ airbnb alongside a the beautiful Delaware River. If you’re looking to stay in a more traditional setting, “In town, there are a few gay and lesbian inns, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts. But if these are booked, most

of the other accommodations are gay-friendly.” No matter which option you decide on, you will feel the presence of inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance as soon as you step foot into town- rainbow flags decorate the streets, along with sex-positive art. There are also numerous LGBTQ+ events and activities, some of which are organized by local organizations.

“New Hope Celebrates” is a local organization in the community and a vital part of the LGBTQ+ culture. The organization serves the show the prevalence of sex-positive events within the community. It was founded in 2003 by Daniel Brooks and local LGBTQ buisness leaders in the community .The organization’s mission is to “share in a celebration of our history, diversity and the inclusiveness of our community” (new hope celebrates) by acting as the voice of the LGBTQ+ community in New Hope. The organization strives “to achieve [their] vision where society is free of prejudice, discrimination and hate, within [the] community, and across [their] borders.” (new hope celebrates) Since 2003, they do a yearly pride parade over the bridge in Lambertville and New Hope,« the highlight of the parade is New Hope Celebrates’ very own 100ft. Rainbow Equality Flag in eight colors! » (new hope celebrates)

My Experience in New Hope

My experience in New Hope was largely influenced by the amazing community my partner and I found ourselves immersed in. Upon entering our Airbnb we were met by a wall of mugs with rainbow flags and a rainbow New Hope sign- nothing says home sweet home more than a pride flag! On the coffee table, there was a book on the LGBTQ+ history of New Hope detailing the beautiful queer creativity that individuals within the community brought to New Hope. When planning a couples vacation, it’s important to think about how safe you will feel at your destination. My partner and I were looking to nurture our relationship and relax, so we opted for a destination where we would feel safe and accepted. The LGBTQ positive symbolization that lined the streets and residences of New Hope made it the perfect safe space for us to re-connect.
Most visitors say that “the only thing you will really need is a place with strong bedsprings’ ‘ (fagabond) when visiting New Hope- my experience in the town definitely serves as validation for this claim! A couples weekend is always a great opportunity to explore new aspects of your sex life or even appreciate the normalcy of actually having time to have sex with your partner(s). Our Airbnb was the perfect place to explore our intimacy, our comfort in New Hope quickly translated into sensuality. The room featured two terraces with large glass doors that were propped open over the glowing Delaware River and had the most luxurious white comforter, the couch was velvet and a deep shade of emerald green. The room was so beautiful, we couldn’t help but feel a little turned on- who doesn’t want to mess up a perfectly made bed? Overall, New Hope provided us with a beautiful backdrop for a weekend filled with much-needed intimacy and connection- I highly recommend this place for a romantic getaway, you will not be disappointed!