Kevin Sampson and Mario Hernandez live in a downtown Lynn loft. The married couple has lived in Lynn for over six years and say it's one of the most tolerant, diverse communities in the state.

The First Parish in Cambridge [pictured], Unitarian Universalist, gathered to dedicate a flag to the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Cambridge received a score of 100 on Human Rights Campaign's 2012 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), "the first ever rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law." The results are based on factors such as non-discrimination laws, relationship recognition, and the municipality's relationship with the LGBT community.

According to South-end-boston.com, "During the 1940s, gays were drawn to the South End by the possibility of living discreetly in the many single-sex lodging-houses." Today, the area maintains its reputation for its LGBTcommunity and numerous gay bars and clubs. Just last year, The South End was named Boston's most popular neighborhood for gay male couples by Advocate.com.

"In the 1980s, the gay community began settling into Jamaica Plain and today there is a vibrant and growing GLBTQ population," according to the Boston Public Health Commission. Here, Hillary and Julie Goodridge watch their nine-year-old daughter, Annie, jump on a pogo stick in their driveway in Jamaica Plain. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were immortalized as the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit that led to legalized same sex marriage in Massachusetts.

Named the Best Gay Resort Town by GayCities.com in 2011, Provincetown is the ultimate mecca for the LGBT community. Here, Truro residents Eileen Counihan amd her partner Erin Golden acknowledge wellwishers outside Provincetown Town Hall after obtaining their marriage license. Said Golden, 'One small kiss for us, one giant kiss for mankind."

Northampton, once called "Lesbianville, USA" by the National Enquirer, now has a growing gay male population and prides itself on being very gay-friendly. Pride and Joy [pictured] on 20 Crafts Ave. in Northampton provides all things gay, and all things rainbow. Since 1992. they sell books, movies, CDs, bumper stickers, magnets, coffee mugs, and even rainbow suspenders.