Episode Details

WHERE DO GAYS RETIRE PODCAST

Show Notes

The Frying Pan Is Now the Fire —

Where Do We Go From Here?

Hosted by Mark Goldstein| Solo Episode |April 2026

Sequel to: "Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire" (July 2025)

When Mark recorded "Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire" last July, he was mostly thinking about political instability in other countries. He wasn't quite expecting the frying pan itself to turn up the heat this dramatically right here at home.

In this solo follow-up episode, Mark takes a calm, clear-eyed look at where things actually stand in the United States right now for LGBTQ+ retirees — and more importantly, what your real options are. This is not a political commentary. It is not about panic. It is exactly what this podcast has always been: practical, honest information to help you make informed decisions about where to spend your golden years, openly, safely, and fabulously.

In This Episode

• What NSPM-7 actually says — and what it doesn't say — about our community
• Why listener numbers are growing, and what that tells us about where our community is right now
• The case for staying: U.S. states with the strongest constitutional and legal protections
• The case for going: why more LGBTQ+ retirees are seriously looking abroad
• The honest complications of international living — Medicare, visas, family distance
• Five questions to help you figure out where you stand
• Mark's personal story — Fort Collins, Peter, and the 1982 Málaga plane crash
• Resources to stay informed and take action

U.S. States With Strong LGBTQ+ Legal Protections — Featured in This Episode

Mark highlights states where same-sex marriage rights are protected at the state constitutional level or through strong statutory protections — states where your rights would remain intact even if the federal picture changes.

Constitutional protection states:

• New York — equal protection enshrined in state constitution (2024); marriage equality since 2011
• California — right to marry enshrined as a fundamental right in state constitution (2024)
• Colorado — constitutional ban removed by voters (2024) + inclusive statutory definition enacted (2025)
• New Mexico — state Supreme Court ruled marriage equality required under state constitution (2013); codified by unanimous legislative vote (2019)
• Nevada — marriage equality positively enshrined in state constitution (2020) — no episode yet, but worth watching!

Strong statutory protection states are also mentioned:

• Massachusetts — first state to legalize same-sex marriage (2004); no ban
• Vermont — civil unions pioneer (2000); no ban
• Rhode Island, Washington State, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Oregon — all with no dormant bans

International Destinations Mentioned in This Episode

• Spain — Torremolinos, Sitges, Malaga, Costa del Sol
• Portugal — Algarve, Cascais
• Mexico — Ajijic, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Queretaro
• France, Netherlands, Costa Rica

For our full archive of international destination episodes, see the Episode Resource Guide linked in the show notes for this episode.

LGBTQ+ Retirement Communities Mentioned

• Living Out — Palm Springs, California | livingout.com
• Fountain Grove Lodge — Santa Rosa, California

Referenced Episode

"Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire — Why the Political Climate Matters for LGBTQ+ Retirees"

Originally aired July 2, 2025. Available in the podcast archive at wheredogaysretire.com.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

U.S.