When i finish college Im hoping to take a year out traveling in the US before i start work full time back home and i was just wondering, as an openly gay guy are there any areas or states that i should avoid or are particularly homophobic? or are there places where i should perhaps not disclose my sexual orientation?
i guess i might just be being over cautious but there's no harm in checking right?
2006-10-01 13:06:51 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
If you stick with the larger cities, university towns, etc.., you shouldn't have any problem. Get out in the rural areas where the ignorant bible thumpers are busy inbreeding, and you could indeed have some difficulty.
2006-10-01 13:09:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Living in North Carolina, which as southern states go, is relatively liberal. Lots of people hate you if they know you are gay, but they won't kill you... unless you go cruising for sex at a really scary redneck bar, and you would get a warning.
As others said, larger cities and campuses are more safe. I have lived in Chapel Hill, NC (Home of the University of North Carolina and close to Duke University) and that area is pretty comfortable. Actually as comfortable as Washington, D.C. or NYC. The town next door, Carrboro, had an openly gay mayor.
With that said, I have to admit I am considering moving back to a university town or a big city so that I can be less inhibited and more at ease.
Good to be cautious though, as there are some real psychos in the USA! George W. Bush wasn't elected by genteel libertarians.
In the south, racism seems more of a dangerous problem than homophobia. Be careful with drugs, cops, cruising...
2006-10-01 20:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by Ren Hoek 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The bigger and more western or eastern the town/state, the better off you are. Most large cities have their own "gay" area which you can visit for clubbing, shops, or just meeting new people. Generally the far east and far west are seen as most accepting, then the northern states, and then some in the south. That's not to say there's no gay people or "areas" in the south, but since that's more of a conservative area you might not have as much fun there as, say, California or New York.
But, generally, that goes for anyone touring the U.S.
You're going to find more open people, more things to do, and more things that cater to what you like in the bigger cities. And where are the biggest cities? On the far east and far west.
Unless you become some extreme activist and begin screaming and hollering outside Fred Phelp's complex or Focus of the Family's "home station", it's not like you'll be bashed and you'll have a nice time.
2006-10-01 20:23:58 · answer #3 · answered by Belie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless you are out there screaming that you're gay, just use common sense. The more interesting places to visit for the more part are also more accepting. Best bet is to check out the local scene and take your tips from those in the area - both for what's interesting in the area and where's not so cool. Have fun! I'd love to have a year to travel around.
2006-10-01 22:20:27 · answer #4 · answered by Alex62 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally, you're better off in big cities. That having been said, all of the BIGGEST cities tend to be on the coasts. San Francisco's a big gay area, as are parts of NYC. Smaller cities in between are kind of individualistic; ask around before you head into a specific area. Again, though, most cities will at least have neighborhoods that are gay friendly.
2006-10-03 01:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by Atropis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally large urban area's are ok, New York, San Fransisco, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Denver. Frankly most area's have "GLBT" friendly communities, you should check the pride committee's where ever you land.
I would avoid the bible belt(south and midwest), Utah, some of the northwest states. Basically every place that uses religion to excuse their hate filled behavior. Oh yeah, avoid Kansas, there are some real nut cases there.
2006-10-01 23:50:21 · answer #6 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should feel comfortable in most areas of the country, except for some rural areas perhaps where being too openly gay might invite nasty comments. Cities are quite safe, again, if you use simple urban "street smarts".
2006-10-01 20:09:52 · answer #7 · answered by Isis 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I live in the south east and I have to tell you I don't know of any area down here where it would be uncomfortable to be who you are.
Just 10 years ago I could not say that.
Many very rural areas have homosexual and lesbian owned businesses.
Homosexuals are very excepted now.
The south doesn't really deserve the bad rap it gets.
2006-10-01 21:58:27 · answer #8 · answered by ♂ Randy W. ♂ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really want to be a fresh modern gay person in the U.S., there is no need to avoid any area. Advertising you are gay is a way of retaliation in the past. Only disclose it if it comes up. (excuse the pun).
2006-10-01 22:16:10 · answer #9 · answered by onionheadinvancouver 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be careful on where I flew my gay flag. Don't cruise guys in straight bars. Don't make a big deal of it in small towns, especially in the south. In the bigger cities, especially in those with gay bars, keep your gay conversation to other gay people unless somebody else engages you.
Why would you feel a need to tell a waitress you'd like two eggs, over easy with wheat toast and coffee, and by the way, I'm gay? Not cool.
2006-10-01 20:14:57 · answer #10 · answered by michael941260 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋