Moving to the South - Anyone here from there?

[Merboy]

Hi. I am moving this year to a Southern state (one of the most conservative Republican states in the country). I think I'll be able to meet other LGBTQ people down there (we are everywhere, after all) and they do have a pride fair in the area I'm moving to.

 

Are there any members here from the South - or any conservative/Republican/religious areas? How do you like living there?

[+ TylerandAce]

We live in Mississippi. I (the bald guy) am multi-generational native. You're welcome to DM me here, send email, or text. I'm also open to a public conversation here on the board if you'd like input from others.

[Guest]

Each state has different regions and you’ll get a different experience depending on where you settle.

- as a rule, southerners are fairly inclusive.

- the negative stereotypes on inclusiveness come from the Pentecostals and Baptists.

But universally, if you like hotter summers and warmer winters, you’ll be happy.

 

if you’re aiming for Texas, it’s not the south...it’s different.

[caramelsub]

I live in the upper south and was raised here. I use to hate it, more because of the racial divide than anything else, but have grown to be more accustomed to it. Granted I’m in a fairly large city in the upper south, where there are lots of northern transplants. I don’t know how I would fair living in the Deep South like Mississippi or Alabama or in a small town though. The south still has a good ole boy culture. If it was my choice I probably wouldn’t chose to live here. But I’ve lived here almost all my life.

[CatDaddy]

As a former Texas History (and American History) teacher, my opinion is if you live east of the Brazos River in Texas it's pretty much a southern place (people, unbearable humidity, clay soil, forrests, and bugs). If you live west of the Brazos you're more western. For example, look at how well Texas A & M effortlessly transitioned into the SEC. South Texas and the Panhandle have their own identities as well. It's a big state!

 

I've lived in Alabama, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas, plus a year in El Paso (wonderful summer and really nice people). The south is a very nice place to live! Just build a high fence and close your blinds at night (and go skinny dipping in secluded places!).

 

By the way, upon retirement I'm headed back to Alabama. Orange Beach is calling me.

[Guest]

...

By the way, upon retirement I'm headed back to Alabama. Orange Beach is calling me.

Yikes! I looked up that city on Wikipedia, and the lack of racial diversity there is astounding!

As of the census of 2010, ...The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

[+ mature_guy]

Been in the South for a few years now (Atlantic coast). It's what you make of it, I think. In some communities there is a noticeable LGTB+ presence (larger cities, university towns), but not so much in the more rural areas. But that's what travel is for....once we can get back to traveling....

[Guest]

Yikes! I looked up that city on Wikipedia, and the lack of racial diversity there is astounding!

As of the census of 2010, ...The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There’s no middle class in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores. Retirees and local business owners. It’s called the redneck riviera for a reason but the beaches are the best.

[+ TylerandAce]

There’s no middle class in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores. Retirees and local business owners. It’s called the redneck riviera for a reason but the beaches are the best.

Super sweet people and nearby Fairhope is a bastion of grace and beauty. Plus, since it’s a retirement destination, it’s more liberal that you might imagine. Of course, you can’t go North or I-10 until you hit Trump country, so you just have to be aware.

[Deadlift1]

Charleston, Savannah, Asheville, would be my choices. Fairly LGBT friendly.

[marylander1940]

Hi. I am moving this year to a Southern state (one of the most conservative Republican states in the country). I think I'll be able to meet other LGBTQ people down there (we are everywhere, after all) and they do have a pride fair in the area I'm moving to.

 

Are there any members here from the South - or any conservative/Republican/religious areas? How do you like living there?

 

Could you be more specific? Any chance you can tell us at least the name of your new state?

 

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[marylander1940]

Charleston, Savannah, Asheville, would be my choices. Fairly LGBT friendly.

 

New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, are also larger and very LGBTQ friendly.

[Merboy]

Could you be more specific? Any chance you can tell us at least the name of your new state?

 

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Putnam County, Tennessee.

[marylander1940]

Putnam County, Tennessee.

 

Nashville is a wonderful city!

[JayCeeKy]

I see where Putnam County is dry in a lot of areas (i.e no alcohol sales). People are sometimes amazed when I tell them that out of 120 counties in Kentucky, 38 are entirely dry – no alcohol sales, no bars, no exceptions. Only 32 are completely wet. The rest are a mixed bag. Too many Southern Baptists.

 

Anyway, Nashville is a great place. I have found some really hot escorts there as it is only a two hour drive from me. Nice folks in TN, except the ones who "blow theyselves up." Welcome to the Mid-South. We put the "ALL" in Y'all.

[Studsearcher]

I’m a Midwestern transplant to the Nashville area and I love it here. I think the gay scene is pretty good for a city of this size. I’ve made many friends, gay and straight, and most of them are also from elsewhere. I think having so many transplants makes people friendlier otherwise no one would have any friends!

 

I’m not very familiar with Putnam county but it is definitely a rural area and does have a small college town. I’m sure you will meet new people if you put yourself out there, but you will have the best luck if you’re willing to drive to Nashville.

[Guest]

Putnam County, Tennessee.

It’s not the most progressive place around, but it’s a good community and people will stay out of your business if you stay out of theirs. At its core, cookeville is a rock solid community with everything you need. And you can get anywhere in the world from there - as long as the journey begins with a trip to Nashville, Knoxville, or Chattanooga Still, I am hoping that Cookeville is your destination and not some of the smaller communities to the east where it gets very rural very fast.

[Luv2play]

Charleston, Savannah, Asheville, would be my choices. Fairly LGBT friendly.

I’ve stayed overnight in both Charleston and Savannah (twice), and agree both had a nice gay vibe. Not huge but there. In Savannah I stayed at a gay owned b&b, which was very welcoming. I remember a gay bar in Charleston. And the architecture in both towns is great.

[+ Pensant]

There’s no middle class in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores. Retirees and local business owners. It’s called the redneck riviera for a reason but the beaches are the best.

Yeah, but no waves.

[marylander1940]

Putnam County, Tennessee.

 

that's not only the South but Appalachia...

 

I'm sure you'll find friends and closeted buddies too.

 

Are truck stop still the place to be in the Grindr era?

 

[Merboy]

that's not only the South but Appalachia...

 

I'm sure you'll find friends and closeted buddies too.

 

Are truck stop still the place to be in the Grindr era?

 

What's nice is that they do have the Upper Cumberland Pride Fair there right in Cookeville, which is also a college town - Tennessee Tech.

[Merboy]

The South has a lot of beautiful areas with great natural beauty. I can't wait for the day when the gay kids of the South can be affirmed and accepted by nearly everybody.

[marylander1940]

What's nice is that they do have the Upper Cumberland Pride Fair there right in Cookeville, which is also a college town - Tennessee Tech.

 

at 35 you're too young to be called daddy, you'll blend fine with those college boys.

[Guest]

Yeah, but no waves.

And that’s a bad thing? You couldn’t pay me to live on the water with tidal issues and sand...

[+ Charlie]

Charleston, Savannah, Asheville, would be my choices. Fairly LGBT friendly.

Gay friends of ours in Palm Springs decided to move to Savannah, because they remembered its "charm" from the years they had lived in Atlanta. They lasted only a couple of years before fleeing back to Palm Springs.