albany for gay couple?

[ScranBarre]

It's so nice to see that cities so close to me are beginning to become more open-minded and compassionate regarding same-sex issues. NJ has legalized civil unions, and I believe NY is next in line. Would you all mind tossing a few of those tolerant, progressive liberals our way? It sucks to live 45 minutes from the NY/NJ border, yet we're in a conservative time warp of sort here in NEPA. People in our area wet their pants in fear when someone mentions the word "gay." The influx of newcomers from NYC couldn't come soon enough for me.

[Logan11]

HA You'd think the city of Albany was the South Bronx circa 1978 from some of these posts. Trust me the two ghettos in Albany (South End and Arbor Hill don't hold as candle to the worst ghettos in parts of NYC and especially North Philly, but I wouldn't go there at night. I've been through there during the day plenty and not been accosted yet. Downtown Albany though is a world apart and you don't feel in danger there, and going toward the more west side of town there are many nice neighborhoods.

I live on the outside (suburbs) so I can't tell you about living in the city proper, but I can list off some nice things about the city of Albany....

Riverfront Park: nice green space and amphitheater along the Hudson connected to Downtown with a new pedestrian Bridge over I-787. Summer concert series held here.

Capital Park: lovely park with great Spring Flowers below the Capitol Building

Washington Park and the Lakehouse: park with landscaping from the era of Central Park in NYC ..think its older. Visit in the Spring for the Tulip Festival and Pinksterfest (old Dutch tradition born out of Pentecost Sunday originally).
Holiday lights tour through the park in December.

NY State Capitol and Empire Plaza. Huge public space in the plaza with several Towers...good views from the top of the Corning Tower. The Cultural Education Center at the southern end houses the state museum. The Egg is a performing arts center. The underground concourse holds many events such as auto shows, ski expos etc. The architecture of the complex is is very post modern ca. 1970 (think old World Trade Center), but its a nice facility overall.

Palace Theater: classic early 20th Century theater now gets many events and touring bands etc.

Times Union Center: down the hill from the Capitol a bit...a typical arena with the AHL Albany River Rats hockey club and larger concert tours etc. Indoor walkway connects the TU Center with the plaza above. The neighboring area along the northern part of South Pearl Street has a decent nightlife scene now. Stay above Madison Ave. on South Pearl because below that is the infamous South End.

Remaining vestiges of the old Dutch/Colonial Heritage....

Cherry Hill Mansion Historic Site
Ten Broek Mansion Historic Site
Schuyler Mansion
Urban Cultural Center exhibit at Quackenbush Square

Albany has some great old architecture such as the old NY Central Headquarters at the base of State Street...now SUNY Headquarters. It was designed by the same architect that designed the parliament buildings in Ottawa. The City Hall and don't miss the occasional carillon bell concerts there. The Capitol building itself and neighboring (now restored) Alfred E. Smith Building. Lots of stately homes going west on Madison then Western Aves.

Albany Musem of History and Art... A good collection of paintings from the Hudson River school masters, plus a lot more about history and art...

So anyway ...its not all bad about Albany ...and you are a 2.5 hour amtrak ride into Manhattan from the very nice new train station just across the river.

[averagenyjoe]

Hey look, I think you should come to Albany and see what all the city has to offer. logan11 listed nicely all that is here. If you like Albany than move to Albany. However, I wouldnt decide on a city based on issues involving who you want to have romance with and how. This is not a Black-White, North-South, Italian-Polish etc.. issue here. If you are a well adjusted person and self-confident than you should be able to make it in Albany or Anywhere! If it is a pat on the back for being gay than yes, we have a parade in you honor every year that is growing so you can proudly proclaim to all the world your given desires for relationships. But then so does almost ANY city in America of any significant size. If its a great GAY city you are seeking and move to such a city for its gay scene, you could quite possibly be dissapointed. There is MUCH MORE to quality of life than how free you can be with your public display. Gays are rarely mocked any more these days than inter-racial couples or any other minority group. Of course there are hate crimes but hate knows no bounds and is not exclusive to the gay community and after all, there are gays in every last corner of the world. It seems to be a humanity issue that spans every age and people group and is unlike seeking equality in a racial or ethnic sense. Check city-data. Almost every city including the rockin' gay hot spots only show a max of .02 or .03 % likely gay population. If you accept the fact that one is born with these preferences than the numbers and % shouldnt change. Society will always be tipped to a majority of straight persons. Again, if its a peaceful life as a gay you are seeking you will find it in MANY, MANY places. I lived in a major redneck little town in the South and there were gays that lived openly and some even flaunted it and NEVER were treated any different. I was actually surprised at that.
My point here is this. You seem to be a bit self-conscious and insecure yet with your life. And are falling into the trap of living in a "victim" mode. Albany is open and you will be treated with respect. Now go and choose the city based on its other great qualities or lack thereof. Your self confidence and your resolve to be who you are will take you further than you can imagine. In Wadesboro, NC or SanFrancisco alike. finally, if you continue to run from hate and isolate yourself in communities with scores of people JUST LIKE YOURSELF than you will be miserable. Face hate in the face and deal with it. Whether in Albany or where you are at now.
Respectfully, averagenyjoe

[juliekingsley]

You have the right to live wherever you want. If someone does not accept you, make it their problem and make them have to adjust to you! I feel for you even though I am not gay. No one should be shunned or abused. You are the same as everyone else. Some people will abuse and pick on anyone for any reason. Gay, straight, it doesn't matter. It is in their nature to harbor hatred for anything or anyone that does not fit into their defintion of perfection. Don't be afraid of people. If need be, carry a licensed weapon. You have the right to bear arms.

Originally Posted by Jordan475

My boyfriend may very well be accepting a position at SUNY Albany, and I was wondering how accepting the Albany region is for gay couples. We are in our late 20's, both professionals. Are there any particularly accepting areas? We don't need the Castro, but we would like to live somewhere where we will not be scorned and harassed, and we would like to start a family within the next five years. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

[averagenyjoe]

Originally Posted by juliekingsley

............. Don't be afraid of people. If need be, carry a licensed weapon. You have the right to bear arms.

Oh, please juliekingsley! you get done with an otherwise good post explaining how we should all be tolerant and be "the stronger one" and "rising above it all" then pop off with the comment encouraging people to carry a gun???? I am just fine with legal gun ownership. I have had many years of NRA membership, But your encouragement is in 100% reference of guarding against someone pissing you off. So then, if someone, even a gay person gets called a name or even harassed, then pull out a gun???? and threaten them???? Or even use it?
Again, carrying a gun for self defense is one thing. but it has NOTHING to do with assigning this right to any one class of people. Its not a gay protection issue or a Black issue or an Iraq citizen issue. I can just see it now. Our gay friend here gets a gun and moves to Albany and takes a little harassing or badgered and in a moment of heat whipps out the thing and blows the person away. Yea, thats rising above it all.
When I was in high school, I was 6'2 and 130 pounds, I was a total failure in sports and was considered girly and a sissy. I was beat up and harassed over & over & over. Went to the school admin. nothing done. went to the school board. they told my dad to toughen up his son and fight like a man. Sure glad I didnt have a gun, because I may have used it. Met up with one of my prime bullys years later and he couldnt appologize enough and said he had always remembered my strength to rise above it and turn the other cheak. He was very emotional and said I had been a real inspiration to him in the years to follow.
So Put your revengful spirit in the waste can and follow your first line of reasoning. My recomendation to this person was to move to Albany based on all its other qualities or lack thereof and not feel he has to be surrounded by a huge support group (necessarily). Not a bad thing but shouldnt be the motivating factor. If it is, it could be like running from yourself depending on your motivations. Happiness rarely comes by surrounding yourself by hords of people just like yourself. Doing otherwise will make you a stronger person and have greater influence in the long run.
Nuff said!

[saratoga1]

I lived in Saratoga Springs and was more comfortable there than in Albany. Now that we have a family we live in Greenwich NY, 20 minutes from Saratoga Springs. There is a gay owned restaurant in Greenwich called One One One. This is a really small town but there are a few gay businesses on Main Street. We are everywhere. I love it here especially for children.
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