[Jimrob1]

I don't live in Arkansas, but I did want to wish you and your family all the Best. I hope you will find your place where you can be comfortable, and raise your kids in the healthy environment you seek.

I thinks its a shame that you or anyone, would have to worry about being accepted in a new community. However I do think it is very understandable that you would have your concerns, and must include acceptance as part of your research on locations. Best of Luck.

[benGinTx]

Just a quick update. I was referred to another forum (thanks ridicter!) which led me to yet another forum full of Eureka Springs locals. Wow, it sounds like a really great place and we will definitely pursue the town further.

I realize that some folks think it is ridiculous that we even felt the need to post this thread (yes, I've noticed the satiracle thread someone felt the need to put up), but the fact is there ARE many places where we would not be welcomed and would be putting ourselves, our property and our children at a greater risk by moving in to town. If it was just the two of us we'd be less concerned, but we have three children that need all the support and love from their local community that they can get.

Thanks again for all of the feedback. I think we've made our decision to at least go check out Eureka Springs in person.

[strumpeace]

Best wishes on whatever you choose to do.

You sound like a great person, and I would love to have you as a neighbor.

[SwinerBock]

It is amazing how long stereotypes tend to last, even in this day and age. Is Arkansas part of the Bible Belt? Yes it is. But that does not mean every single Arkansan carries around a Bible in their back pocket and a Jesus bobblehead on their dashboard. Nor does it mean that every single Christian in the state is going to attempt to burn you at the stake if you happen to be gay.

I've listened (read) to all of this talk about Arkansans being more anti-racial and anti-gay than some other states. However, rarely do I read any news article originating from Arkansas about a crime being committed against someone because of their skin color or their sexual orientation. It's always some OTHER state I read about.

With that being said, yes there are parts of the state that would probably be more OPEN than others. NW Arkansas, Little Rock, Eureka Springs, Hot Springs are obvious choices. Others might be college towns like Conway, Jonesboro, Russellville. Fort Smith, Texarkana, El Dorado and West Memphis may be possibilities as well.

A previous poster said it best. Come pay a visit. Look around. See what you like.

[bagelw]

benGinTx, you'll be fine in Fayetteville. You should just drive up some weekend to visit Fayetteville and Eureka Springs. I think it will come down to if you want the luxuries of a larger city that Fayetteville has to offer or if you'd rather keep things smaller and simpler with Eureka Springs.

[PurpleLove08]

I wouldn't move here if I had children because under Arkansas law, neither one of you would have rights to the children because of Initiated Act 1. Even if you adopted them in Texas, you wouldn't have rights under Arkansas law. If you REALLY want to move here, try to consult with an attorney but I would hate for something to happen to one of you...and the surviving partner not have any rights when it came to the children.

Arkansas is not all that gay friendly, at least in the laws.
I would look somewhere that would give you parental rights, Minnesota and Colorado come first to mind.
While neither of them have marriage equality, they do have some pretty progressive laws when it comes to same-sex couples and their children.

I also agree with posters who recommended Iowa. You can always come visit Arkansas but I wouldn't want to live here full time if I had the choice.

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by SwinerBock

It is amazing how long stereotypes tend to last, even in this day and age. Is Arkansas part of the Bible Belt? Yes it is. But that does not mean every single Arkansan carries around a Bible in their back pocket and a Jesus bobblehead on their dashboard. Nor does it mean that every single Christian in the state is going to attempt to burn you at the stake if you happen to be gay.

I've listened (read) to all of this talk about Arkansans being more anti-racial and anti-gay than some other states. However, rarely do I read any news article originating from Arkansas about a crime being committed against someone because of their skin color or their sexual orientation. It's always some OTHER state I read about.

With that being said, yes there are parts of the state that would probably be more OPEN than others. NW Arkansas, Little Rock, Eureka Springs, Hot Springs are obvious choices. Others might be college towns like Conway, Jonesboro, Russellville. Fort Smith, Texarkana, El Dorado and West Memphis may be possibilities as well.

A previous poster said it best. Come pay a visit. Look around. See what you like.

Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I'm involved with a local LGBT rights organization and a person in the group was beaten unconscious because he was gay. Before the guys who beat the snot out of him knocked him unconscious, they were throwing around gay slurs.
Renters Claim Eviction Caused By "Gay Pride" Message - KFSM

I wouldn't recommend Conway because even though it is a college town, it has a very conservative bent. A friend of mine was going to McDonald's one morning to get some breakfast and some guy was yelling out in front of McDonald's "Vote for act 1! We don't want *****s having the same rights as us!"

Fort Smith wouldn't be recommended because of the news article I posted.
All the OP has to do is look at which counties or cities had the biggest percentage of people who voted FOR Act 1 and kind of base on how well they will be received there.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by LiveTodayLez08

I wouldn't move here if I had children because under Arkansas law, neither one of you would have rights to the children because of Initiated Act 1. Even if you adopted them in Texas, you wouldn't have rights under Arkansas law. If you REALLY want to move here, try to consult with an attorney but I would hate for something to happen to one of you...and the surviving partner not have any rights when it came to the children.

Arkansas is not all that gay friendly, at least in the laws.
I would look somewhere that would give you parental rights, Minnesota and Colorado come first to mind.
While neither of them have marriage equality, they do have some pretty progressive laws when it comes to same-sex couples and their children.

I also agree with posters who recommended Iowa. You can always come visit Arkansas but I wouldn't want to live here full time if I had the choice.

I guess you saw something I didn't. where did anyone suggest Iowa? ID, yes, but not Iowa..unless I missed it somehow. As for gay friendly,have you lived or even spent much time in Eureka Springs or Fayetteville? I am sure, reading the Ops postings, realizing he is very intelligent and aware of the laws in our state, he will be make sure of his rights before he makes a move to any state.
We all know you do not like living here and you have your reasons, but everyone, gay or straight shares your views.

Unfortunately gay hatred exists lots of places, almost everywhere as a matter of fact. Crime exists as well, but we don't say, don't move the such and such, because someone was murdered there last year or don't go to the beach in Texas because a girl was raped there 6 months ago.

NIta

[PurpleLove08]

Originally Posted by SwinerBock

Point taken. But if I may...

I recall reading national headlines about a lesbian getting attacked back in December of last year in the San Francisco area. Am I to assume that San Francisco is hostile to gays and lesbians as well?

Yeah, I heard about that as well.
I wouldn't say San Fran is hostile to gays and lesbians because the city as a WHOLE is accepting.
Arkansas....not so much.
Even if physical crimes don't happen, there can still be hostility in the form of slurs thrown at you or laws that are passed.
At least in San Fransisco I wouldn't have to fear about being fired from my job just for being a lesbian. I'm lucky enough to work for a place that has a policy against discrimination based on sexual orientation but if they did, it would still be legal.
People don't have to beat me to let me know I'm not welcome...they can just go to the voting booth or campaign against laws that would achieve equal rights for lgbt people.
I know not all of AR is like that and there are people who are welcoming of lgbt people but I won't sit here and lie to the OP and only point out the good in Arkansas. I would do the same if I lived in a gay friendly city or state.

After reading the posts from the OP, I would say he would be okay moving to AR since his concern is cheap land and being welcomed in the town they live in. Eureka Springs would be a great choice, along with Fayettville but since they want (it seems) small town living, Eureka Springs is the top choice.

[MissLola]

I have lived in AR all my life and have traveled here extensively. I think that you could find a very happy home in Eureka Springs (my husband and I actually got married there), Hot Springs, or even in the Conway-Little Rock area. I would avoid Harrison and the surrounding area, more for the fact that you're going to have black children and that area is very, very racist. I remember seeing lots of multi-racial families in Little Rock, so I don't think you'd run into a problem there.

I find it funny that anyone would consider Conway homophobic. Of course there are some jerks everywhere, but Conway is home to Hendrix College, one of the most gay-friendly colleges imaginable. They have a very large openly gay population and some great openly gay professors.

At any rate, I think Arkansas is as good a choice as any for someone finding somewhere to settle with their family. Best of luck.