African-American, Gay, 35 y.o, Professional, Male Moving to Atlanta (Macon: appointed, home)

[GUMBOY]

I am an African-American, gay, 35 y.o, professional, male moving to Atlanta from New York City (seems like a trend, right?) within approximately 2 months and have already secured employment. I am not a native New Yorker, but have lived in NYC for 10 years - Brooklyn, 8, and Manhattan, 2, respectively. My questions are:

1. Is Atlanta TRULY the Gay mecca everyone says it is? (Atlanta was very recently ranked as "The Gayest City in America.")

2. Is Atlanta still the mecca it was to PROFESSIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICANS, say 20 years ago for example, even to this day - 2010?

With the 2 aforementioned in mind,

3. Will a gay, African-American, male find Atlanta to TRULY and HONESTLY be and succeed in the...gay, African-American mecca it is so often portrayed in the media to be?

Your comments are much appreciated in advance.

[George Chong]

IMO, Mecca is always over rated and no one or no place can ever live up to that.

Is Atlanta a very gay friendly city? Yes

Will you succeed in Atlanta? That is up to you and how you conduct your life.

Magazine ranks Atlanta as America's gayest city *| ajc.com

Atlanta is a big melting pot of previous residents from everywhere. That is what gives us our flavor and separates us from the stereotypes of the south.

Good luck and welcome!

[ATLHRLGUY]

You will be fine. Atlanta is a big metropolitan city. There have been several threads (most recently "loud italian catholic from jersey" or the generic "Cali native worried about moving to the south") where people seem unusually concerned about how they may be received in Atlanta. I'm kind of puzzled by all of this...Atlanta is an international/cosmo city. It's not like you're moving from NYC to Macon, GA( no offense to those from Macon) but you get my drift. There's only maybe 15 or so "major" metropolitian cities in the US of significance and Atlanta is one of them so all of these cities will have many things in common. There's a big gay, asian, irish, catholic, whatever you're looking for presence in all big metro areas. I've criss-crossed this country so many times and really, people are people, there are very very very small differences in the way people behave or do things etc.we all live in America,we all have been socialized to think or act in pretty similar fashions(whole other thread-but you get my point) and the minor differences are none of consequence.
(Gumboy-my commentary isn't meant to singleyou out just using your question to make a point) To more specifically answer your question, all these labels, Black Mecca, Gay Mecca etc. like George said are irrevelant, If you're smart, friendly, have great communication skills, driven and have a positive attitude about life you can thrive anywhere. There are gay people all over the metro area but the Midtown area has "traditionally" been an area where you will have more gay people living and can readily see more gay friendly bars/clubs. Like George, good luck with the move and welcome.

[alexdi]

There are lots of gay people in Atlanta. A fair minority of those are black. There's a pretty vivid nightlife, no shortage of gay clubs and bars, and most people are sufficiently self-absorbed not to care about your particular quirks. Beyond that, it is what you make of it.

[stuffavail]

[quote=George Chong;13404537]IMO, Mecca is always over rated and no one or no place can ever live up to that.

Is Atlanta a very gay friendly city? Yes

Will you succeed in Atlanta? That is up to you and how you conduct your life.

Magazine ranks Atlanta as America's gayest city *| ajc.com

Atlanta is a big melting pot of previous residents from everywhere. That is what gives us our flavor and separates us from the stereotypes of the south.

Good luck
------------------------
Hi George!
Fancy meeting you here.
:-)
--Lynn

[Inmyown]

And I would recommend going to www.meetup.com and joining some gay groups that may fit your lifestlye and perhaps be a good place to meet friends. I don't think that you would feel out of place or anything like that.

[drewminaj]

Im a black gay male man and trust Atlanta is home to the biggest african american gay culture and the Biggest african american gay pride. You will be fine here, The city is very Tolerant of gays. Yes it was named the Gayiest city by Advocate magazine. But Atlanta has alot to offer, im only speaking through my shoes not anyone elses. Go in this with no expectation and you wont be disappointed.Your experience may be different from what you heard from others.