Is Austin Tx gay friendly? (Houston, Dallas: home, living in, shops)

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

So, when gay people come to Austin and want to head out to the "gay areas", there really are none since everybody is welcome everywhere. Of course there are gay bars, but the people quoted in the article seemed to be lamenting the fact that there are not entire contiguous blocks or streets in Austin where they can have a nightlife stroll to various different gay bars and clubs that are "all gay, all the time".

I have to admit I found this odd. Almost like reverse discrimination.

Madison, WI is the same way and sometimes gets the same reaction. I think I understand the feeling, however. It must be hard to date when you have no clue whether the person you're attracted to is also gay. Looks, mannerisms, etc are not good clues to go by. Gay people stereo-type, too, and that can get them in trouble if they pick the wrong person.

I'm a straight woman and I've found most of the women who've flirted with me are very sensitive to how receptive the other person is and back off right away if there is any discomfort on the part of the other person. Still signals get crossed if you don't pick up on the fact that you are being flirted with and you just genuinely like the other person.

I think meeting people at a strictly "gay" venue would be safer and less stressful.

[artsyguy]

I totally agree with you and men are the same way. Very sensitive people.

They don't bother to get to know you and figure it out through good old fashion talking!!

I usually wear some sort of rainbow color to let others know I am gay. I also try to get to know people and not judge on only how receptive they are the first time around. I am gay and know of other gays in my classes and I am not receptive to them haha, mostly because I am distracted with other thoughts LOL. But if any gays want to use good old fashion talking and try to form a bond over time then that of course will work.



QUOTE=Megan1967;2773429]
I'm a straight woman and I've found most of the women who've flirted with me are very sensitive to how receptive the other person is and back off right away if there is any discomfort on the part of the other person. Still signals get crossed if you don't pick up on the fact that you are being flirted with and you just genuinely like the other person.

I think meeting people at a strictly "gay" venue would be safer and less stressful.[/quote]

[purplecow1]

The gay scene in Austin sucks. All the hot guys at the clubs are completely self-absorbed and cliquish, and the rest of the gays are impossible to find because there's no where else for them to go. I don't know of any "gay" coffee shops here, while I can name at least 2 in Dallas.

[artsyguy]

Purplecow is so correct LOL, great name btw!!

I am an attractive guy no doubt and I even think the gay scene in austin sucks and is often uppity to the max. Heck, even the less attractive gays are really uppity.

Originally Posted by purplecow1

The gay scene in Austin sucks. All the hot guys at the clubs are completely self-absorbed and cliquish, and the rest of the gays are impossible to find because there's no where else for them to go. I don't know of any "gay" coffee shops here, while I can name at least 2 in Dallas.

[redpanda]

Hey twange--I lived in Lakewood for 3 years! Loved it and would pack up the husband and kid and move back if it weren't for the fact that it's nearly impossible to find jobs in Cleveland these days. I thought at the time the gay scene there was pretty hopping...but then again I lived around the corner from Victory (a lesbian bar). I've heard the city in general has really gone downhill...I moved away in 2001 and everything seemed to be on the upswing then.

I would love love love to pick up Lakewood and just plop it down wherever I go so I can always live there. Is there a "Lakewood" in Austin I should look for?

[Mike78613]

Well IMHO this is the 1st city that gays are really open here.

Gay pride seems like a major thing going on here.

There was a slang couple years ago when people used to say:

"You can throw a rock into a crowd and hit an DELL EMPLOYEE"

Well.... now the slang goes like this:

"You can throw a rock into a crowd and hit an gay person"

Which by all means I have nothing against them. We have like 3 at work, only one I cannot stand because he's a dude and walks and talks like a chick... egh..

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

I didn't think Lance Bass is straight acting. He looks really gay to me

Anyways, there is NOT much of a gay scene here in Austin,Texas. The Austin "Gay scene" is hyped up and way overrated.

I do not get harassed or get faced with problems at all from the straight community. Although I've seen some bi/liberal straight people try to be uppity towards me which is a big no-no (I'd understand uppity from conservatives but not liberals), but no harassment or major issues though.

The problem is gays here are pretty ashamed of their gayness. Very little pride and very little openness. So, as a gay person you wouldn't really find people to date or be friends with that are gay. There are WAY too many issues blocking gays from enjoying each others company.

YOu will find some interesting gay dance clubs/bars where the crowd is sometimes friendly and fun, othertimes the crowds are lame, weird, and sometimes even a bit sinister.

Aside from Austin, I've heard Houston has a large gay community. And Dallas for sure has a very large gay community. Dallas is a gay paradise! Believe me, you will see men holding hands in certain parts of Dallas, like it is no big deal. You will not see that in Austin.

one thing that i don't like about austin (& san antonio for tht matter) is the lack of a sunday afternoon "beer bust", "tea dance" or whatever you would call it. dallas & los angeles have this as do other major cities. it is a very relaxed meeting place to get together with friends minus all the attitude of a saturday night. austin has its 2 bars on 4th, kind of weak compared to other cities. it's not that bars are the be all end all place to meet other gays, but when you're new to a city, it helps to go to those places.

[pilotskid27]

Originally Posted by OREGONRAIN

I am considering the austin area to retire in, I am 57, would like to hear from people that could give me some info on other gay guys that have relocated to austin and what they think of it. Thanks

I never thought about it before I read your question, but I have seen several clients lately who are gay couples who have moved to austin at "retirement age".

I am in the home decor industry and---at the risk of perpetuating stereotypes--I have a lot of interaction with gays from several walks of life. Some are waiters working on their 6th year of attaining an undergraduate degree, some are professional designers, some are doctors or lawyers or other professionals who happen to have an interest in home decor and an appreciation of beautiful things; and some are employees.

Granted, I don't get to know many of these guys well (except the employees), during the hour or so that I spend with them I get to hear their basic story. The common theme is that they come see me when they move into a new house...whether it is a different house in town, or if they are coming from out of state.

During the last year, I have had several gay clients that have moved from Chicago, New York City, parts of California to Austin. All were "middle aged" and all moved as couples. That is where the similarities end.

They move for different reasons: they have visited frequently and "always loved Austin"; some have family or friends who moved here previously; some are doing part-time or temporary work consulting with local corporations or with The University.

The homes they move into range from gracefully aging ranch homes on Mt. Bonnell, to downtown lofts, to small, former vacation cottages around Lake Travis. If I were trend-spotting, I would say there is a slight preference for the downtown lofts.

You don't mention a partner, so I am assuming that you are single and will, perhaps be looking for friends when you arrive. I see many complaints on this forum bemoaning the lack of "gay bars and gathering places", but it seems to me that, past a certain age, that scene would lose appeal for most people--gay or straight.

Austin is a huge networking event town. People of various interests go to these events regularly, friendships develop, and you quickly become connected to the community. I could go to 3 meals a day, 5 days a week attending various networking events--plus happy hours! A few of these have a significant gay/lesbian following.

The Octopus Club is an organization that helps raise money to assist people with HIV pay their non-medical bills while they are in treatment. They do a HUGE fundraising event at The Oasis (a wonderful restaurant on Lake Travis where you sip margaritas and watch the sunset) every year and a couple of smaller events during the year. The men involved in this group have been described to me as the "A-list gays" in town.

Tribeza Magazine is an upscale publication about all that is fabulous in Austin. It's slick pages are covered with restaurant reviews, and "insider scoop" on what is happening with the fashion, decor, art, and theater scene in town. Once a month, they host a happy hour at a local boutique or hip new restaurant. The events I attended have had a noticable gay presence.

Finally, there is a Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in town that is quite active. (I know the current president through another networking group) They typically meet at monthly happy hours as well. Aside from promoting their own businesses, these folks do a lot of good work for a couple of local charities.

Overall, I agree with the other posters on this forum who state that there is no "gay area" of austin, the population is scattered around town based on individual lifestyle preferences that have nothing to do with sexual orientation. IMHO, the way to get connected to the gay community, like any community in town, is to connect with groups that happen to have other gays involved with them.

I hope these suggestions are helpful !

[septemberfifteenth]

Originally Posted by purplecow1

The gay scene in Austin sucks. All the hot guys at the clubs are completely self-absorbed and cliquish, and the rest of the gays are impossible to find because there's no where else for them to go. I don't know of any "gay" coffee shops here, while I can name at least 2 in Dallas.

I am a regular patron at Halcyon in the 4th-Street Warehouse District, which at any given afternoon seems to be at least fifty-percent LGBTQ. I also occasionally frequent Progress Coffee in East Austin, which also has some regular LGBTQ patronage.

I am Catholic, and I attend St. Mary's Cathedral at the noon choral mass or at the 5pm classical-guitar mass, and I notice gay couples also in attendance. I sing at choral compline at St. David's Episcopal every Sunday night--an LGBTQ Christian oasis par excellence (myspace.com/complineinaustin). From my understanding, most mainline Christian denominations in town are affirming congregations, so if you are gay and Christian like myself, you will find Austin very agreeable.

As a gay graduate student in my middle 20s, I find this town very much for me even for its cliches: gay cowboys, colorful hippies, trendy hipsters, vegetarian activists, and shirtless tree-huggers... not to mention the HOT weather!



I live in a co-op (yes, the socialist establishment also copiously found in the Bay Area) where I am the token gay dude... There is room for improvement, but I am very happy in this place.

I do miss having a gay neighborhood, as I have experienced living in Chicago and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where I can flirt and almost assure myself a date, but I find the rather confusing mix here rather fun... If straight girls can flirt with gay guys, why can't I occasionally (and unknowingly) flirt with a straight guy? In Austin, you will find that most everyone is open to some affection.

[jread]

Originally Posted by septemberfifteenth

In Austin, you will find that most everyone is open to some affection.

That is really the best way anyone could possibly put it. Austin is the kind of town where a straight person isn't going to get pissed off if a gay person hits on them (or vice versa). It's all flattering and all in good fun. There aren't really any "gay" areas or "straight" areas... it is a very integrated city as far as sexuality goes.